Wow. That's the best way to describe the new C6. I've owned 4 straight M3's, including several Dinan supercharged monsters. I carefully evaluated the performance figures, comparisons, and test drove the C6. I broke down, ordered one and it arrived last week. Wow.

My poor '04 M3 has been in the garage ever since. I kept the M3 since I thought the vette ride could be too harsh for a tough bay area commute. Was I wrong. Here's my naive comparison of the cars:

Touring: Vette (surprise)
Speed: Vette
Cornering: M3
Breaking: Tie
Driver oriented interior: Vette
Fit and finish: Tie
Fun factor: Vette by a mile
Navigation: M3 (this was a throw in since I felt bad for the M3)

I'm now converted ... now I need to ditch the M3, invest in an exhaust, some headers and possibly a new stereo (Bose should be dissapointed in putting their brand in the delco quality audio ... the only dissapointment thus far).

 

Cornering M3? Really? Did you get the Z51?

 

yes -- have the Z51 package and it's great. But, the m3's cornering is SO precise and you have a mucher greater feeling for the road. The with the vette, you get a bit more movement and slightly more distant feeling but coming off a corner at full throttle pulling relentless g's makes up for the the difference!!!!

 

You did the right move!!
C6 is just incredible!!!!

 

What was your best 1/4 mile numbers in any of your M3's?

 

fenton, this is a great post. I'm considering a Z51 vs an '05 M3 w/ competition package. i'd be interested in your thoughts on a daily driver in the two comparisons. i haven't driven the C6 for fear I'll want to order it. all the best,

wahoo

 

Not sure about the quarter mile ... clearly I would be trailing the vette. Without the supercharger (my current M3) I lose punch fast. My '99 Dinan 2 was good off the line but as I sucked in air it took off between 80-140mph. After blowing through 2 supercharges I decided to trade it in.

Can't wait to throw a few mods into the vette...although I'm not sure I need it.

I can see why you all are so passionate about vettes. I have not been this excited about a car since my '78 trans am with a hurst shift kit.

 

Welcome.

 

When you see a Vette, any Vette, on the road...don't forget to wave.

 

wahoo99...
this was one of the issues I was most concerned about all the way up to delivery of the vette. I seriously considered dumping my M3 and going with the new Porsche S. But, I test drove the vette and fell in love with everything about the car so I decided to keep the M3 for practical reasons. I was wrong.

As far as daily commute, I was SHOCKED that the Vette was far more comfortable and tours phenominally well. And, it has an unbelievable on-demand punch. My M3 has a harsher ride and you feel every inch of the road ... which has it's merits for driving enthusiasts. You sit in the Vette in a more comfortable way ... the car just seems to engulf you in a positive way.

As you slide between traffic the M3 is more nimble...much more nimble.

If you don't need the back seat, Vette all the way. Plus, I've received more compliments on the vette in 2 wks than I've received over 5 years with 4 m3's.

The M3 just cannot hold a candle to the performance and power of the vette.

My views anyway. Perhaps you should consider the next gen M3 ... I think they are gunning for 400HP

 

I bought my 6 speed, Z51 C6 in October, and sold my E46 M3 about a month later. I kept it until I was comfortable with the decision. After a month, I still had some reservations, but it wasn't practical to keep both. After doing three track schools in the Vette, the differences in the two cars are clear.

The M3's handling and steering feel are both much more precise than the Vette. As soon as some parts are available, I think springs and shocks will give me 90% of what I want in the Vette. As each car comes from the factory, the Vette is much more neutral in its balance, while the M3 has considerable understeer; not a bad thing in a street car, but it's much harder to get the car to rotate properly in a turn. The Vette, once you get used to the judicious application of throttle, can be much more easily turned. For street driving, the M3's understeer is not a problem; probably a good thing.

The GM Active Handling/traction control is a much better system than BMW's DSC. In the M3, I found the car very difficult to drive well with DSC on. In the Vette, with the system in Comp Mode, very few people will out-drive it, although that should be your goal. I understand it was enhanced some with the C6 generation. Again, these are not factors for street driving.

The M3 brakes are better, but not by much. The silly drilled rotors GM uses with the Z51 package are not durable for track use; mine are about gone,and I already have spares.

For me, the M3 seat is much better. I will add a harness system when available. In the Vette it is very hard to stay planted during hard cornering, especially if you need to come off the dead pedal for either a shift, or left-foot braking. Again, fixable, but a little disappointing in a car this capable.

Overall fit and finish, paint, materials, etc, are better in the M3, but not by the margin of the past.

The extra torque and horsepower of the Vette make it a ball to drive. And, when you hit your line just right, it can power out of a turn in a way the M3 simply cannot. Of course, the extra power and lighter weight make the Vette faster in the straight, but the M3 certainly has enough power for fun, or trouble.

As a daily driver, either car is very acceptable, provided the room in the Vette is adequate. The Vette is actually a bit softer riding due to the extra suspension compliance, and quieter. If you cruise much at highway speeds, you can get about 30 mpg in the Vette; I never saw better than about 24 in the M3. I don't see any wrong decision for you here. Worst case, you have fun in a great car for a year or so, then move to a better one!

 

C6 > M3

True story.

 

Welcome. Nice to have your input.

 

I have an 05 M3 and a C6, don't know why people compare the two really. Two completely different animals, the Vette is a much smoother ride I agree but the M3 gives a lot more feedback to the driver. I have a hard time deciding which to drive everytime I leave the house, both are beautiful cars and both have their strengths.

 

I love the M3 its such a precision drive,if you could own both.......

 

I too sold my M3 in favor of the C6. M3 was a fantastic car, but I love the C6 even more.

 

No doubt the M3 is a great car....loved my 01. But the C6 is that much better. I still cannot get over that the ride quality with the C6 is better.

 

I also owned a 2004 M3. I agree that the M3 turned better. As for fun factor let me put it this way:

1. Had the M3 for almost a year and put 3700 miles on it. The Vette is 3 months old and has almost 4000.

2. My wife hated the M3 for both ride and comfort. Can't keep her out of the Vette.

 

I am a former 2x E46 M3 owner and can attest to this including tremendous amounts of track mileage in the M3..

The cornering is better on the vette as far as turn in but with regards to road feel the M3 gives more road feedback.. the Vette is a bit numb.. The E36 M3 was even better then the E46 M3 with regards to road feel.. the E36 M3 was surgical..

As far as navigation, the Vettes NAV system is FAR superior then Navteq's crap they throw in the BMW's.. no 3d, no voice guidance, no touch screen, 3 years between map updates.. the vettes is far better.. of course this is just my opinion.

 

Well, it *feels* that way, but it isn't actually. The large diameter steering wheel, relatively large number of turns lock to lock, and Magnasteer, make the Corvette feel a bit ponderous and numb, but it is still quicker in the turns. You just have to crank the wheel more than you might expect a sports car to require. On the flip side, at speed, the Corvette feels very stable and confidence inspiring. There is no go-cart twitchiness.