E90 M3 4D vs C6 Corvette - Can only keep one?

This post is slightly different. I am blessed that I currently own both a 2008 E90 M3 4 door and a 2006 Z51 C6 Corvette. These are both fun toys for me. I daily a suburban.

I've owned the m3 for 12 years now and I've done all the maintenance on it since I've owned it. The C6 I purchased from a friend where her father had a stroke and was no longer able to drive. It was his 'golf car'. Sad story.

With that said, I need to get rid of one car to make room for a business purchase. My son loves vette... It's loud, raw, and definitely brings a smile to your face. The m3 is more subdued, sophisticated yet refined, and it hauls 4 people easily.

Which one do you get rid of, and why? Frankly, I barely drive either one, but it's always good to have another car when one goes down.

I know what the vette's worth. What does an e90 m3 4D bring on the used market? Black on black, 6 speed, 4D, 135k +/-, rod bearings done at 60k, new tires, new throttle actuators, full belts and upper end seals done shortly ago, rear muffler exhaust, fully rebuilt driveshaft. I'd have to check my maintenance log for anything else.

Thanks.

For me, as great as the E90M is (it really really is), it's not so special that I'd want it as my "fun" car. I LOVE it as my daily. For me, my E46 m3 is much more "special" better looking, more tossable, etc.

So given that the car you'd be keeping wouldn't be used too much, I'd keep the vette.

I'm all about the "experience" and the E90 is a little too refined, a little too plain jane IMO. Even with lots of mods, it's still not super racious like a vette can be.

E90Ms hold their value well, but yours isn't a ZCP rather a PRE-LCI (less diserable), isn't a slicktop, isn't blue, doesn't have lowish mileage BUT does have RBs done/other maint. I'd say about $27k given the good history. I think swaping out the tail lights to LCI would net you more $ for sure. Even something that small matters to ppl.

TboneS54 wrote

For me, as great as the E90M is (it really really is), it's not so special that I'd want it as my "fun" car. I LOVE it as my daily. For me, my E46 m3 is much more "special" better looking, more tossable, etc.

So given that the car you'd be keeping wouldn't be used too much, I'd keep the vette.

I'm all about the "experience" and the E90 is a little too refined, a little too plain jane IMO. Even with lots of mods, it's still not super racious like a vette can be.

E90Ms hold their value well, but yours isn't a ZCP rather a PRE-LCI (less diserable), isn't a slicktop, isn't blue, doesn't have lowish mileage BUT does have RBs done/other maint. I'd say about $27k given the good history. I think swaping out the tail lights to LCI would net you more $ for sure. Even something that small matters to ppl.

Great perspective. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

So I am not going to sway one way or the other. I have a 2006 C6 Z06 and I track an E92 M3; they're both fun extra cars.

One one hand, the E90 M3 is a beautiful car with a fantastic engine, but having a 4-door fun car doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I understand it's perfectly capable of great performance, but it is still a larger sedan in the end.

The Corvette is a fantastic car, and the C6 generation is arguably one of the best generations ever. I hope it is a manual though, because you have a pre '08 c6. This would be LS2 and 4l60e. The LS2 isn't bad, and the chassis is good, but the 4L60 is terrible. It's not a matter of if it will need a rebuild, it is when.

With all that being said, both vehicles would be great to have, but if it were me, I would keep the Corvette as the fun car as it's a true sports coupe. This is ONLY if it had the manual. If it was an auto, I would sell the C6. It is that big of a difference.

F4rmost wrote

So I am not going to sway one way or the other. I have a 2006 C6 Z06 and I track an E92 M3; they're both fun extra cars.

One one hand, the E90 M3 is a beautiful car with a fantastic engine, but having a 4-door fun car doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I understand it's perfectly capable of great performance, but it is still a larger sedan in the end.

The Corvette is a fantastic car, and the C6 generation is arguably one of the best generations ever. I hope it is a manual though, because you have a pre '08 c6. This would be LS2 and 4l60e. The LS2 isn't bad, and the chassis is good, but the 4L60 is terrible. It's not a matter of if it will need a rebuild, it is when.

With all that being said, both vehicles would be great to have, but if it were me, I would keep the Corvette as the fun car as it's a true sports coupe. This is ONLY if it had the manual. If it was an auto, I would sell the C6. It is that big of a difference.

Manuals for both cars

Thanks. That's kinda the way I'm leaning. It's been a great car... I suppose I can't keep them all forever.

easy, get rid of the suburban unless you tow a trailer or have a ton of kids

Oreo Cat wrote

easy, get rid of the suburban unless you tow a trailer or have a ton of kids

Ha! I was waiting for that. Frankly, I enjoy the suburban as much as the fun vehicles. Clicks off 26+ mpg in comfort AND can pull a trailer if needed.

I'd take the e90 off your hands if you were in SoCal. I miss my '08 still today.

No experience with a Vette yet so I can't help with your decision.

Pick it up and drive it home!

That's how I got it here. Almost 24 hours straight I drove home.

Just about to go start detailing it for the sale.

Ha, maybe if I was 20yrs younger. I drove home an e36 M3 from the east side of Texas and almost fell asleep a couple of times. Philly is out of the question for this old man.

MVEED3 wrote

Ha, maybe if I was 20yrs younger. I drove home an e36 M3 from the east side of Texas and almost fell asleep a couple of times. Philly is out of the question for this old man.

I'm actually outside of Dallas...

Do you ever use your "fun" car for weekend trips where you need to throw smaller humans or a dog in the backseat? = M3

edit:

I'll add that the m3 is considerably more rare (~3x fewer than your comparable) and in the sedan format is the undisputed best sports sedan ever (IMO of course). I think future value preservation would favor your e90.

louder midpipe/exhaust on the M3 might make it more fun

quiksi wrote

louder midpipe/exhaust on the M3 might make it more fun

Too late! M3 sold in less than a week.

Mind sharing what it sold for? I have a similar vehicle and I’ve been debating if I should sell or not. Thanks.

I've had a 2008 manual base c6 and a 2011 manual grandsport c6. I also just recently picked up an e92 m3.

IMO:
2011 grandsport > e92 m3 >>> 2008 base

The base C6s are very mediocre and sloppy in their stock form, and the e92 is miles ahead out of the box in every category except for straight line speed. Either way, there's nothing wrong with trying out different platforms, I hope the car treats you well!

F4rmost wrote

So I am not going to sway one way or the other. I have a 2006 C6 Z06 and I track an E92 M3; they're both fun extra cars.

One one hand, the E90 M3 is a beautiful car with a fantastic engine, but having a 4-door fun car doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I understand it's perfectly capable of great performance, but it is still a larger sedan in the end.

The Corvette is a fantastic car, and the C6 generation is arguably one of the best generations ever. I hope it is a manual though, because you have a pre '08 c6. This would be LS2 and 4l60e. The LS2 isn't bad, and the chassis is good, but the 4L60 is terrible. It's not a matter of if it will need a rebuild, it is when.

With all that being said, both vehicles would be great to have, but if it were me, I would keep the Corvette as the fun car as it's a true sports coupe. This is ONLY if it had the manual. If it was an auto, I would sell the C6. It is that big of a difference.

Did you ever track the Z06? I am looking to buy something for weekend fun and Sebring track days. Considering the C6 Z06 or E92 M3 manual.

JettsHanger wrote

Did you ever track the Z06? I am looking to buy something for weekend fun and Sebring track days. Considering the C6 Z06 or E92 M3 manual.

No I do not track the z06 (although I would love tracking one). It has a blower and makes ~780whp. It would probably overheat 2 laps in haha.

A local guy is a TT2/TT3 national champion in a c6 z06. He has 2 that he races and is very successful. I honestly think a c6 z06 would have a higher ceiling compared to an E92 M3 depending on the class.

E90 M3 is miles ahead in every category period.