dawgcatching

I was just thinking the other day: man, I miss my old E92 M3. It has been nearly 4 years since I sold her, but what an amazing car. Tons of power, a tight feel (I had the ZCP package), great sound, and best of all, I could put 2 bicycles in the trunk with the seats folded down.

I traded her in for a 991, and the 991 was a huge upgrade, but as I am thinking of looking for a DD that isn't an old Toyota pickup, the E92 M3 has come back on the radar. They are down in the 30's for clean examples. A similar mileage 997.2 would be in the high 40's-low 50's, and I will pass on the 997.1, given some of the bore scoring issues.

Is anyone else in the same boat? My wife has a GT4, so it isn't as if I am saying "no" to Porsche: it is the best car brand in the world. But, as a semi-affordable, sporty DD, what is the consensus, given the price? I like older BMW's, and I could easily get on board with an E46 M3 in the right color and transmission.

It sure is tough to find an E90 manual, however. The E92 seems to be the dominant model.

chuckgm3

My first post here. I've had every M3 (save for the e30) and I loved my e92 more than any other. I put 80k miles on mine in 3 years when it was new in 2008. I have been M3-less for a while and also daily driving my Toyota pickup. I toyed with the idea of getting another e92, but ultimately, I decided on a 997.2. I've always wanted a Porsche but never owned one. Just placed a deposit on one out of state and I fly out tomorrow to hopefully drive it home. Fingers crossed.

I suspect that I'll want to try and keep the 911 for weekends only to keep it special. If you find a low mileage e92 M3, you cannot go wrong when it comes to a practical performance car

Petza914

Totally different cars. The BMW is more Euro muscle car but doesn't have the precision and handling of the 997. No interest from me in a 991 unless it's the Speedster, so I think your 911 opinion is skewed by owning the 991 that you did.

Unfortunately, you don't fully appreciate the 997 platform on a test drive - it really comes with time and experiencing the car in different situations that makes you truly appreciate it.

But if you loved the Bummer, nothing wrong with going with a known entity.

jaycm3

You have had one before so you know what is needed on the maintenance front (Throttle actuators and rod bearing issues) so if you can swing it go for it. For a daily i prefer the 335 due to the mileage and torque. Ive owned 2 an E90/E92 M3 and while i missed the high rev and sound the engine produced the torque wasn't enough (even w an Ess supercharger added). Miss the versatility too.

jimfuerst

I agree...I considered an M3/M4 before buying my 997...but they are too big and too practical, which I did not need. I just need something I could drive more often than my 69S.

TYPE911

I owned a 2011 E92 M3 ZCP, 6 speed manual for about 6 months. Loved the additional space, V8 power, but hated the gas mileage, especially with the small tank. Seemed like every 200 miles I was at the gas station.
Sold it, and upgraded to a 997 TTS. Price I sold my E92 for, was about equal to what I bought my 997 C4S for, so your price comparison is pretty close. I prefer the 911, especially for a daily.

aaks38

Own an 2007 4S and 2011 E90 ZCP. These were both my fav cars when they were initially released. Ive had my 997 for 10 years now and I picked up my M3 a few months ago as prices came down. Both are equally in demand due to performance/dollar value. I enjoy the M3 more as a daily driver but for outright fun, the 911 has the edge. Also the 911 just seems to be built better and the more reliable car. The cars have similar power bands in that they are weak below 3k but afterwards they come on hard. The M3 though really is a lot of performance for the dollar regardless of gas consumption. On similar commutes, the M3 and 911 are within 1mpg of each other. I love old school V8s and well the M3 is really one of the few V8 German cars out there, has a nice v8 growl but not obnoxious like American cars. The M3 in the end is the more well rounded car due to its versatility and a better choice if you have just one car.

Balr14

I don't know the BMW model designations very well, but there is a very nice 2009 335i for sale near me I was thinking of buying for a daily driver. Any thoughts from anyone?

Fined

^^^^

They are cool and can make power but I wouldnt own an N54 powered car unless it was covered by some kind of warranty. If you do it I'd be looking to make sure the turbos and other hardware had already been replaced.





As far as the e92 m3, I seriously considered one as a daily after I decided I should stop daily driving my GTS. I wouldnt replace a 997 or 997.2 with an e92 m3. If I bought the M it would be to complement my 911. I had the 911 as a daily driver for 2 years and it was awesome. My thing with a daily at this point is not only the performance but the size/weight. I ended up getting a Cayman S to daily as opposed to the M car. I just like the smaller and lighter feel even as a car that I dont plan to track. Right now a 1 series or 2 series attracts me more as a daily due to the lower running costs, potential for lighter weight and its smaller size.

dawgcatching

My wife had a 335is (same N54 motor) and it was a powerhouse! Unfortunately, the buyer she sold it too needed a lot of work at 50k miles. She had the transmission replaced under warranty at 34k miles also, and a lot of other little things needed to be done to that car. It was a great car performance-wise, but reliability left a lot to be desired.

My hope-desire is that the M3 is better built, as I don't want a car with a bunch of mechanical issues down the road.

Phinhead34

Agree 100% with this comment. Mine was a great driver until the problems started arising. One thing after another right after 50k miles.

Balr14

This one has 64K miles but a lot of things have been replaced already... but not turbos.

pilfer

I daily a B7 RS4, which I guess is more comparable to an E46 M3. But still an NA 400 plus hp V8 6spd sedan. Like Fined said, it is a complement to my 997 GTS. After owning that car no sports sedan can compete.

motown12

Bair 14 I have a 2008 335i and it's a great car...highly recommended. I had heard some of the same things others have mentioned regarding things starting to go wrong once the car hit 50K. My car has 78K miles and the only issues I have had so far have been minor.

josserman

I sold my E90 as it was DCT (ex-wife needed to drive sometimes - new wife’s a Latina and they know how to drive stick ) MPG sucked. I DD my C2 997.2, parts are much cheaper, its more fun (arguably M would have been equally as fun in a 6speed). They are both very easy to drive, 911 is not as well balanced but thats to be expected. Can’t tell the difference power wise as I don’t really drive WOT ever, but I think the M might have been a bit faster.

Both cars drove great in the snow with snow tires, 911 more planted while m3 more balanced.

I can get 27MPG on long highway trips, almost 10MPG better then I would ever get in E90, around town it’s equal which really disappoints me. Occasionally it sucks not to be able to have 2 adults in the back, but honestly the m3 wasn’t overly comfortable for that either.

I do enjoy a smaller car however so the 911 is better suited. That said I also have a 2500 Suburban so if I needed to lug stuff I could take that.