[jangoblue2]

Hey everyone,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I’m officially joining the Camaro world this Friday — picking up a 2019 ZL1 1LE, M6, ~30k miles. Happy New Year to me lol.

I’m coming over from the BMW M world, where maintenance and “what might go wrong next” basically lives rent-free in your head. I’m honestly a little burnt out on that side of things and wanted something raw, mechanical, and (hopefully) more straightforward long-term.

The car has a clean Carfax, consistent oil changes, no red flags that I can see. I am planning on purchasing a GM Platinum extended warranty, so I’ll have coverage, but I wanted to ask the community:

• Are there any known issues I should specifically look out for on a 2019 ZL1 1LE?
• Anything I should inspect closely before finalizing the purchase (diff, clutch, mag ride, PTM stuff, etc.)?
• From an ownership standpoint, what does maintenance really look like on these cars compared to German performance cars?
• Any “do this immediately” items once I take delivery?

I’m not planning to mod the car anytime soon — mostly spirited street driving with maybe some track use down the line. I know the 1LEs are purpose-built and a bit harsher, which is part of the appeal.

Really excited to finally be here and appreciate any insight. Looking forward to learning from you guys.

Thanks 🤘

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by jangoblue2

Hey everyone,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I’m officially joining the Camaro world this Friday — picking up a 2019 ZL1 1LE, M6, ~30k miles. Happy New Year to me lol.

I’m coming over from the BMW M world, where maintenance and “what might go wrong next” basically lives rent-free in your head. I’m honestly a little burnt out on that side of things and wanted something raw, mechanical, and (hopefully) more straightforward long-term.

The car has a clean Carfax, consistent oil changes, no red flags that I can see. I am planning on purchasing a GM Platinum extended warranty, so I’ll have coverage, but I wanted to ask the community:

• Are there any known issues I should specifically look out for on a 2019 ZL1 1LE?
• Anything I should inspect closely before finalizing the purchase (diff, clutch, mag ride, PTM stuff, etc.)?
• From an ownership standpoint, what does maintenance really look like on these cars compared to German performance cars?
• Any “do this immediately” items once I take delivery?

I’m not planning to mod the car anytime soon — mostly spirited street driving with maybe some track use down the line. I know the 1LEs are purpose-built and a bit harsher, which is part of the appeal.

Really excited to finally be here and appreciate any insight. Looking forward to learning from you guys.

Thanks 🤘

Welcome! Ton of great info on this forum so read through and you’ll learn a lot. I believe the ‘19’s were safe from the oil pump issues so that’s a good thing. I’d get an intercooler reservoir asap as those cars are notorious for air in the intercooler circuit.

Run the highest octane you can. E85 is gold on these cars but that will require a tune and minor hardware.

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by jangoblue2

Hey everyone,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I’m officially joining the Camaro world this Friday — picking up a 2019 ZL1 1LE, M6, ~30k miles. Happy New Year to me lol.

I’m coming over from the BMW M world, where maintenance and “what might go wrong next” basically lives rent-free in your head. I’m honestly a little burnt out on that side of things and wanted something raw, mechanical, and (hopefully) more straightforward long-term.

The car has a clean Carfax, consistent oil changes, no red flags that I can see. I am planning on purchasing a GM Platinum extended warranty, so I’ll have coverage, but I wanted to ask the community:

• Are there any known issues I should specifically look out for on a 2019 ZL1 1LE?
• Anything I should inspect closely before finalizing the purchase (diff, clutch, mag ride, PTM stuff, etc.)?
• From an ownership standpoint, what does maintenance really look like on these cars compared to German performance cars?
• Any “do this immediately” items once I take delivery?

I’m not planning to mod the car anytime soon — mostly spirited street driving with maybe some track use down the line. I know the 1LEs are purpose-built and a bit harsher, which is part of the appeal.

Really excited to finally be here and appreciate any insight. Looking forward to learning from you guys.

Thanks 🤘

Maintenance schedules on german cars are the reason you have to work on them all the time.
If you daily drive your camaro you should change your oil more often than what it suggests. I do every 3000 miles but i only put about 5000 a year on mine.

[N Camarolina]

Welcome to the forum! I'll just add a warning about the extended warranty. I was told when I purchased my GM extended warranty plan (from one of the two guys that everybody here has been recommending for years) that you needed to purchase the plan BEFORE the 3 yr bumper to bumper warranty expired. If that requirement is accurate, it would mean that a 19' is too old to qualify for the GM extended plan.

If the GM extended warranty is an essential consideration in your Camaro purchase, I'd check with those guys first.

[Ryanbabz71]

Id change the rear diff fluid unless you know when it was last changed. Very easy to do and less than $50 (doing yourself).

[arpad_m]

to the forums, jangoblue2, you have chosen well, the ZL1 1LE is a low maintenance wunderkid, the LT4 with the Tremec MT-6060 plus the electronic diff is a very solid powertrain.

As Josh said, you'll find plenty of great resources here, we have many mechanics, tuners and even ex-GM folks always willing to help out with maintenance or repair info, tuning tips and even parts sourcing.

I'd be very interested in your first (and second) impressions on the street and the track vs your previous M cars.

[jangoblue2]

Originally Posted by bishopts

Maintenance schedules on german cars are the reason you have to work on them all the time.
If you daily drive your camaro you should change your oil more often than what it suggests. I do every 3000 miles but i only put about 5000 a year on mine.

Yes, honestly got tired of the BMW headaches - but will be the daily driver! With some spirited driving on the weekend

[jangoblue2]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

Welcome to the forum! I'll just add a warning about the extended warranty. I was told when I purchased my GM extended warranty plan (from one of the two guys that everybody here has been recommending for years) that you needed to purchase the plan BEFORE the 3 yr bumper to bumper warranty expired. If that requirement is accurate, it would mean that a 19' is too old to qualify for the GM extended plan.

If the GM extended warranty is an essential consideration in your Camaro purchase, I'd check with those guys first.

Hmmm okay good to know - and yeah have the contact info for Dennis. But car is getting a PPI going to try to get a warranty through that dealer.

[jangoblue2]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

to the forums, jangoblue2, you have chosen well, the ZL1 1LE is a low maintenance wunderkid, the LT4 with the Tremec MT-6060 plus the electronic diff is a very solid powertrain.

As Josh said, you'll find plenty of great resources here, we have many mechanics, tuners and even ex-GM folks always willing to help out with maintenance or repair info, tuning tips and even parts sourcing.

I'd be very interested in your first (and second) impressions on the street and the track vs your previous M cars.

Thank you fro having me - have had a nice warm welcome from the Chevy guys on the forum happy to join.

[Junction65]

Welcome! Good choice on the ride. Post pics when you can.

[Bosse'sBoss]

I never owned a BMW, but the maintenance cost of my also European '02 Porsche 911 Carrera was very high compared to my '11 Mustang GT 5.0 and my 5th and 6th gen Camaros that were more reliable.
Hope that you don't get tired of the suspension stiffness of the ZL1 1LE, I prefer the ZL1 suspension for street usage.