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I don't think people buy them comparing them to a Corvette. They are nice,fast and practical. The Corvette is the most impractical car I've ever had. However I do enjoy it as much as possible.
Yes, it is a weekend toy. I have a Toyota MR2 Spyder also. That is the most impractical car ever made. You can carry two six packs in it, and nothing else. There is no one in our Corvette club who has a Corvette as their only vehicle. I'm one of the few who only has one Corvette. Most have 3-6 Corvettes, plus other vehicles. I have four other vehicles to drive when I need to be practical. The Corvette is my fast car. And I have a fast motorcycle. I think the M3 was rated as the best mountain climbing car or something like that in an earlier post. I have no mountains near me, so I'll pass on the BMW.
My contribution to this extensive conversation, seems to me, is pretty much in real time. Just purchased a '18 Grand Sport 2.5 weeks ago and about a year ago I bought my wife BMW 550. Now I don't know the "E" number of this 550 like the experts refer them as however I can tell you it is a 2016 4.4L twin turbo rated at 440 horse. Also, I don't know if this is true or not, but I have seen some say BMW under rates their engines. If they do or not, I don't care. What I can say is if I were to line both of these cars up and run them, I'm sure the Vette would win a drag race, however this race could come down to the driver and the hole shot and the BMW would be breathing down the Vette's neck. There is no denying the "seat of the pants" dyno of my 'Vette, however this BMW runs strong. Real strong. Just last night I was driving the wife and I home when I used the paddle shifters in the BMW to go from 8th down to 4th when entering an on ramp then hit the gas and let it eat. That was impressive seeing the speedo rocket up and feeling the silky smooth engine propel the car seemingly without effort. I like this car.
Comparing them is not really fair to either car. Where the 'Vette is a sports car geared to light track use and laser like handling, the BMW is set up for eating up pavement for long periods. Where the 'Vette is a bit rough around the edges and noisy, the BMW is so very smooth, quiet, fast and powerful. I wouldn't trade for either. Like some have suggested owning a BMW revolves around having the logo for others to see, for my wife and I, it comes down to execution and the BMW has it in spades. There are some quirky German influences to get used to but its all good. I like both of these cars for different reasons.
That is all.
I had the same BMW except mine was when it was 400 hp (my current car is a new 540 which is as fast as my 550 was BTW). I spent two weeks in a 650 loaner with the 445 hp version. I can assure you that BMW does under rate their engines. Either that or they have figured out how to cut losses to the rear wheels to nearly nothing.
Last edited by jschindler; 07-18-2018 at 08:51 PM.
Your not looking hard enough ... "stock" z51 auto guys run 11.6x 11.5X 120+ mph in good air
I'm talking magazines that have been testing cars for 60 years and you can compare apples to apples. If you want to look at what guys on the forum run in good air don't you think that we can find better M3/4 times on forums too? I'm not new to this. I bought my first car magazine in 1965. And look at the C6 "fast" list on this forum and you'll find me pretty high up in three different Corvettes.
Last edited by jschindler; 07-18-2018 at 08:59 PM.
See my post above. Guaranteed you can find faster M3 times than what the magazines run.
I used the term "mainstream magazines" for a reason.
Oh, ok. I just though the ole 1320' test was one that everyone uses. There are only so many magazines out there.
FYI, I have owned a BMW before and appreciate the finer things they offer. Might even go back to the Bavarian Motor culture in a few years.
I'm talking magazines that have been testing cars for 60 years and you can compare apples to apples. If you want to look at what guys on the forum run in good air don't you think that we can find better M3/4 times on forums too? I'm not new to this. I bought my first car magazine in 1965. And look at the C6 "fast" list on this forum and you'll find me pretty high up in three different Corvettes.
So.... Iam not sure what your point about magazine numbers is about?
BTW my last car was a 2013 E92 M3 and ALMOST bought a M4 before i bought a C7 so iam no BMW hater.
I'm talking magazines that have been testing cars for 60 years and you can compare apples to apples. If you want to look at what guys on the forum run in good air don't you think that we can find better M3/4 times on forums too? I'm not new to this. I bought my first car magazine in 1965. And look at the C6 "fast" list on this forum and you'll find me pretty high up in three different Corvettes.
Using a magazine review of an auto M4 and a manual c7, without knowing if both cars were tested by the same driver in the same conditions, is not comparing apples to apples. The C7 has more hp, more torque, better tires and is lighter - all things being equal, conditions, driver, etc., I'm not sure how you could argue that the M4 is going to run a faster quarter mile.
It goes on and on and on When this thread is finished, exactly "nothing" will have been determined, other than we like what we like because we do.
agreed in terms of declaring a winner... but I personally have benefitted from these X vs Y threads while I was car shopping. They remind me of when I used to read comics, and people would debate who would win if Hulk fought Thor, etc.
It goes on and on and on When this thread is finished, exactly "nothing" will have been determined, other than we like what we like because we do.
Agreed. However I have learned a lot of Corvette owners feel that a BMW is for snobs 😏 The Corvette is a great sports car. But people need to realize there are others as well. Just gotta step out of the comfort zone.
Belonging to Corvette, BMW and WRX clubs at the same time does indeed make for some interesting conversations.
Originally Posted by saleen556
Agreed. However I have learned a lot of Corvette owners feel that a BMW is for snobs 😏 The Corvette is a great sports car. But people need to realize there are others as well. Just gotta step out of the comfort zone.
Agreed. However I have learned a lot of Corvette owners feel that a BMW is for snobs 😏 The Corvette is a great sports car. But people need to realize there are others as well. Just gotta step out of the comfort zone.
I think it just comes from people and magazines continually trashing the corvette or looking down on it. I think that changed drastically with the C7, but the history remains.
I'm just concerned about people misrepresenting facts, not opinions. You can think the more conservative look of the BMW is superior to the more aggressive look of the C7 and I can totally disagree and neither of us would be wrong. I chose the corvette because I wanted a fun summer car that had very aggressive looks. I have nothing against BMWs and it I needed a more practical every day driver i'd definitely choose a BMW, or a host of other cars, over the corvette. But drive a corvette and bmw down a crowded street and I guarantee you will turn more heads with the corvette.
I think it just comes from people and magazines continually trashing the corvette or looking down on it. I think that changed drastically with the C7, but the history remains.
I'm just concerned about people misrepresenting facts, not opinions. You can think the more conservative look of the BMW is superior to the more aggressive look of the C7 and I can totally disagree and neither of us would be wrong. I chose the corvette because I wanted a fun summer car that had very aggressive looks. I have nothing against BMWs and it I needed a more practical every day driver i'd definitely choose a BMW, or a host of other cars, over the corvette. But drive a corvette and bmw down a crowded street and I guarantee you will turn more heads with the corvette.
I definitely agree the Corvette turns heads. It amazes me how many thumbs up and people taking photos I get. My M3 got attention but not nearly the same.
07-18-2018, 07:38 PM
When this thread is finished, exactly "nothing" will have been determined, other than we like what we like because we do. 
