[ScottAndrew]

Just put the M240i up against the entry-level Jag F-Type, a 370Z, a Camaro V8 (the standard 6.2 which is the only V8 available outside of NA), as a sort of test of the last of the powerful rear-drive sports cars before we all end up being driven to our funerals in autonomous grey whining boxes made in Sweden.

I'll leave it to you to guess the outcome but it's interesting that they included the Camaro, which is somewhere between the 240 and M2 in price. It's LHD-only and imported into the UK by a lone privateer dealer, rather than GM, from whom he has been granted the right to use "Chevrolet".

You may also like to discuss what they said about the 370Z

[Maynard]

I don't get Car, but either C&D or R&T just did a kind of stupid 'face off' between the ZL1 Camaro and the M2C - they were mostly playing cute with the theme of 'surprise! BMW is the muscle car, Camaro is the canyon-carver' without mentioning that the 'traction control' on the Camaro is basically AI that lets you just floor it and the computer adjusts power and shock valving for you. I'm also suspicious that the Camaro was really able to survive track sessions in the heat, given the Corvette's notorious problems with that.

[overcoil]

What magazine are you referring to ?
Have the Oct. issue of CAR U.K. and don’t see the comparison you describe.

[ScottAndrew]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

What magazine are you referring to ?
Have the Oct. issue of CAR U.K. and don’t see the comparison you describe.

Oops - sorry Scott. I bought it in October; I forgot that magazines are like car model years . It's the November issue.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by ScottAndrew

Oops - sorry Scott. I bought it in October; I forgot that magazines are like car model years . It's the November issue.

Gives me something to look forward to.

[MarkDemma]

Doesn't look like they've posted that to their website as of yet.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by MarkDemma

Doesn't look like they've posted that to their website as of yet.

They typically don't until the next month, to preserve sales of the app and paper edition of the magazine.

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I'm also suspicious that the Camaro was really able to survive track sessions in the heat, given the Corvette's notorious problems with that.

They fixed that heat issue in Camaro.
As long as the car is moving, heat is not a big issue.
If it sits idle after a track drive or drag race, then the CAC is heat soaked.

[NVHoo]

According to Car & Driver Lightning Lap tests over the years, a Camaro with a track package has been the best bang for the buck by far of any car in recent years (and no heat issues reported). They outrun cars costing 2-4 times as much. Have a few friends that own sports cars but track a Camaro for that reason. Not the daily driver for me for a variety of reasons but a great car.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

According to Car & Driver Lightning Lap tests over the years, a Camaro with a track package has been the best bang for the buck by far of any car in recent years (and no heat issues reported). They outrun cars costing 2-4 times as much

This is the reason the V8 Camaro 1LE was the final car on my cross-shop list before I bought the M240i.

The BMW won because I knew I'd enjoy it more during occasional daily driving, and because I didn't want to pay the higher consumables cost of the Camaro when running it on the track.

[230iZTR]

The Camaro 1LE is an impressive car, but I wound up in the BMW for 3 reasons: (1) the ZF8 Auto is a remarkable transmission, (2) the waitlist and [lack of] negotiability for a 1LE was ridiculous when I was car shopping, and (3) that greenhouse truly is horrific for visibility in a car that size.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by 230iZTR

The Camaro 1LE is an impressive car, but I wound up in the BMW for 3 reasons: (1) the ZF8 Auto is a remarkable transmission, (2) the waitlist and [lack of] negotiability for a 1LE was ridiculous when I was car shopping, and (3) that greenhouse truly is horrific for visibility in a car that size.

Also, the car feels HUGE when compared to driving a 1 or 2 series, but the Camaro's track times are truly remarkable for the $

[230iZTR]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

Also, the car feels HUGE when compared to driving a 1 or 2 series, but the Camaro's track times are truly remarkable for the $

Give any car 430whp, 285F/305R semi-slicks, and brakes the size of dinner plates and you'll destroy any track you go to. The V6 1LE is a monster too.

[morphomeman]

My main problem with the redesigned Camaro is the lack of visibility. Who on earth decided that it was better to be inside a tank?

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I don't get Car, but either C&D or R&T just did a kind of stupid 'face off' between the ZL1 Camaro and the M2C - they were mostly playing cute with the theme of 'surprise! BMW is the muscle car, Camaro is the canyon-carver' without mentioning that the 'traction control' on the Camaro is basically AI that lets you just floor it and the computer adjusts power and shock valving for you. I'm also suspicious that the Camaro was really able to survive track sessions in the heat, given the Corvette's notorious problems with that.

Just got it in the mail. Tests were in Palm Springs in the summer - real toasty. Heat caused no issues other than effecting the grip of the M2C tires. They mentioned the Camaro's prior heat issues but no issues now. They had nearly identical track times with the Camaro having a slight edge. M2C was better in the straights and Camaro cornered better. IMO the biggest difference was the tires. The M2C had Michelin PSS while the Chevy had Goodyear F1 Supercar 3. Chevy was $50K as tested whereas the M2C was $65K. Personally, I have no interest in either as a DD.

[Maynard]

I just think that the computerized handling assist needs to be called out - it isn't just 'traction control', it is like riding in a car, not driving it. In the Corvette, I've seen it reported to be hard for a seasoned race driver to improve upon. I don't think it is worth bragging about fast lap times if all you did was floor it and steer, nor much fun for the driver.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I don't think it is worth bragging about fast lap times if all you did was floor it and steer, nor much fun for the driver.

I agree about the bragging, but not about it not being fun.

That system will let the average driver explore limits that he likely never would (or could) build into his current car.

I doubt many drivers will ever approach the limits of something like the Camaro/Corvette duo anyway - after a certain point, things just start going too fast for the average driver, even when the car isn't near its limits. Arriving at a braking zone 10-15 MPH faster than you used to can be a whole new level of "Oh ****!"

As always, just my 2¢.