How does the LT1 compare with an e46 M3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

renesis04 · 08-24-2015, 10:56 PM

Hey guys

Well, gotta be honest, the e46 M3 has long been a dream car of mine to own. I'm finally in a position to own one since they can be had for $15k - $20k for a lower mileage model.

BUUUTTT...

I saw this dark gray 2012 LT1 selling for about the same price as the M3 I am looking at. That car is stunning! It's lines and shape really does it for me. Test drive scheduled on Saturday

Unfortunately, the V8 is out of my price range.

So, I am wondering what to expect...

If we are talking strictly stock models, I'm pretty certain the M3 is quicker, and offers more responsive handling with higher limits. I guess I will find out for sure this weekend; I've driven a couple M3's, but this will be my first go in the Camaro.

My questions are:

1. How well does the V6 respond to mods? Is the price to performance gains poor (like with the M3), reasonable, or good?

2. More important to me is the handling...I currently have an RX8, and have owned several BMWs and 300ZX's, so I am fortunate to have been spoiled in that respect, and don't want to sacrifice in performance too much here...I'm not expecting too much in stock form from the LT1 (although I am really hoping to be pleasantly surprised), and would spend a large majority of my expendable money on suspension work regardless of which of these two I get...but honestly, I am a little concerned (maybe unreasonably so) that even after some suspension work, I'll be disappointed with the Camaro's handling. Any recommendations on coilovers?

3. Being a 2012, it's had a few years now to reveal any issues...how has the reliability proven to be so far on these cars? The LT1 I am looking at only has 2 years left on it's warranty, I believe.

Thank you for your time, and if you think I missed anything relevant, please feel free to let me know. No matter what, gotta say that these cars are just awesome, I break my neck staring every time one passes by

Joseph1LE · 08-24-2015, 11:21 PM

I'd choose the M3 over a V6 Camaro...

13blackLS · 08-25-2015, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph1LE

I'd choose the M3 over a V6 Camaro...

Agreed

rebelyell22 · 08-25-2015, 12:16 AM

1LT*. LT1 is an engine. I like e46's, so I'd take it all day.

Luis19SS · 08-25-2015, 12:43 AM

It depends on what you want, but in all reality v6 or v8 the camaro will attract a lot more people than an M3. With a few mods that won't break the bank, the v6 will be a lot of fun

Blazer098 · 08-25-2015, 03:47 AM

I'd go with the M3 unless you're really going for the muscle car feel. I personally love M3's and they're faster than a v6 Camaro.

USAFS197 · 08-25-2015, 05:28 AM

M3.

2010reddevil · 08-25-2015, 06:43 AM

E46 M3 hands down...... Especially if it has the SMG gearbox. I've driven one and they're a damn blast to drive. It's one of the few true driver's cars around. Only thing with a beemer is the maintenence costs can be kinda high. That 3.2L is a screamer though. Turns all the way to 8500 with ease. And if you ever decide to boost it, holy s*it....... LOL.

Ace0751 · 08-25-2015, 07:25 AM

As much as I love my V8 I would want to get an M3 one day. If you want the muscle look with good gas mileage then go with the V6 but if you want that fun factor and a great sport car then M3 hands down. Your choice.

Demon War Horse · 08-25-2015, 07:30 AM

Look at repair costs as well... and maintenance history. E46 M3's can be expensive to fix if they take a dump. There are a lot of moving parts in that car that are not cheap.

Slickcas · 08-25-2015, 07:32 AM

BMWs are very cool the M's are amazing . But after a few people around me having them I would never have one. They seem break more often and cost about 4 to 10 times as much to fix. Would of had a new M3 back 12' but then found out what the actual cost of ownership is. Any domestic performance car is at thousand times easier to get parts for.

Backspin9 · 08-25-2015, 07:42 AM

I wouldn't give you 2 cents for a BMW.

Mike C · 08-25-2015, 07:49 AM

As a former owner of a 1998 BMW 323is, we replaced the car in 2012 with a Buick Regal GS. The BMW is going to KILL you in repair bills. I got tired of paying $1K (minimum) at the dealer, every time something went wrong. So as far as used cars, I'd take the Camaro!

GretchenGotGrowl · 08-25-2015, 08:01 AM

Bimmers have just never done it for me. I'd take the Camaro over the M3.

08-24-2015, 10:56 PM	#1
renesis04 Drives: 2004 Mazda RX8, 2001 BMW 740i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: United States Posts: 1	How does the LT1 compare with an e46 M3 Hey guys Well, gotta be honest, the e46 M3 has long been a dream car of mine to own. I'm finally in a position to own one since they can be had for $15k - $20k for a lower mileage model. BUUUTTT... I saw this dark gray 2012 LT1 selling for about the same price as the M3 I am looking at. That car is stunning! It's lines and shape really does it for me. Test drive scheduled on Saturday Unfortunately, the V8 is out of my price range. So, I am wondering what to expect... If we are talking strictly stock models, I'm pretty certain the M3 is quicker, and offers more responsive handling with higher limits. I guess I will find out for sure this weekend; I've driven a couple M3's, but this will be my first go in the Camaro. My questions are: 1. How well does the V6 respond to mods? Is the price to performance gains poor (like with the M3), reasonable, or good? 2. More important to me is the handling...I currently have an RX8, and have owned several BMWs and 300ZX's, so I am fortunate to have been spoiled in that respect, and don't want to sacrifice in performance too much here...I'm not expecting too much in stock form from the LT1 (although I am really hoping to be pleasantly surprised), and would spend a large majority of my expendable money on suspension work regardless of which of these two I get...but honestly, I am a little concerned (maybe unreasonably so) that even after some suspension work, I'll be disappointed with the Camaro's handling. Any recommendations on coilovers? 3. Being a 2012, it's had a few years now to reveal any issues...how has the reliability proven to be so far on these cars? The LT1 I am looking at only has 2 years left on it's warranty, I believe. Thank you for your time, and if you think I missed anything relevant, please feel free to let me know. No matter what, gotta say that these cars are just awesome, I break my neck staring every time one passes by

08-24-2015, 11:21 PM	#2
Joseph1LE Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE, 2001 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 836	I'd choose the M3 over a V6 Camaro... __________________ 2017 GMC Canyon All Terrain- daily driver/dirt bike hauler 2015 Camaro SS 1LE- sold 2001 Camaro SS SOM M6- sold 1999 Firebird Formula A4- sold

08-25-2015, 12:16 AM	#4
rebelyell22 Drives: 2011 SIM 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 5,902	1LT*. LT1 is an engine. I like e46's, so I'd take it all day. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS built 8/24/10

08-25-2015, 12:43 AM	#5
Luis19SS Drives: 2019 SS A10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Arizona Posts: 487	It depends on what you want, but in all reality v6 or v8 the camaro will attract a lot more people than an M3. With a few mods that won't break the bank, the v6 will be a lot of fun __________________ Black 2019 SS A10, MBRP Exhuast, Soler performance Ported Throttlebody, Cold Air Inductions CAI, BMR equipped, Stance SFO7 on nitto NT555G2 tires, Limited Edition White Racing Seats, ZL1 1LE Splitter, Carbon Sideskirts, Gorilla Splitters areo kit, Next Gen Speed Diffuser, JWmotorsports LED side markers

08-25-2015, 03:47 AM	#6
Blazer098 Drives: 2015 Summit White SS Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oregon City, OR Posts: 357 View My Garage	I'd go with the M3 unless you're really going for the muscle car feel. I personally love M3's and they're faster than a v6 Camaro. __________________ Full Bolt-Ons w/ Nightfury Cam (471rwhp)

08-25-2015, 05:28 AM	#7
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	M3. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

08-25-2015, 06:43 AM	#8
2010reddevil Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Victory Red 6M Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gulf Coast, TX Posts: 1,424	E46 M3 hands down...... Especially if it has the SMG gearbox. I've driven one and they're a damn blast to drive. It's one of the few true driver's cars around. Only thing with a beemer is the maintenence costs can be kinda high. That 3.2L is a screamer though. Turns all the way to 8500 with ease. And if you ever decide to boost it, holy s*it....... LOL. __________________ 2011 2SS 6A Red Jewel Metallic, Vararam Tune CAI, Magnaflow 3" Competition c/b, Speed Engineering 1-7/8 LT's, Circle D 5C, M/T 275/40R20 S/S, HPTuners tune by Ryan@GPI 12.3 @ 112 ACM as of 12/22/19 Gone on 12/28/19 R I P 2010 2SS 6M Victory Red/Black (old ride) CAI intake, Speed Engineering 1 7/8" LT's, X4 base tune, Flowmaster Outlaw axle-back. 12.6 @ 115 SAR as of 9/19/15 Gone but never forgotten.

08-25-2015, 07:25 AM	#9
Ace0751 GEN5 Detail Drives: 2011 Synergy Series 2SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Northeast, OH Posts: 1,986	As much as I love my V8 I would want to get an M3 one day. If you want the muscle look with good gas mileage then go with the V6 but if you want that fun factor and a great sport car then M3 hands down. Your choice. __________________ Roto-Fab CAI, Borla ATAK Exhaust System, Stainless Power Headers, RX Performance Catch Can, ACS T4 Splitter, Oracle side markers, Dyno Tuned by RDP Motorsports

08-25-2015, 07:30 AM	#10
Demon War Horse War Horse Pilot Drives: 2017 NFG 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: N.Texas Posts: 2,458 View My Garage	Look at repair costs as well... and maintenance history. E46 M3's can be expensive to fix if they take a dump. There are a lot of moving parts in that car that are not cheap. __________________ COTW 09/07/2015 - 2014 AGM 2SS/RS - RIP 6/01/17 2017 Nightfall Gray Metallic 1SS 1LE Born 5/17/17 - *Click Sig Pic below for for Demon War Horse 02 Build Thread* SigPic by Hazman

08-25-2015, 07:32 AM	#11
Slickcas Drives: 12' 2SS/RS LS3 IBM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Odin. ILL Posts: 487 View My Garage	BMWs are very cool the M's are amazing . But after a few people around me having them I would never have one. They seem break more often and cost about 4 to 10 times as much to fix. Would of had a new M3 back 12' but then found out what the actual cost of ownership is. Any domestic performance car is at thousand times easier to get parts for.

08-25-2015, 07:42 AM	#12
Backspin9 Drives: The red one Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 317	I wouldn't give you 2 cents for a BMW.

08-25-2015, 07:49 AM	#13
Mike C Drives: 2014 Buick Regal GS AWD Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northville, MI Posts: 230	As a former owner of a 1998 BMW 323is, we replaced the car in 2012 with a Buick Regal GS. The BMW is going to KILL you in repair bills. I got tired of paying $1K (minimum) at the dealer, every time something went wrong. So as far as used cars, I'd take the Camaro!

08-25-2015, 08:01 AM	#14
GretchenGotGrowl Drives: 11 F150 EB/13 Sonic RS/15 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 7,127 View My Garage	Bimmers have just never done it for me. I'd take the Camaro over the M3. __________________ New Ride -- 2015 Z06 2LZ (stock) -- Journal Old Ride -- 2012 Camaro 2LT/RS (647 RWHP & 726 RWTQ) -- Build Thread