Bought a Z06 - Pics and General Thoughts

[Phatcat]

Long at last, finally SA was able to properly test the Z06 on ring and no surprise here, the time was spectacular.

[DaveCM5]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

Long at last, finally SA was able to properly test the Z06 on ring and no surprise here, the time was spectacular.

Outstanding time.

I see the temperature was around 60F, which is probably why it didn't overheat and they were able to complete a full lap.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by DaveCM5

Outstanding time.

I see the temperature was around 60F, which is probably why it didn't overheat and they were able to complete a full lap.

SA asked GM why they didn't get the automatic version for supertest (since it's faster in acceleration), GM told them the auto box is for the road while the stick shift is for the track. The horizontal radiator behind the air intake in the front skirt is a radiator for the transmission in the auto version, the same radiator is used as an additional water cooler in the manual version. So it has became clear why GM didn't want to send the auto version to SA for ring track test. SA did not experience the heat soak problem during their time with the Z06.

On the ring, the Z06 is actually ahead of the AMG GTR in the first two sector, the Z06's corner speed are similarly high or even higher than the AMG GTR, but on the straights, higher drag and long gear ratio meant the Z06 is at an disadvantage (Dottinger Hohe straight: Z06 275km/h (slower than M5 CP) vs AMG GTR 295km/h).

Z06 is a bit of hate love, the car is let down by the manual gearbox. SA actually believe if the Z06 has a shortened and fast shifting auto-gearbox, you would be looking at the new king of the ring, it will beat the AMG GTR.

[m5dream]

z06 is a beast of a sports car!!! it is so clean with that wrap job

[DaveCM5]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

SA asked GM why they didn't get the automatic version for supertest (since it's faster in acceleration), GM told them the auto box is for the road while the stick shift is for the track. The horizontal radiator behind the air intake in the front skirt is a radiator for the transmission in the auto version, the same radiator is used as an additional water cooler in the manual version. So it has became clear why GM didn't want to send the auto version to SA for ring track test. SA did not experience the heat soak problem during their time with the Z06.

On the ring, the Z06 is actually ahead of the AMG GTR in the first two sector, the Z06's corner speed are similarly high or even higher than the AMG GTR, but on the straights, higher drag and long gear ratio meant the Z06 is at an disadvantage (Dottinger Hohe straight: Z06 275km/h (slower than M5 CP) vs AMG GTR 295km/h).

Z06 is a bit of hate love, the car is let down by the manual gearbox. SA actually believe if the Z06 has a shortened and fast shifting auto-gearbox, you would be looking at the new king of the ring, it will beat the AMG GTR.

Interesting.

I suspect the manual gearbox isn't too much of a detriment on a track like the Nurburgring since you're generally only going between 3rd and 4th gear, and occasionally 5th (except that last final straight). There are one or two places where if you had an auto shifting transmission you may want to go down a gear where in the manual you'd just leave it in 3rd so in that sense I agree it is a small detriment. But if you ran the same car 5 times you'd get 5 different times +/- 10 seconds of each other (20 second window assuming a 5% repeat-ability window) So I suppose the best time in a manual and the worst time in an auto would overlap.

As far as the overheating I suppose there are different reasons floating around but in the research I did when I was considering one I noticed people were blaming the inter-cooler coolant getting cavitation bubbles causing air pockets in the manifold that didn't allow proper cooling. Alot of guys complain because their cars are showing normal temperature but they are still going into limp mode. I'm not an expert on this but it's just stuff I read. Perhaps there is a combination of things coming together to make them overheat...

If I was going to buy one I'd get the manual anyways because unless you're racing for money it doesn't matter much and I suspect the manual in that car would be a blast to drive regularly.

Still a really nice car and super fast.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by DaveCM5

Interesting.

I suspect the manual gearbox isn't too much of a detriment on a track like the Nurburgring since you're generally only going between 3rd and 4th gear, and occasionally 5th (except that last final straight). There are one or two places where if you had an auto shifting transmission you may want to go down a gear where in the manual you'd just leave it in 3rd so in that sense I agree it is a small detriment. But if you ran the same car 5 times you'd get 5 different times +/- 10 seconds of each other (20 second window assuming a 5% repeat-ability window) So I suppose the best time in a manual and the worst time in an auto would overlap.

As far as the overheating I suppose there are different reasons floating around but in the research I did when I was considering one I noticed people were blaming the inter-cooler coolant getting cavitation bubbles causing air pockets in the manifold that didn't allow proper cooling. Alot of guys complain because their cars are showing normal temperature but they are still going into limp mode. I'm not an expert on this but it's just stuff I read. Perhaps there is a combination of things coming together to make them overheat...

If I was going to buy one I'd get the manual anyways because unless you're racing for money it doesn't matter much and I suspect the manual in that car would be a blast to drive regularly.

Still a really nice car and super fast.

Actually the SA article said there is some sort of a
Frustration with the manual gearbox and cost them time, hence that's why it's a letdown on the gearbox.

[josec70]

Impressive to say the least.

[M4_Ronin]

Interesting read...

[crabapple]

Nice ZO6 Op. I came from a 2012 ZR1 into my M5. Miss the all out performance of the ZR1 but love the M5 with all of its comfort features!!

[Stealth_Bomber]

lol.......nice car

[onfireX5]

I have a 17 ZO6 and a 16 X5M. Have never driven a M5. My wife is 5'3" and loves driving the X5M and hates the Zo6 since the visibility beltline is too high. I might trade the Z for the new M5. How do you compare visibility between the Z and the M5 ? Ease of tight parking ? Thanks.

[apexlocator]

not feeling the yellow accents, but everything else looks mean as hell!!

[patb23]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

I have a 17 ZO6 and a 16 X5M. Have never driven a M5. My wife is 5'3" and loves driving the X5M and hates the Zo6 since the visibility beltline is too high. I might trade the Z for the new M5. How do you compare visibility between the Z and the M5 ? Ease of tight parking ? Thanks.

I just traded in my M5 for a 2017 M7 Z06. Visibility is going to be much better in the M5 compared to the z. Also much easier to park if you got the extra cameras like I did with mine. That top view was so helpful just wish it had front view cameras like the z06 has.

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by patb23

I just traded in my M5 for a 2017 M7 Z06. Visibility is going to be much better in the M5 compared to the z. Also much easier to park if you got the extra cameras like I did with mine. That top view was so helpful just wish it had from view like the z06 has.

Thanks ! 2018 M5 is in the plans ! 2017 ZO6 will be sold. Great car Killer power, but not for my 5'3" gal.