[Zeke.Malvo]

Originally Posted by attymf

I ran a 2013 M3 the other day and blew its doors off. Wasn't even close. As for refinement and daily driver I suppose that's more of a subjective decision.

The thread is nearly a year old. Let it go.

[buckbadfish]

Refinement costs. Repair bills down the road can be harry with the imports, if you keep the car for the long haul.

[RideZX6R]

After driving both of these cas at length (I have a '17 1LE and a former roommate had an E92 M3 coupe)... I'd buy the Camaro for the feel and electronics alone.

Lots of nicer technology added over the last 5 years... And the closest thing now (new cars only) to a 1LE is probably an M2, which has less features, is slower in every measure, and costs roughly $5-10k more depending on options/negotiation.

[JK001]

Old thread but I will add my .02 from personal experience.

I would say this after owning numerous M cars and have now put ~1000 miles on my 1LE: as a daily driver I would take the e92 M3 over the 1LE any day! The 1LE is the faster car in all categories, period. But the e92 M3 dominates at balancing the performance with great deal of fit and finish, and exclusivity as a grand touring car (aka GT). So if being purely not the fastest coupe in your price range does not matter to you, the e92 M3 would be my choice.
To address maintenance: best case scenario a 2013 M3 is 4 years old, budget 2-3k/year average for maintenance. The '17 SS 1LE is vastly more technologically sophisticated than the M3 (yes, a Camaro but a very different breed than even the 5th Gen) only time will tell what will cost to replace things out of warranty.

I am very happy with my current choice, but will always keep the e9X M3 cars as the all time best GT cars on my list.

[MB1]

I know this is an older thread. I have a 2013 M3 competition package coupe. Its a pretty awesome car. I'm considering a SS 1LE or maybe a ZL1. Very interested in how these cars compare. Dealing with dealers is a pain. I'm looking for a manual trans this time to use to replace a DD I have. Not sure I want to let the M3 go just yet. Camaro's have got to be less expensive to maintain. Recently drove an SS and was actually a little surprised about how good it was to drive. Hmmm.

[6spdhyperblue]

I would say the Camaro is superior in a lot of ways except visibility. They screwed the pooch on that one.

I DD’d it for 50k and just bought a truck. The visibility is doable but it’s more work on the driver. I do have a 1SS so no electronics to help with blind spots. They didn’t make blind spot monitoring available on the 1SS despite making the car hard to effing see out of.

[WhyUMad1LE]

Drove the E92 M3 DCT non ZCP.. thought the engine was boring below 4k.. and 6k-8k was good but similar to the LT1 4k-6k.. just my opinion. Had a nice stereo and seat upholstery.

[MB1]

I can see why people say that. I love the car and you have to rev it not unlike a GT350. I’ve yet to find a coupe that was as much fun but everyone’s opinion is different.

I did just drive a ZL1 which was an animal back to back with a Grand Sport Z07. Honestly think the SS 1LE may the sweet spot as a good handling fun car that I can put miles on and doesn’t cost a fortune to own. M3 stays.....

Originally Posted by WhyUMad1LE

Drove the E92 M3 DCT non ZCP.. thought the engine was boring below 4k.. and 6k-8k was good but similar to the LT1 4k-6k.. just my opinion. Had a nice stereo and seat upholstery.

[WhyUMad1LE]

Yeah like I said it's just my opinion. Some people prefer high revving engines. The S65 would probably be a beast in something lighter like a 1-series.

For me the SS 1LE was the golidlocks car of the Chevrolet performance lineup, not as powerful as the ZL1 but a little lighter and still has the V8 sound and feel, not as much outright grip as the Grand Sport but quieter inside and good enough handling to have fun and feel engaging while driving hard. Also has a more distinctive look than a standard SS or GT. But really they are all good options.

[Zvelts]

I just sold my 2011 E90 M3 DCT 27k miles for a 2018 1LE,
The 6spd Manual in The 1LE Was The first reason, The M3 sedan Was a much better Daily driver but The engagement of driving with The stick, The torque down low, The full warranty and The handling of The Camaro got me.
The M3 Was also an awesome car !
Good luck

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by Nicul15

I would say the Camaro is superior in a lot of ways except visibility. They screwed the pooch on that one.

I DD’d it for 50k and just bought a truck. The visibility is doable but it’s more work on the driver. I do have a 1SS so no electronics to help with blind spots. They didn’t make blind spot monitoring available on the 1SS despite making the car hard to effing see out of.

They screwed the pooch if you hate exotic styling and the cost that comes with it. My 4 series isn't all that great and the rear window is almost exactly the same size due to the sloping roofline. If you want it to look like a passenger car, like a 3-series, then yes, they totally screwed up.

I agree though they should have made blind spot detection available on all trims, I rented a turbo-4 this weekend and making lane changes more than one lane at a time (with the mirrors adjusted correctly) is still dangerous as heck, which is why the 2SS 1le was mandatory for me.

[JK001]

Originally Posted by MB1

I can see why people say that. I love the car and you have to rev it not unlike a GT350. I’ve yet to find a coupe that was as much fun but everyone’s opinion is different.

I did just drive a ZL1 which was an animal back to back with a Grand Sport Z07. Honestly think the SS 1LE may the sweet spot as a good handling fun car that I can put miles on and doesn’t cost a fortune to own. M3 stays.....

As others have said, the ZL1 and the 1LE are far far superior performing cars compared to the E9X M3. Just look at the track times and compare, they are separated by several classes. But, the BMW built quality and overall feel are by far much better. Visibility, rear seats and trunk space just add up. As for reliability, it's way too early to tell. The ZL1 and 1LE are significantly more electronics intensive than the M3. Save the notorious failure of bmw gaskets and seals, the camaros might be just as expensive if things start going wrong and worn.
I have had zero issues with my 1LE thus far, been driving it as intended.
Good call on keeping the M3, future classic. I wish I was as wise as you when I parted ways with mine

[ST1LE]

The E9X M3 is the best DD I have ever owned. Itching for a manual transmission again, but the M3 stays....forever!

[bpang1234]

More and more the mainstream magazines write about how great the E9X M3 was especially with BMW's decision to install the V8. I think it is for sure heading the way of a car that should be thought of as an investment just like the E39 M5.

Yes, you can have a faster car for the same money but you'd have to weigh that against a pretty special experience in that generation of M3.