MotorTrend Head 2 Head: 2015 BMW M4 vs 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS

[OhioRiderAaron]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Likewise. I would not even think about cross-shopping these two.

I couldn't even pull the trigger on the Vette, just couldn't get used to the style or the interior. So NO WAY am I even thinking about getting a Camaro, unless I had to. It's a wonderful value, and goes like snot.....but just not my cup of tea.

Thought about a GT350 as well, but again, the interior just wasn't for me. And the exterior is so commonplace, there's so many of them. Crossed it off the list.

But if speed at a value is all that's needed, the Camaro and 'Stang are quite a bargain.

I was looking for a different driving and ownership experience....

I'm currently cross-shopping all of them myself. M3, ATS-V, Camaro SS, Corvette, RCF, Cayman S, and maybe the S4 and Q60S if they show up soon. I'm sure most people are not willing to jump around quite this much, but I'm not brand-loyal anymore and I'm open to making sacrifices (4dr vs 2dr, V6 vs V8, sportscar vs GT car, etc.).

I test drove all of the above cars last week (except Q60S and S4) and came away really impressed with all of them. The Camaro SS was probably the most impressive overall.

The chassis is great, the base suspension is well-dampened (non-mag.), and it sounds good with the performance exhaust open (borderline obnoxious tho). You could absolutely daily-drive this car without issue and enjoy it everyday. Yes, there's blind spots, origami exterior design, and questionable GM reliability, but it's still a solid vehicle IMO. The interior is pretty nice too, most of the touch-points are made of soft materials, switches have a good feel, and the outboard vents feel almost Audi-like. The steering wheel is tiny, feels great in the hand, and makes maneuvering the Camaro easy. Steering is very natural feeling (not over boosted or heavy), and the car overall is very predictable at the limit. The raw-ness of previous gen. cars (think 1 series, E90, G5 camaro, etc.) is gone; replaced with objectively better vehicles. You don't feel harsh bumps anymore, it's relatively quiet inside, and you forget you driving a 400+ hp "muscle car" that can run 0-60 around 4 secs. flat. Infotainment system works pretty good and the touchscreen responds quickly. The HUD didnt work so that goes back to GM reliability issues. Backup camera is OK, not MB/BMW/Acura good though. Trunk space is abysmal, and probably the biggest strike against the car (outside of exterior design).

As I would build it, the MSRP comes to roughly $47100 for a 2SS. Is that a good value? I'm not sure....but it seems pretty damn expensive to me even with the impressive bits I mentioned. If you can get it fully-loaded under $43000 then I say jump on it and don't look back. Please do yourself a favor and actually go test drive the car instead of accepting the opinions of others, whether in a magazine or on a forum, and make your own conclusion!

Aaron

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Points taken! However, they did rank the Z06 last in a comparison test with the Viper ACR and GT3 RS, doubt GM was too happy about that one.

I'd love a H2H between an M2 and a Camaro 1LE, guess I'll have to wait and see! (But we will probably get M2 vs RS3 and 1LE vs GT350..)

At the end of the day they each have their own appeal and section of the market.

it would be a deep concern for me buying gm products at this time since at least 4 corvette engines have grenaded/failed at the hands of car reviewers.

keep in mind bmw is not faultless either, i did have the e46 m3 recalled where the rod bearings failed due to a bad supplier and bmw fixed and extended all warranties on the issue, but only after first blaming the owners for money-shifting (even though the failures were happening on smg cars).

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ClothSeats

Is the M2 is not a modern BMW? He seemed to enjoy that one. Lieberman (sp?) had high praise for the M4 GTS; that's as modern as ///M gets. Although, I see what you mean reg. the forum.

It's fine for them to like the cars that GM has no direct competitors for.

[adc]

Another big question is: can you fit 4 track wheels/tires in it, plus assorted track gear (Jack, chairs, canopy, tools etc.)?

I'm asking those of you who've actually sat it it.

[ASAP]

Motortrend is a very very inconsistent publication...

Take and compare all of their performance times and laps...

Then watch how they initially felt about the M3 with Carlos, how it went sour...

How the Vette was the greatest car in the world, lost all comparison and blew a few motors and is now still the greatest american car...

Be very wary of MT... they are up to something.

[OhioRiderAaron]

Originally Posted by adc

Another big question is: can you fit 4 track wheels/tires in it, plus assorted track gear (Jack, chairs, canopy, tools etc.)?

I'm asking those of you who've actually sat it it.

Highly doubtful. I'll check around camaro6 forum to see if anyone has tried yet, but that's the impression i got during my test drive. Probably worse storage area compared ATSV coupe, RCF, M4, and maybe even the corvette..

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by OhioRiderAaron

I'm currently cross-shopping all of them myself. M3, ATS-V, Camaro SS, Corvette, RCF, Cayman S, and maybe the S4 and Q60S if they show up soon. I'm sure most people are not willing to jump around quite this much, but I'm not brand-loyal anymore and I'm open to making sacrifices (4dr vs 2dr, V6 vs V8, sportscar vs GT car, etc.).

I test drove all of the above cars last week (except Q60S and S4) and came away really impressed with all of them. The Camaro SS was probably the most impressive overall.

As I would build it, the MSRP comes to roughly $47100 for a 2SS. Is that a good value? I'm not sure....but it seems pretty damn expensive to me even with the impressive bits I mentioned. If you can get it fully-loaded under $43000 then I say jump on it and don't look back. Please do yourself a favor and actually go test drive the car instead of accepting the opinions of others, whether in a magazine or on a forum, and make your own conclusion!

Aaron

I have test driven the M3, ATS-V, Camaro SS, Corvette and RCF. The Q60 coupe may be worth considering too, when it arrives. The Audi? I didn't want AWD, because I like to steer with the throttle sometimes.

I settled on the M4, my first BMW, so you know I'm no BMW homer...given that I own Lexuses, a Ford truck and have owned an Infiniti and a Mazda.

ATS-V? Loved the steering and suspension. But I couldn't get used to the exterior. And the interior was mehhh.

Camaro? My friend owns one, so I've driven his. Bad ass, great engine, great exhaust note, but didn't like the claustrophobic interior, nor the boxy exterior. Since I spend a lot of time just cruising around, it's gotta feel right when I'm just relaxing. The Camaro never did. But for a weekend, fun car, it's quite a thrill. Would NEVER own it, unless I got a stupendous deal.

Corvette? The exterior, it's just not me. I've never seen a Corvette I want to own.....though the performance is amazing. But for me, it's not all about pure speed. I don't track my cars. And when I'm in Vette, it feels like I'm having a midlife crisis. LOL

RCF? Love the engine, love the engine note, hate the styling. Too bad. It also feels sluggish compared to the M, but it sure sounds the part.

M4? It's just "me". My style. Frisky, but relaxed. Juvenile, but mature. It has everything I want except for a glorious engine note. Until the warranty is up, it's a keeper.

[ForTehNguyen]

the trunk opening is pretty horrid on the camaro



corvette trunk is probably better. Maybe not as deep but doesnt have the small ass opening.

[m4pewpew]

Good for the Camaro, but that doesn't really bother me. I still like my M4.

[ht4e]

Correct me if i am wrong, the m4 in the head to head is not a dct while the camaro is auto...not sure if the camaro has dct.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ht4e

Correct me if i am wrong, the m4 in the head to head is not a dct while the camaro is auto...not sure if the camaro has dct.

Both cars in the head-2-head are 6MT

DCT is not offered on the Camaro

[someguywithanm3]

Someone in the office recently bought a Camaro SS because it matched the M4's performance. He seemed pretty happy with his purchase.

I'm not a badge whore, but I could never own the current Camaro due to the lack of visibility. I'm also not a fan of the interior.

[Ilikemike]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Motortrend is a very very inconsistent publication...

Take and compare all of their performance times and laps...

Then watch how they initially felt about the M3 with Carlos, how it went sour...

How the Vette was the greatest car in the world, lost all comparison and blew a few motors and is now still the greatest american car...

Be very wary of MT... they are up to something.

Been reading MT since the 60's, clearly biased towards US machines, blatantly so in the 'early years' Back then C&D was the only magazine that valued Euro and Japanese machines. Nonetheless, the US is producing some excellent performance autos these days, so, it's hard to tell whether ' the fix is in' when I read a comparison review from those Guys....

[zstoja]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Unfortunately, they're right.

BMW fucked up by putting fake engine noises through the speakers, and by disconnecting the driver from the road.

So true. I was surprised that BMW put electric steering wheel and no way to give up. So, what does BMW offer today? I do not know. Nothing more interesting than others, but for a lot of more money.

BMW can put back hydraulic steering wheel for more money and it will pass or stay with this one and continue to slow down sale.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Camaro trunk itself isn't as bad as the opening is small.

[Obioban]

Camaro trunk isn't good, and the opening is comically small. :P