Steven B

I went from an '03 M3 to a 996 (now have a 997) and for me, was night and day. M3's motor was sublime but trans was clunky and brakes feather light. It was difficult to drive smoothly (I'm sure this was just me) - the 996 and my 997's SYSTEMS just work better together. Smooth, predictable, and intuative.

ie: For me, at least, I will never go back.

kosmo

Brakes will be one of the biggest difference. Unless you have the sports pack, the m3's brakes cant touch the 911's. Good luck.

rodsky

Its not just you. I find it much easier to drive the 996 smoothly than the M3. The Porsche 6MT was so much better. The 997 is PDK so quite easy to drive smoothly unless you're in sports plus.

Alan Smithee

Wife and I had a 2002 M3 and 2005 997 (both cars long gone). I think the exterior of both look great (the M3 holding up very well with time, IMO), and I still think the E46 M3's interior is near perfection. The few areas where I found the M3 annoyingly lacking, as they are the drivers' connection to the road (and were exemplary in the E36 M3) - steering, braking, and shifter - are some of the 997's strongest points.

My biggest peeve of the M3 was the intrusive stability control. On the same roads at even higher speeds that the 997 is capable of, it was never an issue.

The 997 feels more like a sports car, as you sit lower, but the M3 has advantages; easier to get in and out of, and much easier to see out of (parking, apexes, etc.). I miss the M3 from time to time, but I do remember the 997 being a revelation when compared to it in 2004...

krysFly

Got both, I can't see how anybody would choose the M3 over 997.
Anybody?

breakdown

Good to hear that the 997 seems to be that big of a step up from the M3! My two biggest complaints with the M3 are the notchy shifter and the mushy brakes. Coming from motorcycles, neither car is going to give me the acceleration that I'm used to but I'd still like a bit more thrust than what the M3 offers.

PorscheDoc

The m3 is no doubt lacking in the brake department. Honestly, it isn't even close to Porsche standard, even with upgraded pads. I find the M3 is a blast around town and on the highway on long trips. It is a touring car though, and not a sports car like a 997. The M feels much heavier. Two completely different cars IMHO.

luv2race

I am going to have to disagree with the majority here. I have owned 3 E46 M3's including one totally modded by Turner Motorsports and IMHO the Carrera S is simply a superior performance car. The E46 is an exceptional car and depending on needs more Practical.

I have driven both on a variety of tracks and in stock form I will give the nod to the Carrera S every time.

Now the comparison is much closer when a non S Carrera is used but you mentioned C2s in the body of your post so I will assume that is the comparison you seek?

I will agree that it's hard to go wrong with either car.

luv2race

Whoops I replied without realizing there was a second page to this thread. Looks like most of us on the second page here are in agreement.

GentlemanRacer

just chiming in with my 2 cents.

Both cars are well made from great companies with great histories.

I recently moved from an M3 (2 reiterations over the last 7 years) to a C4S.

THe biggest differences I find is in the weight of the car as it turns and the steering feel.

BMW steering is assisted somewhat but is great for a sports sedan(no one makes it better).
Porsche sterring is true even telepathic and simply look and the car will go.

It takes a while to get used to that rear weight bias when you have been driving for years knowing exactly when the BMW will step out and how easy it is to control it in the corners. The porsche on the other hand requires me to be more vigilant at the limit.

Both handle exceptionally well during any type or regular street driving and even though no one may admit (its quite subjective anyway) stock BMW M3 is more comfortable around town than a 911.

There is no comparison on the track however as in stock form the 911 was built to be here. If it didn't click on the street you will realize it here.
The M3 will be just as quick, just as great to drive and do fantastic around corners but you may feel that you are just along for the ride, it is that good - just not as involving.

The porsche on the other hand, will try to hurt you if you dont give it the attention it deserves, not that it won't perform like a scalpel, you just have to learn how to handle her.

So there you have it, while both are great cars, you have to decide how you want to experience them.
THe M3 is engineered as the best sporty car for the street that can be come a track star;
the 911 is one of the best Track SPORTSCAR that you can live with on a daily basis.

Hope I don't sway you too much

2011 997.2 C4S
2008 BMW M3
2003 BMW m3

JamesT7

I have owned both and would say a lot of what others have said. The M3 is a good car but it isn't a true sports car. And once you drive a 997 you realize numbers aren't everything and I will say the 911 always feels quicker. I have owned several 911s and every one I have found memories of and loved driving. The M3 is a good car and a car BMW have improved all along but it isn't a 911 and I find I always want to own a 911 no matter what. It is great day to day and at track days. What ever you want it to do it does and just keeps on going. I guess that is why every manufacturer compares their cars to it. It is the sports car standard. Buy one and you will never look back.

All the best

RonCT

Take a look at some of my posts from 2006/2007 (search RonCT and M3). I went from 03M3 to 2007 997S. M3 is an amazing car, 997 even more amazing. Very different characters and for a long time I missed the utility of the M3 (Had 2 cars once I got the 997). M3 is a do-it-all hauler. 4 comfortable seats, big trunk, fold-down seats to haul stuff, etc. Unless you are going to the track, things like brake capacity won't ever come into play. Never regretted changing, but still to this day miss the M3. This after a 964, 997.1 S, 997.2 S (current), 997.1 GT3.