Question for folks:

I've been thinking about getting a manual convertible to drive around during the summer here and have been looking at 996 cabs and e46 m3 convertibles. Wondering what folks thoughts are on that head to head?

My current cars: a 981 Cayman GTS PDK that I drive for fun and also use for track. I also have a supercharged Range Rover Sport for a daily. This would be a third car addition.

So this car would definitely be a fun car that I drive on weekends, row my own gears, and cruise around (semi fast).

 

The M3 is consideribely heavier than the 911. It has a little more horsepower, l believe it has higher rpm limit which can be fun. Honestly both are great cars, both have their problems and grenades. My biased opinion is the 996 cab since I have one and absolutely adore it. The m3 is a little slower to 0-60 if that really means anything to you, engine note with fister mufflers 911 is better. Reliability give it to the 911 if maintained properly.

I would go with the cab 911.

 

I would make my decision based on:

Any rear passengers?
Want to use the larger trunk in the M3?

The M3 vert is nearly 400lbs heavier than the coupe, while the 911 vert is closer to 170lbs heavier.

They are both top 2 cars in their class, almost universally untouchable for what they offer based on value and driving dynamics, so you cannot go wrong with either one.

 

This. I had an opportunity to get a coupe but ended up with the 996... both very cool cars and prices are steadily rising.

 

If you this was just a weekend cruiser / back roads car, would there be something to consider one way or the other?

Also for the 996, considerations on a 1999-2001 model vs 2002-2004 model outside of the 3.4 - 3.6L gain. I've heard the throttle on the 1999 models seem more linear vs later models but would be curious on folks thoughts

 

I live in Miami and work 6 months a year, the rest of the time I'm on vacation so the 996 was a better fit for the weekend cruiser idea(My daily is a T3 Touareg TDI). I'd imagine the M3 would be more "comfortable" for long stretches of travel but the performance aspect isn't too far off from each other so that would be a preference thing. I've yet to drive a 996.1 and own a .2 so I can't help with that.

 

I mean people can go back and forth on what model 996 is preferable. In the end, the performance difference is not a whole lot and they all have the same problems so at the end of the day you need to decide which one you like. Which headlights look better to you. Personally I like the original design as the facelift is not my style. So yea if you go the 911 route (which you should) whatever car comes around you like whether its a 99 or a 04 the year should not deter you.

 

One difference would be the brand. While BMW and Porsche are both premium luxury brands in the US, BMW is fairly common in Germany, while Porsche is still premium there. I always thought that if the price were the same, why not drive a Porsche? Same can be said for 911 vs. other. I could get any number of cars that are Subaru, Toyota, Acura, Mazda, etc. that are the same acquisition cost as a 911. But a 911 is a 911. The downside is the high cost of labor and parts. A 911 is a reliable car - top 5 cars actually - but the cost of repairs can be huge. A BMW M3 isn’t all that much different, so again, similar costs, but a Porsche brand carries a little more weight if that sort of thing matters to you at all.

My 99 has the cable throttle, but I never thought the linearity came from the cable, but rather, the tuning of the 3.4 engine. The engine is not very peaky, and is smooth all the way to its 7300 RPM redline, even if power comes on stronger at 4200 RPM. The 3.6 engine, however, has a noticeably higher and earlier torque curve, mid 3,000’s on up, and it feels stronger and faster because of that, even though its redline is a little lower and total peak power is only 15-20 HP more.

I would drive both the BMW and the 911 and see what you think. I found the M3 handled better on city roads, felt like the steering was better, had more power, but the 996 felt better at higher speeds, better braking, and excelled in the turns.

The stock 996 is too quiet, which is why many perform the Gundo or Fister exhaust modification. The M3 stock exhaust does not have that problem.

 

I was interested in the E46 until I saw all the issues with subframe cracking. Seems like the chassis is too weak / flexy for a sports / enthusiast car. For everyone on board with welding in a bunch of patch panels seems flawed.

 

Reading through some threads here as I am cross shopping. I have always loved both cars and can afford a good example and maintenance. I am switching from 350z as I would love rear seats for my little one, potentially 2 as we speak. I love driving cars, and for front facing seats and small children, I assume both cars should be great. Any idea on which is roomier in the rear seats? Also to note, this would be my summer car here in Canada from April to November, it's really a cruiser, and I would love a couple of track days.

 

This is like asking Stormy Daniels if she prefers zipper or button fly.

 

Damn. So the answer is “yes.”

 

PORSCHE is the zipper

BMW is the button fly

 

Ok this is kind of insane, I did not realize the E46 M3 cab was 3800lbs. That's brutal haha

 

yea I remember driving one in ‘08 and being quite underwhelmed.