to buy or not to buy . 996 C2 or E46 M3?

Hey guys I currently drive a C32 amg and looking to get in something a little more sporty. I have been looking at both 996 and E46 M3. Any opinions and comments will be appreciated. Keep in mind practabilty has nothing to do with my decision, (space, gas, etc) I figure for the $$ I can get a fully loaded newer (04-05) M3 or a sightly older (00-02) 996 C 2 - has anyone made this change. pro's and cons etc.. I love both cars and have driven both , more M3's though. I drove a 02 C4S and that was a great car as well but i'm not a fan of AWD. 6 speed only not a fan of tiptronic or whatever. thanks in advance vic32amg

The E46 M3 will feel sportier than your C32, but the 996 has much sharper handling than the E46 IMO. If I were you I'd plan on a day of test drives to see for myself!!!

Don't compare a M3 (a great car) to a 911. A 911 is diferent..... You can read my way of thinking in my homepage

An m3 is an EXCELLENT car if you need one that can also carry some passengers, has a useable trunk, etc and still gives you thrills when you drive it. If you really do not need to make any of these compromises ( as you wrote in your post) then the 911 is a much better choice. My kids we're getting too big to legitimately fit in the back seats of a 911 over the next few years, so I had to get the m3 ( no complaints either, it's a tremendous automobile). But after driving both, the 911 was clearly the better sports car overall.

Porsche = A race car from the drawing board that is street legal BMW = Street sedan with close to race car performance Most of the difference is under the skin, for example on Porsche 911s you will find that all the suspension components are cast aluminum to save weight for better unsprung weight, and on most BMW sports sedans you will find stamp sheet metal welded together. (Not sure if the M3 have better suspension components) It really depends on what you are really concerned about and what you enjoy from a car in order to decide which would be a better fit for you. The best case would be to be able to afford both cars, use the M3 as your daily drive and the 911 for the weekends. So there are the questions that you need to ask yourself: If you answer Yes = the car you should buy, No = The car you shouldn�t buy. Do you really care for features and an ergonomically well designed car? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you like a confident secure feeling when you are pushing the car to the limit? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you want to be different, a black sheep? Yes = 911, No = BMW Do you mind paying higher insurance? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you mind spending more time maintaining your car or under the car? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you mind spending more money on tires and replace them more often? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you care for a high quality interior touch and finish? Yes = BMW, No = 911 Do you want to meet the owners of other cars and talk about the car that you own? Yes = 911, No = BMW Compare the results, then you should be able to determine the car that you really want. I have always told others who have questioned my 911s, that the 911 is not a �real� car. The car is quirky, loud, rides like a cheap small single engine plane. The A/C don�t work well, nothing is ergonomically placed in the cockpit. Tire wear rate is unheard of, parts are expensive, and it cost a bundle to change the oil. Heritage dates back to the good old VW Beetle, just look at the rain gutters. Of course most of the comments above apply to the earlier air cooled 911s, since the 996 the 911 have become more like a �real� car but still retained lots of the original 911 characters. Like the flat engine design, dry sump (hybrid now), good braking power, rear engine. But again don�t expect too much of the comforting features like other high end European cars. Porsche is trying very hard to redesign their original 911 street legal race car to a more user friendly, more comfortable driving environment but is still several years behind others. After all buying a 911 is not a very rational decision if you are just a regular car guy.

Rational is not part of my vocab, I want a car that outperforms on corners and decent straight line. I will say that I agree with Robin that the interior of the porsche is not " as tight " as may cars I have driven, however it did provide enuff to make me enjoy the vehicle. also the sound of the engine is amazing in my opinion. I could care less about getting anyone esle in the car other than myself and maybe my wife. The BMW is ALOT of car to throw around. Also every high school kid in SoCal seems to own a BMW. Does the porsche out perform the M3? I don't think by much. when driving it the Porsche seems like a pig , the stance was aggresive and felt ready to attack. The M3 felt well. Solid but just a little too much like my C32 (I have suspension Modifcations). The C32 AMG was my last shot at being practical, before that I had an Audi TT 225, and I loved that car. I feel like the 996 is what I always wanted to replace the Audi with. I have been hanging around these forums for weeks now and i think the best thing is to get behind the wheel of a low mile 996 for a thorough test drive and then make a final decision. both are great cars. one final note, the 997 911 has got to be the most beautiful car I have ever laid my eyes on. thanks for the feedback. vic

starting from c32(and why u bot it again?), you will be fine with either one. but 911 will put u in heaven. well, if it's not enough, get a cab.

you are right the 997 is absolutely gorgeous...i was in your position, wavering between m3 cab and 996 cab. Finally I realized I would not be complettely satisfied with anything but a 997 S cab..Go For It! You won't regret it!

If you go the 996 route, go for a 2002 or later model - chassis, engine and cosmetic improvements over earlier cars.

thanks for the response guys, Robbonds - As for the cab, I had a miata in the 90's and I can't go topless again. but to each his own. I love the look and feel of hardtop vehicle. and I live in the desert, I think in a cab i might melt into the seat. 120 in the summer. snaproll - as for the cosmetic improvements on the 02 & up , there seems to be a very split idea on which is better. I was reading another thread where some claim the 99' is quicker - weight etc - and that the interior refinments aren't all that impressive. But I will agree that I would enjoy having navi and or a decent sound system. but I could always go after market. Also robbonds, your car is best color - IMHO the slate gray is good as well- wow. I was trying to keep my budget to 40k ( I buy cars from the high line auction) so hopefully i can fine one that suits my budget. My wife is demanding a G wagon if I am buying a car strictly for myself so, she holds the cards unless I choose to get an auto so she can drive it too. that is simply not an option. never. thanks guys.

pl- I bought the C32 because I got married and thought it was the practical thing to do but now that I have been married a while (1 long year) I have decided being practical is not in me. Now I'm stuck with a fairly quick but not very responsive C32 amg - 349hp 4.9sec +/- 0-60 - it's time to change all this. It's a great car and has never given me a single problem. the quality of the interior is amazing ( some people say different about MB) but as an owner it is a very pleasent comfortable luxury interior. Who the hell needs that when all you care about is a motorsports driving experience, so now I am looking to change all that - my original choice for a replacement was the lotus but the wife VETO ended that Idea. thanks Vic

Both great cars! I give the edge to the 911 if you want more sport. If you want more of a sport cruiser go with the M. On long trips or drives I would prefer the M. I also sent you a PM.

very nice yard! sorry nobody can't do topless under 120f G500? all i read on the web are bad stories. i can say, the reason u have this post is you haven't drive a 996 yet. otherwise, u will start a diff. thread just "should i go with 99-01 or 02-04".

all things being same (namely you are looking at USED cars) go with the 911.

moogle, nice collection of cars

geez moogle 06 m5' - GT3 ? I will take your advice - used car I am looking for and 911 seems to be the only way. the research I think will show the 911 as the correct choice, thanks. the GT3 would do... my goodness....

I sold my '04 M3 to get into my '04 996. The M is a fantastic, well-balanced car with good power (as long as you keep the revs up), and has a better interior (even than my full leather 40th Anniv. car), but is VERY heavy (almost 3500 pounds) and has waaay too much body roll for my taste. The 911 just feels more alive, has much more feedback through the wheel and better mid-range torque...just a more involving ride.

Triode, I went from an 03 M3 to an 04 996 and I felt the same..... I wished for more power down low and it was way too fat for my taste.

WOW!! I saw your car pics from your previous threads . absolutley perfect. wheels color etc.. as for looks your car is amazing, best I have seen yet and makes me lean more towards a 911 than ever. of course yours is much newer and rarer than I had planned on looking for but it really reminds me really how exotic a 911 is. Brilliant. can't even compared and M3 to it. what was I thinking... sorry to anyone I disrespected by saying M3 in the same sentence. amazing machine you have there. now i just need to find mine. thanks for the feedback guys, Vic

If you do a lot of daily driving and are indeed springing for the 911, I'd say keep the c32 or a 330 or some audi or sth for quiet, everyday crusing. It'll make the 911 feel special. I found that I couldn't live with the 911 as an only car - but then again I'm not married so I didn't have access to my wife's car...

And my wife doesn't have access to my 911! :-) Bill

i apologize for my short reponse previously, i had posted about this before but to summarize my experience with both cars (i had a 996 targa for 6months while i was in london, and have been driving the m3 for a year now) the M3 is immensely practical, huge trunk, in SMG form, its so nice to drive around, when you hit traffic, its a dream. ergonomics and build quality are what you would expect from BMW - top notch. a 996 though, has better steering feel, brake response. interior quality and practicality can't compare (not too bad) but, as for the driving experience, the 996 wins hands down every time. all the porsche trademarks are there and make every trip feel very very special. m3 feels heavy, steering is a bit numb. and the brake feels on/off. but it makes up for it with the wonderful transmission and practicality and comfort. both are some of the best coupes money can buy... i adore the m3, its one of my favourite cars 9so well engineered) and I LOVE bmw, but in your situation, definitely go for the 996 im about to trade in my aweful CL55amg for db9 for daily driving. also looking at the m6. hope this helps you make your decision, ciao

996. You need it.

also: i'm sure "get the 996" reponses are expected, especially on this forum, but especially since many have made the same decision, or have owned/lived with both cars, its definitely the right decision on a final note, drive both, the answer should be immediately clear.

Funny. I actually use my 996 as my daily driver as I can't live with my 993 as an everyday car. I even use my 996 as my 4 month old baby hauler, with the passenger airbag disabled of course. I only use the BMW for grocery and Home depot runs. Baby in her praying position as I punch it in the 996...

Robin. That's beautiful baby. The motor of the M3 is worth the price of admission. My M3 is my AIO but I'd sell her in a heartbeat for a 993 or 996 if I got the right money. Everytime I test drive a 911 then get in my M3 I am reminded how much softer the BMW is even though it is the sportiest of the line. IMO C32s autobox is one of the best.

Thanks nota. I have big plans for her, will get her started with PCA and SCCA events early. As soon as she can walk I will teach her how to use a ratchet, and by first grade she will know how to TIG weld. Basically I picture a tomboy running around in the garage on the weekends with me as my assistant. The wife is not real happy with my plans, she have been baiting me to get her pregnant again so she can give me a boy.....

I've been a BMW guy for 22 years. My first car was a '68 2002. I've had M3's, M5's, 540's, etc. I've even been racing BMW's competitively through BMW CCA, NASA, SCCA, and various vintage groups. I had an E46 M3 on order with SMG. Right before the car came in, I started contemplating 996's, as the price for a low-mileage used one was the same, or less, than a new M3. That's when I came to the following conclusion: The M3 is a beautiful, powerful, well-balanced machine. Unfortuntately, you can't get away from the fact that it's still based on BMW's entry-level car (in the US); the 3-Series. With the 996, it's the opposite - you're buying the car that all of Porsche's current greatest cars are based upon , barring the Carerra GT. I still have a 540i 6-Speed for daily use, though.....

I have both and use the m3 as my daily driver (10 miles)--but its more practical for a only car and married--great engine above 4k-small back seat trunk and little more stealth BUT the 911 is in a league of its own--Its an icon--its the mystique-handling, sound, engine its the whole package is refined and perfect everytime. If I could only have one and need to carry a passenger from time to time and have to commute or travel alot it would be the m3, but im also in the NE maybe in SoCal this might change Mike

Go get them both...that's what I did. Took me about 12 months to do so. Got my 99 996 1st then after driving that as my "toy" got so used to the hp and torque and sportiness of the driving that I traded my daily driver (an all wheel drive 3 series) in for a 2002 e46 M3. Haven't regreted it since as both cars do different things and when I need to pick up the kids and haul folks or luggage or something that the 996 definately doesn't do well...then the M3 is there for me. Both are great cars and fun to drive. So pick up both and have the best of both words...buying either car like someone already said is not a rational decision anyway. By the way they will be releasing the V8 version of the new e90 M3 next spring so you may want to wait on that to see how it compares or how much prices for current e46 M3's drop. Good luck.

Sorry to barge in your thread guys, but the 911 is not a car that one compares with other cars. any of them. the 911 is a piece of art. the 911 is something you miss when traveling, like you miss the wife and kids. The 911 is something you go and check, over and over again, in the garage, at night, just to look at it, to gaze at it, with a mixture of pride and awe at owning such a piece of art. A 911 is something you anticipatingly laugh about when knowing you're going out on it for a ride. the 911 ( at least the air cooleds ) is something that you look after for the next generation. A 911, a 911...a 911 is a 911. is there any other car like that? Cheers, heading to the garage ......