E92 m3 vs c7 z51

[brainhulk]

I'm just in the early stages of thinking about the next car I should buy. What are your guys feelings? Any others I should consider? Just something for spirited cruising and maybe some track days. I have a s2000 for dedicated track use.

Once again very very early deliberation...still need to clear out 3rd car space in the garage if I come close

 

[Kadarin]

I had an '08 E92 M3, with the 415hp (or so?) V8. It handled decently well, but given that you had to wind the piss out of the motor to get any power out of it, it really didn't fit with my preferred driving style. If you like your s2000, you'll probably like the M3.

I can't speak to the Z51, but I'd have to say my C7 Z06 is far and away better handling than the M3.

 

[jlee]

My first reaction was the C7, but I don't know too much about either car. There's a decent comparison here: http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/corvette-stingray/2014/comparison-test3.html

I would test drive them both and see which one feels 'right.' I have a huge appreciation for torque, so the C7 has the edge in power delivery characteristics from my perspective.

 

[PricklyPete]

C7 seems to be a much better car (haven't driven one...so can't directly speak to it). Not a huge fan of the looks, but amazing piece of engineering. That being said, I've driven an E92 M3 on several occasions...love the engine, love the looks, and is far more practical than the corvette as a daily driver. Maintenance will be way more.

For a daily, I'd more likely look at a late model 335is. Nearly as quick as the M3 with lower maintenance costs and lower price. It will also feel quicker around town due to torque/turbos.

I miss my E46 M3 all the time.

 

[RichieZ]

991 911 c2s

 

[Railgun]

After 1400 miles of renting a Stingray, I was quickly bored and annoyed at the interior. Wasn't that comfortable. The entertainment system was slow as all hell with an iphone. If I put the key behind the sliding screen, the car complained the key wasn't available.

While fast, I didn't like the transmission's responsiveness while cruising. It's a looker, and it sounds great, but not really what I'd look for.

I can't speak to the M3 per se, but I did have an E92 335i and personally, not being one to join the e-peen wars of how much faster or more power one has over another, I"ll take the M3 hands down. Very comfortable as a daily driver. The high revving V8 of the M3 sounds fantastic, especially when uncorked.

 

[brainhulk]

I'm heavily leaning towards the m3 atm because to me at will stay pleasing to my eye longer. Plus I am seeing some great deals on autotrader for low mileage ones. And it has back seats just in case jr wants to go for a cruise...hehe.

I heard e92 m3's have rod bearing issues that eventually need to get replaced. Any other major problems with them?

 

[sgrinavi]

I loved my e92 M3, but the vette is going to out-perform it.

 

[MegaFlop]

I picked the C7. I have a Z51 A8 and I have put 6K miles on it since January.
I just finished a 500+ mile road trip in it and averaged about 28mpg which includes several passing maneuvers. It is a amazing car and I find it very comfortable for long trips.

The PDR is fun.
https://youtu.be/qglBxDMcy7g
https://youtu.be/cHRXmberg2k

 

[jlee]

I picked the C7. I have a Z51 A8 and I have put 6K miles on it since January.
I just finished a 500+ mile road trip in it and averaged about 28mpg which includes several passing maneuvers. It is a amazing car and I find it very comfortable for long trips.

The PDR is fun.
https://youtu.be/qglBxDMcy7g
https://youtu.be/cHRXmberg2k

:awe:

 

[Wuzup101]

I personally would (and did) pick the C7 (Z51) over the e92. Not that it's not a great car, but it wasn't really on my radar for cross-shopping (the new F82 M4 was but took too long to hit US sales floors). Personally, if I was buying a used M3, it would be an e46 with a manual transmission... not an e92. It's true that it's a bit more practical than the Vette for a DD (but honestly the Vette does a damn good job for me). But if you want to go that route, I agree with the above poster that an e92 335i would be a better choice to begin with. If you want a used German fun car in that price ballpark, I'd take a Cayman S over the e92 M3 all day every day. I'd be hard pressed to not buy a new s550 mustang GT + track pack over a used e92 M3... and if there was some extra room in my budget... I'd just go for the new GT350... (which from the youtube clips I've heard will even sound better than the M3 lol).

Note: the e92 M3 is an absolutely fine car and I'm not bashing it by any means. That being said, it would not be my top pick in nearly any category when compared to other current cars in your price range (both new and used).

 

[RichUK]

I'm heavily leaning towards the m3 atm because to me at will stay pleasing to my eye longer. Plus I am seeing some great deals on autotrader for low mileage ones. And it has back seats just in case jr wants to go for a cruise...hehe.

I heard e92 m3's have rod bearing issues that eventually need to get replaced. Any other major problems with them?

The car is bullet proof, in comparison to previous model M3s.