911_993_997

I posted here before asking you guys for your opinion on a couple Porsche listings I've been looking at. I've had my heart set on a 996 for about 3 years now, but I've been having trouble finding the perfect one for me in my budget. I've recently been looking at some M3s, & they are dirt cheap & seem to haul ***, lol. But can anyone tell me how the feel of it compares to a 996? I'm thinking of just going & buying an M3 cash, no financing, no nothing. It'd feel nice on my wallet every month when I have one LESS payment to make. But what I'm scared of is that once I buy it, I'll feel that I "settled" for a GOOD car, when I should've forked over a little more cash for an AMAZING car... Plus, you guys have to admit that besides the actual feel of driving the car, there's a certain feeling you get when people ask you what you drive & you say "a Porsche," it just gives you that added something, it has a certain prestige in the name, haha. Plus another thing that turns me off about the M3, is when I go to a small restaurant & there's about 4 M3's throughout the parking lot. It's almost like any other car... Well, what I would like to hear is a true comparison from people who either own or have driven both cars. Thanks.

rleeq

Wrong forum! And I’m pretty sure most here prefer the 996 over the M3. I’m one.
GL

Tippy

The M3 looks and feels nicer but the 996 feels more like a true sports car that it is.

Benjamin Choi

it depends. i wouldn't get a '99 911 over say an '04+ M3. i would get an '02 996 over any E46 m3.

i find the 996 to be a more sporting gt coupe than the m3 which is flat out a gt coupe.

Chads996

Let me be the first to warn you. The parts for the 996 are cheaper than the E46 M3. Go price the VANOS unit (which will destroy itself). Then go price and aftermarket parts. Owned one for 2 years. Fun car plenty of go, ridiculous prices for parts.

C.

911_993_997

Lol yes, of course everyone is biased. But then if I go to a BMW forum, which I did, then everyone hates Porsche, so I guess it's kind of hard to find a non-biased comparison.


Thanks, that's more of what I wanted to know. I don't care much for cruising comfortably, rather than tearing **** up, lol. I want something that I can whip around the road.


Okay, well to be more specific: My comparison was between an '02+ 996, the later model with more HP & nicer headlights (IMO); & an earlier model (like '01/'02) E46 M3.


Wow, really? I would've thought Porsche parts would be more expensive. That's a plus for Porsche. But hey, since you've owned both cars, could you give me your perspective on both? I mean performance, handling, "whoa" factor (with ladies, lol), & most importantly, the fun factor of the driving experience.

Chaos

M3 is better choice if you only have one car.

jmchris01

Ahhh Yes, the debate continues. Bottom line...different cars, different feel. Front engine vs rear engine. I've owned both, let's just say the e36 M3 was more fun to drive than my 1996 993 (IMHO of course)! Since I went to a 2000 996 (Headers, exhaust, CAI, Plenum)...well there was just no comparison. The E36 M3 had to go (I owned the M3 & the 993, then the M3 & the 996 simultaneously). The Porsche was headers & shoulders above the E36 M3. After driving the 996, I lost my desire to drive the M3.

I have since driven several E46 M3s and they are very nice, significantly more power than the E36, with perhaps not quite as much (just slightly less) fun-factor. The E46 is significantly heavier than the E36... and you can definitely feel the weight!! That being said, I do have the itch to put one in my stable, but it will take second place as a backup to my 996.

My suggestion would be to drive both, then follow you passion... I wouldn’t worry about the name plate or how many there are on the road. Both are well respected German engineered automobiles. I for one am bias towards lighter cars. My 996, at ~2990 lbs is more appealing and nimble than the 4415lb M3, and you can’t beat the looks of the MKI Aero kit.

tooloud10

Careful...you inflated the weight of the M3 by about a thousand lbs.

triode

Having owned both an E46 M3 and an '04 996, the latter is by far the more nimble/involving car, while the former is a super all-'rounder.

My main issues with the M3 were the ridiculous body lean in corners, the overly intrusive stability control and the exhaust rasp; but it's reasonably quick with a nice interior and looks pretty cool with the 19" wheels.

I am done with BMW, as the cars have grown exceedingly heavy; the E46 was 3,500 lbs. and I believe the new one is 3,700-3,800 lbs. - no longer "sports cars" IMO.

Phil G.

I think you mean "WOW" factor. If you, indeed, mean "WHOA" factor, a Prius is the car for you! Great with the ladies, LOL.

speedyjp

Listen to Gregg... If you can have only one car then the M3 may be for you. Can seat 1 more person, large trunk.

I seriously considered an 02+ M3 SMG before I came across my 03 996 Tip. 'To me', the 996 is more sportscar raw, light and tossable vs the heavier more insulated M3. I really hated that SMG clunk when shifting gears but loved that smooth insulated M3 ride. My other car is an Infiniti FX. So I wasn't looking for more passenger/storage capacity nor a smooth ride.

Carrera Mike

Raphael,

If you initialy wanted a porsche, you should get a porsche. If you get an M3 you will regret it everytime you see a porsche on the road.

pissedpuppy

996 kills the beemer in handling, bm is overpriced too (imo)

FLY996

So what's the concensus...can a 996 C2 outrun an E46?