vic32amg

geez moogle 06 m5' - GT3 ? I will take your advice - used car I am looking for and 911 seems to be the only way. the research I think will show the 911 as the correct choice, thanks.

the GT3 would do... my goodness....

triode

I sold my '04 M3 to get into my '04 996. The M is a fantastic, well-balanced car with good power (as long as you keep the revs up), and has a better interior (even than my full leather 40th Anniv. car), but is VERY heavy (almost 3500 pounds) and has waaay too much body roll for my taste. The 911 just feels more alive, has much more feedback through the wheel and better mid-range torque...just a more involving ride.

mjet

Triode, I went from an 03 M3 to an 04 996 and I felt the same..... I wished for more power down low and it was way too fat for my taste.

vic32amg

WOW!! I saw your car pics from your previous threads . absolutley perfect. wheels color etc.. as for looks your car is amazing, best I have seen yet and makes me lean more towards a 911 than ever. of course yours is much newer and rarer than I had planned on looking for but it really reminds me really how exotic a 911 is. Brilliant. can't even compared and M3 to it. what was I thinking... sorry to anyone I disrespected by saying M3 in the same sentence. amazing machine you have there. now i just need to find mine.

thanks for the feedback guys,
Vic

equ

If you do a lot of daily driving and are indeed springing for the 911, I'd say keep the c32 or a 330 or some audi or sth for quiet, everyday crusing. It'll make the 911 feel special. I found that I couldn't live with the 911 as an only car - but then again I'm not married so I didn't have access to my wife's car...

wrljet

And my wife doesn't have access to my 911! :-)

Bill

Moogle

i apologize for my short reponse previously, i had posted about this before

but to summarize my experience with both cars (i had a 996 targa for 6months while i was in london, and have been driving the m3 for a year now)

the M3 is immensely practical, huge trunk, in SMG form, its so nice to drive around, when you hit traffic, its a dream. ergonomics and build quality are what you would expect from BMW - top notch.

a 996 though, has better steering feel, brake response. interior quality and practicality can't compare (not too bad) but, as for the driving experience, the 996 wins hands down every time. all the porsche trademarks are there and make every trip feel very very special.

m3 feels heavy, steering is a bit numb. and the brake feels on/off. but it makes up for it with the wonderful transmission and practicality and comfort.

both are some of the best coupes money can buy...

i adore the m3, its one of my favourite cars 9so well engineered) and I LOVE bmw, but in your situation, definitely go for the 996

im about to trade in my aweful CL55amg for db9 for daily driving. also looking at the m6.

hope this helps you make your decision, ciao

Crazy Canuck

996.

You need it.

Moogle

also: i'm sure "get the 996" reponses are expected, especially on this forum, but especially since many have made the same decision, or have owned/lived with both cars,

its definitely the right decision

on a final note, drive both, the answer should be immediately clear.

Robin 993DX

Funny. I actually use my 996 as my daily driver as I can't live with my 993 as an everyday car. I even use my 996 as my 4 month old baby hauler, with the passenger airbag disabled of course.

I only use the BMW for grocery and Home depot runs.

Baby in her praying position as I punch it in the 996...

nota_troll

Robin. That's beautiful baby.

The motor of the M3 is worth the price of admission.

My M3 is my AIO but I'd sell her in a heartbeat for a 993 or 996 if I got the right money. Everytime I test drive a 911 then get in my M3 I am reminded how much softer the BMW is even though it is the sportiest of the line.

IMO C32s autobox is one of the best.

Robin 993DX

Thanks nota.

I have big plans for her, will get her started with PCA and SCCA events early. As soon as she can walk I will teach her how to use a ratchet, and by first grade she will know how to TIG weld. Basically I picture a tomboy running around in the garage on the weekends with me as my assistant.

The wife is not real happy with my plans, she have been baiting me to get her pregnant again so she can give me a boy.....

SRL

I've been a BMW guy for 22 years. My first car was a '68 2002. I've had M3's, M5's, 540's, etc. I've even been racing BMW's competitively through BMW CCA, NASA, SCCA, and various vintage groups. I had an E46 M3 on order with SMG. Right before the car came in, I started contemplating 996's, as the price for a low-mileage used one was the same, or less, than a new M3.

That's when I came to the following conclusion:

The M3 is a beautiful, powerful, well-balanced machine. Unfortuntately, you can't get away from the fact that it's still based on BMW's entry-level car (in the US); the 3-Series. With the 996, it's the opposite - you're buying the car that all of Porsche's current greatest cars are based upon, barring the Carerra GT.

I still have a 540i 6-Speed for daily use, though.....

grizzy

I have both and use the m3 as my daily driver (10 miles)--but its more practical for a only car and married--great engine above 4k-small back seat trunk and little more stealth
BUT the 911 is in a league of its own--Its an icon--its the mystique-handling, sound, engine its the whole package is refined and perfect everytime.
If I could only have one and need to carry a passenger from time to time and have to commute or travel alot it would be the m3, but im also in the NE maybe in SoCal this might change
Mike

mdrobc1213

Go get them both...that's what I did. Took me about 12 months to do so. Got my 99 996 1st then after driving that as my "toy" got so used to the hp and torque and sportiness of the driving that I traded my daily driver (an all wheel drive 3 series) in for a 2002 e46 M3. Haven't regreted it since as both cars do different things and when I need to pick up the kids and haul folks or luggage or something that the 996 definately doesn't do well...then the M3 is there for me. Both are great cars and fun to drive. So pick up both and have the best of both words...buying either car like someone already said is not a rational decision anyway.

By the way they will be releasing the V8 version of the new e90 M3 next spring so you may want to wait on that to see how it compares or how much prices for current e46 M3's drop. Good luck.