johnlee

I own a 996 C4S and plan to keep it for the weekends and get a daily driver. I posted a thread on the 996 board asking for recommendations and the BMW M5 kept popping up. My question is this: as the new M5 is faster than my 911, would it significantly diminish the appeal of my 911?

I am posting this query here as well as I'm sure many of you must have confronted this issue.

dstrimbu

Totally different cars. You will love them both, no doubt in my mind...

D.D.

I had a 2006 330 XI, loaded and hated the car.....could not wait to get rid of it. I only had it for 6 months and 5000 miles on it. I traded for the '06 997 C4S and am happy as a pig in $***!! I understand the M series are much different, but it's still a sedan....nothing more.

yemenmocha

It may disappoint you when it comes to straight line acceleration in the Porsche, and in ride comfort, but there's something special about the handling characteristics and overall "personality" of a 911 that cannot be matched.

Go for the M5. I had the brief opportunity to drive one on the track when I did my M3 performance center delivery and it was amazing. Also, you get a free (3-day) M-driving school with a new M5 purchase. They pay for hotel and food as well. What a deal!

M758

Maybe.... It all depends on what you like about the 996.

If you like it because of the way it sounds and the way it handles then no. If like it because you think it is the fastest car on the planet... Well maybe.

I have an E39 BMW 530 sport for a daily driver. Nice car and much more refined than my 88 944 Turbo S, but my Turbo S is simply so much more interesting to drive. As much as I like the BMW it is sedan and will never have the same feel as even an 18 year old front engine Porsche. The BMW is nice, but a little too refined. With the Porsche I just get more road feel, more noise and it just feel much more connected. That is even with 128k miles on the car and weak stock shocks. I am tickled to feel what the car will be like with rebuilt shocks inspite of having the car for almost 10 years.

tocho1

Why not upgrade to a 997 C4S and buy something cheaper/less powerful for daily driver? Especially if you are planning (or you do) to track the car from time to time...

Just a thought...

icon

have you tested the m5?
it' amazing how quick and agile it is for a car that big and heavy.
the brakes are outstanding as well.
for 2007 they are offering manual shift but you would probably have to wait.
or you could get a deal on an smg version now.
i don't think it would diminish your 996 c4s experience.
the porsche will still take it in the twisties!
if you want a very fast four door for your daily driver the m5 is a great one.
just be sure to save up for tires and fuel!

gravedgr

my 911 IS the daily driver

lazlo9

Why get another stick as a daily driver? I have an E500 for days when I know I'm going to be bumper to bumper and don't want back pain from cronic 1st gear driving. I say get a BMW 545 for the daily driver... then there's no way to confuse things and really lets you appreciate the 911.

I still drive the 997 about 6 days a week though. Just love it.

johnlee

Wow. I'm a little surprised by the consensus. I will need to reassess my assumptions. Tocho 1's suggestion is an interesting idea. Perhaps a BMW 3 series plus upgrade the 911 to a 997 S or 997 4S. I wonder, however, how much better the driving experience would be compared with the 996 C4S, especially since I find the 996 C4S's styling quite distinctive.

Alstoy

That's the combo I have-BMW (E90) 3 series & 997. I love both cars, but the Porsche is the one I keep driving more of, for some odd reason. Test drive them all (3, M5, 996, 997) & see what set-up you like. By the way, the new M3 is due out very soon.

B-Line

Hey John,

I really don't see much of a point of owning both a 911 and a M5. There is too much overlapping in terms of "what each car does well."

Having said that, let me offer you another suggestion. Have you test driven the X5 4.8is. I am sure you can get a great deal on them now as the new body style X5 is about to come out. They handle incredibly for a suv. They are very fast and you get the convience of a SAV for when you need to go to home depot or haul the dogs, etc.

I know the M5 is amazing but again, you have your performance car. And you would be surprised just how satisfying the X5 4.8is can be.

B

MHC2S

While I no longer own an M5 ( use to have a '93 M5 many years ago ). I currently own an AMG E55 and a 997S. Even though the AMG is a very fast car, it is so different to the 997. I have to admit the 997 is way more fun to drive than any AMG or M car from BMW, and I have owned 5 M cars in the past!!!!

Eggplant Cab

It's not much of a dilemma. The M5 functions is my family weekend or long trip car. But the 500hp engine is VERY addictive as is the SMG shifter. And it handles very well for such a beast. However, there is no way that the M5 is as fun on a tight windy road.
If you don't want that such a close contest, then just wait for the 535i (the new turbo engine) put a sport package on it and it'll be decent to drive daily and the C4 will feel more sporty when you use it. I bought my mom a 530 and it has grunt and is fun and economical (30mpg highway). Or you could go really boring like us and get a Prius for daily commute. Then you'll really appreciate the noise and sportiness of the C4s. Good luck

RonCT

I think it would dilute the overall experience. My 997S will be my performance car once it arrives and my other car is my utility / winter / poor weather car. I've no ego to stroke, so my 2nd car blends right into the wood work...

Now if the 996 was your "track only" car, I could see it, but if you drive the 996 often, then why have a 4-door high performance car too?

I too like the idea of upgrading 996 to 997 if that interests you and then get something "normal" for every day. A3, A4, A6, Jetta 2.0T or GLI, etc. I don't care for the new offerings by BMW (this from a life member of BMWCCA).