2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible vs. 2012 BMW M6 Convertible - Comparison Test - CAR and DRIVER

We've rounded up two convertibles that are similar in many ways except one: price. We pit the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible against the 2012 BMW M6 convertible to see if paying the extra money for the BMW is really worth it.
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CARS: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, BMW M6 Convertible
LOCATION: Michigan
EDITORS: Jared Gall
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[@SoRandomMusicVids]

Most people talking crap don't own either lmao

[@samr4435]

Jonnathan R I own an 09 M6 that would shit on that 2016 Camaro

[@hektik1984]

Sam R I got a 14 zl1 that would embarrass your m6. Slow boat with a 5.0 V10. You BMW fan boys are so out of touch with reality.

[@3missary]

The "Its way more than half the swagger" part killed me a little bit inside.

[@yiz177]

People who trash zl1 probably still drive a sunfire. I own a hardtop ZL1 with my hard earn money and I'm happy with the magnetic ride, performance traction management, and 580hp.

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

3:26 Of course it looks like it will come off at 30mph. You didn't install the tonneau cover correctly. And you don't have to install it if you don't want to...most don't bother with it.

[@jryjjrs]

try live with the car everyday, i'll take one M6 over 2 Camaros

[@AzinInvazin09]

If money is not a problem, M6. If it is, then Camaro. This is a stupid comparison. Although its retarded how the camaro is a manual latch plus manual cover for the convertible transition, it defeats the purpose.

[@studentbrown]

To BMW fans. Buying a new zl1 makes sense. but bying a m6 at 120,000 makes no scense. I Would rather buy a used ferrari f430 and another car then a new m6.

[@zedsquid4002]

$90,000 for the 2012 BMW, $70,000 for a fucking 2013 camaro. Even if it is the zl1, most people will think you're driving the same camaro as everyone else... And they're a dime a dozen, like mustangs. And do you know anything about cars at all? A 2006 F430 with 15,000 miles and no warranty will cost MORE than a new 2015 M6 with 0 miles and BMW's 6-7 year warranty. Up-keep on a ferrari would cost as much as buying a second 'appliance' car, especially if you drive it hard. So good luck with that, i'll stay with BMW.

[@gabrieleseilo]

But you're forgetting one major point. The Camero is one of the ugliest cars in existence.

[@studentbrown]

Zed Squid I have no idea where you are from. but the zl1 starts around $50,000 and the m6 is around 120 000. Just because you know about warrenities does not mean you know anything about cars.Lets just say if your BMW transmission needed to be changed. I can do it for cheap.

[@SomethingFunny454]

I read this article but it didn't mention that the BMW overheated. I think that's significant, a modern performance car should have more than enough radiator to keep up with its engine regardless of the weather.

[@laweezemorton8884]

It screams "in 15 years, I'm going to be parked in someones front yard, growing grass between my fenders" I kid.

[@MrRaitzi]

"Super complicated BMW" That is way better than lego exercise with camaro roof.

[@sidjohnson1207]

that video was a waste of time

[@callofduty732]

I wonder how long they actually ran them before they overheat? Just a thought, I know the ZL1 has a trans and differential cooling pumps, along with advanced cooling under the hood over the SS model.

[@cadillac718bx36]

Don't think the Chevy actually overheated .. it Def rose in temp especially 100 degrees outside and beating on those engines .. but GM does make sure it's forced induction cars are kept cool

[@arras78]

"15 different choices..." Three to the fifth power is 243. That's how many combinations you can have here. And that's middle school math...

[@DVDA83]

LOL at showing the ducks when he says rifle case.

[@herpdadurrp]

you get girls and respect in a M6, while in a Camaro ZL1 you get little boys following you around

[@Palbert1]

I love BMW but definitely would take the ZL1

[@gunsmith808]

Love "up north" lol. Lots of Michiganders take it for granted.

[@FBarowsky]

LOL, ROFLMAO, LOL!!!!! REALLY!!! LOL Is your name Simpson!?!? Homer Simpson!?!? LOL

[@nightbladeshadowx]

you haters out there really need to click on the link in the description to understand the comparison. it's about comparing cheaper alternatives to their expensive counterparts. In this case, the two cars are really similar: power, convertible, coupes, FR layout. The BMW is an M car, so there's no excuse loosing based on the FUN factor.

[@IlPinnacolo]

Hope you like the service writer at the BMW dealership, you will see him a lot.. lol

[@clubracer6]

Really would have like more driving impressions/feedback.

[@SamRommer]

It's not all about speed when you're spending serious money on a car to drive everyday - a good interior is vital. That being said, European cars are way overpriced for what they deliver...

[@FightScienceAa82]

LOL! It was the guy driving the Camaro that walked to the guy in the BMW M6 to tell him about the ZL1 over heating, if you watch the video again. Your statement is a perfect example of someone wanting to see what they want to see.

[@wg8290]

This is a good video, but you buy what you can afford. I expect if you can afford the BMW, you will get that. If not, you will buy the Camaro. If I could afford a Cayman, I would have purchased it instead of the Mustang GT, which I absolutely adore and enjoy shifting through the gears.

[@antwon5252]

Why do people love to hate. At the end of the day these are 2 great cars. Who cares witch one you like just buy the thing and if price scares you then do your homework and buy a used one

[@poppabear9279]

antwon5252 Amen! That's the problem with this planet.. too much internet bullshit, forced opinions and crap. Get what makes you happy. People should check their narcissistic bullshit at the door when they get on the web.

[@chrisgasperini]

"BMW is much less comfortable." "This car is so loud and fun to drive". OK

[@DanielAlvarez-tu1lg]

Camaro does not have half of the technology like the SMG manual transmission or the automatic steptronic or the kickdown system or DSC or premium sound system who wins BMW mother fuckers.

[@lkazz1982]

Take it to the track and all that fades....along with your opinions...jajajaja

[@MichaelH210]

wow a lot of you BMW guys are ignorant, i know its hard to accept the fact that a car that is way cheaper is faster and better handiling than your precious m6, but thats just the facts sorry

[@blackmancer]

the ZL1 can't even do a proper job as a convertible, gotta get out of the car and attach that flimsy crap that even the presenter said would blow off at 30mph. Guess what, I could build a go-kart with an ls1 and it'd be way cheaper and way faster and probably out handle both, but would it really be the better vehicle for its intended build - as a convertible. fact.

[@stefanfreestylez]

MichaelH210 who said it was fastrr?

[@FelixPfaltermann]

MichaelH210 the ZL1 isn’t close to being as fast. Even the current gen is close with the M6.

[@torogami2]

My E34 is 17 years old. It can be a bit stubborn, but it still works.

[@CarsUncovered]

The answer is so obvious without even watching the video...if you are looking for high performance at a low cost, then go with the Camaro, but if you want high luxury with performance despite cost, go with the M6.

[@dragoonuvl]

My friend didn't pay a mechanic. Besides the programing and the suspension He did it all himself. But your right we'll probably never agree.

[@OmegaLiar]

Fun fact, the m6 costs more than the m5 for no reason at all except for basically a body kit that looks nicer. It has a high price because they changed its name from a sedan to a gran coupe and made it look nice. same deal with Mercedes CLS and Audi A7

[@ebusdk]

The question is really, can you afford the BMW, if not - you get the Camaro

[@turboman1505]

Well, Americans reviewing their own cars. They don't want it to be beaten. Similarly, the Japanese say the GTR is the best car in the world

[@turbodewd1]

I bet 90% of BMW M6 drivers barely fiddle with all those elaborate settings. AT the same time the Camaro seemed TOO loud

[@PB42189]

kudos to fellow Michiganders, lol at the up north comment

[@jogrobler]

4:07 The final verdict.... I personally don't think the word "swagger" should EVER be used to describe the soul of a car.

[@tony213g]

Bmw owners air of superiority flies out the door when a non luxury car priced at half will pull ahead of you. Haha

[@michaelmontgomery2446]

Plot twist he hops out of his zl1 in to a zo6 and smokes your race cars ass for less then half...

[@clt1cxw]

The #1 problem with both cars is the fact that they are convertible. If you know anything about cars it adds weight and makes the care less rigid. Furthermore, only women should drive convertibles.

[@KurzawaJakub]

Choose Camaro if you want the "swagger", but if you're smart, you'll know that BMW M6 is a better car.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

BMW needs to make its twin-turbo V8s sound better. Chevy doesn't seem to have that problem.

[@nappiral]

Kind of a ridiculous comparison but still managed to be marginally entertaining.

[@gazzxr]

swag and swagger are 2 COMPLETLEY different words.

[@SpazzyWombat27]

You cant let Americans compare American cars with something European or Japanese because they think American cats are the best. They only thing good about them is that they are cheap so if you want to save money on a WAY WORSE car, buy the ZL1 over a M6

[@JackpodyDK]

I dislike how they down talk the BMW car and praise the Chevy in so many ways. The BMW will always have better build quality than the Camaro, however complex it is.

[@sashmardesigns1]

I am convinced that the folks from Car and Driver NEEDS to get competent and unbias people to do car reviews!!

[@drkstr7]

BTW the Camaro has 7 modes, not two. tour sport+ (press the traction control button twice and PTM menu pops up) PTM 1= wet mode PTM 2= dry mode, touring suspension PTM 3= dry, active stability, sport suspension PTM 4 =dry, stabilitrac off, sport suspension PTM 5 =dry, race suspension, watered down everything else off = balls to the walls no nothing holding you back in any of the dry modes launch control is active, and no lift shift is active where you dont have to get off the gas to shift. obviously these guys didn't look too deep into the car other than read a pamphlet or two. I own a 2014 hard top.

[@Blacklung27]

If you went through a dealer that means that they bought it from the factory and then sold it to you.

[@1Chinx]

Did you know you could get this m6 in a manual that's insane

[@bumblebeeiscamaro]

He said "Course by the time you get around the back it started raining"

[@lkazz1982]

Well a bmw is a bmw but everyone now will se it as a the legendary and newer BMW now get into a Camaro and everyone is like “who what is that?” And let’s not even talk about the Camaro beating almost every other car in the Nurburgring in its class, placed 4th to be exact!!!! BMW isn’t in the top 3 ...

[@Killer91109]

The tonneau cover of the Camaro kills it for me. If it starts to rain I don't want to have to run out of my car to remove my tonneau cover, put it back in the trunk, and run back inside to put the top back up. I mean, my 12 year-old 3-series convertible is fully automatic but a brand new Camaro isn't? That's sad. I'll take the M6 or my 3-series, thank you.

[@ImHereToAnnoyYou]

I knew this was a stupid test before it started playing. It might as well be pineapple vs banana.

[@Dgannt]

Finesse and Quality costs. And it apply s to anything, not just cars. You can sleep in a motel room or in a suite at a luxury hotel. They both have beds and bath. But there is a difference that makes you pay extra for the suite. (if you can afford it).

[@TheeBranimal]

The M6 has no swag, rather it has class.

[@Loathomar]

Why bother calling it a "Comparison Test" if you are not comparing top speed and acceleration? "SWAGGER" is a pointless subjective idea... meaning that what you think is "SWAGGER" is not the same as "SWAGGER" to anyone else, which makes it pointless.

[@Blacklung27]

You are the one claiming to own a 7 liter camaro that you ordered from the factory. I am telling you that GM isn't taking any orders for any Camaro containing a 7 liter engine, which would be the z28 until after christmas.

[@Blacklung27]

I've been working for chevrolet for 8 years now.

[@byZinck]

You know its Americans testing the car when they prefer the ZL1

[@Buttnut105]

Okay did anyone really expect the M6 to come out on top? Any time a car journalist sets out to see if a car that's twice as expensive as another but is twice as good always rules in favor of the cheaper one.

[@1through9athrewz]

um.... if living with the car everyday includes paying for maintenance and insurance, I will take the two camaros

[@FightScienceAa82]

Yes, I addressed the coupe M6 as well in that post. I mentioned the horrible review, and stated all spec are identical, however; the M6 is 44lbs lighter. Regardless off that horrible UK review, they are identical in a straight line. It is likely the M6 (again not referencing the horrible UK review) may run slightly better on the track.

[@rbjk9737]

how about a test on cornering? lets see which driver is still alive

[@truelogistics3913]

lmaoo fk camaro m6 all day everyday

[@byZinck]

I know MANY people who have etc a BMW 1M or M3 that easily added a few extra horsepower, with no complaining, and it didnt cost BIG money.

[@nairbyad7188]

GM really improved the convertible system since then.

[@FightScienceAa82]

Since I cannot find time on a 2013 convertible ZL1, along with A Coupe M6, I provided numbers for the Coupe ZL1 (which is faster than the Convertible) and a 2013 BMW M5 F10. Recorded by MT. MT 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 0-60 MPH 3.9 sec QUARTER MILE 12.1 sec @ 117.4 mph 2013 BMW M5 F10 0-60 MPH 3.7 QUARTER MILE 11.9 sec @ You have a great imagination, however, the supported facts do not support your statement.

[@rydimryderd]

This conclusion factors in the cost of the two cars. Is this somehow unclear to you? Of course the BMW is a more refined car, but for twice the price is it twice the car? No, it is not.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

I still have this issue of C/D. This is how much better the ZL1 is than the GT500 when it can successfully compete with a car that costs(literally)twice as much. Also in this issue is why Cadillac can't afford to share another platform with a lame-duck brand like Buick.

[@IlPinnacolo]

I own two BMWs. One (E39) is on it's way to the junkyard and it's only 10 years old. Nearly every drivetrain component has a serious problem. I can buy a lightly used one for what it would cost to fix. The other (E36) is ok, it's almost as reliable as my Chevy except that parts cost 3-4 times as much, and its 3-4 times more of a PITA to fix. That's probably because it's one of the simplest BMWs you can get, 318is.

[@davidchubo]

It's really pointless comparison.... No one will ever cross shop these 2 cars.

[@Erocakaericg11]

The BMW was on list as worst car to buy used .... has one of the highest depreciating values of all.... GM Chevrolet has one of the highest appreciating values of any automobile and theres not a BMW on the planet ever made that can take out the ZL1 ... dont even have to go to the corvettes ....

[@nascar2021]

I hate KZbin. I wish it would stop with the vevo bullshit and commercial ads and just play the video. It took me 10 minutes to watch this video. Get your shit together KZbin.

[@MorMagicThanMagicGog]

when you buy a $140,000 car you don't complain about it's complexity and how stupid the makers of it are @caranddriver .

[@christopherricker8938]

Haha The BMW M6 is a legend, and the fact they compared and chose the Camaro over it is ridiculous.

[@aybikboydaddy9338]

Camaro is wayy cheaper and better and if you break something it's not triple the coast to reappear it like BMW

[@Frosty_coyote]

M6? A legend? No.....

[@831lance]

Christopher Ricker for the price point a 2006 bmw with 80 to 100 thousand miles will be the same price as a 2014 camaro base model with maybe 20 k miles. which is why I'm going with camaro for my budget. I'm assuming the camaro has better options considering its 8 years newer as well. i would love a bmws though if i had a 40 to 50 k budget.

[@chrisdrivehamptons8153]

Nah ya really cannot compare these two. These are two way different cars. It's like comparing a Bentley Continental to a Rolls Royce Phantom. They're similar, but way different. BMW people aren't offended I don't think

[@ans2k06]

Damn, your math sucks. The BMW does not just have 15 options (5 options X 3 settings). It has 2 (on/off traction control) X 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 = 162 choices!

[@pontiacGXPfan]

I find myself more impressed with the ZL1. It's the angry baritone exhaust rumble and cackle on the overrun that does it for me. But seriously, the Corvette 427 would've been a better rival to the BMW.

[@davidchubo]

ZL1 isn't better. It's worse than the M6 in almost every way except value. But who buys an M6 for value!? these 2 cars are not even meant to be compared....

[@noahanderson3486]

The fact that somebody would waste the money on a German car that's not even fast compared to the ZL1 MURICA!

[@heyedmond]

What would you expect from a guy wearing a Save the Manuals shirt? Shit like "swagger".

[@overnightpartsfromjapan01]

Take the can of energy drink off the post-production guy, please.

[@torogami2]

If you want swagger, you don't deserve a bmw

[@Srpopo2000]

The only thing that it is better on the Chevy is that you can have one with a manual.

[@pokkusmon]

Jared should learn how to count :) If M6 has 5 buttons and each of the buttons have 3 different settings, you totally have 243 different combinations (3*3*3*3*3). Not 15 combinations as he said (3*5) in the review.

[@MH50RemoteNation1]

I only clicked on this video to see how dumb this comparison would really be. The bmw is in a whole different class than the zl1. It's for rich fat guys that want to go fast occasionally. The camaro is specifically built to go fast. Probably should've compared the m3 or 5 instead of the 6

[@cornelldaniel]

Funny thing the BMW would still look good in five years... Rather than the rest

[@TheSavageman420]

Just look at the price tag and options of both cars. Yes, the BMW has the *German Engineering* factor but the ZL1 has brute force and classic styling, my pick, ZL1.

[@johanlittorin2765]

The Chevy cost half as much, ofc it will offer enough for many people who do not care of quality or refinery. A american show will never give the win to a European car that cost a lot more. Their tests is setup so the only possible winner can be a american car. The driving scenes are the only true reason to watch this kind of tests, too bad they forget to film them this time.

[@2516v]

first of all, I guess few people that can actually afford an m6 are confronted with having to decide between these two cars, thats just a total different clientele. Someone who buys an m6 wants state of the art tech., the compination of sportiveness and comfort and wouldnt even spent a dollar/pound/euro etc. on a car with a roof machanism as the camaro has.

[@darn333]

You're comparing a GT car to a full on performance orientated car, two different cars.

[@RickyG805]

To everyone saying that a zl1 is better you guys are complete idiots... M6 outclasses it an everyway possible. Power, looks, ride quality etc.. Zl1 is just for you people on a budget trying to have a car that try's to keep up. If you want the real deal you go for an m6 and don't have the money want a ok car you go for zl1

[@Jace1283xmod]

AWESOME COMPARISON

[@vmaxima03]

bmw m cars are for different class of people that appreciate craftmenship Camaro is for boys that like power and loud exhaust

[@EatmyDust1311]

The only thing I learned in this video is how to put the roof down in a Camaro

[@Sharkteeth08]

I love BMWs, but this time simply fuck them.. CAMARO for the win!!!

[@dilawer321]

If we in europe paid the prices for these cars what you pay we would all be driving american cars, but after taxes we would pay more for the zl1 then the m6, which is why european testers always choose the euro cars, price matters

[@Blacklung27]

The dealers are independent from GM. They buy cars from GM and then sell them. GM doesn't approve anything different from how it comes from them. If your dealer is ordering cars and ordering a different engine then doing a swap I would be sure to get the original engine back since you already paid for it. GM will warranty the crate engine but not the car or trans you put it in. Since you swapped the engine the cars warranty is void.

[@Breakfast__Burrito]

To summarize the above: This video doesn't make any sense because it compares two completely different cars, but I'm going to compare them anyways and say that I think the BMW should win.

[@TheWanskiz]

The M6 is a better car in almost every way. But the ZL1 is way way way faster on the track. Don't believe me? (nuringburg lap times) take a look. ZL1 all the way. And with the extra money, go to Hennessy or Lingenfelter and make it 1000HP monster.

[@valiyzf600]

a good friend of mine has the BMW dealership in my city...you don't want to know how many brand new X6's,6 and 7 series come back with big problem to his workshop-german engineering?If you want old school german quality go buy a japaneese car.PS i'm european.The real difference is that the interior materials are of better quality in the BMW.The Camaro also has advanced independent suspenssion and other good tech on it+more exotic in my country.The GT500 is the only one with old stuff on it.