If you are talking about a 2008 M3, I never dirven one nor do I care for its body style. From what I have read it is a very well balanced car. However, the base vette will outperform the new M3, and you would be 20K richer.

If you are talking about the E46 M3, I owned an E46 M3 for six years and sold it to buy a new 2008 vette. Here is a quick comparison between the E46 M3 6 speed manual and a 2008 vette 6 speed manual, 2LT, Z51, NPP exhaust.

Style - both cars are great looking - it's a tie.

Comfort - The vette is more comfortable, even with the Z51 suspension.

Steering - M3 wins hands down. The M3 has much more steering feedback than the vette, although the vette is improving.

Fit and Finish - M3 wins, the vette is improving every year.

Handling - The M3 handles great and improved after I installed Michelin PS2 tires. These tires are great and allowed you to push the car to higher limits. The M3 is very tossable for a 3400 lb car, it feels lighter than it actually is. The M3 does exhibit some body roll which is the only negative I would complain about.
The Vette with the Z51 handles great also. The Goodyear runflats give a sense of numbness on its limitation. If I switched to Michelin PS2 non runflats, the handling limits would be much less numbing. But, runflats do give a sense of security at high speeds. The vette with Z51, has no body roll and the suspension is perfectly balanced for the street and track. You really get the best of both worlds. Vette wins in the handling, but the M3 is not far behind.

Shifting - The M3 was notchy, the vette has a shorter throw and smoother. Vette wins.

Power - The reason I bought the vette was for it's power. After I test drove the Vette, I jumped back into the M3 and it felt like a 4 cylinder honda. The torque and horsepower in the vette is a real thrill factor that I missed from my hot rod days. The M3's is a high reving engine with peak power reached at 7900 rpm and redlining at 8000rpm. The engine's power band is 4000 to 8000 rpm. The vette's LS3 engine has torque available at low rpm and it just pull hard all the way up to its rev line of 6500 rpm. The vette's power range is 3500 to 6500 rpm. Vette wins hands down.



In summary, the M3 is a great car and seats 4. I no longer need a four seater and I wanted more power. I never owned a vette, but when the C6 body style came out, the vette became an eye opener. In 2008, with the LS3 engine and the significant improvements GM made to the Vette, I knew it was time for a change. After seven months of ownership and 7000 miles of driving the vette, I never looked back. I am a happy owner of a 2008 Corvette Coupe!

 

GO for the M6. Only bmw id think of replacing my vette with. Actually having both. I will never say bye to my vette unless a better one came along!!!

 

I owned an E46 M3 for 4 years, a 2005 C6 and now a 2008 C6.

Agreed. In 2005, I probably wouldn't have given all these to the vette but the interior is much better in the 08 and the steering is much improved over the 05.

Agreed. One thing I'll note is that the M3 has an incredibly harsh ride to get its handling. The vette, even with the Z51 package, is softer than my M3 was and still handles better.

Agreed. And I'll also repeat that in 2005, I would have given this category to the M3. The 2005 vette's shifter+tranny sucked big time. In 2008, with the new tranny and new shifter, things are waaayyyy better.

Agreed. This is, with out a doubt, the single biggest difference. Where the M3 pulls hard, the vette (especially the 2008) SLAMS you into the seat back.

The M3 is strong but the vette is violent.

Pat

 

I've got an 08 C6 Coupe and my brother has an 09 M3 Coupe. Both are 6sp manuals. His M3 cost about $14K more than my C6. Overall performance is similar; the big difference is that he must keep the M3 wound up to get it's performance while I can lug around in the higher gears and still have excellent performance levels. However, I wouldn't refuse either car.---John

 

This is an interesting metaphor... Made me scratch my head a little, but interesting nevertheless.

 

Your brother might have a 2008, the 2009's are not out yet.

 

What model year? '08 C6 and '08 M3? Which transmission? The cars are very different to begin with and the new BMW Twin-Disc 7-speed Paddle-shift is in a league of it's own. It transform the driving experience for the M3. It is a $2700 option and worth every penny in my opinion.

Pricing is between the C6 and Z06. $63K MSRP before discounts with the M Double-clutch Transmission. The economy is still lousy and the car market still a buyers market. There are many '08 M3's on dealer lots and there are discounts. The '09's are a couple of months out and prices for the '08s will probably drop a bit more?

Let us know more about which year, model, transmission option and I will try providing better feedback. I have driven both the C6 and M3 in both transmission configurations.

 

The M3 drives really nice, with great turn in and steering feel. It's nimble despite being heavy. It's a matter of taste. If you're the type that wears penny loafers, bluetooth, and ties your teal Land's End sweater around your neck, get the Bimmer.

 

Although never an M3, I've owned 3 different BMW's over about a 20 year period. I enjoyed each one but they certainly weren't the low maintenance wonder cars I expected....they all had more than their fair share of mechanical issues.

While I've seen some modified BMW's that handle incredibly well, for whatever reason, I see more BMW's spinout than any other make car on the track. I don't know much about modding a BMW but I know the Corvette is an excellent platform to modify.

The M3 and the C6 are just two different cars. If you need the utility of a 4-door sedan and want something peppy with reasonable handling...go with the BMW. On the other hand, if performance is what you seek...go with the Corvette.

 

To the OP what was so uninformed and BS about CQRT's initial response? He hit the nail on the head. I have own a C6 and also owned a E36 M3 and a E46 M3 and test drove a E90 M3, the BMWs are fun cars they love high rpms but lack torque. They do have a trunk and a back seat which is the big difference. The vette is just pure muscle and is only a two seater but has a nice trunk. I got out of the BMW scene mainly because no BMW could match the power or should I say the torque of the Vette and the sound of the American V8 (well that had to be modded but you can't get a BMW to sound like an American muscle car).

And I also agree CHILL OUT.

 

I thought the M3 E46 needed to be pushed more to enjoy it's virtues. The Vette can cruise and be fun, it's all about the torque!!.

I haven't looked back after selling the M and buying the LS3.

Bimmer =white collar Vette = blue collar. Not that it matters!

 

If you have to decide, take the M3 - you're not a Corvette guy.

 

best summery i have read to date and on the money!

 

The M3 is a great car for the wife.

It keeps her away from my Vette!

 

considered the m3 before recently getting my 2008 coupe.

Drove it around, read all the press. Decided that unless I could get the M6, (way more bucks) the vette was a better buy.... If you really need some back seat space, m3 is a good alternative, but consider the MB cl63 amg also....

By the Way, Vette is a much prettier, elegant and gracious car than those mentioned....

 

:o