Hurdigurdiman

I wouldn't go one dime above $20,000. Not even if the Queen of England herself once owned it. With 122,000 miles on the clock. BUT BUT BUT the fact that it has aero kit, has heated seats and is a C4 doesn't make any difference to me at all. If it was a cab I would say $25000. Hey if you like it then go for it because you will get all kinds of different prices from us guys.

niart906

It's funny you say that, because I have not actually driven a 996 yet. I have always loved the 996 body since I was young, but I could say the same for the E46 M3. This will be my DD, but I do AutoX pretty frequently during the summer. So I'm looking for a better dual purpose vehicle. I'll have to test drive a 996 and report back.

As for this car in particular, the seller just got back to me and it seems to be really well maintained, and will come with some goodies...

• KW V1 coilovers
• GT3 swaybars (front and rear with adjustable droplinks)
• GT3 lower control arms
• GT3 brake ducts
• X-51 oil pan
• 997 shifter
• Evoms intake
• GMG WC rollbar (rear seats are currently removed but included)

I've always been told within the BMW community that mods do not add to the value of a car. Same rules apply here?

The seller is super knowledgeable, I feel good now having spoken to him. He's a real Porsche nut.

The seller just lowered the price down to 22k, which leads me to believe theres some wiggle room in the price. Although I will know better once I get a good look at it in person. All of the added goodies do make this pretty enticing.

Keep the tips coming guys.

AndyK

How many miles on your M3?

A car that has over 100k will not only need more work, but also be worn more inside - seats get worn more, carpet, leather, steering wheel, etc.

Why not look for a lower mile car??

chsu74

KW V1s are decent but its the cheapest in their lineup.

Mods don't add value. It helps selling the car to the right buyer with similar intentions. Roll bar is a sign that this is a tracked car. Make sure maintenance records reflect a tracked car maintenance and not at street car intervals.

niart906

For reference, my M3...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/102256928@N08/9811500883/http://www.flickr.com/photos/102256928@N08/9811500883/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/102256928@N08/, on Flickr

And the 996 in question...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/102256928@N08/10297952983/http://www.flickr.com/photos/102256928@N08/10297952983/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/102256928@N08/, on Flickr


A little off topic, but how does the C4 drive compared to the rear drive 911's? Lots more understeer or just more available grip? I'm wondering if you can still break the tail loose with the C4. I do enjoy a little controlled slide from time to time.

niart906

My M3 has 179k miles so I'm very familiar with what a higher mileage car will need, and I will be prepared for that. I'm used to paying through the nose for ///M parts so why not make it porsche parts instead? I'm not looking for a minty fresh 911, I simply can't afford one. Plus this is going to be a DD, why buy a perfect one if it's going to see salt/snow/rain/sun etc...

The car has seen some track time, and the maintenance list seems to account for that. Again, I'll know better once I see everything in person and get a PPI done.

AndyK

I would drive that 996 before you fall in love with it. With the modded suspension and roll bar, the car may not be as fun to daily-drive as your M3.

Kalashnikov

You know what is funny kn? I was checking Ebay and craigslist for 2nd set of rims for 996 for possible winter use, and what I found is that people are dumping factory 17"/18" wheels with good tires for $600-$1,000. It is absurd, but it seems like buying a full set of slightly used rims with good tires is much cheaper than buying brand new set of N rated tires. I was mindblown with people selling MY 2011/12 Cayman wheels with almost new tires for $750.

knfeparty

That does look like a nice 996 to be sure, regardless of miles. Good news about the 996 4wd drive system is that it is entirely mechanical, so if you get tired of the extra weight, you can just unbolt the thing and drive the car as a 2wd for a bit. Guys do it to turbos; there's a thread on here somewhere showing a DIY...

I don't think I would want to replace an m3 with that car, though. Can you afford to keep both?

niart906

How long do rear summer tires usually last on these cars? I normally get around 12k-15k out of a set of rears on the ///M. I can't imagine that a 996 could be much worse.

^I wish, maybe if I won the lottery.

You guys aren't helping me make a decision. I'm beginning to rethink selling the ///M.

Cuda911

Looks similar to mine... 2003 C2. Bought it with 101,000 miles. Paid about $21 K, but then did a bunch of preventative maintenance. It was all "optional" PM, but was rather expensive.

Whether or not the mods add value... I think that's BS to say they don't. Of course, they will never add value in the amount that they cost. But, if they are mods you want, then they should add value to the buyer. If they are irrelevant mods, then maybe not so much. That's the thing about mods, they have different value to different people. The point is, use them as a bargaining tool.

I really like the aero kit on the car you are looking at.

knfeparty

The mileage for rear tires won't be much worse, but the price for 285 width tires will be.

I love the 996 but if I could only have one, I would pick even my 325Ci over the 996, even though the 996 is way sportier. I don't think it's worth the premium you'll pay selling the M3 and then getting into a 996.

What I would do if I was you is keep the M3 and get a 944, which is another fun, "cheap" Porsche.

Spokayman

+1 on this suggestion.

There is no better bang for the buck (Porsche-wise) than a 944. I would recommend an '89 or newer, preferably a 944S2.
I started out with 944s (3 of them over a period of years). Even though I now have a 996 Cab and a Cayman, I actually still miss the 944s.

M3BimmerBilly

The 996 is a better cruiser car than dual purpose car. The oiling system on the M96 is crap whereas your M3 already has dual pickup sump and an oil cooler from the factory, big radiator, and a finned differential. Its a nearly a race drivetrain for the street. The M96 with a X51 pan is not even close to one. To try and match it you would need a L&N oil filter kit, 3rd radiator, motorsport AOS, IMS bearing, better pump, and pray your sleeves don't fail, crack, or heads crack.

50/50 balance on the M3 is also way easier to drive at the limit than the 996 on track.

DaveCarrera4

Huh, you seem somewhat biased. Which 996 do you own? I'd argue the AWD of the 996 being looked at by the OP will outperform an M3 on a twisty track, as I've done in my C4S running against BMW's at one of their HPDE club events.