[Silver69Camaro]

I guess I don't see what the big deal is. Here's why:

My daily driver is a E46 330i with the ZHP package. That includes most of the M-sport goodies except mine has the 5-speed auto (very nice tranny, BTW...). Also has 225/40R18 on front, 255/30R18 on back, which are fairly soft Pilot Sport Cup tires. While it doesn't have a huge amount of power (runs mid 14's in the quarter), it handles and feels very well. It's basically as close to an M3 as you can get without paying the M3 price tag. M3's have lots more power, but the suspensions are very close.

My '69 has our GT Sport Subframe and had fiberglass leafs (changing to something else...). 245/40R18 up front, 275/40R18 in back. 52/48 weight distribution, 2950lbs dry, stock LS1 (with headers), T56, no subframe connectors or cage.

Here's my comparisons between the two cars:
1. The BMW has EXCELLENT steering feel. Most steering systems engineers will tell you the BMW is the benchmark for feedback. When the tires start to slip, you'll feel it and have sufficient time to react. My Camaro did not have this luxury at first, but now that I've reduced the flow rate of the LS1 PS pump, it feels like a race-oriented BMW.

2. The BMW rides better, but rolls more in the corners. I'm very sure the bimmer can turn over .90g, but the Camaro is much more like a track car. Very flat on corners, but still soaks up bumps and is a joy to drive on long trips.

3. The Camaro has much more bite in the turns, and is incredible for the wear rating of the tires (300, BFG KD IIs). The Bimmer is close, but not quite.

4. The Bimmer responds much better to tire pressure changes. Probably because of the weight balance (it's 50/50 or 49/50, somewhere around there). I've found 36psi cold works best on all four corners for balanced handling. Anyway, the Camaro is happy with a wide range of pressures (about 34psi +/- 2psi, so 32-36psi works well). Makes it easier for tuning.

Anyway, so in summary the Camaro feels much more like a race car than the bimmer. A M3 will close this gap somewhat, but I feel the performance of the two vehicles is so close it would be up to the driver on which car is faster. The race may go for the M3 because bimmers are notorious for making a novice driver go fast. If both drivers are good, then it would be a close race!

If I upped the spring rate to 650lbs/in, increase roll stiffness by 15%, lower by 1", and added some sticky DOT tires, it would be untouchable by a stock M3. And these are all changes I can do in a couple hours...