I have an E46M3smg that is my daily driver.It's a great car in every respect,but it's not a Porsche.
It never makes me smile like either of my 993's do.

From a maintenance side,the M3 has been totally reliable.I bought it new in 03' and just turned 26k on it.

 

Wow, thanks fellas for the great reviews, especially those who own or have owned an M3. I think you are all absolutely right. The Bimmer certainly does not 'feel' like a Porsche and that's something that I think I would miss. I had pondered the idea of selling the 993 to a fellow Rennlister on the US 'Island' then after seeing it in the garage, curves and all, perfect paint, hunched down on all fours, sitting pretty, I had a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about selling it....at any price! In the end, it wasn't going to work out for him and honestly, I was happy that I didn't have to sell it. Thanks to all who have kept me on the straight and narrow. I'll be keeping her for now. I'm still having fun with the EVO which I guess, does pretty much everything I want it to do, except look pretty like the P-car! Thanks again.

PS. Now if a nice Z06, Viper, Supra TT, or Skyline happen to cross my path at the right price.........?

 

i like my 993 a lot more than my previous car, 2004 E46 M3, but i have to disagree strongly with your opinion..

you cant compare these two cars...the M3 is a GT and the 993 is a sports car... does the 993 have a more "direct" driving feel...well gee, i really hope that it does..

but my M3 had a superb engine...very exotic, beautiful symphony, excellent acceleration, etc.

not to be controversial, but i cant believe that you got smg ii anyway... no wonder you didnt like it

 

Johnathan,

The 500E has a more direct driving feel than the E46 M3, and that's with a 13-year-old recirculating ball setup!

You're right about the SMG. Big mistake. I'm sure the manual would have been better, but I bought into the journalist hype and took delivery of the first SMG in the state. Nonetheless, BMW missed the boat with the vague steering and a wallowy suspension. I've driven the previous generation M3 and found the steering to be more direct. Is that progress?

 

Yeah...don't get the SMG...the 6 speed is the only way to go. Not to get on an M3 rant/rave...I've had the E30 M3 (probably a better comparison to the likes of a 993) raw, quick; very purposeful feeling....I recently sold our E36 M3...rather underpowered but great chasis, felt a lot lighter (it was) and more nimble than its weight would suggest. The steering felt great. The E46 is just a more luxurious car...its more relaxing to drive and generally less demanding than any 993. I agree it has lost a lot of its edge and found a lot of its weight...but if you lived with one for several years...you will always be impressed by it. The one big mod it needs is a more robust sounding muffler...the stock one is a bit metallic sounding. Active Autowerkes in Florida has the one to fix that...no resonance...screams at WOT, mellow around town, and it still sounds like a BMW.

 

M3 is faster

 

mine's bigger :-)

speed is fun, for sure, but since this is not for a track car, i think that both the 993 and the M3 are probably fast enough (well, for me anyway)

 

Ans: No. It would be a mistake.

 

OK, M3 is defininitely out. Now I'm thinking big change....as in Infiniti G35 coupe. It's sporty looking, smooth V6, 6-speed, Brembos on 2004's and earlier, can seat four, modifiable up the yin-yang for decent $$$. Whattya think? I think I'm gonna do it. 32K can get a nice 03-04 and an extra 7K will allow me to do a twin turbo setup. Oh yeah! The wheels are spinnin'!

 

E36 M3/4, if you want faster slap one of the new twin screw superchargers on it.

 

the M3 is a good car but it's definitely not a long term keeper because all of the new electrical stuff they put in the car will not last as long as the mechanical parts of the car but unfortunately the mechanical parts of the car rely heavily on the electrical systems to run properly. Reliability of the 993 will exceed the E46 in the long term.

 

I still stand by the argument that if you're planning to spend $40K, get a used M5. You'll get your cake and eat it too! I wish I had $40K to spend for a 2nd car!

Here's one example (no affiliation, it's eBay so caveat emptor, blah, blah...)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W-W-2...QQcmdZViewItem

 

yes the M5 is a beast...drove one with mild mods like Dinan chip and Supersprint exhaust. There are these couple of steep hills near my house that other cars struggle up. With the M5 I was like "what hill???"

 

4.9 liter V-8 = gobs of low end torque

 

No. Keep the 993 and buy a Volvo for the practicalities... I will when/if that day comes.