Should I trade modded 993 for E46 M3?
08-25-2005, 06:25 PM
#16
Race Director
jdoc7,
I had an M5. I debated between the M3 and the M5 and decided that the M3 is much less car than what it says on paper.
If you do not track, than you may wish to take a look at adding a Subaru WRX Sti for fun and practicality. It is 4 doors, similar seating capacity as the M3, loads of fun, bullet-proof mechanicals (rally bred engine-tranny), and runs with any M3 any where. The beauty is that the price point is low enough that you can have your 993 and the Suby too.
I love my M5, but that's no Carrera. I'll take my RUF over any M car any time. The Ms have great performance numbers, however, they can't deliver the 'feel' of the Porsches, and you can't quantify 'feel'. In addition, no amount of mods can get a BMW to deliver the 'feel' of a 911.
Good luck.
CP
I had an M5. I debated between the M3 and the M5 and decided that the M3 is much less car than what it says on paper.
If you do not track, than you may wish to take a look at adding a Subaru WRX Sti for fun and practicality. It is 4 doors, similar seating capacity as the M3, loads of fun, bullet-proof mechanicals (rally bred engine-tranny), and runs with any M3 any where. The beauty is that the price point is low enough that you can have your 993 and the Suby too.
I love my M5, but that's no Carrera. I'll take my RUF over any M car any time. The Ms have great performance numbers, however, they can't deliver the 'feel' of the Porsches, and you can't quantify 'feel'. In addition, no amount of mods can get a BMW to deliver the 'feel' of a 911.
Good luck.
CP
Last edited by CP; 08-25-2005 at 09:00 PM.
08-25-2005, 06:34 PM
#17
Race Director
No...
keep the 993. You will be sorry to not have it anymore.
If you MUST get a car with back seats an M5 is better. Kids grow really fast and a couple years the M3 will be too small again.
I have an E39 530. It is great car and fun to drive. Still it cannot compare to the fun of my 944 Turbo S. That is one car I will fight to keep. Heck most folks around here would consider a 993 much better than 944 Turbo S...
keep the 993. You will be sorry to not have it anymore.
If you MUST get a car with back seats an M5 is better. Kids grow really fast and a couple years the M3 will be too small again.
I have an E39 530. It is great car and fun to drive. Still it cannot compare to the fun of my 944 Turbo S. That is one car I will fight to keep. Heck most folks around here would consider a 993 much better than 944 Turbo S...
08-25-2005, 07:24 PM
#18
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I like the 993 & Suby package best. Unbeatable bang for the buck. The M3 is a sedan....the 993 a pure sportscar. The M3 will continue to depreciate, the 993 may even appreciate over the long run.
Separatelly, by looking at the impressive list of custom equipment, I feel you like adding your personal touch. Plus you are a bona fide gear head. I reckon that the M3 will be less "custom friendly" than the 993.
And, besides, from what I have seen, Beemers are like Boxers (the dog kind). They suffer an awful old age far sooner and uglier than other dogs.
Separatelly, by looking at the impressive list of custom equipment, I feel you like adding your personal touch. Plus you are a bona fide gear head. I reckon that the M3 will be less "custom friendly" than the 993.
And, besides, from what I have seen, Beemers are like Boxers (the dog kind). They suffer an awful old age far sooner and uglier than other dogs.
08-26-2005, 03:18 AM
#21
Nordschleife Master
apples and oranges...
the e46 M3 is a great car. in my opinion, the engine is worth the asking price. it is so silky smooth, high-revving, well engineered, exotic, etc. if i remember right, the piston speed on the s54 engine is about the same as a f1 race car. over 100+hp per liter naturally aspirated, etc. although a bit of a rip off, the new competition package for 2005 is really cool too... the problems with the engine are vastly over emphasized online...i know someone who works for BMW NA and I have seen some of the statistics...less than 15% of the engines had issues...
i had a 2004 m3 before getting my 993...i agree with most of the comments here...the m3 is not nearly as fun of a toy as the 993. i am not sure many would disagree with that...i got rid of mine because i wanted a sports car, not a GT...
however, the m3 is a faster car with lots of back seat/trunk room, still german heritage, great tranny, all kinds of technology goodies, etc. for sure, it is the car i would have brand new in the under $55k price category. is it as fun as the 993?, no...of course not... you should have both if you can afford it....
the e46 M3 is a great car. in my opinion, the engine is worth the asking price. it is so silky smooth, high-revving, well engineered, exotic, etc. if i remember right, the piston speed on the s54 engine is about the same as a f1 race car. over 100+hp per liter naturally aspirated, etc. although a bit of a rip off, the new competition package for 2005 is really cool too... the problems with the engine are vastly over emphasized online...i know someone who works for BMW NA and I have seen some of the statistics...less than 15% of the engines had issues...
i had a 2004 m3 before getting my 993...i agree with most of the comments here...the m3 is not nearly as fun of a toy as the 993. i am not sure many would disagree with that...i got rid of mine because i wanted a sports car, not a GT...
however, the m3 is a faster car with lots of back seat/trunk room, still german heritage, great tranny, all kinds of technology goodies, etc. for sure, it is the car i would have brand new in the under $55k price category. is it as fun as the 993?, no...of course not... you should have both if you can afford it....
08-26-2005, 10:41 AM
#23
I own an 2001 E55 i bought for about 30 grand. great roomy daily driver. Fast and comfortable.
I have owned 2 M5's great cars but not great in heavy traffic etc. Clutch issues, vanos issues.
I have owned 2 M5's great cars but not great in heavy traffic etc. Clutch issues, vanos issues.
08-26-2005, 11:04 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
keep the 993 and get a lesser-spec E46 cab. maybe save 20 grand off a same MY M3.
what i did, was i had the 325, bought the 993 with the expectation of selling the bimmer,
but we like and use them both anyway. you can mod a 325 for more oomph too.
j.
what i did, was i had the 325, bought the 993 with the expectation of selling the bimmer,
but we like and use them both anyway. you can mod a 325 for more oomph too.
j.
08-26-2005, 11:31 AM
#26
Rennlist Member
Do what you've got to do for practicality, but don't think of any BMW 4-seater as a sports car - great performance and smooth mechanicals but a much heavier feel ... if you sell the 993, you'll be back - there is no substitute ...
08-26-2005, 11:32 AM
#27
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I have an 04 M3 and a '97 993...rather different cars...but based upon what you are asking for: more rear seat room and real trunk space, a car not too small and low...you just need the larger car between the two. Despite the various posts to the contrary based on what others have read somewhere else and recited here, not experienced first hand, the M3 is a wonderful car. I think it would do what you have described you need in your life right now perfectly. Some of the earlier year cars did have engine problems... We have about 40k miles on ours and it has been rock solid reliable. The performance is BMW M car impressive. The M3 is low torque quicker and arguably handles more neutrally than the 993...but it is a sedan....which from the criteria you stated you you were looking for...you need a sedan. As such, in the world of sedans, it is one of the quickest and best handling and meets your needs. Yeah, I wish my 993 had the M3s trunk space and back seat, and that the M3 had the true, light agile racing nature of the 993, but those are mutually exclusive.
You are in the realm of all good decisions...Good luck~! Let us know what you decide...
You are in the realm of all good decisions...Good luck~! Let us know what you decide...
08-26-2005, 05:01 PM
#28
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by PorscheDavid
I have an 04 M3 and a '97 993...rather different cars...but based upon what you are asking for: more rear seat room and real trunk space, a car not too small and low...you just need the larger car between the two. Despite the various posts to the contrary based on what others have read somewhere else and recited here, not experienced first hand, the M3 is a wonderful car. I think it would do what you have described you need in your life right now perfectly. Some of the earlier year cars did have engine problems... We have about 40k miles on ours and it has been rock solid reliable. The performance is BMW M car impressive. The M3 is low torque quicker and arguably handles more neutrally than the 993...but it is a sedan....which from the criteria you stated you you were looking for...you need a sedan. As such, in the world of sedans, it is one of the quickest and best handling and meets your needs. Yeah, I wish my 993 had the M3s trunk space and back seat, and that the M3 had the true, light agile racing nature of the 993, but those are mutually exclusive.
You are in the realm of all good decisions...Good luck~! Let us know what you decide...
You are in the realm of all good decisions...Good luck~! Let us know what you decide...
08-26-2005, 05:40 PM
#29
Addict
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Rennlist Member
jdoc,
Have you driven an E46 M3? We bought one based on the glowing journalist reports, and IMO, it was one of the most overrated cars I've owned. Vague steering, soft suspension. As someone mentioned, it does not have the direct feel of a Porsche (what does?). The SMG is very lurchy, as well. We sold it with only 8,000 miles and have never missed it. I actually prefer our 13-year-old 500E to the E46 M3, although I know it couldn't hang with it in a straight line.
In the immortal words of Flava Flav, "don't believe the hype".
Have you driven an E46 M3? We bought one based on the glowing journalist reports, and IMO, it was one of the most overrated cars I've owned. Vague steering, soft suspension. As someone mentioned, it does not have the direct feel of a Porsche (what does?). The SMG is very lurchy, as well. We sold it with only 8,000 miles and have never missed it. I actually prefer our 13-year-old 500E to the E46 M3, although I know it couldn't hang with it in a straight line.
In the immortal words of Flava Flav, "don't believe the hype".
08-26-2005, 09:57 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
I had a 2003 M3 that I purchased new. I tho't it was a great car. It is not the same as the 993 in any way shape or form. And, it is smallish as well. I'm 6'2" and 225#.... it felt small, believe me. Still, it's a great vehicle.
I enjoyed driving the high revving M3 a great deal. 330 or so ponies under the hood, new technology, BMW reliability, too. They are pretty much a dime a dozen these days, tho. 993s are not.... but, they are older versions of the 911 cars. Still..... I love the 993 a great deal.
The M3 will not help out with the "family" deal for long. The new ones are only coupes..... the older sedans are, well.... not very nice looking. The kids will just sorta fit in the back seat for a while, then grow outa those pods quickly.
Here's what I'd do. I'd keep the 993 and use it as you like.... daily driver, weekend deal or whatever. Then go get another car.... even used. Or, a Hyundai sedan for like 12-13K. Buy an '05 sedan (or Toyota Camry) leftova and get a great deal. All the dealers are nearly giving away new cars. That way you and the wifey and kids can have a car to tool around together and still have the 993. Heck, the cost of the 2nd car should be less than $200 a month for a 3-4 year deal.
Just my opinion. BTW, I washed my Porsche today and drove it. Ain't nothin' like an air cooled car tearing up the revs, m'friend.
I enjoyed driving the high revving M3 a great deal. 330 or so ponies under the hood, new technology, BMW reliability, too. They are pretty much a dime a dozen these days, tho. 993s are not.... but, they are older versions of the 911 cars. Still..... I love the 993 a great deal.
The M3 will not help out with the "family" deal for long. The new ones are only coupes..... the older sedans are, well.... not very nice looking. The kids will just sorta fit in the back seat for a while, then grow outa those pods quickly.
Here's what I'd do. I'd keep the 993 and use it as you like.... daily driver, weekend deal or whatever. Then go get another car.... even used. Or, a Hyundai sedan for like 12-13K. Buy an '05 sedan (or Toyota Camry) leftova and get a great deal. All the dealers are nearly giving away new cars. That way you and the wifey and kids can have a car to tool around together and still have the 993. Heck, the cost of the 2nd car should be less than $200 a month for a 3-4 year deal.
Just my opinion. BTW, I washed my Porsche today and drove it. Ain't nothin' like an air cooled car tearing up the revs, m'friend.