996 is gone - Hello to M3 Cab

I know I'll probably get some flack for this but I eventually had enough. This is my second 911, although my first 996. Overall it's a super car, but after the purchase on New Years Eve I started to notice oil in expansion tank. The dealer replaced the oil cooler and after returning it twice to have it flushed, they sent it to Porsche for a diagnostic. Yup, it needed a new motor. Well, lucky for me that I noticed it when I did since I didn't buy an extended warranty and it was covered under a standard 30-day all parts and maintenance. Anyway, I had my choice of cars including another 996 (same year '99). I took a drive in a '02 M3 Coupe and a '02 M3 Cab and I decided on the Cab. I'll always love the marquee but I think I'll wait a while and buy a new one down the road when both kids are out of college. Here are a pictures of both:

Picture of the departed 996:

Can't blame someone from flinching when they just avoided paying for an engine replacement! Good luck with the M3. The cab is beautiful. Be forewarned with the S54 engine as it has had several maintenance alerts sent to owner regarding engine failures. I had a 2003.5 M3 Coupe and received a notice from BMW asking me to have it taken to the dealership to fix a potentially fatal manufacturing flaw. Please check that all maintenance items, TSB's, have been address with your M3. Have fun with topless driving

Where is the PIC???

I guess my pictures were too big and couldn't post. I'm going to at least show the departed with the replaced and I know some may say not to bother, but what the heck. In the meantime it's a 2002 E46 M3 Cab (silver/black top), it screams with 333 HP. I love the fact it still has a full factory warranty through next year and they even cover the oil changes. The car only had 14,000 miles on it and I just couldn't resist. It's my first time driving a BMW and why not start with an M3. Anyway, the mod list has already started and just before I had the money to order my Ruf Aero kit and 19" wheels I was going to buy for the 996. Thanks all.

Eary Apex -- I had it checked and it's all up to date. Thanks!

I came close to buying the M3 but I have had this uncontrolled urge to own a 911. The RMS problem is really bothering me though. I know the M had engine problems but BMW has addressed them and extended the warranty to 100,000 miles on the effected years. Just loaded the game GTR...WOW...

gr8330: I'll always be a Porsche fan, however, the "issues" and Porsche not standing behind it became too much for me. I could live with the RMS although after reading 6 months worth of posts I had to think if repeated problems even after several repairs is something that I wanted. What did it for me was the oil in the expansion tank and havng been told by the Porsche dealer I would need a new motor. I was entitled to have a brand new motor according to my warranty but that also meant dishing out additonal cash on my own for incidentals. I struggled over this for about a week (while the dealer who sold it to me no doubt worried I would go with the new motor). Eventually, they refunded all of the money I paid for the car, plus what I put into it (H&R springs, new Yoko AVS, belt), plus split the difference with me over the refund of my car and the selling price of the '02 M3 Cab. Like I said earlier it was my first experience in the car and I had it for 2 days plus the coupe for 1. After it was all said and done I obviously did it. Regrets? Yeah somewhat. I figure I'll own another but would rather buy a newer one under warranty later on. Perhaps a newer generation. In the meantime I'll be lurking between the Porsche boards and the Bimmer boards. Can't wait to race a 996 though.

Will the GTR game work on a PS2?

there is no doubt the m3 is a wonderful car. i absolutely adore mine, its a brillaint all around GT style car, and very usuable. i frequently find myself picking it over the 986S if i am going out on a few errands. you will love the M3, although the cab is a bit heavier than the coupe... anywho, free maintinence on the BMWs should be a plus. did you get 6speed or SMG? i figure your an SMG type. (so am i, its great) heres a pic of mine ( had it for almost a year now - wow, time flies when you're having fun )

I've tried posting pics of my cars but for some reason I'm exceeding the file size used on my digital camera and I've got to figure this out. I haven't taken the time to learn how to use it or post pics but will. Anyway, I had a few options when returning the 996 and I was shown several types of cars including a few other P cars. Anyway, the coupe and the cab were both 6 speeds although I would have loved an SMG. I test drove one last year and got used to it right away. I'm going to schedule a visit to the dealer soon and have it checked for updates. Do you know if the winter tires for the car can go with different sizes f/r? I was told by the BMW dealer to go with 1 size all around. The reason I ask is I had previously purchased a new set of Pirelli Winter 240 Snow Sports 17" with F: 205/50 R17 and R: 255/40 R17. I was hoping to pick up some 17" rims and mount them for winter use. Anyway, when the kids are out of college I thought I'd look at a 997 as a toy or maybe even the next generation 911 given that it'll be quite a few more years since my first is in her second year and my second won't start for another 3. Thanks for the response. I'm anxious to begin with some mods. I've checked out Dinancars and am also planning on 19"s with a little more agressive susupension (maybe level II).

Enjoy your sell-out.

m3forum is a great source of information focused on the M3 their E46 board is HIGHLY active 24/7, truely fast responses -however, you will find many will be useless sarcasm. lots of bickering there too. stay clear of the off topic forum and you should be OK

Thanks Moggle.

I dont know..go to simbin.com

They reimbursed you for your mods?

Bimmerfest.com is a good forum. The M3 and the 996 are definitely different cars and both can be a lot of fun. Good luck with the M, it sure looks good. As for me I'm going to waffle a while longer and see what happens.

Well, not the springs technically. Overall, they compensated me for the tires, belt, towing and repair when one of the cooler lines burst due to immulsification of oil in line behind (l) radiator, and then negotiated the cost of the BMW. Overall it covered the springs too. This was a far better deal for them versus having to shell out the cost of having the Porsche dealer replace the motor.

I think that particular car was a lemon, I'd have dumped it as well,( would have been nothing but trouble), but would have gotten a later model 996 instead.

Next time around, you can join rennlist!!

I'm not bashing Porsche cars because I'm very fond of the marque. However, there are plenty of other problems as with RMS. The problem with my (former) car wasn't that it was a "lemon", this was fairly common with the 3.4L and the one in the Boxster as well. What I don't like about Porsche is not extending their warranty to cover the defect they had in the motor. In that regard I think they suck. BMW on the other hand did have a problem with the M3 motor with a rod bearing which could lead to engine failure, but guess what, over and above the 4-year warranty they extended it to 10 years or 100,000 miles. That's what Porsche should've done! No, not a LEMON, I think it speaks volumes about Porsche. Sorry guys (and gals).

I guess that means that you are no longer gonz911. Your new log in name is now gonzm3. Enjoy your new car..

Does that mean down the road I have to change my SN to redduck997? Nah, i'll just get a gt3.. Funny how both the car and bike are 996's, worked out well.

redduck996- Do you still have the ssk kit? Let me know. Sorry about the hijacking...

sold it to someone in seattle a few months back..

Good Luck...

I had a 2003 M3 Cab before returning to the Porsche family with a 993TT. I had the SMG and frankly missed the manual shifting plus the SMG had a slight hesistation downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear which I found annoying and unsafe. Other M3 guys had the same problem. Otherwise, fun ride. A little heavy around turns but responsive when the go pedal was pushed. If you need a wind screen I still have mine and will make you a good deal. With aftermarket exhaust and SMG, the downshifts sound incredible. I prefer the 996 because of better handling and feel, but M3 is a nice ride. Have fun with it!

M3 attracts ricers and tailgaiters like theres no tommorow in my GT3 people tend to give me more space and move over on the highway...

No doubt, your car looks killer! I had similar experiences with my M3.