2009 BMW M3: Comparison Drive, Part Two

It all depends on what you are looking for; both cars can be considered relative bargains considering their levels of performance.

Great review, Brent. I particularly loved the "Team America" reference.

This is why IL shouldn't get a Corvette. Every @#&$@*%&@ post would be complaining about the interior. Sure, it is valid, but every post gets old. Fast.

Other than that, thanks Brent. Those a good pair of reviews. How about a Z06 versus M3 next?

Good post, I have a '92 Corvette LT1 and a Grand Cherokee SRT8 and as I am getting older, I enjoy driving the Jeep more, it's faster and more comfortable and has some utility. My Wife and I are looking for a nice used '08 M3 right now and I have to say personally I would rather have the M3 over the Vette.

The Corvette really lost it's way when the C4 came out. The C6 is a step in the right direction, but it's interior is terrible. I can't believe Chevy's economy car (cruze) is going to have a higher quality interior than their flagship sports car. Maybe a midcycle refresh could take care of that.

@GT5000The Corvette really lost it's way when the C4 came out.

I'll agree there are faults with the C4, but name a car that could really keep up with it for the price while it was in production? Without the success of the C4 there would be no Corvette. I would beat on C5's all day with just an exhaust and chip in my C4.

Gret review. I doubt many folks cross-shop these two, it sounds like each has a good idea about its target purchaser. The C6 is great, if they'd only make the interior first class. Fun fact - Corvettes are just about the only cars out there that have lost weight over the last 30 years. Pretty amazing.

@jeepsrt
I didn't say that the C4 was a "bad" car, and it was one of the best looking and performing cars of it's day. I will give credit where credit's due. My comment was based on the Corvette's status as an icon. The C1, C2, and C3 are beautiful cars regardless of age. The C4 looks like it came from the eighties; not a good thing to be remembered by.

didn't say that the C4 was a "bad" car, and it was one of the best looking and performing cars of it's day. I will give credit where credit's due. My comment was based on the Corvette's status as an icon. The C1, C2, and C3 are beautiful cars regardless of age. The C4 looks like it came from the eighties; not a good thing to be remembered by.

I agree somewhat, the early C4's were not the greatest but as they got into the nineties they are pretty nice looking, plain but classic lines. As for the C3, from about '75 on they are a joke, plastic bumpers and anemic V8. I really think it has to do when you grow up with them, I remember the commercials in '84 when I was about 12 and I was mesmerized by the pop up headlights and futuristic dash. I have a hard time wanting to upgrade to a newer one because I like the style so much. I also think the C6 has a little C4 in it with the tailights and the smaller proportions than the C5.

@jeepsrt
I agree about the late C3's. When they went to the hatchbacks, they ruined them. The late C4's are pretty good too. I would love to someday get a '96 Grandsport.

Great post, Brent.

Great writeup.

Every Vette I've ever sat in leaves me feeling like I'm in 8th grade and borrowed my dad's dress shirt and shoes for the dance.

Just like the dance, I end up flopping around awkwardly, unable to really take advantage of the situation.

Great writeup.

Every Vette I've ever sat in leaves me feeling like I'm in 8th grade and borrowed my dad's dress shirt and shoes for the dance.

Just like the dance, I end up flopping around awkwardly, unable to really take advantage of the situation.

I finally had to join as I couldn't resist commenting any longer. I came from an 08 Vette and now drive an 08 M3 Sedan 6sp. While I agree with the review, I do miss some things about the Vette. The biggest is the durable feel of the drivetrain. The Vette just feels indestructible like you can slam shifts etc where the M3 feels a bit less durable. This probably comes more from the shift lever itself than anything else. Of course if you revved the Vette to 8400 RPM, you'd probably leave shiny bits all over the pavement. All that said, I haven't had any trouble with either.

The steering wheel in the Vette really is a joke. It isn't even as good as the Cobalt which I think at least has standard radio controls! That plastic POS may have been the single worst piece on the car.

Speaking on behalf of old fat men everywhere (i.e. the people who actually buy new Corvettes), one of the best things about Corvettes is that they don't come with hard narrow seats fit only for the young and skinny (i.e. the people who test drive Corvettes for publications like this).

I actually like both cars for different reasons.

The M3 of course is the car I could drop the kids off at school in, head straight to the track with a set of slicks in the back and later that night take the wife to dinner.

The M3 has a level of tactility, refinement, precision and high strung character that few at any price can match. Although it has a V8, it doesn't possess the same brute force the Corvette dishes out as it relies more on high revs, finesse and technique which is the complete opposite of the Corvettes brute, forceful nature.

The downside to the M3 is its price even when lightly equipped, its severe break in period and the amount of maintenance (and cash) required to keep it running properly after the warranty runs out.

The Corvette on the other hand I couldn't use as a daily driver. Not because I couldn't, but because I'd prefer not too. Its more of a weekend powerhouse that can exhibit its brute strength whenever it wants in just about any gear regardless of engine speed. Substantial power, great drivetrain, relatively inexpensive and it possesses that unique overly cocky American attitude. Niiiiice!

The downside to the Vette....well yeah you knew it was coming....is the interior and build quality. Even with the optional leather covered dash, the interior still doesn't measure up. It's perceived quality isn't good at all especially given its base price. That said, if GM could up the build/material quality to say....the level of the CTS, install better/more substantial base seats and use NO interior parts that werent sourced from much lesser Chevy offerings, this car would have "world class" written all over it.

"I'll agree there are faults with the C4, but name a car that could really keep up with it for the price while it was in production?"

Although the C4's performance was pretty good the actual car was not as good. It's chassis/structure constantly creaked and groaned, getting in and out was a chore due to the high sills and although it received a complete interior redesign it still felt and looked seriously cheap. The C5 and the C6's improvements were VERY VERY VERY VERY welcomed.

The funny thing is that just about every Corvette I see its an automatic with some old man behind the wheel who's cruising around like he's driving a Buick Park avenue. Most M3 drivers seem to be more in tune to the kind of special vehicle they are driving and most are manuals. I know people consistently state that people purchase BMW's because of the badge but in this unique comparison I think the Corvette name seems to be the bigger badge whore.

The ONLY reason to get the M3 is the rear seats, period. Complaining about the interior and lack of ipod adapter is stupid when you consider the Vette was new for 2005 and the M3 is 4 years more modern. Of course the BMW has more creature comforts than a 4 year old Vette. The interiors of the Vette is functional for everyday and high speed driving. The car looks better, has more power, gets better mileage, weighs less, costs less and accelerates faster. I could sacrifice some vinyl and plastic quality for all of that. Forget about materials- in terms of interior styling I would say the cars are a draw. The M3's interior is hardly eye catching or worthy of a $70k car.

While I would gladly take an M3 if given one, the additional dollars make it a real stretch versus the Vette. And while TMV is a great tool, I'm pretty sure I can negotiate a much bigger discount on a Vette than a new E90/E92.

If I had $70k would I buy an M3? Hard to say. Like most cars these days it has gotten too big and heavy. I might be tempted into an even heavier (but much faster) CTS-V since I wouldn't bother taking either car to the road course. I think I'd be more likely to pick up a 1-2 year old Vette and slap a Magnussen supercharger kit on it. An easy 475-500 whp at 7 psi for a few $K. And then spend a little more on some sticky DOT legal race tires and a good seat and have some fun.

Now, if I could only have _one_ car to do it all, then the M3 moves up the list....

a used 2008 M3 is a great deal.

The entire article followed this formula:

-Outdated stereotype
-Grudging admission that it is actually good
-Ode to the BMW Gods as penance for failing to accept their superiority without question.
-Lather, rinse, repeat.

How surprising.

Not a fan of the '80s, GT500??

1487,

The current M3's interior debuted in 2005 as part of the 2006 model year 325i and 330i.

@ stovt001,

If you read the article, you'd have read that the vette is the author's. I doubt that he'd plunk down $50k plus custom work for something he "begrudges".

"The current M3's interior debuted in 2005 as part of the 2006 model year 325i and 330i."

I know. Still doesn't look any better. Its dark, dull and dated looking. The vette actually has better gauges and is available with a leather wrapped dash.

Great and honest review. Having owned a BMW, I can attest to the above posts about maintenance out of warranty. Those first "free" 50k miles are sweet. After that, $1500 for brakes, $1200 for an A/C compressor, hell, an oil change is over $100.., it starts to wear on you after awhile. I loved my 740iL and really wish I could have kept it. But my Ford's and Chevy's make a lot more sense for this cash-strapped enthusiast.

Best blog entry in some time. Do more of these.

I agree that the Corvette's interior needs a major update and upgrade. I wasn't a fan of its interior design since it came out in 2005 (and I own a C5 Z06). The materials quality isn't bad - it's just the styling of the interior I find bland, and that steering wheel was a major no-no. Oh, and the seats do suck, as they do in my C5 as well.

But the M3's interior isn't anything to write home about either. Aside from the very nice steering wheel and seats, and some nice trim work here and there, the rest of the interior, especially the dash design and center console, is just uber-bland. Cheap looking even. Certainly no where near the caliber of a $70k car's interior should be. Would it prevent me from buying an M3? No, just like the Corvette's interior wouldn't prevent me from it either. It's OK, but it should be much better - in both cars.

Great review. The M3 is clearly the superior vehicle here.

Informative, entertaining read.
I'd still give a nut for either car!

"So, let's just say it's about eight grand more for the M3. Is it worth it? No question. Our long-termer is a sedan that you can drive everyday to work and then still keep up with just about any sports car on a mountain road or track on the weekend.
But a lightly equipped Corvette, especially if you get it a sweet deal on it, is stil an awesome performance value.

-I couldn't agree more. I'd have the M3 as well, but the Corvette has been, and still is, THE best value sports car. It's performance is iconic, and for good reason.

@1487 "The ONLY reason to get the M3 is the rear seats, period. Complaining about the interior and lack of ipod adapter is stupid when you consider the Vette was new for 2005 and the M3 is 4 years more modern. Of course the BMW has more creature comforts than a 4 year old Vette. The interiors of the Vette is functional for everyday and high speed driving. . Forget about materials- in terms of interior styling I would say the cars are a draw. The M3's interior is hardly eye catching or worthy of a $70k car."

-What????
Ok, let's be more than fair and compare it the old e46 M3, which is 4 YRS OLDER than the Vette. The vette's interior still doesn't hold a candle to the old m3's interior in ANY given aspect. So you can throw out the age claim.
IMO, it's sheer laziness and bad management that is responsible for the vette's interior.

"Great review. The M3 is clearly the superior vehicle here."

I wouldnt use "clearly" at all.

"Ok, let's be more than fair and compare it the old e46 M3, which is 4 YRS OLDER than the Vette. The vette's interior still doesn't hold a candle to the old m3's interior in ANY given aspect. So you can throw out the age claim."

If you are a BMW fanboy that I can understand thinking the M3's interior is glorious. To the rest of us its standard issue BMW dull. I dont need to compare the Vette to the last gen M3 since I'm not impressed by the interior of the current one. Is it better than the Vette's? Probably. Is it superior to that of the CTS-V? Hell no. I notice you nor anyone else actually provides any detail about what is so bad about the vette's interior. I've been in the C6 several times (incl. ZR1) and I just don't find it offensive. Its not fancy and pales in comparison to an Aston but its certainly not much worse than a depressing all black 3 series interior with gauges that look about 15 years out of date.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0909_2009_bmw_m3_arrival/photo_11.html

That is the interior that has you so impressed? Are you serious? Looks like MT got a model just like the one IL has for long term testing. Why white?

Uh, yeah I quite like the BMW interior posted above.

"The ONLY reason to get the M3 is the rear seats, period."

I wouldn't use "ONLY" at all.

"If you are a BMW fanboy that I can understand thinking the M3's interior is glorious."

If you are a GM fanboy then I can understand thinking the Corvette's interior is acceptable.

Really 1487, do you work for GM or something? An M3 driver do a hit on run on you? You spend a lot of time reading about the M3 and commenting negatively on it. As well as defending GM products. Your idiosyncratic behavior is suspicious. You one of the most aggressive and defensive posters around. Take a break. Enjoy whatever car you like to drive. Nobody cares. Corvettes and CTS-V's are fine.

This is the interior shot of a new ZR1 corvette. For over $100k, yes I would expect better. At least not low quality plastic running up the middle of the dash.

http://www.gotbroken.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2009-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-cockpit-interior-view-588x422.jpg

-1487- "with gauges that look about 15 years out of date."
Ok, so compare these gauges to the new m3s and tell me which one looks out of date. No offense, but the ZR1s look like the oldschool STi and EVO gauges, which is not a good thing.

Even the "10 yr old" M3 gauges look way better.
http://skene.org/M3/images/instrument_test.jpg

In both cases the gauges have variable rev limiters. yeah, just like every other 15 year old car....

I can't defend the Corvette's interior - I'm not a fan. However I'd like to chime in on the BMW's interior. While the new ones exude class, a few years make BMWs' interiors look antiquated and boring. Square buttons? A radio that cannot be viewed through polarized sunglasses? (My cell phone can be viewed through sunglasses, why not a $50+ car?). I've never been a fan of the BMW interiors, but one man's humble opinion never dissuades the masses.

Thanks for this review - its nice to see some odd cross-shopping.
Kevin