C6 Reliability and Dependibility
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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C6 Reliability and Dependibility
I keep tossing back and forth between going with an M3 or a C6. Yes...I know they are two different cars, and I have different reasons for wanting each. My one question is this. I know it is too soon to see how reliable the C6 is, but for those who also have or had a C5, did you find the car needed constant repairs?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 786
Likes: 21
From: I need more money TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by King6
I keep tossing back and forth between going with an M3 or a C6. Yes...I know they are two different cars, and I have different reasons for wanting each. My one question is this. I know it is too soon to see how reliable the C6 is, but for those who also have or had a C5, did you find the car needed constant repairs?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 93
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From: Dallas Texas
Let's see the M3 has been around for years and the C6 is an all new for 05 American car and you have to ask which would be more reliable. In a year or two when the bugs have been worked out of the C6 this will be a more legitimate question but for now history says the M3 would be the more reliable car. Trying to gauge C6 reliability based on the C5 is not a fair comparision as the C5 which is a very reliable car has been around getting the bugs ironed out of it for 8 years. I'm on my second C5 and have not had a minutes trouble out of either of them.
Team Owner
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
The C6 drivetrain is based mostly on the C5 drivetrain, which has proved to be mostly reliable. OK we'll say "predictable."
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
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From: Youngstown Ohio
I currently own an 03 Coupe which is also my daily driver (in all kinds of weather including SNOW). I purchased it brand new back in Dec. 02. My Vette now has 50,000 miles on the odometer. The only problems I've had with my 03 Coupe were some brake pulsation issues and leaky transparent roof panel. Both problems were fixed under warranty and it's been smooth sailing ever since. My Vette still feels as solid and squeak and rattle free as the day I first took delivery of it. As a matter of fact my 03 Coupe has been the most trouble free car that I have ever owned! That's saying something because I tourchure my Vette ever single day. I'am a sales rep and I have to drive the Vette over some of the most horrible roads and driving conditions known to mankind. If the Corvette engineers ever want some REAL WORLD TESTING then give me a call.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
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From: Youngstown Ohio
Originally Posted by Thud
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
My 03 coupe has 17,000 miles and has not been in the shop - although it does have a leaking differential right now (not uncommon). Corvettes do have some problems, but you will also find many owners who have not had any.
Check the M3 forum. They are not without problems either. And let's not forget they had major engine problems early on. And while that problem may be fixed, it left a huge credibility problem because for a while BMW would not honor the warranty and tried to stick owners with a $22,000 engine replacement bill. I think in general you will see many BMW owners have their own set of problems. In fact, I visit several car forum, and I think you will see every car has it's own.
I have a C6 on order and am just not worried about it. The car is worth the risk to me.
Check the M3 forum. They are not without problems either. And let's not forget they had major engine problems early on. And while that problem may be fixed, it left a huge credibility problem because for a while BMW would not honor the warranty and tried to stick owners with a $22,000 engine replacement bill. I think in general you will see many BMW owners have their own set of problems. In fact, I visit several car forum, and I think you will see every car has it's own.
I have a C6 on order and am just not worried about it. The car is worth the risk to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies. --Bokonon
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'07
Originally Posted by coolcat
I currently own an 03 Coupe which is also my daily driver (in all kinds of weather including SNOW). I purchased it brand new back in Dec. 02. My Vette now has 50,000 miles on the odometer. The only problems I've had with my 03 Coupe were some brake pulsation issues and leaky transparent roof panel. Both problems were fixed under warranty and it's been smooth sailing ever since. My Vette still feels as solid and squeak and rattle free as the day I first took delivery of it. As a matter of fact my 03 Coupe has been the most trouble free car that I have ever owned! That's saying something because I tourchure my Vette ever single day. I'am a sales rep and I have to drive the Vette over some of the most horrible roads and driving conditions known to mankind. If the Corvette engineers ever want some REAL WORLD TESTING then give me a call.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 998
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From: Santa Rosa, CA
Originally Posted by crw41
Go to tire rack message board for BMW, go to M3 board and read about M3 engine failures due to spun bearings
Oil consumption,
column lock
exhaust jingle
trunk not opening
driver seat rocking
what's your point?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
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From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Thud
The C6 drivetrain is based mostly on the C5 drivetrain, which has proved to be mostly reliable. OK we'll say "predictable."
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Get a Mustang rear end more durable less maintenance and problems. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 730
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From: Newport Beach CA
Go with C6
Originally Posted by King6
I keep tossing back and forth between going with an M3 or a C6. Yes...I know they are two different cars, and I have different reasons for wanting each. My one question is this. I know it is too soon to see how reliable the C6 is, but for those who also have or had a C5, did you find the car needed constant repairs?
However although the M3 also looks good, one drawback is that the body will likely change in the next year or two, whereas the C6 body has not even been seen by most people yet. And although the C6 doesn't have the same practicality in terms of people and luggage space, the fact that it gets 24-28 mpg highway is all the practicality I need, compared to the M3's 19-22 mpg highway.
So for me, the C6 was the obvious way to go in the end, but primarily because of how practical a car it was for my commute...not to mention that it simply blows the M3 out of the water in terms of performance.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6
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I just sold a 2001 M3 imola red and I am awaiting for a black on red C6 coupe.
I kept the M3 2 years more than I planned because I loved the thing and coul not depart from it, but I had a bunche of little problems with it that needed frequent visits including an engine 4000 RPM rev limiting mode that engaged sporadically when I asked a little bit to much of it.
I can't see how I can do worst with a C6....
JLB
I kept the M3 2 years more than I planned because I loved the thing and coul not depart from it, but I had a bunche of little problems with it that needed frequent visits including an engine 4000 RPM rev limiting mode that engaged sporadically when I asked a little bit to much of it.
I can't see how I can do worst with a C6....
JLB
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by Thud
The C6 drivetrain is based mostly on the C5 drivetrain, which has proved to be mostly reliable. OK we'll say "predictable."
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Once you accept that sooner or later the rear end will start leaking, it's reliable.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 122
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The one thing steering me more towards a C6 than an M3 is the fact that the M3 body style changes so often. An M3 from a few years ago that I thought looked so awesome now looks so outdated. So while they look bad *** when they are brand new, after a couple of years when a new style comes out, it just doesn't look that good anymore. The C5 looked bad *** from its introduction to its conclusion...and even with the new C6 out, it still holds its own.