[sooosha]

Firstly, I apologize if this is in the wrong section This is not really a who is faster thread though, I'd like to hear your guys' take/opinion on my situation!!

So, I'm in the market for a new daily and torn between paying in full for a 80-90k ish mile 135i for around 7-10k.. OR a lower 30-50k miles c5 z06 for around 18k and financing that.

Basically my dilemma is;
Even though I'll be financing the Vette compared to the paid in full n54, I feel that I'll be able to beat on the Vette a little harder without worrying about things breaking here and there. However, the n54 will be paid off & with a good couple bolt ons it will be a rocket ship and beat the z06 in a straight line. However, n54 comes with n54 jazz (proper preventative maintenance costs, hpfp, water pump failures, etc)

tl;dr Finance a lower mile c5 z06 or pay in full a higher mile 135i? All my friends are telling me to do the Vette simply for less headaches, however, part of me has always had a soft spot for N54's.. really 50/50 on this and figured I could get some insight from the N54 side of things!!

[Milan]

Well I am probably one of the only people on this forum who owns both, although I have a 335i and not a 135i.

It's really not an apples to apples comparison, they couldn't be more different cars. The C5Z is a real sports car, and BMW doesn't offer ANYTHING that can match it in terms of performance unless you are comparing a brand new BMW to a Corvette from almost 20 years ago.

The BMW wins in refinement and is going to be more livable as a DD. The C5Z wins in every performance aspect. Also I think C5Zs are bottomed and about to start a slow climb in value where the N54 cars already borderline trash tier in pricing and I think they will continue to go down to the point where it will be impossible to find one in good shape.

Both are expensive to mod but you get a lot more performance for the money on the Corvette. In a straight line it takes a lot to make a 135 a 10 second cars and in the Corvette thats a cam, tune, and tires. If you care about turning there is nothing you will ever be able to do to the 135i to make it in the same league as the C5.

I did DD my C5Z a long time ago as a college student and it sucked. Parking is a bitch, it's really tough to get in and out of certain places if you lower it. On the plus side gas mileage is really good and the car draws a much more mature crowd than my BMW

[GotPwned]

My friend owns a C5 z06 and her boyfriend owns a 335i. In terms of driving feel the vette beats it in every way but it is lacking in power. He recently bought a e46 m3 and still beat her in roll races. The corvette has a lot of weird electrical quirks and issues that he cant figure out despite owning a BMW and he also said that parts are rare and expensive as the Z06 doesnt share any mechanical parts with the regular C5.

[sooosha]

Originally Posted by Milan

I did DD my C5Z a long time ago as a college student and it sucked. Parking is a bitch, it's really tough to get in and out of certain places if you lower it. On the plus side gas mileage is really good and the car draws a much more mature crowd than my BMW

Thanks for all the inputs!!!

When you say parking is a bitch are you simply referring to how low it sits or it’s width in combination w/ how low it is? I’d be coming from a G35 lowered a couple inches and from a length perspective they are right around the same size.

& ya I’m going to be right with you in the college daily driver perspective, which is part of the reason I’m leaning towards reliable ole’ LS6 (besides those valve spring replacements ( )

[Milan]

Originally Posted by sooosha

Thanks for all the inputs!!!

When you say parking is a bitch are you simply referring to how low it sits or it’s width in combination w/ how low it is? I’d be coming from a G35 lowered a couple inches and from a length perspective they are right around the same size.

& ya I’m going to be right with you in the college daily driver perspective, which is part of the reason I’m leaning towards reliable ole’ LS6 (besides those valve spring replacements ( )

LS6 doesn’t really have bad valve spring problems like the internet would make you believe but they are cheap and easy to upgrade.

When it comes to parking you have a lot of things working against you. The car is low, long, and wide. My C5Z is next to my M5 in the garage right now and the Z might even be longer. The 335i looks like a go cart next to it and the 135i even more so.

On top of that the biggest problem with the c5 is how much of the body is in front of the front axle. It makes it very challenging to get in and out of parking lots or driveways that have inclines.

Surprised the other guy thinks the C5 lacks in power. Mine ran 12.5 @ 118 with just an intake. There is no FBO 335i touching that on 91 octane

[GotPwned]

Originally Posted by Milan

LS6 doesn’t really have bad valve spring problems like the internet would make you believe but they are cheap and easy to upgrade.

When it comes to parking you have a lot of things working against you. The car is low, long, and wide. My C5Z is next to my M5 in the garage right now and the Z might even be longer. The 335i looks like a go cart next to it and the 135i even more so.

On top of that the biggest problem with the c5 is how much of the body is in front of the front axle. It makes it very challenging to get in and out of parking lots or driveways that have inclines.

Surprised the other guy thinks the C5 lacks in power. Mine ran 12.5 @ 118 with just an intake. There is no FBO 335i touching that on 91 octane

Im talking dyno numbers. 350-360 whp/wtq for the Z06 and Ive seen FBO N54s make from 370whp to 400whp. If u look around the 335i can do high 11s or low 12s in the 1/4. The C5 also weighs a hell of a lot lighter than the 335i but the 335i has a whole lot more potential to make power with less money.

[THE BEAST]

Originally Posted by GotPwned

Im talking dyno numbers. 350-360 whp/wtq for the Z06 and Ive seen FBO N54s make from 370whp to 400whp. If u look around the 335i can do high 11s or low 12s in the 1/4. The C5 also weighs a hell of a lot lighter than the 335i but the 335i has a whole lot more potential to make power with less money.

Dyno numbers have very little to do with 1/4 mile though. Power to weight ratio, traction, gearing, suspension, etc all play a big part .
Roll race, and dig / 1/4 mile race is completely different scenario.
I can beat MANY Porsches on the freeway.
1/8 mile, not so much.
There are 700 whp N54s that are still in the 12s or 11s. Youtube them, you will see.

[Milan]

Originally Posted by GotPwned

Im talking dyno numbers. 350-360 whp/wtq for the Z06 and Ive seen FBO N54s make from 370whp to 400whp. If u look around the 335i can do high 11s or low 12s in the 1/4. The C5 also weighs a hell of a lot lighter than the 335i but the 335i has a whole lot more potential to make power with less money.

How fast does your dyno sheet trap?

Those FBO cars make 400 whp at the completely wrong part of the powerband, if you look at what they make at redline, which is relevant to drag racing, it's not very much power. Also you are comparing a FBO on E85 most likely to a C5Z on 91/93 octane.

I do agree to get to 500-600 whp range the 335i is cheaper to get there. If you only care about dyno numbers so you can tell your IG followers how cool you are like the majority of the N54 community that might be a good approach for you.

If your argument is high 11's or low 12's you can do that in Z06 with just tires, don't even have to mod the car for that.

I own both cars, both heavily modified and I have been around the block in both communities. I love the refinement of my BMW, it's my DD. But they are not that great in any performance metrics when it comes to straight line racing. The list of N54 cars in the 10's is a very short list.

Also a 135i and C5Z are pretty similar in weight. C5 is 100 lbs lighter

[sooosha]

Originally Posted by Milan

How fast does your dyno sheet trap?

Those FBO cars make 400 whp at the completely wrong part of the powerband, if you look at what they make at redline, which is relevant to drag racing, it's not very much power. Also you are comparing a FBO on E85 most likely to a C5Z on 91/93 octane.

I do agree to get to 500-600 whp range the 335i is cheaper to get there. If you only care about dyno numbers so you can tell your IG followers how cool you are like the majority of the N54 community that might be a good approach for you.

If your argument is high 11's or low 12's you can do that in Z06 with just tires, don't even have to mod the car for that.

I own both cars, both heavily modified and I have been around the block in both communities. I love the refinement of my BMW, it's my DD. But they are not that great in any performance metrics when it comes to straight line racing. The list of N54 cars in the 10's is a very short list.

Also a 135i and C5Z are pretty similar in weight. C5 is 100 lbs lighter

What's your take on FBO 135 vs FBO(intake,long tubes,tune)maybe cam$$ C5Z roll racing. I'd rarely be hitting the drag strip, if even. The C5Z does put up impressive 1/4 miles though for what it takes

[Milan]

Originally Posted by sooosha

What's your take on FBO 135 vs FBO(intake,long tubes,tune)maybe cam$$ C5Z roll racing. I'd rarely be hitting the drag strip, if even. The C5Z does put up impressive 1/4 miles though for what it takes

With the cam the C5 will be much faster, without it will be close or maybe the 135i could take it.

If we are talking a true roll race, 60-160 like they used to be then the Corvette will win easily

[jcarl126]

This would be reallllly easy for me.. do i have kids or a dog i carry around? If yes - 135/335. if no - Z06 allllll day! so much potential, such a raw performance car, and as stated above their value is starting to quickly climb again

[Vorsprung_CJB]

The 135i would make a better daily driver, but expect to spend another 5k over the next few years if you get one with that mileage. The Z06 is a great drivers car and a lot of bang for the buck, as long as you don't mind the C5's play-skool interior and plastic-fantastic body.

[Turbohugh]

your friends are right. Unless you like headaches and have a lift, get the normally aspirated pushrod v8 .

[Sutton54]

I have both also. Fbo vs fbo the Vette pulls easily. I've raced 3 fbo 135i and won every win with ease. The c5 is a great bang for buck and parts are cheaper than BMW.

[Jessiediehl]

When you say parking is a bitch are you simply referring to how low it sits or it’s width in combination w/ how low it is? I’d be coming from a G35 lowered a couple inches and from a length perspective they are right around the same size.

Yes, parking is an awful issue here cause how low it is but I wouldn't call this model too long. At the same time for a daily trips to college millage is very good and that may be a determining factor.

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