slow? yes, the 996 carreras are slow lol

the '99-'01 aero kitted 911s are one of my favs and that yellow one is a great example. with that said, the E46 M3 ultimately looks much more aggressive in my eyes because it is a lot wider and looks hunkered down and generally looks newer than the 996 carrera. LEDs, bi-xenon projector headlights, flared out fenders, factory M aero... perfect. interior is superior as well. even with full leather, the 996 interior is plasticky and not nearly as good as the M.

where the 996 aero really kicks M3 booty is in the steering, suspension and sound dept. now i was able to negate the suspension with a set of quality coilovers, but i just can't touch the steering and sound. the 996 n/a 3.4-6 engine sounds like a jet from the rear whereas the M3 is a raw smooth inline 6. i prefer the 911 sound.

and then there's the question of reliability. i'm not fond of the RMS issues and like the solid dependable feeling u get wringing out the S54. i'm also not too fond of the idea that you're getting the lowest grade 911 engine - if 911, i just decided i want the race bred Gt1 series engine found in the Turbos and found 100% in the GT3.

that's my take on this whole thing - i'm still tempted by thoughts of an aerokitted 911, but going to skip over the 996 gen and go for teh 997+... m3 is a stop gap measure

 

Aren't those E46 M3s have mechanical problems all the time?

 

the early '01s and some 02s i think had this rod bearing recall (BMW stepped up and extended warranty coverage on the engine - RMS porsche????). very few engines actually blew up in the first place.

this is the only bad mark. the E46 M3 is a reliable car. i have an '04. no issues whatsoever.

 

No not slow, but not as fast as a 996. The E46 M3 is major league heavy and in stock trim understeers like crazy.

It's a great car on it's own. But driven back to back with a 996, it's 3 series roots shine through.

 

sorry man, the e46 m3 is every bit as fast if not faster than the 996 carrera

it's hair splitting to say it's "slower" in any way shape or form and to suggest making a decision one over the other......... straight up misinformed.

audion19s can surely lend some of his wisdom here

 

Faster than a 996 LOL!! That's a good one!

Take your dreams to the M3 board. At least there you can preach to your "Choir"!!

 

No need to turn this into another 10 page argument over which car is better. They're both outstanding cars in their own right.

I'm sure many many people here looked at the M3 and 996 at the same time. Each will make their own decision based upon personal needs / wants and for them it will be the better car and why not stand behind the car you chose as the better of the two marks.

I drove both when I bought the M3...I needed practicality so the M3 came first...I'm also fortunate enough to now be able to own the 996 that I've always wanted as well. For me there's no clear winner between the two when you look at the entire picture....it's going to be based upon your needs.

In my experience from racing my car vs. my car the M3 wins in the straight line (my car is a 3.4 though so you 3.6ers take that however you will). There's soo little in it anyhow (2 cars to 100mph) that you're really splitting hairs when comparing the two.

On the track is where the 996 shines. Brake feel, steering feel etc when comparing the two the 996 is much more at home on the track and the M3's weight issues really start to show on track. That said my M3 is heavily modified currently and still turns faster laps but there's alot of room for improvement in the nearly stock 996. Suspension goodies and other track mods are planned for the 996 this year and I intend it to make the M3 look silly at the track next season. I will continue to track both though just for the fun of it.

Andy

 

thx audi, now that's some good feedback.

and ray it's cool of you admit you're up on stage hollering at your own boxster, red headed 911 step child 996 carrera audience for whatever that's worth since u are posting on rennlist. cuz y'all are dreaming of thoughts of a legit 911 engine (cough GT1 cough)

 

I have read your post a few times and I must admit that I am not entirely sure what you are trying to say.

As is posted before the M3 is one hell of a sedan, but it's no sports car. It's way too heavy and in stock form it understeers like crazy (IMHO of course). It is simply outclassed by the 996.

Perhaps you should re-read the first post in this thread. Or even better re-read one of your own earlier posts on this very subject (from another thread).

or this post



BTW, perhaps you didn't see my sig, I own both a 986 and a 996...

Now who hid the troll spray, I think this threads been infected.....

 

Well said!

My $0.02 is this: These cars are in different classes. The M3 has 4 seats and a real trunk. I don't know of too many cars that can compete with BMW in this class, so it is my #1. The 996 is basically a 2 seater with limited cargo space. So it is my #1 in this class. The question should not be about which is better. The question should be about who need the extra seating and trunk.

 

Comments from Benjamen from http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...=403456&page=2 when comparing an E46 M3 to a C4S. So, take him w/ a grain-of-salt.

 

Too many comparisons of 996 to E46 M3. Why not search so we don't repeat ourselves?

You should buy what you want. If practicality is important, M3 is an excellent choice. If you need a real sports car, you know what is better. $35k is not a great price for a modded M3 since modification usually doesn't add even 1/2 the price paid. Car should be worth $30-32k at most even in CA where I live.

 

too funny, love it how y'all surround your sandbox to defend

the e46 m3 and the 996 carrera are in the same performance class. you see a dude in an m3 at the track or the canyons or whatever... you best not think you're going to run away from the guy because the E46 m3 "understeers like crazy" . given equal drivers, no one is running away from no one else.

and what have i said that's so outlandish to be called a "troll?" i know and appreciate 996 911s enough to understand its strenghts and weaknesses. the m3 is a gt coupe and the 911 is a sports car (though technically the 911 is a gt coupe as well). both share very similar performance numbers, but go about achieving these things in different ways just as audion19s has so fairly explained.



the e46 m3 is in no way slow and if it is slow, then most if not all things of course being relative in life, so the 996 carrera is a slow car. m3 outclassed? LOL you wish. if anything, the e46 m3 outclasses the 911 carrera so many times over as evident in the major press mags including the reputable evo. check the engine of the year. check everything what serious car people have said including those on forums.

outclassed by a $30-$38K 911? WHAHAHAHA this thread has become yet another example that the loudest p-car owners are those who have their d!cks tied to their car's rear engined hump with a huge chip on their shoulder and understandably so... the 996 carrera is again the ugly step child in the family.

c'mon fellas, there's always bigger, faster, better. 911 carrera i will say again in aerokitted form like audion19s guards red is one of my favs, but having driven both quite a bit, i picked the M3 and am looking forward to getting into a serious 911 (Gt1 styles baby). both the m3 and the 996 carrera are great cars in the same performance class. that's my point and i'm sticking to it.

 

From InternetAutoGuide.com -

'02 M3 specs: 3409 lbs/333 hp/cd 0.32 10.2lbs/hp
'02 996 C2 specs: 2904lbs/320hp/cd 0.30 9.1lbs/hp

Sorry Ben, but you're on crack with your assertion that the e46 is as fast or faster than the same model year 996. Are physics suspended in the world you live in? If so, I

This hard data is also backed up by my real world track experience. The E46 is no match for even my lowly 3.4l 996 and it definitely doesn't have a GT1 derived motor so it obviously is a piece of crap, which isn't saying much for the M3. Also, street driving comparisons are mostly useless, since you can't drive at even 7/10 for any meaningful period of time.

I'm afraid even pixie dust won't overcome a 500lb deficit.

Time to bust out the

Merry Xmas to my fellow sandbox circlers.

 

This thread is worthless.