Benjamin Choi

I’m staring at about $42-3K for an aerokitted 2000-2001 996 with low miles. I’m also looking at my cousin’s M3 which is an ’04 with 12K miles that he’ll sell to me for $45K.

-M3 has full factory warranty thru 2008
-911 would be no warranty and more of a mystery since family member owns the M3 currently
-I have concerns around RMS and other failures on the 911, though it looks like many of you have had a trouble-free ownership experience

I’m not sure which one to go for. Just wanting to get your thoughts on your 911 experience when it comes down to reliability. M3 has known to be very reliable save for the early build rod bearing issues which is actually in pure numbers very low number of incidents.

It’d ruin my 911 experience if I get hit in the wallet for repairs… at least with the M3, I am protected for about 2 more years.

the heart is with the 911, but the heart/mind combo is with the M. does the 911 experience make up for the bigger "risk"?

Thoughts?

dallasboats

One of my good freinds has the '03 M3 and it's fast, and comfortable. I like the look outside, mean and tough. However, the interior seems small in the 3's, not that the 911 interior is big, it's even smaller but I expect that................................. Also, his car will hang but it's not as fast............

Benjamin Choi

I think they're similar in straight line speed. Nominal diff if any.

I actually think the M3's interior feels bigger than the 911.

evo_333

If your heart is with the 911, go with it.... Otherwise you'll regret it

mjet

I went from an 03 M3 to an 02 M Roadster to a 04 911. I thought the M3 was too big and heavy. My car had the 19" rims which look great, but it made the ride too stiff. The power band on the 911 is much better IMHO. Drive them both and decide. If your so concerned about the risk, buy the M3 and upgrade in a few years. Also, remember that the E46 M3 is going to take a huge depreciation hit once the new V8 M3 comes out.

dallasboats

Ben, the M3 is more useable and the interior probably bigger, I'm just not a fan of the inside, I guess. When I get in, all I think about is the 5 series and how much more comfy it is.............. Don't know if that makes sense. My friends car is very quick but still not as quick as my car, maybe the mods, I don't know but I pull away from him every time.

Maybe you should just buy my car so I can get a TT and be done with it............... She just got new wheels/tires!

pl

my friend just bot a 04 M3, will swap-drive and let u know....

nota_troll

I went from a 993 to the E46 M3. After less than 2 years I'm hunting for a 993/996. M3 is great but at the end of the day I still jones for my 911.

It doesn't help that ALL my friends have 911s of some vintage.

Benjamin Choi

dallas, can you e-mail me at benchoi@gmail.com and give me the full story on your ride?

This is a tough (but good) decision making oppty!

dallasboats

Ok, I've got your email. I'm still thinking............................... and twisting. Thanks!

kilrgt

2 different cars, the only thing I think they have in common, is the fact they are built in Germany.M3 is an awsome little car, fast, handles O.K and a great daily driver. The Porsche is quick and Handles well like a Porsche...I like the fact that the bimmer has warranty, and thats a great piece of mind, but do you think you will be happy with it? I know I wouldnt be, but you have to drive it.

blk on blk

I love both of these cars, and came oh so close to getting an M3 last year. I love that car. Stock performance off the line is damn near identical, and any variance can be attributed to driver skill or lackthereof. I am a huge BMW fan and love the M3 and pretty much every BMW made. I have owned a number of them. I bought my first 911 this past December. I was fortunate to get a new car of the old stock. I.e. I got a brand new 996 in December of 2005. Anyway, I am pretty big on the warranty and getting a known entity vehicle. I don't have the knowledge or time to work on them myself and would be having to go deep into the wallet without the warranty to defray some costs. Therefore if I were in your shoes I would go with the M3. That is just my personal take. Now if someone is offering an M3 vs a 911 and they have the same miles, same warranty, never wrecked, etc and the only difference is price then I take the 911 every time.

eurotrashed

Hmm, this sounds familiar. I had previously owned an E30 M3, and I was thinking about making it 3 in a row, but honestly BMW put me to sleep with the stying of the latest M3, inside and out. I know the M3 finally has the motor that it lacked in the previous versions, but.... it bored me, and that is tough for me to say since I have been driving M3s for 14 years (Am I getting old now?). Instead of an '01 996, I saved a few bucks on a '99 and kept my E36 M3 to drive to work everyday.

I vote for the 996; lots of style and performance, you will not be bored, and you will stop wishing you had one.

Benjamin Choi

This is all very recent for me... so I got to tool around in my cousin's M3 (the one I'm looking to buy) and the aero 2001 911 on a sunny seattle weekend (just yesterday).

I kinda felt slightly underwhelmed in the 996. It looked good. It sounded good. The interior even with full leather left me kinda all right. It was low miles so the interior was in great shape.

The M3 def felt newer and it is, but with only 8K miles fewer than the 911 that is 3 years older. the chassis felt solid overall, but still not a 911. neither were nearly as raw as my Comptech SCed/Fikse S2000 which is now going thru inspection on a for sale. both had more torque, but in VTEC the S2000 just sounds like a motorcycle and screams to 9K. top down adds a lot too, but i'm ready to move on. so the 911 and M3 both felt heavy.

The M3 has got that bulldog stance ESPECIALLY when lowered on deep dish 19s. The Porsche is nice and lithe. more organic, less aggressive look. lean.

I'd lower both on 19" HREs on PSS9s right away.

TOUGH choice man!

10 GT3

I would actually recommend going a different direction, giving up the aero and adding a few more dollars to move up to an 02' Carrera. Much better performance than the M3. Get one certified and you won't have to worry about any initial issues. I wouldn't fixate on an aero car. You could always update a car instead since several manufacturers make urethane and fiberglass versions of the bodywork. Unless you are looking for downforce at the track, it is really styling and added weight. You should be able to easily find a low mileage 00' for under $40K.

The M3 is an interesting proposition, depending on how long you plan to own it. If you don't plan on owning it very long, go for it. Otherwise, I would walk away from it. New M3 buyers are getting harder for dealers to find. Ask your dealer on how long they are now stocking them and what kind of discount they are taking off new. It is a fairly saturated market and a lot of buyers are going to wait knowing the new V8 model is only a year away. With the new model, resale is going to plummet as it did with the E36 when the E46 came out. You may have noticed prices are already starting to fall. To make it even worse, the new 335i Twin Turbo coupe is going to have close to the same performance for a $10K+ lower price and easily meet your target price range. Waiting for the 335i would probably be a better option if you are looking to go the Bimmer route. Buying an older 996' will certainly have a much better resale in the long run.