I love the C8, everything going for it (excepting limited visibility), but no MT which I have driven since 1979 on all my cars. South BMW of Miami permitted me to test drive a MT one today, very nice, plus liked the limited but real back seat. I was finally able to sit within a C8 2020 3LT at Bromin Chevy, Miami today, it was a resale so they turned on the motor, and I enjoyed setting inside,
very impressive. They are both pretty close in price. I love MT and worry about picking up the DC C8 and later regretting my choice since I doubt I will get an opportunity to test drive one before taking delivery. Any thoughts out there, would appreciate?

 

Get the BMW. You've already made the decision, I can tell lol

 

Only you can make that decision. Good luck!

 

ARE YOU KIDDING As the owner of 2 BMWs M550i X Drive and a M340i X Drive, these cars deprecate unbelievably bad. My 2015 Corvette Z-51 in 6 1/2 years has depreciated about $25,000. My 2018 M550i in 3 years has depreciated about $40,000.
I will take delivery of my 2021 end of July at MSRP which local dealers here in Colorado Springs are asking $30,000 over MSRP.
Just look in Kelly Blue Book and compare a 4 year old M car vs a Corvette.

 

I work for BMW service advisor currently 21 years driven new m3 and m4 also have owned every model of m3 since 2003. and have owned every model corvette since 1986
I now own the new c8 2021 convertible. No comparison hands down the new c8

 

This is exactly the kind of educated experienced comment that I was looking for, my sincerest thanks. This is essential information. Much appreciated. Thanks

 

Thanks so much, this is exactly what I was looking for, and I will order the HTC, beautifully executed and for me a newbie to Miami, a given!

 

What do the members on the BMW forum say?

 

Wrong about me having decided, for instance, I noticed on the BMW only 55% parts made in Germany, whereas on the C8 it is 72%, much better, and I love the HTC

 

I've driven manuals since 75...the one time I went to an auto (Camaro), I regretted it not long afterwards. My 3 Vette's have been (and currently are...) manual. I can't see myself switching and being happy.

 

What do BMW forum people say? I don't know, I am only a member here! I prefer to be here.

 

but the DCT IS a manual transmission, no? I see this all the time on the forum, mentioning that it's an automatic. The DCT operates in either manual or automatic modes. Tremec even says on their site that DCT has more in common with a traditional manual than an automatic. I look at it like it is NOT a 3-pedal car, and I absolutely have heartburn with that. No more heel-toe downshifting which I will miss. But I am still controlling the car. it shifts when I want it to. Of course, with rev-matching which will make us look like heros when downshifting into a corner every single time! From what I have read, the shifts occur in 100ms or less, which tells me (others with their C8 in-hand can confirm), that there is no noticeable delay when executing an upshift/downshift with the paddles.

I had a $1k deposit on a C8 about 8 months before the intro date when information was scant. As soon as I found out it would not have 3 pedals, I pulled my deposit from my dealer.....then, the tests came out, and the unreal performance from a ~500hp engine was just jaw-dropping.....so I got over my 3 pedal issue and put another deposit in and should be taking NCM delivery in mid-July.

Frankly, there is no way I would take any BMW over a C8. Back when the V-10 M5 was around, BMW's were still very rowdy beasts. Today, IMO, they are way, way too refined for me. I feel they have lost their edge from a seat of the pants perspective. And, as everyone knows, the ongoing costs to keep a BMW are sky high (unless you are an expert BMW wrench yourself....or your brother in-law is).

My opinion, of course.

 

I truly appreciate your opinion. I was looking for just this kind of response to assuage my one and only reservation about the C8, no stick. I sat in one today, and while I was not allowed to drive it, I heard it's magnificent engine roar! Z51 and HTC MRC will make this my dream car (minus stick)!

 

dont' know if you do track weekends, but I think that is where the DCT in manual mode will begrudgingly win me over. no question my lap times will be lower, coming from a C5 Z06 where the shifter/transmission combination is not exactly buttery smooth with short throws! only worrying about what gear I want to be in at any given point, and letting the electronics handle the rest is an advantage in that instance.

and I am with you. the sound in the cabin is somewhat muted with the windows up and top on, but drop everything and the performance exhaust in track mode does make a glorious sound for sure. I am anxious for the MRC suspension. My Z06 never had that option available and I have always wanted it.

 

Buy a 1 or 2 year old BMW and save 30-40% over a new one.

 

To all of you who responded to my probably dumb post, thank you so much, I am so pleased to be part of this Corvette Forum, I belong to none other. Although I have never purchased a GM product in my 69 years, I am bowed over by the C8. There was the Mercury Project, followed by the Gemini Project, followed by the Apollo Project, followed by the C8 Project. This is the latest greatest US rocket ship!

 

I am not a track guy, excepting when I was a young man and raced in T&F and reached the Montreal '76 Olympics in the 800 meters. But the sound of this motor,God only knows what the Z06, GT and finally Zaro will produce!!! is so compelling. I am so happy that Corvette finally reached it's natural progression to mid-engine

 

It’s a valid comparison based on price. The new M3/M4 will be a beast when tuned. And yes you can get a manual transmission, which is very important for some buyers. Having said that your comparing two pretty different vehicles. Do you need a backseat?

To me it comes down to if you want more of a pure sports car. The C8 will feel and look more exotic. The M4 will be more practical. If you go the M4 route look into leasing as most people don’t keep them more than 3-4 years.

 

Good point, but I don't want to lease, I want a car that I want to keep, yes that's somewhat old fashioned, but I want to love my car for the long term, leasing means expendable and shallow relationship. I want to feel more. My current car I have owned 10 yers, previously, my Peugeot Mi-16, I owned for 21 years. Not a leasing person

 

No. No, it is not.

If you MUST interact with the transmission for it to shift gears: It is a m a n u a l.
If you DO NOT have to interact w/ the trans & it can shift the gears by itself (without driver input): It is an automatic.

Thats all I’m going to say on the subject.