BMW M3 vs. Camaro SS?

[Congoman775]

I Test drove an M3 today and i was... unimpressed.

the car is strikingly beautiful, inside and out.

but for a 60k car, it wasnt exciting to drive, at least around town.

it does 0-60 in 4.3 with the dual clutch paddles i used, but it feels no faster than my 350z

[LegacyZ28]

I think I'll take a 2007 STI and a base SS for the price of that M3.
AWD agility and handling, plus the acceleration of the pure V8 power.

[SdustinK]

is the camaros handling going to be like a BMW tight or is it going to be looser?

[littlecammi]

Originally Posted by JEFF2010SSMANUAL

I am on the fence between a Camaro SS/RS manual and the BMW 135i manual in Alpine white with red Coral interior and grey poplar trim. I drove a 135i alone last week and it is the best car I have EVER driven by FAR.

Thanks for supporting American automakers with both your current 2007 Civic and your possible future choice of an overrrated BMW. Way to help out!

[13F20]

In the handling department the M3 is a very forgiving car for the less exsperianced driver. How ever if you know what you are doing in the right situation the SS will be a blast to drive IMO.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by 13F20

In the handling department the M3 is a very forgiving car for the less exsperianced driver. How ever if you know what you are doing in the right situation the SS will be a blast to drive IMO.

The reviews of the V6 Camaro say that it let you know that you were approaching the limits of the car. I imagine the SS will be similar

[Chewy]

Originally Posted by littlecammi

Thanks for supporting American automakers with both your current 2007 Civic and your possible future choice of an overrrated BMW. Way to help out!

both cars i've bought were german sorry if you don't think i'm helping out the country enough


overall - this is an odd comparison of german vs american and double the price in difference.

i agree the CTS-V is better for this comparison.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by ponycrusher21

this may sound stupid but just think about it for a second. whats your opinion?

This is no worse than any of the other comparisons we have done. I don't think it sounds stupid at all. SS in the quarter mile fur sho. As for the twisties, we are just gonna have to find out when the car starts hittin tracks.

[Mr Twisty]

Good luck trying to find an M3 driver willing to find out.

I think it's impressive the Camaro is even closely comparable to a car almost twice it's price. Put 20 grand in improvements in the Camaro so the price is closer...Then you'll need to compare the Camaro to some other car because the M3 will get it's @ss handed to it on a plate.

[PatrickfromMD]

Originally Posted by linkwpc

For the Old M3 E46
From Wiki on Nurburgring laps,

8:22 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS verified manufacturer time[citation needed]
8:22 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Motoharu Kurosawa Best Motoring Video Special DVD
8:22 BMW M3 E46 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto (12/2000)
8:22 BMW M Coupe E36/8 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto (10/1998)
8:24 Audi S5 Sport Auto (01/2008)

If the M3 E46 did it in 8:22, and the camaro in 8:20 then yeah, it will beat it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordsch...test_lap_times

For the new one? I do not think so....

As a matter of fact, elsewhere in the Nordschleife link the current BMW M3 is indeed listed. So as much as I would like ot belive that new Camaro would beat the current BMW M3, on the track, its just not there yet.
The current M3 Beemer is at 8:05, which is a good 15 secs better than the time quoted for the Camaro.
8:05 BMW M3 E92 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto (12/2007)[18]

In the suspension section of the Forum, there was a good exchange with Pedders on how to get the Camaro up and beyond the current M3 category.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...hlight=pedders
Post #8
That’s the topic I’d like to be discussing,… that is what can you do with the Camaro to match or beat the M3 in every category

[themossman]

Originally Posted by Congoman775

I Test drove an M3 today and i was... unimpressed.

the car is strikingly beautiful, inside and out.

but for a 60k car, it wasnt exciting to drive, at least around town.

it does 0-60 in 4.3 with the dual clutch paddles i used, but it feels no faster than my 350z

That's the beauty of the car...it's perfectly tame on the streets...and alters character when put in the right environment.

[StoutFiles]

that is what can you do with the Camaro to match or beat the M3 in every category

You can beat the performance with mods...you'll never beat the bmw interior though. This car is in a different price class as the Camaro, not a fair comparison.

And i don't know why nobody ever mentions this, but most BMW's are just...plain looking considering their price. They have no imagination over there; I don't realize I'm looking at a BMW until I see the logo.

[Congoman775]

Originally Posted by themossman

That's the beauty of the car...it's perfectly tame on the streets...and alters character when put in the right environment.

its perfectly BORING around town. id rather buy a C63 AMG for the money.

[stratman]

Originally Posted by littlecammi

Thanks for supporting American automakers with both your current 2007 Civic and your possible future choice of an overrrated BMW. Way to help out!

If the guy wants to drive a ricer he can drive a ricer. It's not his duty as an American to only buy American. If he is a fully informed buyer and decides that Honda meets his automotive needs and desires better than GM, Ford or Chrysler that's his right. It's not his fault and he isn't the enemy. Not to mention the fact that the Camaro was largely engineered, developed and tested in Australia and will be built in Oshawa, Canada. Not exactly waving the red, white and blue.

And having driven many German cars I can say while they may be viewed as overpriced, which is often confused with more expensive than you can afford, they are not overrated. It’s a valid comparison regardless of the individual prices because they are both sports cars. You just have to take into account what you’re spending for what you’re getting.