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The latest Road & Track rag picks the M3 over the Z06 and Porsche. Why, you might ask? Because the M3 has 4 seats and more trunk room. WTF planet are those guys from?

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2001 Torch Red Z06
 

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If that's their criteria, they will love a Towncar!


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If you have to drive, do it in a C5.
Delivered 1/19/01 - Z06 Quicksilver/Black
Installed - custom license plate, exhaust plate
To be added - Ripper, Flameball
 

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Rarely use the passenger seat. I know I don't need a back seat. M3 is a compromise, Z06 is all sports car.

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Z06,Red,Modified Red.Stock for now.
 

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I picked up the recent R&T because of the comparisons among the top performance cars. I was rather disappointed with the articles. After reading their report on the Z06, it makes their other reports non-believable. The numbers and comments for the Z06 aren't even close so how can you have any confidence in the reports of the other cars. They do seem to be biased toward imports, probably yuppies with starched undies and suspenders. IMHO, I don't put the M3 in the same class with the other cars in that edition. Maybe compare it with a Mercedes, Audi, Lexus or the other yuppie-mobiles. The M3 may be a nice running back seat car but certainly not a sports car.
That edition of Load & Crack will be my last. I just don't see any credibility in their findings.

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QuickSilver with red/black interior, chromatic mirrors,
memory package and Lloyd Z06 mats
 

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Hey all,

What ought to REALLY annoy you guys about this R&T article is that they weren't even CONCLUSIVE with their findings! If you make it all the way to the end of the article (the article was HARDLY a "comparison", but more like a press releace for the M3 with two other cars nearby), you'll find that they PROJECT that they'd like the M3 more than the others IF the conditions were good.

What the hell is that?!

They essentially said "Well, it was wet out, so we don't really know which car was best. Sure, the Z06 was the fastest, but this article's about the M3, so we'll go with the M3. Probably." The "THE VERDICT..." column starts out with a disclaimer about the weather, for crying out loud. The next paragraph reads "However, overall, the BMW M3 probably should be declared the winner because..." (and then talks about being able to fit 4 people in it). Check out the "overall", "probably", and "should be" in that sentence! WAY TO BE DECISIVE, dopes!

Freakin' assinine, if you ask me.

-Kirk

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Ha in my shop BMW stands for Break My Wallet! Better than a ZO6! No way!

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o1 Torch Red ZO6, Vette Doctors pro flo, cags eliminater, column lock bypass
 

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I drove a new M3 when I picked up my M5 and it ran much better than I thought it would, I would of course rather have a Vette but they really get that straight 6 cranking. The fit and finish is where GM needs some work, but as Vette owners we know that.


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Carl V. *****Authorized Zaino Distributor*****
Huntingdon Valley, PA.** 2000 Magnetic Red Convertible **
MN6,F45,QF5,AQ9,AG2,CJ2,T96,B34,AAB,UN0,U1S,JL4,UV6,T82,N37
** Corvette Club of Delaware Valley **

www.hcvind.com
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I was thinking about buying a new M3 for almost a year (we all make mistakes). I even test drove a '99 M3 (nice) and then it hit me like a rock - why not buy a real sports car - like a Vette???!

It is kinda funny, the first day my wife and I walked in to my local Vette dealership I think I was hooked. The GM and I struck up a conversation about cars (I own a '70 Cuda 440-6 pack) and such. Then he tells me about the Z06 Vette and then shows me another customer's Z06 on the back lot. I'm hooked - the order goes in and I get it 3 months later. I'm sooo happy!

I will NEVER consider buying a M3 again.

My next Vette I'm going to buy is a '67.

And yes, BMW = Break my wallet.


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Mark N.
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2001 Z06 Black w/Black & Torch-Red Interior, Halltech TRIC/Cobra(MAG), Halltech Ported Throttle Body & Modified MAF, Halltech MAGIC Box (waiting), B&M Ripper shifter, MoMo combat red metal knob, CAGS, Performance Hood Seal, Reflective Lettering on front & back, ZIP "Z06" door sills, Z06 embrodered front floor mats and rear trunk mat. Autobuff, Designspec and ZAINO on the way!
 

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Hey guys, just think of all those M3 owners thinking they can run with the big boys.

I personaly can't wait, all I get in my daily driving is BIMMERS!

I personaly must have 20 bimmer kills.Crap, Crap , Crap.

Come on guys the cars just don't compare!


I say bring it ONNNNNNN!

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2001 Z06 Quick Silver Stock dyno 346rwhp 342rwhp.
Mods- Halltech Tric, Halltech Mag(cobra),racers wedge air filter,TB by-pass,ported and polished TB
Misc mods-V1 with remote,black and red stratmosphere Z06 floor mats,momo f-16 shift knob,tint,clear euro tail lights,etc.
Future mods- HRE 547's 18x9.5 fronts 19x11 rears,B&M ripper or Hurst shifter, Lowering approx .75in, Baer racing two-piece rotors,etc.

[This message has been edited by NVMYC5 (edited 01-24-2001).]
 

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Just take one look at the guy who wrote the article,the guy in the picture standing next to the BMW and you can see why he picked the BMW, from the looks of his picture he has to be 150 years old!
On a serious note , I think car and driver is one of the most biased car publications out there,it seems they like all the imports better than domestics, look at the 1/4 times for the ZO6, 13.0 at 110?, I could run that with my emergency brake on. An M3 can barely compeate with the LS1(oh shit I'm getting pissed again!) let alone an LS6, that whole article ,as well as the old, AND I DO MEAN OLD!, decreped, wrinkly, I got one one foot in the grave, OLD FART OF A MAN who wrote that article is a JOKE!
(I feel better now)

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Dave Zehak
2001 Black ZO6
Best 1/4(so far) 12.5 at 112
"Mods"
B&M Ripper Shifter
RM racing Nitrous(not installed yet)
"Previous Vettes
1985 white Corvette coupe(auto)
1998 Silver Corvette coupe (M-6)
2000 NBM Corvette Coupe (M-6)

[This message has been edited by DaveZehak (edited 01-24-2001).]
 

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Anyone who has owned a BMW knows how they perform. I owned a '93 850ci M6 and it was a really sweet car, however, it did not compare to a Vette - and I knew that. Different design purposes.

For R&T to print such an article comparing the M3 and Z06 is "obviously bias and unprofessional". I am truly surprised that the editor of R&T let this one by without questioning it. I am sure that R&T has lost some respect from many Vette owners - and certainly from a few previous BMW owners (such as me).




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Mark N.
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2001 Z06 Black w/Black & Torch-Red Interior, Halltech TRIC/Cobra(MAG), Halltech Ported Throttle Body & Modified MAF, Halltech MAGIC Box (waiting), B&M Ripper shifter, MoMo combat red metal knob, CAGS, Performance Hood Seal, Reflective Lettering on front & back, ZIP "Z06" door sills, Z06 embrodered front floor mats and rear trunk mat. Autobuff, Designspec and ZAINO on the way!
 
G

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hey right on that magazine has always been slanted toward european cars and for the most part, the snobs that drive them. i just got rid of my zr1 for thr z06 due in next week. it is an incredible value,and one of the best sports cars in th world at any price Dennis:

The latest Road & Track rag picks the M3 over the Z06 and Porsche. Why, you might ask? Because the M3 has 4 seats and more trunk room. WTF planet are those guys from?

[/QUOTE]



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z06-zr1
 

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I posted this on the CF earlier.

The R&T article didn't actually do a direct quantitative comparison of the 3 cars on the same day. Whatever numbers they had for the Vette and the 911 came from previous tests. They had no track results, only subjective impressions which say a lot without amounting to anything. Here's the letter I wrote them:
"Enjoyed reading your gushing February 2001 review of the new M3, albeit the European version. While the performance of the E46 M3 is superlative to say the least, I'm afraid you might've gone a tad too far with some of your comments in comparing it with the Corvette Z06. To quote, "There is no doubt that the M3 can easily keep up with the Z06...". A quick comparison of the 0-100 mph acceleration data from your own tests of these two cars reveals the following: the Z06 attains the magic velocity in 10.5 seconds (R&T, 08/00), the venerable M3 in 11.6; the difference: 1.1 seconds. At 100 mph, the cars are traveling 146.67 ft/s or 1760 inches/sec. A difference of 1.1 seconds
translates to 1936 inches/sec. Using an average car length of 176 inches, that is 11 car lengths!!! If that's your definition of "easily keeping up", I'm dumbfounded. Yes, the M3 is superbly quick off the line and apparently only a tenth behind the Vette to 60 mph, but, by your own admission from your August 2000 test of the Z06, "...we saw 4.6 seconds to 60 mph and felt we were leaving more than a few tenths on the table because of some axle tramp when leaving the blocks." Given a better surface and more ideal launch conditions (as you no doubt had when you tested the new Bimmer), it is more than likely that the Z06 would've been even quicker to 60 mph and subsequently to 100 mph and beyond.

The new M3 is a stellar "sports car" in its own right but it does have its limitations. It would be a worthy competitor for the 350 hp 6speed Corvette coupe and the 911 (as you've clearly shown), but the Z06 is in a slightly different league (read: 911 turbo, 360 Modena). Also, next time you compare cars, please, oh please, obtain track test data from all of them on the same day, under the same conditions, and with the same driver. That is, if you wish to make a
truly objective comparison."

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'01 Torch Red/Torch Red Z06



[This message has been edited by raj (edited 01-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by raj (edited 01-26-2001).]
 

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Here are some choice quotes from the article:-

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> There is no doubt that the M3 can easily keep up with the Z06 and the 911 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lets see, a 3415lb + 343bhp/269tq (Euro spec) BMW Vs a 3115lb + 385bhp/385tq Z06. Hmmm, I DON'T think so!!!

Then to further discredit themselves, they go on to say

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>when you see the Corvette or Porsche on the road ahead, you'll be able to zoom past and have three of your friends help you wave good-bye<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I assume they must be talking about doing a ricer fly by, where the Z06 is just cruising in traffic, and the BMW blasts past at 30 over the limit and declares itself the winner! There's no winner unless there's a race to start off with!!!


They then go on to say...

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Because of prevailing weather conditions and because our handling course only included smaller corners, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions about the car's absolute road behaviour<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

but still have no trouble with making the M3 the winner because of its four seats and luggage capacity!

WTF! So is this how a SPORTS car is judged now. Do seating capacity and trunk space take precedence over handling and performance?

What about looks. However fast the BMW is, it still looks like a family sedan. There's no doubt what the purpose of the vette is, and there isn't a car that looks like it or performs like it for the money.

I rest my case.




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2001 Z06, Tag "EVIL Z06"
Torch red, solid black interior
!CAGS !BSM
NGK TR6 plugs & Taylor wires
Halltech Z06 TRIC + MAG
NX 150hp Wet Kit
 

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And so it has begun!


All I'm going to add is this. R&T tested the EURO spec BMW M3 at a european facility as BMWs guests.

Let's wait until we see a few more reviews of the US spec M3 and proper comparison tests against other cars all conducted on the same day, and under better conditions.

It seems like the BMW folks all agree that the Z06 is the better performer (and it is by a wide margin), but then they fall back on build quality, trunk and seat capacity and cushy ride as reasons to justify why their beloved bimmer is better.

I'd just like to remind the BMW guys, that THIS IS A Z06 SITE! People here are interested primarily in performance. People who buy corvettes in general care more about performance than anything else. We don't care if you car has four seats, we only need ONE!
We WANT to be in connection with the road, its part of the whole experience.

When I went shopping for my Z06, the thing on the top of my list was PERFORMANCE. I looked at all the 0-60, 1/4times, braking distances and handling capabilities of every car available in the US. There is NO other car that can give you the performance of the Z06 at its price.

So I bought a Z06. I wondered at the time if I should have waited for the new M3 with it's highly touted new engine. I haven't driven an M3, but I have driven a 330ci, and sorry guys, but you can keep it. The gear box felt like a moving a wooden spoon in a pot of oatmeal, the engine was so quiet I couldn't hear it, and the suspension was so soft I felt totally out of touch with the road. This was with the sport handling package.

Now before you BMW fans get all upset with me, I realize that the M3 WILL be better than the 330ci, BUT it is essentially the same car, with go fast parts. BMWs are great if you like to be isolated from your driving experience.

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2001 Z06, Tag "EVIL Z06"
Torch red, solid black interior
!CAGS !BSM
NGK TR6 plugs & Taylor wires
Halltech Z06 TRIC + MAG
NX 150hp Wet Kit
 

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In the R&T test all cars were tested on the same day, FYI.
The Zo6 is faster but not by this large margin like you suggested. I would say it is more of a slight margin. 3/10s in the 1/4 is not "huge" for street cars. And dont use GMs 12.2 1/4 as not a single mag has obtained this same number. or the 4.0 0-60 time. And the braking numbers for the M were slightly better if I remember correctly. Lat. Gs the vette has it.

And the 330? I agree with you 110% it sucks. The one I test drove was a dog. It is very dull. But the M3 is not at all like the 330 everything was changed save the basic size dims. New gearbox (6 speed) new engine new suspension, brakes... everything... The 330 is made to be a sedan not a sports car. The M3 will be nothing like it in terms of performance. Look at the old 328 vs. the E36 M3... Nothing alike.

And yes the Zo6 is the best bang for your buck ever, well save a 427 cobra in the 60s for ~6k... Its job is one that differs from the job of the M3.

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what a minute...

You guys wanna tell me that they'd rather buy a car that seats two, is totally impractical, has the interior of a pontiac grad prix, and rides like a horse and buggy...you don't have to sacrifice everything to enjoy a sports car, that's why youCAN NOT beat an M3...

"hey john and bill, want to go to the rang and hit a few out, ...Damm, i forgot, i cant
drive both of you, bill do you mind sitting in the trunk ! "

i mean even a 911 has back seats !


i test drove a Z06 and was very impressed with the power plant, but i couldn't get
over how disappointing the design of the interior was...very 80's !

if you want a complete package you go with BMW, if you want a fast go-kart get a
vet !

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