shoot me!!, sold my 02 996

Hello all: I made a big decision yesterday and sold my 996 for a "used"(3000mi.)2003 M3. This post is twofold. To say goodbye and thanks for the intelligent, meaningful posts, by many, on this discussion board AND to pass on my initial feelings on the M3, compared to the'02 996. I know many people have had a tough time deciding 996 or m3. I hope this helps anyone is contemplating these cars, since they are both "fresh" on my mind. PROS for M3) 1. Much more comfortable to drive far. Long trips in the 996 weren't the most comfortable for me. Seats have many more controls to get the seat"just right". Also, the controls on the car seem to be a little more thought out and more driver friendly. 2. Much more space! Big trunk, big back seat, roomier up front 3. Considering performance and being a respected german sports car, it is a relatively good value. I pocketed $8k on a trade, and got a car thats 1 year newer. 4. A little less conspicuous. Is this good or bad?? You be the judge, but right now for me, less is better. 5. Performance: Damn good! at higher RPM. Took stability control off and tried a 360 in a big truck cul-de-sac and ended up doing almost a 720 before I brought the rpm's back down to grip. 6. The wife loves the M3 and disliked 996. CONS: against M3 1. I already miss the low rpm torque. The 996 definetly feels faster at lower rpms, and about th same at higher rpm's. The 996 first gear launch felt like I was getting fired off an aircraft carrier! A bit of a lag down low on the M3. Higher rpm power on m3 probably levels the playing field on a straight line, but "seat of the pants" feel of 996 is hard to forget! 2. Handling in the curves. 996 is fantastic in a steady, or increasing diameter, curve while accelerating. I felt sucked down to the pavement and could control better in a fast turn. Feels like a race car, even with non-sport suspension. I didn't realize how good the 996 was till I goosed the M3 in some of the same corners I could burn through in the 996. M3 was good, but car body rolled more, felt loooser and wasn't in control of the car as well as the 996. 3. There are so many more BMW's (and M3's) than Porsche 911's on the road. No doubt about it, there is more prestige and exclusivity about 911's than Bmw's. "Heads turn" when a 911 goes past, not the same for most BMW's. Do I miss this part? Yes and No, lower key is good for business right now and I'm not trying to pick-up chicks anymore. Where was this car 4 years ago, when I was single?? 4. 996 is a lighter car by almost 450 lbs. and torque is slightly better in 996. For me, the switch to a more comfortable car with same performance(0-60) is right for me. I'm sure I will miss the 996 and if my past car buy history is any indicator, 1999 1994 Porsche 968 2000 1995 Bmw M3 2001 2002 Porsche 996 2003 2003 BMW m3 ........Stop the madness!!!! I'm sure I will own another in 5-10 years. Cheers and Safe Driving to all, DW

Pilot996...question and observation. What will you call yourself on the BMW Board <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> and based on your previous ownwership record the mathematical trend extension suggests that you will have another Pcar in 1 year, 8 months, 22 days, etc.etc. <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> Best of luck. <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

Point #6 is a con, not a pro, in my book. Let her get her own car... Good luck with it!

Pilot, Seems am about to do the same decision it seems very soon.. say in 5~6months time.. right, Fadz? Your post is defenitely NOT reconforting! Waz

Pilot996. I am currently driving a Boxster S. I am getting rid of it in the next 3 months. I have the option to get a brand new M3 or an used 996. I am trying to do my best to get a 02 996 (3.6lts), but they are way too much expensive. I read your post, and felt down from my seat. I thought that having a 02 or newer 996, any other car (including a M3) will be boring. I am actually considering a 00 Carrera 2 or a 03 M3. Now I have a serious problem. All the M3's that I raced in the past (4 of them) were almost as fast or a little bit faster than my Boxster S. I am thinking on getting a 00 Carrera 2 which is close on weigth to my Boxs but with 50Hp more. That should be a lot faster than a M3, and a 02 Carrera should be quite faster than a 00 Carrera. Please Help! BTW, how much you got for you 02. I don't find anything under 72K, and I don't think you paid 65k for a M3.

NJ-GT, I'm not sure I got what your question is but if your looking for downright performance then a C2 WITH the ROWM030 sport suspension kit is the way to go no matter if its the 3.4l or 3.6l. If you can't make the 3.6l you will still be better off with the 3.4l than an E46-M3 (strickly performance wise) but make sure its with the ROWM030. Just my 2 cents...

pilot i find your decision to be a sad one <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> getting more room is a good reason to get a sedan as a daily driver not an m3--to me an m3 is neither a very comfortable sedan or a good sports car--especially when you consider performance in the twisties <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> to me there is still no substitute <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" /> anyway, good luck! <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" /> i have a feeling you'll be back <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />

!When i took the decision to sell mine a month ago..the next 2 weeks where like a night mare <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> .Then I decided to keep it . Porsche, there's no substitute!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Remember, when you'll be in your M3, you always 'll want to be sit in the next Porsche besides you. Oh and about the look, the M3 is like any other 3 series..Great handling though.. Good luck. just my 0.05 SFR. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Did the "impending doom" of the airline industry have anything to do with your decision???? I may be in the same "parachute".

Hello all: Thanks for the replies. I already miss the 996 a bit, not buyers remorse, but I definitely lost power in 1st gear(low RPM's). I give myself 80% that I'll be back, 100% if I can swing a turbo in a few years. Happy driving, dw PS: hello Stem,with regards to your ?, No I don't pilot planes, but ships. Good luck to you.

Lots of reasons not to like a 911 and the M3 is not a 'bad' replacement. However, if you want all of the things you mentioned you should have gone with an and M5 or a Merc C32 ... both are rockets with some nice room and creature comforts.

Which harbor? Charleston??

Glad you like the new ride. I had the same dilemma and actually did the opposite - got my '01 996 instead of a new M3. I went with the Porsche because there are just too many 3-series out there. Yes, the M3 is much more than a 3-series but IMO the "look" has been played out by the 325Ci and 330Ci. The M3 should get faster as you put more miles on it. BMW engines are notoriously tight out of the factory and the powerband will only get better with age.