[Gbrown]

Just made the change yesterday. The fit and finish is next level. I love the interior and the seats are amazing. I can't get over how many cool features the car has. The dealership was amazing and just an all together experience. Since I have to break the car in I can get in it but I know it will be a blast. I'm going to miss the raw power and sound of the zl1 with the corsa out back, but so far I'm happy. This is also the first automatic car I've owned in 20 years.

[fzr100098]

Welcome and congrats

Was your ZL1 ILE modded? Will be interesting to hear your thoughts after break-in...I owned a 2019 (standard) ZL1 as well. Brute torque

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

Welcome and congrats

Was your ZL1 ILE modded? Will be interesting to hear your thoughts after break-in...I owned a 2019 (standard) ZL1 as well. Brute torque

No it was stock. Yeah that tq was amazing. I can't wait till break in is done. I took some corners just to see and it was nice even in standard suspension mod. It's definitely softer then the zl1 1le but that's to be expected.

[koopa]

What made you want to switch? 1LE spec too harsh for the daily?

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by koopa

What made you want to switch? 1LE spec too harsh for the daily?

Nah. That was my 3rd zl1 1le. I just wanted something new and different from my muscle cars. I've only owned v8s for the last 15 years. I've always wanted an M car since I was in Germany in the early 2000s. I decided it was time so here I am.

[Dave07997S]

Congrats!!! I came out of American muscle as well, a modded 2020 Mustang GT. The only thing I am missing from the Mustang is the sound. I did own BMWs in the past though.

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Congrats!!! I came out of American muscle as well, a modded 2020 Mustang GT. The only thing I am missing from the Mustang is the sound. I did own BMWs in the past though.

The sound was amazing. I knew it would be missed and that's ok

[rk95]

My brother just sold his 2022 ZLE. I can tell you first hand, the ZLE is entirely more planted, powerful, and terrifying than the M2. My M2 is very fun, but it’s a trade off between brute power and driving a track beast versus having some more comfortable settings and amenities. In no way are they comparable with power, torque, or stability. The ZLE eats up corners while the M2 certainly has body roll and you feel the weight on the front outer tire wall. Both are great cars nonetheless.

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by rk95

My brother just sold his 2022 ZLE. I can tell you first hand, the ZLE is entirely more planted, powerful, and terrifying than the M2. My M2 is very fun, but it’s a trade off between brute power and driving a track beast versus having some more comfortable settings and amenities. In no way are they comparable with power, torque, or stability. The ZLE eats up corners while the M2 certainly has body roll and you feel the weight on the front outer tire wall. Both are great cars nonetheless.

I can see that. That's a great compression you wrote.

[JABCAT]

Congrats on your purchase. My M2 is my DD, but I find I want to take it out more than my supercharged carbon edition Z06 due to comfort & being able to drive the M2 at a higher % of its limits on the street than the Z. I'm just over 12k mi in 10 months on the M2, while my '11 Z06 has just 23k mi.

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Congrats on your purchase. My M2 is my DD, but I find I want to take it out more than my supercharged carbon edition Z06 due to comfort & being able to drive the M2 at a higher % of its limits on the street than the Z. I'm just over 12k mi in 10 months on the M2, while my '11 Z06 has just 23k mi.

Ls7 is everything good about motors.

[fzr100098]

Hopefully fewer squeaks and rattles haha - 1LEs are known for that after a few years with the stiff suspension

[fzr100098]

Originally Posted by rk95

My brother just sold his 2022 ZLE. I can tell you first hand, the ZLE is entirely more planted, powerful, and terrifying than the M2.

Hmmmmm

Stock the ZL1 makes about 560 rwhp on a dyno and the 2025 M2 should be in the 495 range, based on charts I've seen for 2024s, so they aren't far off...both can step the rear end out fairly easily so "terrifying" is subjective. The 10 speed auto is also nothing to write home about and kind of erratic

The main problem with the LT4 is the small, heat soaking blower. Aftermarket blowers aren't cheap but really wake that engine up and allow 16+ psi with cool charge temps. Supercharging in general is inefficient compared to turbocharging and the path to 600+ hp is cheaper with the S58. The LT4 also has oil blowby and valve guide wear issues. Don't get me wrong I love GM but they still need to step up their game. The C8 Z06 is far more appealing to me but it's a completely different price point. Maybe when used examples get into the low 90s

[DrBump471]

Originally Posted by rk95

My brother just sold his 2022 ZLE. I can tell you first hand, the ZLE is entirely more planted, powerful, and terrifying than the M2. My M2 is very fun, but it’s a trade off between brute power and driving a track beast versus having some more comfortable settings and amenities. In no way are they comparable with power, torque, or stability. The ZLE eats up corners while the M2 certainly has body roll and you feel the weight on the front outer tire wall. Both are great cars nonetheless.

I too came from a ZL1 1LE, also called it a ZLE, and your report is spot on.

ZLE (manual) is more planted in the corners, way less body movement, much harder to get the backend to step out and visceral power, all the time. Not nearly as picky as to which gear and rpm you're in when you ask for power.

M2(G87 manual) is a different level of fit and finish, much easier to see out of, human body takes way less toll and 1000% more tech and features.

YMMV but I feel 1st and 2nd gear are weak in the M2. This is my biggest complaint of the M2 when I compare it to the ZLE.

[rk95]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

Hmmmmm

Stock the ZL1 makes about 560 rwhp on a dyno and the 2025 M2 should be in the 495 range, based on charts I've seen for 2024s, so they aren't far off...both can step the rear end out fairly easily so "terrifying" is subjective. The 10 speed auto is also nothing to write home about and kind of erratic

The main problem with the LT4 is the small, heat soaking blower. Aftermarket blowers aren't cheap but really wake that engine up and allow 16+ psi with cool charge temps. Supercharging in general is inefficient compared to turbocharging and the path to 600+ hp is cheaper with the S58. The LT4 also has oil blowby and valve guide wear issues. Don't get me wrong I love GM but they still need to step up their game. The C8 Z06 is far more appealing to me but it's a completely different price point. Maybe when used examples get into the low 90s

Of course it’s subjective, but numbers are nothing more than numbers. Hence why we seek enthusiast based cars instead of hybrids with 1300 hp. Drive a ZLE back to back with an M2 and let me know your impressions. You listed some some facts about the engine specifications etc. but all that shows is words on paper. The feeling of driving a 6MT ZLE is borderline indescribable for a stock vehicle and arguably shouldn’t be available to the general public for $70k lol. Its an amazing vehicle

[wjones14]

I went from a 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE to a 2021 M2 Comp. Had the M2C for 3+ years and just picked up a 2025 G87 yesterday.

The fact that I sold one M2 to buy another should tell you something. I loved the 1LE. It wasn't a ZL1 but was still amazing and basically a turnkey track car from the factory.

I took both the M2C and 1LE to a few tracks for HPDE sessions. Watkins Glen and Lime Rock. I did get slightly faster lap times in the 1LE and felt it was easier to drive fast. The M2C was a handful, but no less fun. I'll see how the G87 compares on track next year once mine is broken in.

The main reason I sold the 1LE was ergonomics. I didn't like it as a daily driver for a number of reasons. Outward visibility. Size. Getting in and out. I only track the car once a year, but if I was a real track rat who did a dozen or more events a year, sticking with the 1LE might have made more sense.

Plus, one last reason for the switch from 1LE to M2 is that I'm nearing retirement age. The 1LE was a more flashy than I liked. The M2 is more conservative and under the radar to the general public. That said, my 2025 is Zandvoort Blue, so that one may not be as under the radar as my white 2021 M2C.

Edit: PS: forgot to say congrats on your new M2! I've only had mine for one day and the tech is already blowing me away. Love it!

[Gbrown]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I went from a 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE to a 2021 M2 Comp. Had the M2C for 3+ years and just picked up a 2025 G87 yesterday.

The fact that I sold one M2 to buy another should tell you something. I loved the 1LE. It wasn't a ZL1 but was still amazing and basically a turnkey track car from the factory.

I took both the M2C and 1LE to a few tracks for HPDE sessions. Watkins Glen and Lime Rock. I did get slightly faster lap times in the 1LE and felt it was easier to drive fast. The M2C was a handful, but no less fun. I'll see how the G87 compares on track next year once mine is broken in.

The main reason I sold the 1LE was ergonomics. I didn't like it as a daily driver for a number of reasons. Outward visibility. Size. Getting in and out. I only track the car once a year, but if I was a real track rat who did a dozen or more events a year, sticking with the 1LE might have made more sense.

Plus, one last reason for the switch from 1LE to M2 is that I'm nearing retirement age. The 1LE was a more flashy than I liked. The M2 is more conservative and under the radar to the general public. That said, my 2025 is Zandvoort Blue, so that one may not be as under the radar as my white 2021 M2C.

Edit: PS: forgot to say congrats on your new M2! I've only had mine for one day and the tech is already blowing me away. Love it!

Thanks man. Part of my love for the zle was how flashy it was and the presence it had. The low key vibe of the M2 is great though. I'm really enjoying getting in and out of the car with ease😂😂.

[koopa]

Originally Posted by wjones14

The main reason I sold the 1LE was ergonomics. I didn't like it as a daily driver for a number of reasons. Outward visibility. Size. Getting in and out. I only track the car once a year, but if I was a real track rat who did a dozen or more events a year, sticking with the 1LE might have made more sense.

I had a 2017 Camaro SS that I got rid of after only a year. It was such a fun car but it really was awful to live with for the reasons you mentioned. Pointless back seats, tiny trunk opening, poor ergonomics (like what was up with the tilt on the infotainment screen?), and awful visibility. I bought a C7 shortly after that was actually a lot easier to live with but somehow a lot less fun.

The other thing about Camaro's these days is apparently they are giant theft magnets because GM went cheap on security.

[fzr100098]

Originally Posted by rk95

Of course it’s subjective, but numbers are nothing more than numbers. Hence why we seek enthusiast based cars instead of hybrids with 1300 hp. Drive a ZLE back to back with an M2 and let me know your impressions. You listed some some facts about the engine specifications etc. but all that shows is words on paper. The feeling of driving a 6MT ZLE is borderline indescribable for a stock vehicle and arguably shouldn’t be available to the general public for $70k lol. Its an amazing vehicle

The advantage you are describing is almost entirely in the suspension - with a lowered, coilover setup in the M2 it would be similar. The cars are similar in weight

The ZLE is very stiff to the point of being not very street friendly and prone to developing squeaks and rattles in the dash, it's more of a band aid to mask the weight, but it's never going to be a GT3 competitor (and I know people who tracked both)

I'm not bashing the ZL1 - great cars for what they are, I owned one for a couple of years

[rk95]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

The advantage you are describing is almost entirely in the suspension - with a lowered, coilover setup in the M2 it would be similar. The cars are similar in weight

The ZLE is very stiff to the point of being not very street friendly and prone to developing squeaks and rattles in the dash, it's more of a band aid to marsk the weight because it's never going to be a GT3 competitor (and I know people who tracked both)

I would never even consider the ZLE a GT3 competitor - completely different price points and customer audience

[fzr100098]

Sure - that was more in response to "indescribable" etc

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by Gbrown

Just made the change yesterday. The fit and finish is next level. I love the interior and the seats are amazing. I can't get over how many cool features the car has. The dealership was amazing and just an all together experience. Since I have to break the car in I can get in it but I know it will be a blast. I'm going to miss the raw power and sound of the zl1 with the corsa out back, but so far I'm happy. This is also the first automatic car I've owned in 20 years.

Congrats on the car and welcome to the fold. I would recommend a mid-pipe to really wake the car up, sound-wise. I run the Evolution Racewerks on mine and it really transformed the car. I'd wait after the break in service. Also, i'd recommend getting some height adjustable springs and spacers to lower the car and give it a better stance. I'm running KW and love it. The car corners flat in the firmest setting on the suspension.