I was watching Speed Vision today, as I hope many of you were, and Motor Trend did a side-by-side comparison of the Corvette ZO6, Porsche Boxter S, and the BMW M3. They all preformed well, and I was capable of jotting down a little information, so here it is.
Corvette ZO6 4.24seconds(0-60) 12.64seconds(1/4mile) 14.01(0-100-0)
BMW M3 4.65seconds(0-60) 13.16seconds(1/4mile) 16.15(0-100-0)
Porsche S 5.39Seconds(0-60) 13.93seconds(1/4mile) 18.28(0-100-0)

While they all did pretty good, the ZO6 really stood out. Then they went onto the skid pad and slalom, the Corvette took 1 whole lateral G, but the BMW could only take .91, and skidded out, along with the Porsche, which could take even less. Overall the Corvette was the best performer, the Porsche was the most expensive, but in the end they gave the best pick award to the M3, because it could keep up with all the other cars, and was a 4 seater, I did not believe it, the M was getting spanked then they chose it a s best pic. Did anyone else see the show? If not, Speed Vision repeats its shows every couple hours, and for a couple of days, go watch it.

Sorry Moderators, I could not decide where to put this thread, and since it had other cars, I just put it in OT.

I saw the same show... I believe the E46 M3 only pulled 0.89 on the skidpad and the Boxster S pulled a 0.91.

I thought the M3 would end up second personally, but when they explained their reasons for choosing it #1, I totally agreed. It's a practical sports car. I'd much rather have the M3 over the vette, it's something I could drive every day and use in everyday life.

You are correct, looking back on my notes, I must have gotten that backwards, thank you for correcting me.

I felt the same way about the reasons they chose the M3, but the Vette did win almost everything, and I was kind of dissapointed the the M3 on the skidpad.

I am sure you can get the M3s skidpad higher if you put some stickier tires on there

Ya, that is probally true, but the cars were tested as stock, and judged as stock proformance per dollar.

I thought the Porsche was the least expensive, but at the end of the program I about crapped my pants when I heard it was the most expensive.

I agree with Kev. I too thought the Corvette was going to win because they couldn't stop talking about it. MotorTrend is like that though...they love American muscle cars. Corvette wins in 0-60, 1/4 mile, skidpad, braking, .....blah blah bla.....oooohh, and by the way, the M3 wins our comparo. Sweetness. That anti-nose dive suspension looks wicked when in motion. What year did BMW come out with that? I don't think my car has that.......

Yeah... I was very impressed with the anti-nose dive suspension. It just made the entire car squat during hard braking. My dad was totally shocked when he saw that. He loved how the car just hunked down and stopped... no drama.

I think your '98 should have it.

Now, if you have ever seen a M1A1 Abrams perform an emergency stop, now that is something to see. From 45 to 0 in 10 feet.

Originally posted by Hyperion
Now, if you have ever seen a M1A1 Abrams perform an emergency stop, now that is something to see. From 45 to 0 in 10 feet.

Actually yes I have... it is very impressive considering the sheer mass/size of such a vehicle. I feel sorry for those inside when they decide to do that emergency stop... everything goes splat against the front of the tank.

Originally posted by Kevlar


Actually yes I have... it is very impressive considering the sheer mass/size of such a vehicle. I feel sorry for those inside when they decide to do that emergency stop... everything goes splat against the front of the tank.

Id rather worry what poor object goes splat under the front of the tank... 70 something tons of treaded steel rolling over you... yikes.

Nose-dive has a lot to do with balance, too. If your front brakes are doing all the work, then you get a lot of nose-dive. The E28 and E24 had great anti-dive geometry, and every 5 and 7 after. The E30, E36 and E46 use the control arm to transfer braking forces rearward into the chassis, not upward into the springs. That's why the M-versions come with solid control arm bushings at the back of the wishbone, instead of the squishy ones the regular 3-series gets.

If you increase braking at the rear, you can acutally pull the suspension up. It won't lift the rear tires off the ground, it helps keep the rear from going up in the air. Rob Levinson's M5 Turbo had 850CSi brakes on the front, stock (284mm puny -pizza cutters) on the rear. Once he put E34 540i rear brakes on it, he said the nose-dive was gone, and the car could turn your stomach when he hit the brakes.

The E28 M5 had way too much braking in the front, which is why many people complained about warped rotors--too much heat. IF you upgrade the rears, the nose-dive is reduced significantly.

Anyone got just the Mov-it kit on the front and stock brakes on the rear of your E36? Ever watch one stop hard? Think aobut upgrading the rears using the Boxster calipers and rotors.

James

I was watching the show on sunday but couldn't finish it...as you guys said...I thought the Vette was gonna take it since it beat the others in everything...I'm glad the BMW took it and the reasons why they gave 1st to it seem very reasonable but they should have said....it's a bimmer so it wins!:D

Whats up with thoes 5 point star wheels that look like they are made out of metal tubing on the vette? I cannot decide if I love them or hate them... Maybe I sould get a pair...

I saw this review also on Motor Trend TV, before my issue arrived in the mail. When I found out that the Z06 did not win after coming in 1st in every category, I couldn't believe it. Sure the M3 has 2 extra seats and more luggage room, but from a performance car standpoint, the Z06 and M3 are in two different categories. And, the Z06 is definitely a much better performance car. Comparing them on level ground makes no sense when their purposes are different. The Z06 is a raw american race (i.e. not sports) car. It handles and brakes better than most cars 1-5x more expensive. The M3, on the other hand, is a top-of-the-line sports coupe that can do many things well.

-ben fr

They really should have ran the Porsche and Corvette against the M Roadster. It is approximately the same abount of money as the Vett, and it is only a two seater.

Originally posted by Hyperion
Whats up with thoes 5 point star wheels that look like they are made out of metal tubing on the vette? I cannot decide if I love them or hate them... Maybe I sould get a pair...

Pair?

Ya, the word set would have been a better choice...


So I was watching Speed Vision today, (I never actually turn off the TV, I just let it run on SV 24-7) and they did a comparison of a Audi A4, and a BMW318i. and in every way shape and form the Audi spanked the BMW, it was kind of sad. I hope that BMW starts putting a little more effort into power in there lower end models.

Yes, prehaps on the track the 2001 Vette will beat the new M3, but on the street where most of us drive there are other things to consider. Such as the interior of the Vette looks like it came out of a Caviler. Second and this is the important one a Vette is just a speeding ticket waiting to happen. It stand out, to you and me, and to the cop waiting to pull someone over. Will he choose the person in the non descript two door BMW or the person in the low slung Vette? Chances are that Vette is toast. Don't get me wrong, I hate the fact that the new M3 is heavier, but it also has a lot more ponies. One final note, it would be interesting to race that 2001 M3 and Vette again, but in the year 2011. Will both cars still be on their game? Alot more older E30 M3's still pushing it with class then Vettes of the same era.

I was wondering when people would be talking about this. I just didn't recognize the thread.

I have ridden in both the Boxter S and the E46 M3 on the track. Sadly haven't driven either. I have no experience with the Z06 but would like to. These are different cars for different people so to compare them is really only raw numbers.

The Boxter S is very 996 like and if one did not know you were in a Boxter, you might think you were in a 996. The regular Boxter has a much more noticable howl when the vario ram system comes in and while is does not eat real estate like the S does it is equally satisfying for a whole lot less $$$

The E46 is amazing. The car I rode in was a box stock version that looked exactly like the car in the test. It may have even been the same car as the owner did say he got a deal on it because it was a magazine test car. It did feel a bit heavy but I was really impressed with the way it pulled strong to the 8500 redline in at least 4 of the 6 gears and will how well the suspension and street tires stuck to the road. With some sticky tires this car could be really fast and I bet they do well in the Speedvision GT.

What would I buy if I had $50K to spend on a car. Probably none of these. Maybe a used E55 Mercedes.

never saw that on tv...but i have read the article on it in like 2 mags....and while the zo6 takes first in everything you have to remember that that is not always what every consumer is after...so considering what you pay for and the luxurious seating capability along with some nothing to complain about cargo space, it's number one pick for it's performance along with how well it carries it options...i mean think about it...it goes from near race car...to cruising along the beach...it's not over powered. it def deserves best pick, not a damn thing wrong with it....so you can't get away from the cops as fast as the zo6.lol. but we could sit here all day pinting out things wrong with chevy, and well, for the price we all know the boxter is well NOT worth it