Trade in M3 for a ZL1?

[ZL1Darkone]

Help!

I am thinking about trading in my 2011 M3 and getting Zl1.

However, I got to know if there are any major problems you guys are having with your cars before I drop 50K plus on this car.

I bought a 2011 M3 about a year ago without knowing that these cars have too tight a clearance in their bearings and connecting rods which is causing some engine failures. On top of that I found out that BMW( nor anyone else) publishes a service manual. So no torque specs, assembly, disassembly instructions - nothing. What else? How about parts that cost 2 to 3 x that of an American car and performance parts that cost 3 x as much and barely increase HP. Not happy....especially since I come from the Corvette world, I had a Ls3 that I modified to 700 Hp....

So help me out guys....tell me what you HATE and love about your cars so I can know what I am getting into this time..

[Todd in Vancouver]

I'm still in the honeymoon period and I'm overall very happy with my ZL. There are a couple issues you can read about on other threads but they seem to be looked after by GM so nothing that I haven't seen in every brand out there.

[oldfriend]

One of the biggest problem, that I know about the ZL1 is , that most of the members in here have complained , is that they don't have enough time to drive they're cars around
And GM have no clue on what could be done about it

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by ZL1Darkone

Help!

I am thinking about trading in my 2011 M3 and getting Zl1.

However, I got to know if there are any major problems you guys are having with your cars before I drop 50K plus on this car.

I bought a 2011 M3 about a year ago without knowing that these cars have too tight a clearance in their bearings and connecting rods which is causing some engine failures. On top of that I found out that BMW( nor anyone else) publishes a service manual. So no torque specs, assembly, disassembly instructions - nothing. What else? How about parts that cost 2 to 3 x that of an American car and performance parts that cost 3 x as much and barely increase HP. Not happy....especially since I come from the Corvette world, I had a Ls3 that I modified to 700 Hp....

So help me out guys....tell me what you HATE and love about your cars so I can know what I am getting into this time..

I hate that there is so much stuff out there that is easy to find that makes this car faster, if you like to mod, the limit is very high. I think it weighs too much, but you can buy lighter mods, see first hate...

I love how fast it is and how easy it is to make it just plain ridiculous.... With just a little investment in the aftermarket it will run with just about anything on just about any type of racing venue you want.... seriously. It is an awesome car for speed junkies.

[OldScoolCamaro]

...there is no think, only do....<a take on a Yoda'ism...>, seriously, there are no major mechanical issues or complaints, only random issues or picky yuni whinnings. The car is a rock solid performer, fine wine performance at the cost of table offerings,...and it's a mind blower to boot when you stand on it and groove with the road.

[yellow69z28rs]

The car is hard to beat, cant complain about anything, that's just plain crazy huh.....
Oh yea, the SC isolator rattles, so they say, my hearing isn't good so I cant hear it.

[NightmareZL1]

Originally Posted by ZL1Darkone

Help!

I am thinking about trading in my 2011 M3 and getting Zl1.

However, I got to know if there are any major problems you guys are having with your cars before I drop 50K plus on this car.

I bought a 2011 M3 about a year ago without knowing that these cars have too tight a clearance in their bearings and connecting rods which is causing some engine failures. On top of that I found out that BMW( nor anyone else) publishes a service manual. So no torque specs, assembly, disassembly instructions - nothing. What else? How about parts that cost 2 to 3 x that of an American car and performance parts that cost 3 x as much and barely increase HP. Not happy....especially since I come from the Corvette world, I had a Ls3 that I modified to 700 Hp....

So help me out guys....tell me what you HATE and love about your cars so I can know what I am getting into this time..

1 year ago, I traded a 2009 M3 DCT for the 2013 ZL1 M6. I am happy over all. But, I miss the quality interior of the M3. I especially miss the DCT (really miss that). I am shocked at the fact that the M3 was actually faster in real world use (with only 414HP vs 580hp --- My fellow ZL1 owners can hate on that or cite ring track times, but until you drive an M3 and Drive it past your personal limits, you will never understand the razor handling and ease of use that is the M genious). The M was more consistent off the lights and handled much, much, much better - especially in tight mountain roads. Where\when the ZL1 starts to feel like a cow in a turn, the M3 will feel like a 2800lb sportscar. However, I am happier with the ZL1 over all. I like the looks it gets - EVERYWHERE, by EVERYONE. I love the exhaust note, I love the torque, even with the unruly wheel spin. I hate the weight.
A big one for me, being a current corvette owner, is ease of modification and availability of parts. The M3 had little in the way of mod options, most were super pricey and gave little to no HP benefit (aside from supercharger kits for $13000 + install) Another problem with modding the M, is your warranty, BMW was super strict on me. GM seems to be more lax on modding and abuse. And the after market for the camaros is huge and growing daily.
However, if you are a corvette guy, the weight will nag you, everytime you start off in first gear, while in traffic. Otherwise, I think you will love a ZL1

My list of problems so far:
Tires lasted only 12000 miles
Double clutch is clunky
Supercharger rattles like a can of marbles.
Rear differential grinds and groans, been in shop 2 times already, has to go back again.
brake caliper paint bubbling off rear caliper.
Brake master broke, needed replacement
brake reservior, cap leaked out and into engine compartment.
Mylink system is glitchy, fan mode gets stuck, bluetooth won't sync or unsyncs weekly.
Wheels are only powdercoated on outside surfaces, WTF GM?!
Gets 11 MPG, maybe 11.9
rear mag ride shocks covered in a film of oil, no idea what is causing it yet.
Brake dust form stock pads is criminal, clean wheels and 2 drives later they will be nasty.

My list of problems with BMW was much, much, longer though

[ZL1Darkone]

Originally Posted by NightmareZL1

1 year ago, I traded a 2009 M3 DCT for the 2013 ZL1 M6. I am happy over all. But, I miss the quality interior of the M3. I especially miss the DCT (really miss that). I am shocked at the fact that the M3 was actually faster in real world use (with only 414HP vs 580hp --- My fellow ZL1 owners can hate on that or cite ring track times, but until you drive an M3 and Drive it past your personal limits, you will never understand the razor handling and ease of use that is the M genious). The M was more consistent off the lights and handled much, much, much better - especially in tight mountain roads. Where\when the ZL1 starts to feel like a cow in a turn, the M3 will feel like a 2800lb sportscar. However, I am happier with the ZL1 over all. I like the looks it gets - EVERYWHERE, by EVERYONE. I love the exhaust note, I love the torque, even with the unruly wheel spin. I hate the weight.
A big one for me, being a current corvette owner, is ease of modification and availability of parts. The M3 had little in the way of mod options, most were super pricey and gave little to no HP benefit (aside from supercharger kits for $13000 + install) Another problem with modding the M, is your warranty, BMW was super strict on me. GM seems to be more lax on modding and abuse. And the after market for the camaros is huge and growing daily.
However, if you are a corvette guy, the weight will nag you, everytime you start off in first gear, while in traffic. Otherwise, I think you will love a ZL1

My list of problems so far:
Tires lasted only 12000 miles
Double clutch is clunky
Supercharger rattles like a can of marbles.
Rear differential grinds and groans, been in shop 2 times already, has to go back again.
brake caliper paint bubbling off rear caliper.
Brake master broke, needed replacement
brake reservior, cap leaked out and into engine compartment.
Mylink system is glitchy, fan mode gets stuck, bluetooth won't sync or unsyncs weekly.
Wheels are only powdercoated on outside surfaces, WTF GM?!
Gets 11 MPG, maybe 11.9
rear mag ride shocks covered in a film of oil, no idea what is causing it yet.
Brake dust form stock pads is criminal, clean wheels and 2 drives later they will be nasty.

My list of problems with BMW was much, much, longer though

I think the BMW got it in the curves but on the drag strip the Zl1 eats it...
I think the best time I have seen on the M3 quarter mile is 12.5 while the Zl1 seems to be consistently in the lower 12 and upper 11s correct?
Can you tell a big seat of the pants/neck snapping feel when you floor the Camaro versus the M3? With the low torque on the M3 I am guessing its a big diff?

[ZL1Darkone]

So no lifter issues? Piston problems? Engine failures? timing belts snapping...???

[ZL1Darkone]

Originally Posted by NightmareZL1

1 year ago, I traded a 2009 M3 DCT for the 2013 ZL1 M6. I am happy over all. But, I miss the quality interior of the M3. I especially miss the DCT (really miss that). I am shocked at the fact that the M3 was actually faster in real world use (with only 414HP vs 580hp --- My fellow ZL1 owners can hate on that or cite ring track times, but until you drive an M3 and Drive it past your personal limits, you will never understand the razor handling and ease of use that is the M genious). The M was more consistent off the lights and handled much, much, much better - especially in tight mountain roads. Where\when the ZL1 starts to feel like a cow in a turn, the M3 will feel like a 2800lb sportscar. However, I am happier with the ZL1 over all. I like the looks it gets - EVERYWHERE, by EVERYONE. I love the exhaust note, I love the torque, even with the unruly wheel spin. I hate the weight.
A big one for me, being a current corvette owner, is ease of modification and availability of parts. The M3 had little in the way of mod options, most were super pricey and gave little to no HP benefit (aside from supercharger kits for $13000 + install) Another problem with modding the M, is your warranty, BMW was super strict on me. GM seems to be more lax on modding and abuse. And the after market for the camaros is huge and growing daily.
However, if you are a corvette guy, the weight will nag you, everytime you start off in first gear, while in traffic. Otherwise, I think you will love a ZL1

My list of problems so far:
Tires lasted only 12000 miles
Double clutch is clunky
Supercharger rattles like a can of marbles.
Rear differential grinds and groans, been in shop 2 times already, has to go back again.
brake caliper paint bubbling off rear caliper.
Brake master broke, needed replacement
brake reservior, cap leaked out and into engine compartment.
Mylink system is glitchy, fan mode gets stuck, bluetooth won't sync or unsyncs weekly.
Wheels are only powdercoated on outside surfaces, WTF GM?!
Gets 11 MPG, maybe 11.9
rear mag ride shocks covered in a film of oil, no idea what is causing it yet.
Brake dust form stock pads is criminal, clean wheels and 2 drives later they will be nasty.

My list of problems with BMW was much, much, longer though

By the way thanks for this amazing write up coming from someone that had a M3 this really is great information!!!

[Truck Norris]

Camaro ZL1 Quality Issues

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by ZL1Darkone

So no lifter issues? Piston problems? Engine failures? timing belts snapping...???

Okay I know of only one engine failure, mine... but the car was boosted over 800 whp and the head gasket let go while on a road racing track. My lesson learned, if you plan on going over 750 whp spent the money up front to get a 6 bolt head set-up.

There are 2 regular M3's at my local roadracing venue. Both were running track compound tires same as me. M3's are minutely better in the corners on racing rubber and the Camaro has better braking and much better acceleration.. no contest on lap times. Camaro wins....with some mods of course. It really is a great car.... but did I mention it is kind of heavy?

[joes407]

Originally Posted by ZL1Darkone

So no lifter issues? Piston problems? Engine failures? timing belts snapping...???

no lifter issues (that was the automatic SS's), v-8 chevy's use timing chains not belts. my complaint is there is nowhere for me to really get this car up to speed without jail time.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by joes407

my complaint is there is nowhere for me to really get this car up to speed without jail time.

That's my biggest complaint also ...