[rockit2]

Well, I have been a BMW fan for many years with an 335i, 135i, and X3 35i over the years, and I was looking forward to the new M2 Competition. I test drove a 2015 M4 6MT to get a feel for the S55 engine's power.

Everything was great, but then at the track my friend insisted I do a few laps with his 2016 ZO6. Well let's just say I had a total blast, the car is downright insane, and now I'm having second thoughts of putting down a deposit and waiting the 8 months for an M2C that I can not even test to see how I like it.

I can pick up a brand new 2019 ZO6 1LZ for $73k plus tax. The M2 is $58,900 starting but is $65k with the options and plus there's the $5k mark up. So they are both exactly the same price but the M2 will never do the same lap times as the Vette, and I will continue to be beaten at the track by my bro's since no factory BMW out runs the Z06.

Help! BTW, this will be a weekend car only. Maybe 6k miles a year with 8+ track days as I have Sebring, PBIR, and Homestead road courses close by.

[Mr Carrots]

But .. but.. muh prestige from a tuned version of BMWs cheapest car

Obviously the vette is a better car

[Never_Enough]

Z06 > any M2 no question

[Red Bread]

Do you want a sports car or a sporty car with a back seat? If track times play any factor in this, the Z06 is the obvious answer.

[FlaPatsFan]

You are comparing apples to oranges. Those two cars are totally different. A few days at the track shouldn’t influence your overall decision. The M2C is a daily with a fun side. The Vette is difficult to drive as a daily. Your back/knees will eventually hate getting in and out of that car. And like previous poster said, no back seat and almost no trunk/storage space.

It really depends on what you plan on doing with the car. Choose wisely my friend.

[KingOfJericho]

I was in a similar boat not having very much respect for the Vette until I went to a track day in my Lotus Exige. There were a few Vettes there (some with lots of work done) but they passed other cars (track prepped GT3s, Vipers, every single Lotus, etc) like they were broken down. I left the track that day swearing that my next performance car would be a Z06. It hasn't happened yet (kids, etc) but it will happen one of these days! Such amazing cars.

[cxp213]

If putting down faster lap times at the track is of any importance, then this is a no brainer. Z06 all the way. /thread

[tdott]

Originally Posted by rockit2

I can pick up a brand new 19 Zo6 1lz for $73 plus tax

With options they can get over $100k, almost double a base M2, so whats your point?

Buy the Vette if you are looking for the performance and a 2 seater is fine with you.

[rockit2]

I know the M2c is a better built machine and way more refined as I have had many BMW's but have never owned a Vette. The M2c will have much better resale value and will be more exclusive. It will be a garage queen as I will not daily drive it and only drive on the weekends and or go to the track on Friday night to do some 1/4 mile runs just for fun as I have all my other cars, and do track days with it. Options are not a big deal as is the fun factor when driving as I really liked the 135 with supporting mods. I want both lol thanks all for the response

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by FlaPatsFan

You are comparing apples to oranges. Those two cars are totally different. A few days at the track shouldn’t influence your overall decision. The M2C is a daily with a fun side. The Vette is difficult to drive as a daily. Your back/knees will eventually hate getting in and out of that car. And like previous poster said, no back seat and almost no trunk/storage space.

It really depends on what you plan on doing with the car. Choose wisely my friend.

Only if you have back/knee problems already. The C7 is a great DD. Snow not included although it can be done.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by rockit2

I know the M2c is a better built machine and way more refined as I have had many BMW's but have never owned a Vette.

Then how do you know the M2 is a better built machine?

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Then how do you know the M2 is a better built machine?

Right. I've never understood this sentiment around BMWs. One car is phenomenally reliable, cheap to fix (inexpensive parts), and has supercar-like performance. The other is a BMW. Define "quality" when it leaves you stranded after only 6k miles. Define "better built" when it rattles and squeaks and needs to visit the dealer a dozen times in 36 months (28k miles). I just don't get it.

[baege]

i think the question is more complex than it appears at first glance and i can offer a direct first-hand mini comparo

i went from a 2014 cayman s to a 2015 c7
..within 3 days i wanted the cayman back...the European marques still have a level of refinement sophistication and integration thst informs the driving experience...the c7 felt clumsy sloppy and unrefined...it wasnt as enjoyable

i got a 2016 cayman s to replace the c7 and have now moved to an 18 m240i...the m240i has the european feel that the c7 lacked

for the track z06 over m2c...no doubt

but for an enjoyable road car...the answer is not so obvious

[The Wind Breezes]

They are totally different cars and come on how do you not see this as a challenge to get the M car and then mod it more badass than the vette?? Also get a motorcycle in addition to the M2 and you will be having 20x more of a thrilling experience than in that boring Z06.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

They are totally different cars and come on how do you not see this as a challenge to get the M car and then mod it more badass than the vette??

That's a pretty tough challenge. At least from a track stand point.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by baege

i think the question is more complex than it appears at first glance and i can offer a direct first-hand mini comparo

i went from a 2014 cayman s to a 2015 c7
..within 3 days i wanted the cayman back...the European marques still have a level of refinement sophistication and integration thst informs the driving experience...the c7 felt clumsy sloppy and unrefined...it wasnt as enjoyable

i got a 2016 cayman s to replace the c7 and have now moved to an 18 m240i...the m240i has the european feel that the c7 lacked

for the track z06 over m2c...no doubt

but for an enjoyable road car...the answer is not so obvious

Was yours a Z51 car? If not, apples to oranges I believe. Nothing clumsy about a C7. Go take it on a track.

[rockit2]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Then how do you know the M2 is a better built machine?

You are right I do not know as I have not seen or driven the M2 yet. This is part why I am struggling with the situation as I have to put a $ deposit and get in line for something that I can not see touch feel or even smell . I am leaning towards the M2 and would spec it like this

metallic orange($550)
orange stitched leather(no cost option)
black wheels(no cost option)
executive package($1200)
6 speed manual
This should be MSRP of $60,650 plus mark up and tax/tag

[rockit2]

Originally Posted by cxp213

If putting down faster lap times at the track is of any importance, then this is a no brainer. Z06 all the way. /thread

Years ago I raced a spec Miata and had a blast doing so and that car only had 160hp but would just be a hoot doing it. But being around the go big or go home crowd I have got away from the who cares how fast I am as long as I am having fun and I have just talked my self into the M2 as I realize it is about what I like and how I want to spend my time driving , I also might want to drive around the USA with it and the Corvette would not be as practical as the M2c

[cxp213]

Originally Posted by rockit2

Years ago I raced a spec Miata and had a blast doing so and that car only had 160hp but would just be a hoot doing it. But being around the go big or go home crowd I have got away from the who cares how fast I am as long as I am having fun and I have just talked my self into the M2 as I realize it is about what I like and how I want to spend my time driving , I also might want to drive around the USA with it and the Corvette would not be as practical as the M2c

I'm all for having fun in an underpowered car on the track, overtaking the higher HP cars around the corners. However, the track performance of a Vette cannot be overlooked, even with a mediocre driver, which I'm sure you're already aware.

Anyway, how much "practicality" are you looking for, when you've already other cars? It's not like you'd want to fit people in the backseat or carry a bunch of stuff there in the M2, and it looks like the C7 has a pretty decent trunk size.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-driver-page-7

[dmk08]

My only comment is screw 5K ADM on an M2 Comp. I can find 3 at MSRP within an hour.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Was yours a Z51 car? If not, apples to oranges I believe. Nothing clumsy about a C7. Go take it on a track.

it wasn't a z51, but I wasn't talking about it's track capabilities

I am talking about finer details like throttle response, steering feel and responsiveness, the way the controls worked

it just lacked an integration and refinement that european marques have...sloppy would be a better word

I noticed the same thing when I drove an RS5 and f type coupe back to back...I enjoyed the f type more, but it did feel sloppy, not as well put together as the RS5

trust me I wanted to like the C7, low rpm torque, great looks, what's not to like?
a few things I discovered...

[Blue2]

As a weekend/track car, get the Z06.

For me, the big draw of the M2 is that it's a very capable, small-ish, RWD, manual transmission sports car with (small) rear seats in the $60k range. There's simply nothing else out there in that category. The TT-RS was really attractive but the lack of a manual transmission was a deal breaker. The Mustang GT-350 has too many problems.

I want to be able to take my kids in the back seat so the 'Vette was out of the question. Otherwise, I would have opted for a C7 Corvette. If you don't need back seats and want a track car in that price range, it's the obvious choice.