140.6er

All:
My first thread but I've been here reading for a while.
My dilemma-to sell my coveted 2006 Interlagos Blue ZCP E46 M3 (26,000 miles) and find a super sound 2006^ 997 C2S. I have been going back and forth for three months now and figured I'd asked you guys for advice.
I've been a 3 series BMW guy my whole life. Started with a 1990 Delphin Blue E30 325i that I drove for 200,000 miles and foolishly sold (God's chariot, the e30, is a true drivers car). Then owed a 2004 e46 330i (meh), a 1995 e36 325i vert (MEH), a 2004 Orient Blue e46 ZHP (interesting but got a bit boring), a 1999 Imola Red e36 M3 vert (still own and love it even though it is an autotragic)) and finally my prize, a 2006 Interlagos Blue 6 speed MT ZCP e46 M3 (IMHO the pinnacle of the M cars) with only 26,000 miles. Significantly, I searched for the ZCP for years before landing my unicorn. I really enjoy spending hours under these cars, working on the engines or detailing. Somewhere over the past 25 years I became an enthusiast.
However, somehow, this BMW idiot got bit by the P-Car bug. Maybe it was seeing and hearing a 993's air cooled engine or the beautiful lines of the 997 or hearing Richard Hammond go on and on about how the Porsche is the only true sports car ever I started doing a lot of research and became more and more interested. Indeed, if I do take this leap of faith, I am focused on the following two models--the 993 or the 997 and leaning toward the 997.
Anyway, what to do?? I do love the incredible S54 M3 engine and most everything about the damn car. I do miss the feeling of attachment to the road and to the car the E30 provided. Certainly the e36 M3 gets me a bit closer. I think that is what I am looking for -- that pure feeling of road feel under my tires and absolute resposiveness. I think that's why I am harkening to the call of the sirens of the vaunted P-Car. Somebody help me...oh anybody interested in a E46 ZCP M3?

P.S. Great forum, I already learned so so much-good and bad-about these incredible machines.

r6elmo

many people make the progression from M3 to P-Car. It sounds like you're ready to take that step. i've owned 2x E30M3, 1xE36M3 and personally never went past that as the M-cars since E36 seemed less raw as time goes on.

if you can land a 993, it's a good 'investment' as it'll likely hold it's value. You can also consider 964s which are increasing in value. There was a time you could get a good driver 964 for 20s-30s, now they've doubled.

I say you make the jump to the 996 GT3 or 997 GT3, sounds like that's your calling if you want rawness and great feel of a p-car.

To edit my comment, you have a low mileage E46 there, it should be worth good $ to the right person as you've pointed out it's the ultimate E46 for those that are hunting for one.

140.6er

Thank you r6,. As I will probably be selling both of my Ms, is the 993 and/or the 997 functional as a quasi daily driver. I will mostly drive it on the weekends as I also have a car provided by my job but like the option to drive it more than on weekends and primarily in the good weather months.

IslandS52

i was also a 25 year BMW fanatic and even President of my BMWCCA Chapter. 8 E30s, including E30 M3, S52 MCoupe, S54 MCoupe, E39 M5.. now have a Cayenne Turbo and a 997.1 X51 and love them both. No more BMWs and no regrets save for the fact that values on the M cars is taking off now.

I do miss the MCoupe tho.

140.6er

Wow, you got me beat, plus an e30 M3. Nice. I guess another question would be 997.1 or 997.2. I've read a number of threads arguing back and forth and am leaning toward the 997.2, if I can keep it under $50,000. My budget really is mid to upper 40s.

Sooner

As someone who has had both a 993 and 997.2, I can tell you the 993 is a much more raw and pure sportscar. That being said, I love my 997 (2009 C4S) As a daily driver, it doesn't get any better. Great mix of luxury and performance. In a perfect world I'd have my 997 daily driver, and a 993 in the garage for the weekends.

If you can have just 1, and need to commute to work, the 997.2 is the way to go imho. Edit: Just saw you have a company car. In that case 993 all the way, though you may be hard pressed to find a really good one in the 40's now.

motopix

I think you are ready for some test drives then narrow it down. Nobody can make that call for you and there are endless discussions/debates about which is better. That's not to blow you off, just saying I think it's best if you do some tests and decide for yourself and compare it to the input you find on this forum.

Better to evaluate your preference w/o bias from the forum first is what I'm trying to say. .1 and .2 both have their fans.

nwGTS

YES

next question

IslandS52

If you don't want the worry and angst of having to read about IMS failures and such go for the 997.2 if you have the budget. Also consider the 996 Turbo at your price point.

otuA

Under $50k puts you in a 997.1 S or maybe 997.2 base, depending on how high mileage you go.

Have you driven either of these cars that you are considering? I was like you, a BMW guy, e30-e46, always flirting with the idea of a Porsche but never serious. That was until I drove one, and my mission became crystal clear: buy one asap. I was about to pull the trigger on an e92 M3 and the C2S changed everything.

The 997 reminds me in many ways of how my e36 felt. Compared to the modern day BMWs, the 911 feels so much more mechanical and engaging. There are a bunch of cliche buzzwords people throw around when describing the 911 but to be honest they are pretty accurate.

So go test drive a bunch. I say a bunch because you're looking at used cars so some examples are going to be way better than others.

Rocco07

I had a 2003 MT E46 M3 for eight years, 3rd BMW. Purchased it new and drove it for almost 60k miles. In that time, I drove just about everything out there in the same price range and could not find anything I liked better, until I drove a 2005 launch edition 997.1. The hunt was on. I ended up getting a 2007 997.1. Had it for about 1.5 years and then got a 2010 997.2. I upgraded for the newer look and better electronics suite.
It seems you have not yet driven a 911 or your mind would be made up. Also, you will have to get used t not being able to detail the engine much as the 911 doesn't provide the same access as the M3 does. But just look at those WIDE rear tires and rear fenders. An M3 is a tuned 3 series whereas a 911 is a sports car from the ground up. No wasted sheet metal. Only what's needed to cover the functional underpinnings from the sloping nose to the rear fenders.
GLWS

chuck911

Let me just pass on what was told to me by a former BMW owner:
It turns out that there is a substitute for the ultimate driving machine.

Alexandrius

Keep M3, get 993. Trade 993 for 997 in future if you don't like it. I don't see 993 prices going anywhere; I want one myself one day.

140.6er

Thank you all for your valuable input. I drove a Porsch a few years ago so really I do need to get out there and start driving them. Yes, most 993s are well into the $60,000 range. There are a few in WestChester County that I will try to drive this weekend. I'm on Long Island, NY so I will also look in the Hamptons.
One other question: is the 993 and the 997 easy to work on? I enjoy wrenching my cars.

gpjli2

Yes sell it. You'll never look back. Really.