Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2011 Chevrolet Camaro VS 2011 BMW 3 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the Chevrolet Camaro’s rear seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer height adjustable seat belts.

Both the Camaro and the 3 Series Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 1 year and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 3 Series Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 12 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the Camaro’s warranty.

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Coupe:

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro SS is faster than the 335i Coupe (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Camaro V6 Auto gets better fuel mileage than the 328i Coupe RWD Auto (18 city/29 hwy vs. 18 city/28 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro SS Automatic’s fuel efficiency. The 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Camaro SS for maximum performance). The 3 Series Coupe requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Coupe (19 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Camaro’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Coupe:

The Camaro’s brakes have 42% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the 3 Series Coupe with its standard brakes (659 vs. 464 square inches), so the Camaro has more braking power available. The Camaro’s brakes have 29% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the 335i Coupe (659 vs. 511 square inches).

The Camaro stops shorter than the 3 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the 3 Series Coupe (245/55R18 vs. 225/45R17). The Camaro’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Coupe (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. F:225/40R18 & R:255/35R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro has standard 18 inch wheels. Smaller 17 inch wheels are standard on the 3 Series Coupe. The Camaro’s optional 21 inch wheels are larger than the 19 inch wheels optional on the 335i Coupe.

The Camaro LS/LT has a standard space-saver spare (not available on SS) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 3 Series Coupe, it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the 3 Series Coupe (112.3 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 3 Series Coupe.

The Camaro LT Coupe handles at .93 G’s, while the 335i Coupe pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Camaro SS Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 2.2 MPH faster than the 335i Coupe (68.6 vs. 66.4 MPH).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Camaro RS Coupe is quieter than the 335i Coupe (45 vs. 49 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Camaro Coupe is rated a Compact car by the EPA, while the 3 Series Coupe is rated a Subcompact.

The Camaro has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 3 Series Coupe (93 vs. 88.5).

The Camaro Coupe has .6 inches more front legroom and 1.6 inches more front shoulder room than the 3 Series Coupe.

The Camaro Automatic offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Camaro’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 3 Series Coupe has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Camaro LT/SS offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Insurance will cost less for the Camaro owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Camaro will cost $193 to $1850 less than the 3 Series Coupe over a five-year period.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Camaro will be $10147 to $14459 less than for the BMW 3 Series Coupe.