BMW M3 vs. Camaro SS?

[DGthe3]

The performance margins between the M3 and the Camaro are wider than some of us would like to admit. In all aspects of performance the M3 is at least a notch above the SS, sometimes 2 or 3. BMW gave the M3 a near perfect suspension setup from the factory, GM left room for improvement. I'd like to see how they compare in something like the Lightning Lap to see how close they actually are.

Originally Posted by WhiteCrane

Thank you! This is a BIG deal to me. Seriously, this is what I needed to hear. I'm probablybuying a camaro now. I thought they were not faster than 5 seconds!

A 100% bone stock Camaro has been as low as 4.5s (source). But if you don't know how to launch it and conditions aren't ideal, it may be 5.5s. Typical quoted time is 4.7s

[Inferno Orange 2SS-RS]

It's an easy choice for me....Camaro. When I drive mine and see all the other cars on the road to include BMW, Mercedes, Porch etc...all I can think about is, they are so boring.

[themossman]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The performance margins between the M3 and the Camaro are wider than some of us would like to admit. In all aspects of performance the M3 is at least a notch above the SS, sometimes 2 or 3. BMW gave the M3 a near perfect suspension setup from the factory, GM left room for improvement. I'd like to see how they compare in something like the Lightning Lap to see how close they actually are.


A 100% bone stock Camaro has been as low as 4.5s (source). But if you don't know how to launch it and conditions aren't ideal, it may be 5.5s. Typical quoted time is 4.7s

I agree with you on just about all points. The M3 is certainly 'tweaked' from the factory, and doesn't leave much for the owner to do without incurring significant expense for marginal results. With my E46 M3, the most 'bang for the buck' was a supercharger...and even then you weren't making crazy gains for the cost.

The reality is that the M3 is very pricey for what you get. When I was test driving it last summer, I was SERIOUSLY trying to determine if I was going to fork over the cash and make it my next car. I was stunned by how well refined the car is and how nice the fit and finish was (I expected nothing less). But, when it comes down to brass tacks, or greenbacks, $65k is a bit too much for that car. It's getting dangerously close to P-car territory.

So...I bought a $35k car, that I have plenty of 'stuff' that I can do to it to gain measurable performance gains and still come in well under $65k and get really close in terms of performance.

So, the Camaro is certainly no M3.

but...

The M3 is also no Camaro.

Totally different cars...totally different goals. This is coming from someone who has owned a previous gen M3 and was seriously considering buying the new one (and *gasp*, has even driven it!)

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by themossman

I agree with you on just about all points. The M3 is certainly 'tweaked' from the factory, and doesn't leave much for the owner to do without incurring significant expense for marginal results. With my E46 M3, the most 'bang for the buck' was a supercharger...and even then you weren't making crazy gains for the cost.

The reality is that the M3 is very pricey for what you get. When I was test driving it last summer, I was SERIOUSLY trying to determine if I was going to fork over the cash and make it my next car. I was stunned by how well refined the car is and how nice the fit and finish was (I expected nothing less). But, when it comes down to brass tacks, or greenbacks, $65k is a bit too much for that car. It's getting dangerously close to P-car territory.

So...I bought a $35k car, that I have plenty of 'stuff' that I can do to it to gain measurable performance gains and still come in well under $65k and get really close in terms of performance.

So, the Camaro is certainly no M3.

but...

The M3 is also no Camaro.

Totally different cars...totally different goals. This is coming from someone who has owned a previous gen M3 and was seriously considering buying the new one (and *gasp*, has even driven it!)

Different Cars.

[that nice guy beck]

some of you guys are buggin.

The new camaro is cool now, but in 5 years it will be an odd looking rattle box, falling a aprt just like all of the crap mustangs out there today. The car JUST came out and they are EVERYWHERE all ready. What is so unique about that?

The M3 is class style and a straight up high revving BEAST. The camaro doesn't cost much because it is made cheap it rattles with every bump and the paint job is grainy not the top of the line engineering like an m3. The camaro looks like a bloated fat cartoon character it is just straight up weird and fat looking today - imagine how stupid it will look in a few years?? and god lets not talk about that hideous interior, who was it made by mattel??

Please dont compare this crap with a machine like a BMW M3 that is so silly.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by that nice guy beck

some of you guys are buggin.

The new camaro is cool now, but in 5 years it will be an odd looking rattle box, falling a aprt just like all of the crap mustangs out there today. The car JUST came out and they are EVERYWHERE all ready. What is so unique about that?

The M3 is class style and a straight up high revving BEAST. The camaro doesn't cost much because it is made cheap not with top of the line engineering like an m3. The camaro looks like a bloated fat cartoon character it is just straight up weird looking today - imagine how stupid it will look in a few years?? and god lets not talk about that hideous interior, who was it made by mattel??

Please dont compare this crap with a machine like a BMW M3 that is so silly.

Hi. Can you tell BMW to design some character into their bland-mobiles? Maybe figure out a way to keep them running beyond their warranty period, before owners have to sell their soul to fix them. K, thanks.

...Doesn't really feel nice, does it? The M3 is a nice car, but you don't need to come here spewing that stuff -- it's not very friendly...so I suggest you change your tone, you're asking to be banned; talking like that...

[KoTToN]

some of you guys are buggin.

The new camaro is cool now, but in 5 years it will be an odd looking rattle box, falling a aprt just like all of the crap mustangs out there today.
Right, BMW is so well known for their low maintenance and durability

The car JUST came out and they are EVERYWHERE all ready. What is so unique about that?
congrats your one of the few people to overpay for marginal performance

The M3 is class style and a straight up high revving BEAST. The camaro doesn't cost much because it is made cheap it rattles with every bump and the paint job is grainy not the top of the line engineering like an m3.
those top of the line engineered paintjobs sure make a dif dont they

The camaro looks like a bloated fat cartoon character it is just straight up weird and fat looking today - imagine how stupid it will look in a few years??
but i though you said they just came out and are everywhere? thats kind of funny a bloated fat cartoon character outsells your barely more noticable than a 3 series bmw.

and god lets not talk about that hideous interior, who was it made by mattel??
Have you even sat in a new camaro?

Please dont compare this crap with a machine like a BMW M3 that is so silly
yea thats pretty pointless to compare cars that are 20+k apart. Although it would be pretty embarrasing is someone parked their 50+k camaro next to your 50+k BMW

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by that nice guy beck

some of you guys are buggin.

The new camaro is cool now, but in 5 years it will be an odd looking rattle box, falling a aprt just like all of the crap mustangs out there today. The car JUST came out and they are EVERYWHERE all ready. What is so unique about that?

The M3 is class style and a straight up high revving BEAST. The camaro doesn't cost much because it is made cheap it rattles with every bump and the paint job is grainy not the top of the line engineering like an m3. The camaro looks like a bloated fat cartoon character it is just straight up weird and fat looking today - imagine how stupid it will look in a few years?? and god lets not talk about that hideous interior, who was it made by mattel??

Please dont compare this crap with a machine like a BMW M3 that is so silly.

i trust Ford and GM reliability more than i trust BMW
The only thing more common that a camaro? the 3-series
if your going to buy german actually get it right and buy a porsche, mmmk?

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by that nice guy beck

some of you guys are buggin.

The new camaro is cool now, but in 5 years it will be an odd looking rattle box, falling a aprt just like all of the crap mustangs out there today. The car JUST came out and they are EVERYWHERE all ready. What is so unique about that?

The M3 is class style and a straight up high revving BEAST. The camaro doesn't cost much because it is made cheap it rattles with every bump and the paint job is grainy not the top of the line engineering like an m3. The camaro looks like a bloated fat cartoon character it is just straight up weird and fat looking today - imagine how stupid it will look in a few years?? and god lets not talk about that hideous interior, who was it made by mattel??

Please dont compare this crap with a machine like a BMW M3 that is so silly.

lololololololololol. If I'm even in need of someone to prove my point... I'm definitely hiring you!

But seriously, you're comparing a $55,000 car to a $35,000 car. I'd hope for that extra $20,000 you get a better engineered vehicle that can outperform vehicles under its price bracket.

But let's compare this $55,000 M3 to the CTS-V, Corvette, or Corvette Grand Sport. That's a lot fairer price wise; the M3 doesn't fair very well against them despite its "top-of-the-line engineering."

http://www.fastestlaps.com/track2.html
The M3 seemed to fall behind the C6 and CTS-V in Nordschleife, "considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world."
C6 Corvette- 7:59
CTS-V (Pre-Production)- 7:59.32
BMW M3 (E92)- 8:05

If you need anymore information regarding the M3 in fair comparisons feel free to ask mayne.

[that nice guy beck]

Originally Posted by 2SSARME

My $44,000 camaro next to his imaginary $57,000 m3, most people would look and be more interested in my camaro than his overpriced 3 series.

My car cost 76,000. People will look at your camaro now but in a few years they will be a dime a dozen and they will look funny. They look funny now. I'm hardly a "kid" I'm 35 years old. My nephew showed me this and I had to laugh. you cannot compare the ultimate driving machine to a rattle box camaro. why do you think they are under 40k? because they are made like shit. please dont insult a weapon like an m3.

[BUMBLE-B-TUNA]

Originally Posted by that nice guy beck

My car cost 76,000. People will look at your camaro now but in a few years they will be a dime a dozen and they will look funny. They look funny now. I'm hardly a "kid" I'm 35 years old. My nephew showed me this and I had to laugh. you cannot compare the ultimate driving machine to a rattle box camaro. why do you think they are under 40k? because they are made like shit. please dont insult a weapon like an m3.

Why do you come onto this forum spewing your hatred and displaying your jealousy? So you payed too much for your marginally better performing car that no one notices. Keep your snobbery to yourself, "woop woop I drive a BMW", good for you. Honestly no one cares how much you got ripped off. Demeaning the hottest selling sports car out there right now won't justify why no one is looking at or talking about your car.
I don't see anyone who actually drives high end sports cars, unlike yours, bashing the Camaro, its called class, which you obviously don't have either. What are you 35 going on 13!!!
People like you piss me off! Why don't you pound sand loser.

[SWAT 79]

Originally Posted by a_Username

lololololololololol. If I'm even in need of someone to prove my point... I'm definitely hiring you!

But seriously, you're comparing a $55,000 car to a $35,000 car. I'd hope for that extra $20,000 you get a better engineered vehicle that can outperform vehicles under its price bracket.

But let's compare this $55,000 M3 to the CTS-V, Corvette, or Corvette Grand Sport. That's a lot fairer price wise; the M3 doesn't fair very well against them despite its "top-of-the-line engineering."

http://www.fastestlaps.com/track2.html
The M3 seemed to fall behind the C6 and CTS-V in Nordschleife, "considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world."
C6 Corvette- 7:59
CTS-V (Pre-Production)- 7:59.32
BMW M3 (E92)- 8:05

If you need anymore information regarding the M3 in fair comparisons feel free to ask mayne.

Not to mention, mustangs and camaros LAST. They both have long lasting reliable engines, so when you find one that falls apart while you're driving it, let me know.

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by that nice guy beck

My car cost 76,000. People will look at your camaro now but in a few years they will be a dime a dozen and they will look funny. They look funny now. I'm hardly a "kid" I'm 35 years old. My nephew showed me this and I had to laugh. you cannot compare the ultimate driving machine to a rattle box camaro. why do you think they are under 40k? because they are made like shit. please dont insult a weapon like an m3.

Seriously $76,000!? Is that the going rate in Brooklyn or have you invested in some aftermarket parts? I like the M series but they're certainly not stand-out cars. Where I live the 3-series is more common than the Camry. Most people wouldn't know the difference anyway. The styling is so discreet, it doesn't turn heads.

[SVT_SRT]

Ive raced 3 m3's in my stock GT500 2 manuals and a Dual Clutch, I think they are an excellent track car but they lack in straight line.

The dual clutch kept up with me better than the manuals.

Camaro shouldn't have a problem.

I'd rather get a Z06 for the money personally.