Sat in and test drive ZL1 1LE - Review

TRZ06 · 03-10-2018, 07:09 PM

I was in Sport mode for the entire test drive with rev matching on.

Initial vision impression: This car is menacing, looks the part and means business. The roof line is shorter that I expected, almost as low as a Corvette. Not a fan of the matte hood cover though, its dull looking and you are staring at it all the time while driving. I would want to peel it off, if it is painted underneath.

Interior: WOW!!!! Good job GM!!! I went into this thinking it would be just average. I was amazed and impressed. It is really nice inside, the intstrument panel looks much nicer in person than in pics and I like it more than the Corvette.

The switch gear and buttons have a solid feel to them, not at all what I was expecting. My M3 has nothing on the interior quality of the 1LE. It goes toe to toe with the M3 interior IMO.

Visibility: The limited visibility is VERY REAL in this car. Blind spot is bad, the wing is dead center in the rear view mirror. Something to think about.

The Drive:

Suspension:. While stiff, it is no stiffer than the Ohlin coilovers I have on my M3 now. Non-issue for me.

Power: While fast when you get on it, it did not feel 650hp 650tq fast (I probably got on it more than I should have for a test drive, but hey I had to know. I'll take the slap on the hand) I was expecting a head rush and to me it did not feel any faster than my M3.

Engine Braking:. Kind of disappointed here. When you let off the gas, there is no engine braking for a few seconds. It is pretty delayed, when I get off the gas, I want that engine braking to be immediate.

Throttle Tip-in: Also felt pretty dumbed down/lazy and not sharp.

Cornering: The roads were wet, so didn't take corners too hard, but it was flat and felt good, even with some imperfections in the road in the middle of an on-ramp, it stayed completely composed.

Exhaust Sound: Pretty good, better than the M3 but not as good as a GT350. I would probably put a Corsa system on it.

Overall I was very impressed. However I do have to consider if I can live with the visibility, as it would be a daily driver in Bay Area traffic and freeways.

JK001 · 03-10-2018, 08:16 PM

This morning I drove a '17 M3 M6, about 15 miles...I only have a SS 1LE. The M3 was sad...I was sad it felt that way..my settings were M2 default, sport plus everything, DSC/TC off. Car felt very soft, very silent, dull...it kinda busted my bubble, alpine white on shakur orange. Looks good, that's about it. Has nothing on my car, sorry. Also, have driven the ZLE, obviously that car dominates the M3 even more.
Just my observations and opinion

TRZ06 · 03-10-2018, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK001

This morning I drove a '17 M3 M6, about 15 miles...I only have a SS 1LE. The M3 was sad...I was sad it felt that way..my settings were M2 default, sport plus everything, DSC/TC off. Car felt very soft, very silent, dull...it kinda busted my bubble, alpine white on shakur orange. Looks good, that's about it. Has nothing on my car, sorry. Also, have driven the ZLE, obviously that car dominates the M3 even more.
Just my observations and opinion

What is the ZLE?

closs2sx · 03-10-2018, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRZ06

What is the ZLE?

short for zl1 1le

Chub2000 · 03-10-2018, 09:05 PM

I was given a new bmw m4 to drive on Monticello raceway. It felt as slow and spongy as my mothers toyota Camry.. the bmw m4 isn't even in the same category as zl1 1le.
Fyi... you cant begin to sense the power of the zl1 1le on wet roads with the factory tires. You obviously did8push the car.

Chub2000 · 03-10-2018, 09:10 PM

.

TRZ06 · 03-10-2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by closs2sx

short for zl1 1le

That is what I drove. See title, lol

TRZ06 · 03-10-2018, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chub2000

I was given a new bmw m4 to drive on Monticello raceway. It felt as slow and spongy as my mothers toyota Camry.. the bmw m4 isn't even in the same category as zl1 1le.
Fyi... you cant begin to sense the power of the zl1 1le on wet roads with the factory tires. You obviously did8push the car.

It was towards the end of the test drive that it started to rain a bit. On the freeway, I was full throttle from 4K to about 6K RPM, again, I know BAD ME, however the car was warmed up to temp., it can handle it, this isn't the 1960's.

Anyways there was no tire slippage and from an acceleration feeling, it felt about equal to my M3.

I am sure it is a bit faster with a timer , but my SOTP said it felt about the same. I was expecting that "stomach left behind" feeling you get from super fast acceleration and I didn't get it.

Maybe because of the different power delivery of going from a turbo to a supercharger.

L99BEN · 03-10-2018, 09:39 PM

TRZ06 · 03-10-2018, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L99BEN

LOL, don't get me wrong, I am not knocking on it. It is still in the running to replace my M3, I am just sharing my thoughts and impressions.

closs2sx · 03-10-2018, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRZ06

That is what I drove. See title, lol

I was saying Zle is short for zl1 1le

URBAN LEGEND · 03-10-2018, 10:12 PM

Did not feel like 650 hp? Did you have in ice/snow mode?

Bill_76 · 03-10-2018, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRZ06

It was towards the end of the test drive that it started to rain a bit. On the freeway, I was full throttle from 4K to about 6K RPM, again, I know BAD ME, however the car was warmed up to temp., it can handle it, this isn't the 1960's.

Anyways there was no tire slippage and from an acceleration feeling, it felt about equal to my M3.

I am sure it is a bit faster with a timer , but my SOTP said it felt about the same. I was expecting that "stomach left behind" feeling you get from super fast acceleration and I didn't get it.

Maybe because of the different power delivery of going from a turbo to a supercharger.

I drove The M4, it has tons of torque at low rpm, and the car cannot handle it... so it starts to spinning wheels, I do not understand why BMW did it, you can see a lot of videos launching or cornering and losing grip. In the other hand ZL1 (I have A10) has a configuration that always is trying to limit the wheel spinning, but if you double tap in sport or track you start to get more fun, and it handle the power really well nothing compared to hellcats I drove, so well that sometime you do not notice the speed until you look it....

bobby35ny · 03-10-2018, 11:39 PM

I totally understand that the car don't feel like 650HP. Power band is linear!!
My boy has a HC and its NOT linear, feels like a freight train pulling.
When we go head to head we are even, maybe I pull on him a bit.
Anyhoo, POWER is there, no worries.

Mamo TB takes care of the dead throttle feel. 100% improvement.

Engine braking is spot on if you take off the rev match.
=Bobby

03-10-2018, 07:09 PM	#1
TRZ06 Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bay Area Posts: 2,014	Sat in and test drive ZL1 1LE - Review I was in Sport mode for the entire test drive with rev matching on. Initial vision impression: This car is menacing, looks the part and means business. The roof line is shorter that I expected, almost as low as a Corvette. Not a fan of the matte hood cover though, its dull looking and you are staring at it all the time while driving. I would want to peel it off, if it is painted underneath. Interior: WOW!!!! Good job GM!!! I went into this thinking it would be just average. I was amazed and impressed. It is really nice inside, the intstrument panel looks much nicer in person than in pics and I like it more than the Corvette. The switch gear and buttons have a solid feel to them, not at all what I was expecting. My M3 has nothing on the interior quality of the 1LE. It goes toe to toe with the M3 interior IMO. Visibility: The limited visibility is VERY REAL in this car. Blind spot is bad, the wing is dead center in the rear view mirror. Something to think about. The Drive: Suspension:. While stiff, it is no stiffer than the Ohlin coilovers I have on my M3 now. Non-issue for me. Power: While fast when you get on it, it did not feel 650hp 650tq fast (I probably got on it more than I should have for a test drive, but hey I had to know. I'll take the slap on the hand) I was expecting a head rush and to me it did not feel any faster than my M3. Engine Braking:. Kind of disappointed here. When you let off the gas, there is no engine braking for a few seconds. It is pretty delayed, when I get off the gas, I want that engine braking to be immediate. Throttle Tip-in: Also felt pretty dumbed down/lazy and not sharp. Cornering: The roads were wet, so didn't take corners too hard, but it was flat and felt good, even with some imperfections in the road in the middle of an on-ramp, it stayed completely composed. Exhaust Sound: Pretty good, better than the M3 but not as good as a GT350. I would probably put a Corsa system on it. Overall I was very impressed. However I do have to consider if I can live with the visibility, as it would be a daily driver in Bay Area traffic and freeways.

03-10-2018, 09:10 PM	#6
Chub2000 Drives: 2018 camaro zl1 , 2007 porsche GT3, Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 328	. Last edited by Chub2000; 03-10-2018 at 09:13 PM. Reason: Miss spelling

03-10-2018, 09:39 PM	#9
L99BEN Drives: 2023 BMW M4 Competition Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA Posts: 657	__________________ 2023 BMW M4 Competition (daily) 2022 ZLE M6 (weekend toy) 2022 BMW X3m40i Past: 2022 Tesla S Plaid 2020 Shelby GT500 sold 2019 Hellcat Redeye-traded for new GT500 2019 ZL1 A10 - sold (meh) 2019 Tesla M3P 2016 Hellcat Challenger - A8 sold but never forgotten 2016 Camaro 2SS M6 2014 Mustang GT A6 2012 Mustang GT M6 "brembo" 3.73/FBO 2012 Camaro SS L99 (Wife's)- slow

03-10-2018, 10:12 PM	#12
URBAN LEGEND Drives: 20 X3M CP & 19 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brenham, TX Posts: 3,517	Did not feel like 650 hp? Did you have in ice/snow mode? __________________ 🔺22 RS E TRON GT 🔺21 Model S Plaid

03-10-2018, 11:39 PM	#14
bobby35ny Drives: 18 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South East, FL Posts: 3,024	I totally understand that the car don't feel like 650HP. Power band is linear!! My boy has a HC and its NOT linear, feels like a freight train pulling. When we go head to head we are even, maybe I pull on him a bit. Anyhoo, POWER is there, no worries. Mamo TB takes care of the dead throttle feel. 100% improvement. Engine braking is spot on if you take off the rev match. =Bobby __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6 ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

03-10-2018, 08:16 PM	#2
JK001 Drives: ZHP, Alfa 4C, RAM, X5, 17SS1LE-sold Join Date: May 2017 Location: East Coast Posts: 270	This morning I drove a '17 M3 M6, about 15 miles...I only have a SS 1LE. The M3 was sad...I was sad it felt that way..my settings were M2 default, sport plus everything, DSC/TC off. Car felt very soft, very silent, dull...it kinda busted my bubble, alpine white on shakur orange. Looks good, that's about it. Has nothing on my car, sorry. Also, have driven the ZLE, obviously that car dominates the M3 even more. Just my observations and opinion

03-10-2018, 09:05 PM	#5
Chub2000 Drives: 2018 camaro zl1 , 2007 porsche GT3, Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 328	I was given a new bmw m4 to drive on Monticello raceway. It felt as slow and spongy as my mothers toyota Camry.. the bmw m4 isn't even in the same category as zl1 1le. Fyi... you cant begin to sense the power of the zl1 1le on wet roads with the factory tires. You obviously did8push the car.

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