964 comparison to e46 m3?
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: indy
964 comparison to e46 m3?
so i already have an e46 m3 as a daily driver (weather permitting!) and i'm thinking of getting a 964 c2. it would be driven mainly on weekends & prob at some track events.
i've driven a few older & newer 911s, but never a 964. how would a 964 compare to my m3?
i also want something i can 'tinker' with. generally, how amenable to modification are the 964s?
Thanks in advance!
-john
i've driven a few older & newer 911s, but never a 964. how would a 964 compare to my m3?
i also want something i can 'tinker' with. generally, how amenable to modification are the 964s?
Thanks in advance!
-john
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,407
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From: Canada
I have an E46 330cic as a daily and I've driven a few E46 M3's. It's way more comfortable and softer vs the 964. Feels bigger too. The BMW cars are great drivers, but the air cooled Porsche's are just in a different league when it comes to driver connection.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,209
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From: Fairfield County, CT
I've had a 1998 M3 (which was a great all around car), but the 964 is a true sports car. Not sure about the E46 M3, but I am sure you will give up some of the inherent luxury the BMW is giving you now. If you want a rewarding car that you can readily work on and upgrade, go for the 964 
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From: indy
Thanks, Nine11 & CT944. Having less creature comforts was something I was expecting after driving some older 911s. That's really not very important to me.
From reading on this forum, it does seem like the cars do generally lend themselves to significant mechanical modification-- that's definitely a plus.
Without resorting to FI, can i make a 964 as quick as the m3?
From reading on this forum, it does seem like the cars do generally lend themselves to significant mechanical modification-- that's definitely a plus.
Without resorting to FI, can i make a 964 as quick as the m3?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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same situation, own both...my comparsion
As an owner of 6 prior 911s back to 1975 and with 4 years of driving such in Germany I have had a lot of experiences and can give a excellent comparison between by daily driver 2001 M3 and my 1994 C2. let me say the 964 model is the safest 911 around....that is...based on the original 911 configuration....the 993 was changed and likely is a bit better due to the revised rear suspension. The ability with the 964 to not experience the bad habit of losing the rear in a corner is a significant asset....as is the disappearing spoiler. driving a 911 unspoiled in Germany in crosswinds was a real experience...and dangerous above 110 mph. The M3 is solid and neutral but without the close feel of the drive the 964 gives you.....and they both get "on the cam" really well...I rarely go above 7000 on the M3....no point...and they both have a pain in the tail valve adjustments. of course the M3 can carry more people and has more trunk room. It is nice to have BOTH...they are different but the 964 is a "real sports car and a very safe 911". My 2 cents.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
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From: North Wales, UK
I've had my '93 964 C2 now for nearly 4 years. Bought a 2003 e46 m3 last year as the daily drive. Totally different cars and difficult to compare, well, that's from my stand point anyway. For one there is 10 years differnce between the two. That's not to say that the 964 is more dated, far from it, it was probably years ahead of its time. Both cars bring a differing driving experience. Like with most things if you wanted to find fault you could, its very much a personal thing. I always wanted an air cooled 911, the classic looks of the 964 and that sound are awesome. The stock 964 c2 has 250 bhp while the m3 342 bhp. Acceleration wise the m3 is quicker and it feels it, although handling i prefer the 964. The 964 is more raw and it feels more planted, whether that is because i've not driven the m3 enough yet i don't know. Practically wise, with the m3 you can transport 4 adults comfortably, plus there's a reasonable sized boot. If you could have both, while not spoil yourself 
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From: indy
wow! two m3 + 964 owners. i didn't think there would be many of those...
i love the way the 964 looks and that's one of the primary reasons i'm considering it so seriously. there is also the nostalgia of the air cooled, rear-engine sports car that polar964 mentions...
i also actually have a z32 nissan 300zx-- which i'll probably be selling soon. it's quite fun to drive (love the tranny), but after doing a bit of engine work on it i can absolutely say i will never own another japanese car. that has to be the most illogically laid out, overcomplicated engine i have ever seen. how difficult do you all find the 964 to work on mechanically?
Thanks!
i love the way the 964 looks and that's one of the primary reasons i'm considering it so seriously. there is also the nostalgia of the air cooled, rear-engine sports car that polar964 mentions...
i also actually have a z32 nissan 300zx-- which i'll probably be selling soon. it's quite fun to drive (love the tranny), but after doing a bit of engine work on it i can absolutely say i will never own another japanese car. that has to be the most illogically laid out, overcomplicated engine i have ever seen. how difficult do you all find the 964 to work on mechanically?
Thanks!
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 475
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I currently own a '03 M3 Cab, a '99 M3 Cab and a '93 C2 Cab. I would say that each is a unique drive. Each is fun to drive and have a completely different feel. The '03 M3 is the fastest of the 3 cars, but needs to be reved to feel the power. Less torque on the low end. Also, as already stated, more plush and seats four. The '99 is closer to the 911, but not as raw. About just as quick, but doesn't have the feel as being as quick as the 911.
Overall, you will enjoy either car. It does depend on personal perferences and how open minded you are. A case can be made for any of the three as being the best.
I enjoy them all and use the '99 as the daily driver. The '03 and 911 are the weekend fun cars.
Overall, you will enjoy either car. It does depend on personal perferences and how open minded you are. A case can be made for any of the three as being the best.
I enjoy them all and use the '99 as the daily driver. The '03 and 911 are the weekend fun cars.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: CT
I had a '98 M3 sedan that I drove a lot for about 4 years. It was the best all-round road car I ever had. It was fun, comfortable, roomy, fast, and I could drive it long distances forever.
But it was not the most fun car I ever had (that would be a 1967 911, but you are interested in the 964).
The 964 still feels so similar to the early 911's (I had about 10 of them), just a bit more refined. There is much more connection to the road in a 911, so long distance traveling can get more tiring. But there is no other car that brings out my adrenalin more than a 911 series. It's like eating a ton of chocolate and drinking coffee at the same time. It can be a rush until the inevitable time when you have to say "OK - Phew! Enough for now". And then wake up the next morning and do it again.
They are very different. I'd love to have both.
But it was not the most fun car I ever had (that would be a 1967 911, but you are interested in the 964).
The 964 still feels so similar to the early 911's (I had about 10 of them), just a bit more refined. There is much more connection to the road in a 911, so long distance traveling can get more tiring. But there is no other car that brings out my adrenalin more than a 911 series. It's like eating a ton of chocolate and drinking coffee at the same time. It can be a rush until the inevitable time when you have to say "OK - Phew! Enough for now". And then wake up the next morning and do it again.
They are very different. I'd love to have both.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,212
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From: Bernardsville, NJ
I also have an E46 M3 and a 964. Definitely different. The M3 is a GT, the Porsche a sports car. Back in the day, some car mags tortured C4s to 4.9 second 0-60s, which is the E46's time as well. Both are fun, great cars.
AutoX
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Anaheim California Go Angels....
I have a 2006 M3 and a 91 964 cabrio...I love driving both cars but yeah I feel closer to the road when i drive my 964 and it's more agile...oh yeah and I get much more compliments. The M3 of course is newer technology and more comfortable but for some reason I find my 964 more agile even thought in paper my M3 is about a second faster. I guess the 964 lends itself to quicker driving because of the size. Again, both are great cars and they have differnet feel and the give you a different driving experience.
If you are going to get a 964 you will not regret it, it's a fun little car.
If you are going to get a 964 you will not regret it, it's a fun little car.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,518
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From: Washington, DC
Power mods - It is a real sports car, so the factory did a good job of removing any serious bottlenecks in power. It is not a Mustang where you can throw a turbo on and make silly amounts of power. A lot of 964 guys do chips, exhaust, and some form of intake. After that it gets expensive quickly IMHO. It will never be king of the dyno or a drag car. However the current power is not lacking.
Suspension mods – Yes, plenty of options here. I have the bilstein shocks and h&r springs. It is a gokart.
Brakes – They are stock mono block Porsche brakes, of course they are good. There are Porsche upgrades to move from good to great.
TBH it is not a car that needs to be modded to be a fun driver’s car. You really have to drive one to know if it is your car.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 64
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From: Upstate NY
The German vehicles are the best. I had a 1994 540 BMW, currently a 2002 330 xi BMW and a 1992 964 Porsche.
The 540 was like a Lion
The 330 is like a Tiger
The 964 is like a Leopard.
The 964 drives like it is on rails, and turns many heads with its classic lines and its famous Porsche rumble. I have owned my 964 for 4 years and rebuilt the engine 2 years ago. What a fun project that sharpened my rebuilding skills. Received many helpful pointers from freinds on this site. 964s can be modified as much as the wallet can bear. Restoration and some tasteful upgrades is so rewarding and the investment is worth it. It is a pleasure working on the 964 with good German common sense mechanical engineering.
Bottom line I drive my 330 BMW for daily comfort but when I want a rush I take a spirited drive or head for the Glen for some real speed.
Good luck
The 540 was like a Lion
The 330 is like a Tiger
The 964 is like a Leopard.
The 964 drives like it is on rails, and turns many heads with its classic lines and its famous Porsche rumble. I have owned my 964 for 4 years and rebuilt the engine 2 years ago. What a fun project that sharpened my rebuilding skills. Received many helpful pointers from freinds on this site. 964s can be modified as much as the wallet can bear. Restoration and some tasteful upgrades is so rewarding and the investment is worth it. It is a pleasure working on the 964 with good German common sense mechanical engineering.
Bottom line I drive my 330 BMW for daily comfort but when I want a rush I take a spirited drive or head for the Glen for some real speed.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 6
From: Tyler, Texas
My wife has a 2002 BMW 330 CIC (convertible) and I have a 1994 964 cab. I never drive her car. It is much easier to get in and out of my car. I hate the curvature of her door windows. Her car seems very heavy and isolated. The 964 has more comfortable seats (IMO), sounds so much nicer, and seems much more eager to run.
WIth that said, she has a much better AC, radio (not for long as I am upgrading), trunk, and it has more interior room. I would probably drive it more if her BMW was a stick. Her 330 is quick, holds the road well, and stops well. With the top down, the BMW cabin is not as windy.
WIth that said, she has a much better AC, radio (not for long as I am upgrading), trunk, and it has more interior room. I would probably drive it more if her BMW was a stick. Her 330 is quick, holds the road well, and stops well. With the top down, the BMW cabin is not as windy.
