breakdown

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone on here has gone from an e46 (2001 - 2006) BMW M3 to a 997 Carrera?

I've had my M3 for about a year now and I'm starting to think more and more about 997s. Before I bought my M3, I wanted a 997 but they were just out of my price bracket and I got the M3 for a great deal. I'll own the M3 outright in a couple more months and I want to see about trading it in for a 2006-2007 C2S.

The M3 is the first car that I've ever owned; before this, I owned pick up trucks and motorcycles. I absolutely love my car but I find myself wanting something a bit more serious and a bit more of a drivers car. I find myself wanting better acceleration, better braking, better handling, more feel etc.

How does the 997 compare to the M3? I'm hoping that it's significantly better in every respect than my current car is.

911Gr8tness

I've driven several E46Ms. Nice examples of them in a 6spd is a real fun drivers car with good comfort.

The 997 will give you the improvements your looking for, but everyone's definition of "significant" means something different for most.

If you get a chance, go drive a few. You'll be the best judge of the differences.

jw1977

I made the exact switch exact my was an 02. THe M3's are great cars, but the 997 is a different beast. The 997 is a real sportscar where the M3 is a fast sedan. The 997 fits a like a glove. Still love the M3's but adore the 997.

yemenmocha

I have both, an 06 M3 and 06 997S, and love both. Horsepower is almost identical, weight is slightly less in the Porsche. Straight line is almost identical. M3 is easier to drive closer to the limits with fewer quirks to learn (rear weight bias of the 911 takes getting used to).

breakdown

Thanks for the replies guys. The heavy rear weight bias is what draws me to the Porsche. I like the idea of a car turning about it's rear end because it's more similar to how a motorcycle handles.

hpowders

I envy you guys who have one of each.

Selo

I drove several E46 M3s back in the day and always left the dealership somewhat deflated - never purchased one. I test drove one 997 and bought a new Cab shortly thereafter. Something about the overall package and the perceived value...the M3 was nice but kind of seemed like, well, a souped up 3 series. While the 997 is decisively its own machine.

mihink

I made the same exact switch. Had a 2005 e46 m3 which I adored..still looks stunning today even though the design is a decade old.

But I have to say...love the 997 even more. whatacar. Do it!

rodsky

I had a 2001 E46M3 for 4 years. Bought it brand new, paid over sticker in 2001. Got the second one at the dealer after their imola red allocation (every dealer got one as their first car). I really liked it but never quite got over Porsches. Bought the 996 X51 with 345hp. It was a big jump up as far as I was concerned. felt like a real sports car vs. A coupe that was trying to be a sports car. I was very happy. Then got my 997.2S and a similar jump up.

I'd say that a 997.1S will be a big improvement. Unless you need space etc, the 997 is a no brainer. Only way I'd go back is for the 4 seats. No other reason i could see to do it. Plus the 997 has the great interior, classy etc.

triode

I made the same progression as rodsky, E46 M3 coupe with stick (which I loved and drove for 3 years as my DD) to 40th Anniversary 996 with 345 HP, which I kept as DD for 4 years until getting my GT3 (I'd also had previous 911s in the '80s and '90s).

The 996 felt significantly quicker (even though only 12 more HP/12 more lb-ft torque, but a few hundred pounds lighter than the BMW); however, the greater difference is in the feeling of connectedness and involvement, sitting lower in a smaller car with better steering feel and brakes; the Porsche is simply more of a driver's car (though the M3 was more practical for people/cargo hauling).

You can't go wrong with a 997, though I'd target an S for greater HP differential from the M3.

yemenmocha

I wish I had the seat of the pants sensitivity that some of you have, describing 12hp difference and about one passenger's weight difference as being significant. With the cars being as close as they are, either BMW gets props for making a "sporty sedan" so darn close, or the alleged benchmark sportscar out there isn't so impressive as a sports car because a sedan is so close behind it, and at a significant discount. I'm not knocking Porsche as my intent here, just saying the M3 deserves more props than it typically gets.

rodsky

Seems like your my twin - except you got a GT3 instead of my C2S! I love the GT3 and agonized on that decision. For now I'm 99% street as I have no time for track. I also had 911's in the late 80's and 90's.

You said it right. The Porsche is lighter and feels more connected to the road. The 911 is darty in a good way and with the light front end, you dont get a better steering feel. Its responsiveness is immediate vs the heavier, sports sedans/coupes.

sidicks

In 2006 I changed from a 2003 E46 M3 (manual) to a 911 C4S (both owned from new).

The M3 was a nice car with a great engine, but I never felt it was a particularly special car - just the top model on a mainstream model.

The Porsche on the other hand cost roughly twice as much, and although the performance isn't such a huge step beyond the M3, to my mind it just feels much more special to drive and own.

Given the numbers involved, althought it seems a strange thing to say, for me I feel that my 911 justifies it's price much more easily than the M3 did.

I'm now waiting for a 991 Turbo (2013-2014), but will be keeping the C4S until then - this will be the longest I've held onto a car for, having previously held on to cars for 3 or 4 years.

There's a good reason for that.....

Sidicks

997sxv

I own both and appreciate them for their differences. Performance is so close I would call it the same although delivered differently. I actually prefer the 997 for longer road trips as it rides smoother and is just as quiet. I also prefer the Porsche sounds. The m3 is what we use when there is a chance we will need more than two seats. It's a great combination of cars.

Selo

Porsche seats are much more comfortable than M3s, imo.