Anyone ever own a 911 (996) cab and a M3 cab?

I am torn between buying a super low mileage (5000 mile) 2003.5 M3 cab (single owner) and a 2000 911 C4 cab (29 K miles) also single owner. even though the C4 911 has more miles the original owner is selling and the car is in immaculate shape. It is also heavily optioned (original sticker was ~91 k) Both cars are selling at near the same price (low $40s). I've driven both 911s and M3s and give the driving experience edge to the 911 but... The M3 is newer and still has warranty left.

what are you driveing now?Its hard going from a porsche to a bmw.Me porsche all the way.

That is a tough call. Hmmm, when I had a BMW years ago (although it was not a M), I could tell right away that it was not for me. This was coming straight off the sale of a 930 (which I loved, but at the time could not afford to keep up). Man, was I sorry. I love my 996, but I have a buddy who loves his M3 too. The only advice I can give you if you are truly on the fence is - what do you plan to use the car for? If it is a weekend driver only, I would go Porsche. Daily driver with a carseat? BMW. And invest in the warranty for the 996. Don't want to get burned on a motor. Good luck

I love the MR2 (bought it new in '91) has only 56k miles. This is the car I'm replacing. I do want a back seat for my 4 year old daughter (she loves the MR2 but I'd like to take my wife on some trips as well). The car will be a weekend toy with some driving to work (on nice summer days). Either car will do though the M3 would be more practical.

I had an E46 M3 for three years prior to getting my 996. As much as I loved the M3 I can tell you that the Porsche experience has been more enjoyable for me (and my 5 year old loves riding in Daddy's Porsche whenever he can).

How would I do that on a private party sale of a car out of warranty? Look for a 3rd party warranty service?

What was more enjoyable? I guess I found the 911 was a small notch up on the sports car scale (somewhat faster, more tossable, precise steering). Agree?

I went from an 03 M3 to an 04 911. The M3 was very good, but at the end of the day it was too big and too heavy... I'm satisfied with my move up....

I have a m3 cab and a 996 coupe---m3 is a fast car where as the 911 is like riding a cruise missle. Its so precise and such a fine tune instrument--nothing wrong with the m3 as a daily driver but as my weekend car is the 996 is the epitome of a sports car Mike ps. although im considering selling both or either--im too finnicky

If you want a sports car go with a porsche cab.Do some research on the 996 board.I have a 03 cab most fun car I every had.m3 not really a sports car.My 2 cents.

if you want a fast alround car, where you can take you friends/family out in...get groceries and great driving experience get the M3......if you want a real sportscar...that doesn't look like anything else but a Porsche, only 1 friend in the front and 2 (small) kids...up to 12 in the back....don't buy groceries...get the Porsche...I love BMW's but ("mehr freude am fahren" is no "there is no substitute"!!!) Either way you will get a great car.....but better luck when speeding thru a workzone!! in a M3...in a P you will get about 4000 dollars worth of damage!

I may get flamed here, but IMNSHO the M3 is 9/10 of a 911 in all performance aspects plus you get 4 usable seats and better storage (I'm talking coupes here - I know the M3 cab is significantly heavier than the coupe, but don't know how much heavier the 911 cab is). Get the 911 only if you HAVE TO HAVE Porsche....the M3 has factory warranty, more utility. As you might guess from my sig I'm currently driving a 911 only because I want to and it makes me happy. For the $ (bang for buck), however, the M3 is a better overall value IMHO ($50 base/$60k optioned out vs. $70k base/$85-90k optioned out).

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I sold my '04 M3 coupe (much lighter & stiffer than the cab) last year, after only 1 year of driving it, to get my 40th Anny 911. The M was a fantastic all-around car (much easier to drive fast than the 911) but was boring me to tears...the 911 is all about driver involvement & soul. Just the steering feel alone is worth the extra coin, IMO.

To me the decision would hinge on whether or not I needed a useable back seat. If you don't the 996 is a no-brainer.

As funny as it sounds, that is true. I was able drive the M3 at 9/10ths in the twisty mountain roads much easier than the 911 - I'm only at 7/10ths with it so far.

Triode said it right-- m3 is a fast car and goes quick easy the 911 requires more attention-- regarding weight transfer and the like also m3s are a dime a dozen 911 gives you a little more attention when driving by esp with a loud exhaust Mike

Now ask the same question on a BMW board to get both sides... . Point being that people here will be biased toward Porsche because most here have one. P.S. I vote the 911 too!

I've driven both the M3 and M3 cab. Let's just say I was not AT ALL impressed with the M3 Cab. If I did own the M3 Cab I would IMMEDIATELY take it to have a roll bar and any other possible chassis stiffening installed. It's like two totally different cars. Of the 996's I've driven (all but the GT3) I found the Cab the most fun but I'd have to go with the coupes if buying on performance only. I hear the 997 Cab's have some cornering issues with regard to the rear axle that were not present in the 996 Cab. Pendulus cornering and rear axle hop? NEXT. p.s. BMW brakes and steering can not hold a birthday candle to Porsche.

The M3 cab is way heavier than the coupe, while the 996 cab isn't that much heavier. Bottom line, you give up a lot in the M3 for the vert while the 996 vert is close in performance. Just look at the curb weight of the M3 coupe vs M3 vert. It's like 400 lbs or something crazy like that. I'd go 996 vert or M3 coupe.

I need a backseat on occasion for my 4 year old. I figured eather car would do though the M3 would definately be more comfortable

I have already done that! I fully expect a biased answer on either side. Originally I was all set on the M3 then a drove a 911! Damn, had i not done that I wouldn't be in this position

The back seat in a 996 vert is so tiny that your child will probably outgrow it within a couple of years. So if you plan on keeping the car for three or more years, I'd reluctantly go with the M3. BTW I owned an '02 M3 and I really enjoyed the car. It held its value better than any car I've ever owned.

At the risk of getting flamed also, I agree. The M3 is a great all around car, daily driver, fit some adults in the back etc.... Only get a Porsche if you have to have one. That is what I did. I had a M3 Cab, but traded in for a 01 C2 Cab cause I have been dreaming about P cars since I was 10.

I had a M3 Cab a few years ago, I dont think the seat is much bigger than the 911 Cab rear seat.. Got a 9 years old kid, he rides fine in the back seat of the 911... I like the 911 Cab much better.. I have to say, I think the M3 is more reliable... But for me it's not a matter of what is more reliable (if that's the case I will be driving a Toyota Corolla), it's what makes me happy.. And that is the 911 Cab.. Good luck..

I was making a similar choice 2 years ago except I didn't want a cabrio (too many cut tops in my previous car). I ended up with the Porsche 99 C2 coupe but in retrospect the M3 would have been a more practical choice. I really liked the way the M3 drove (again it was a coupe) and I preferred the overall feel of the car to the C4 cabrio they let me test-drive at the dealership. To me the Porsche cab felt claustrophobic and heavy with the top up but again that wasn't what I was in the market for since I don't really like the 'tail heavy' look of the Porsche cabrio. I found the M3 pretty easy to drive fast and the stock seats are much more comfortable and adjustable than anything that comes in a Porsche. Plus you'll get more room and storage all around...plus a warranty (is it the 10 year extended engine thing? That would be terrific.) Between the two particular cars you listed, I'd go with the newer M3 but that's just me.

I like the seats in the Porsche more so than the M3 though the M3's looks more modern. The M3 interior is more quality/newer as well. The M3 cab pulls off the drop top looks much better than the Carrera Cab. I personally find the 911 cab to be pretty ugly looking. But i actually don't like any cab styling based off a car that was designed to orginally be a coupe... save for the upper echelon cars of course

i came from an 01 m3 cab..(.made A LOT of noise......probably the last cab i will buy....although having the top down was great on a nice day) to a gt2. with the m3 convertible...i did have a lot of compliments and a lot of attention. i personally would get the porsche cab.

Right on the money. And as K996 said, the Porsche seats are good whereas the M3 seats are great.

I think it all depends on needs. I'm a BMW kind of guy (hense my logon name) or you can say I'm a German car kind of guy. I own every generation of the ///M3. I also own 2 P-cars ('81 911SC & '05 911 C4S). My E46 ///M3 is a Cab and I love the thing. It's accually has room for several sets of golf club. You can't go wrong with either. If it's a true sports car you're looking for, the Porsche is your car (that's why I bought the C4S). If you are looking for a little more practicality... go BMW. BMW also has a GREAT maintenance program so you can save $$$ on the car and maintenance and gain a little more utility. If you are thinking of attending any driving schools, most do not allow soft tops so keep that in mind as well.

I enjoyed my E36 M, more than my E46 M, but now I enjoy my 996 the most. All have +++ & - - - -..... To each his own.....

Had an E36 M3 cab. Test drove the E46 M3 cab and the 996 cab, as well as the Maserati spyder and the 987 Boxster S. For me, the decision was easy. Took the 996 cab home the same day.