[Z06] Z06 vs M3
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
Hey ThrottlejunkieM3, don't you already have an m3? 
And haven't I already read about 100 posts about your motivation for buying a Cobra or a Z06? Your not THAT interesting. Would you just buy something already!!! 
And haven't I already read about 100 posts about your motivation for buying a Cobra or a Z06? Your not THAT interesting. Would you just buy something already!!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
My avatar is Brittany Snow (actress). She was in the TV show American Dreams, Nip/Tuck, The Pacifier with Vin Diesel, and most recently John Tucker Must Die...
To get back to the topic. If your dream car is the M3 why are you asking what we think?
To get back to the topic. If your dream car is the M3 why are you asking what we think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: St. Peters MO
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
My room had a E46 M3 (he's also had 3 Z06's) and I currently have an 03 Z.
I'll be honest I loved the M3...the looks, handling, interior, felt more sophisticated. Only problem is...it need about 50 more HP and it would have been PERFECT.
Giving that I would choose the Z...it's got everything the M3 has (minus interior and maybe sophisitcation) but it's def got the power (down low where it counts). Plus it's a just an all around badass car.
Either way you go you are going to be in a nice/fast/good looking car, but I think the Z has a little more edge over the M!
Good luck with your choice!
edit...I saw people on bimmerforums talking about gas mileage...I get 28mpg on the HWY alllll dayyy longgg!
I'll be honest I loved the M3...the looks, handling, interior, felt more sophisticated. Only problem is...it need about 50 more HP and it would have been PERFECT.
Giving that I would choose the Z...it's got everything the M3 has (minus interior and maybe sophisitcation) but it's def got the power (down low where it counts). Plus it's a just an all around badass car.
Either way you go you are going to be in a nice/fast/good looking car, but I think the Z has a little more edge over the M!
Good luck with your choice!
edit...I saw people on bimmerforums talking about gas mileage...I get 28mpg on the HWY alllll dayyy longgg!
Last edited by TransAmGT; May 10, 2007 at 09:21 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Maybe if you asked this question on a forum NOT dedicated to either car you would get a less biassed answer. Although after looking, the Vette seems to get more props on the bimmer forum than the M3 gets here.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Hills CA
do you want a sports sedan (sorry, that's how I see the M3)? or a real all around sports car? the z06 pretty much destroys the M3 in every aspect of performance...it's more "raw" I guess too
M3 is a lot nicer quality, but there's really not much else you can do to it performance wise without shelling BIG bucks (and forced induction)...bolt-ons won't get you much
with the z06, simple exhaust, headers, cai, tune and you gain 30+rwhp.....throw in a cam and you're spanking most things on the road (if not already)
M3 is a lot nicer quality, but there's really not much else you can do to it performance wise without shelling BIG bucks (and forced induction)...bolt-ons won't get you much
with the z06, simple exhaust, headers, cai, tune and you gain 30+rwhp.....throw in a cam and you're spanking most things on the road (if not already)
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bradford Mass
I had a 2004 M3 coupe, went through 19k miles (had SMG II and $9,000 in options), had Dinan intake and stage 1 software. Hated it, got rid of it after 6 months, no power compared to the Z. I have had 12 cars in 6 years, 4 of which were BMW's- they were all miserable and spent more time in the shop than with me behind the wheel. I have kept the Z for 3 years, best decision I have ever made and by far the best car I have ever owned. Went to shop once for a window regulator and has not been back since. Not quite as comfortable as the M3 however comfort is not part of buying the ZO6 equation. Just my .02. and good luck. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Katy Texas
this made me laugh
"Vette = older chic
E46 M3 = younger chic
now it's your choice. "
because i do believe the younger girls will want to be in a vette bc there is no way they will appreciate a M3 as any more than a nice BMW, vettes a vette
just like they dont appreciate a C5 vs. a Z06
"Vette = older chic
E46 M3 = younger chic
now it's your choice. "
because i do believe the younger girls will want to be in a vette bc there is no way they will appreciate a M3 as any more than a nice BMW, vettes a vette
just like they dont appreciate a C5 vs. a Z06
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Back in '04, I tried to talk my wife into getting a new M3 before she decided on her 330xi. The M3 is a nice refined Sportscar. However for my needs, the Z06 was a no-brainer!
I will try to talk my wife into getting the '08 420 BHP V8 equipped M3 when it's available.
I will try to talk my wife into getting the '08 420 BHP V8 equipped M3 when it's available.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 17
So the time has come to decide between the two. A C5Z and an E46 M3 (2001-2006). They are both in the same price range and I cannot make up my mind. There's pros and cons to each of them. If I ask which one you would pick I know what most of the answers will be. So I would like to know WHY you would pick your Z over the BMW.
I have a 4 door Cadillac, and a 4 door Silverado, that without, I wouldn't be able to own a Corvette. I can't daily drive the vette, it's just too uncomfortable of a car in comparison to a real highway cruiser. Hope that helps.
(if you didn't understand my post, I was saying that without another car to drive daily, the vette would be a poor choice).
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
If all the M3 has 'over' the Z06 are the backseats, I can't see how it's much of a decision unless you have kids.
I can't do anything in an M3 that I can't do in my Z06 except for carpool people to work. I think I can live with that.
I daily drive my Z06 and love every minute of it. 484rwhp and 429ft lbs of torque on tap and ready to humble the M3 guys and still getting 25mpg.
I can't do anything in an M3 that I can't do in my Z06 except for carpool people to work. I think I can live with that.
I daily drive my Z06 and love every minute of it. 484rwhp and 429ft lbs of torque on tap and ready to humble the M3 guys and still getting 25mpg.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 614
Likes: 24
From: Manteca, CA
Get whatever you will enjoy the most, because regret is something you should not have to live with regarding something you will spend so much of your life in!
On a side note, boy those Bimmer guys are really sensitive...
On a side note, boy those Bimmer guys are really sensitive...
If you don't ....well then, you know