Anyone gone from a 986 S to an e46 M3?

[noumenon]

I love my Boxster S, but like the owner before me, I'm likely to need more seats. Anyone gone from one of these to an e46 M3? Is the SMG a good option, or it it still troublesome?

[LittleBro]

noumenon said:

I love my Boxster S, but like the owner before me, I'm likely to need more seats. Anyone gone from one of these to an e46 M3? Is the SMG a good option, or it it still troublesome?

Hi,

I cant help you with the Boxter-to-M3 comparrison, sorry.

There's lots on here about the SMG. Knock on wood, I've not had any problems with mine (its a marmite option, many hate it but I love it). I think the later the car, the fewer the problems.

[noumenon]

Is there any indication how long a clutch will last with SMG? I'm really tempted as it would make it really easy to drive round London. What's not to like about the box? On paper looks faster than the manual, which means it's pretty quick to change, right?

In my head I'm imagining something that's better than a tiptronic slushbox, but not as good as a DSG. (I have driven a DSG and loved it.) Does that sound about right?

[LC23]

My brother has a 986 S and I have an E46 M3. Having driven both I would say the M3 feels more responsive (as it should with an extra 90 odd bhp) and easier to drive. I personally prefer the M3 (although give me a 987 S and it would be a different story) and only miss the fact that my M3 is not a soft top (I didn't want the convertible however).

I have the SMGII box in mine and it took me a while to get used to it. For driving through the lanes and in town I love having the SMG. I do find it a pain when parking etc. at times as you don't get quite the same control you do with a "proper" manual. You really do need to take one on a test drive to see if you will get on with it. But don't expect to fully appreciate it straight away.

[MPowerMark]

I went from an e46 M3 SMG coupe to a 987 Boxster S over a year ago. The 987 is a better all round car than the 986 S as you would expect but comparing it to the M3 it's a tricky one. If i am honest for pure driving pleasure and speed and feel of power i miss the M3, you feel everyone of those 343 horses in the m3, when SMG was in setting 5 and sport button engaged it was like a wild beast, such aggressive gear changes (slams your head into the headrest, ohh yes!) and handling was pretty good too for a fairly big front engined car. The Porsche however has the prestige, you get more respect in the Porsche, badge snobbery is what it is but it truly exists, women prefer a Porsche too! The Boxster is by no means slow, 0.3 secs slower than the M3 coupe to 60 the 986 model will be more around 0.6 secs slower i think but the boxster is way ahead of the m3 in terms of handling, going around a sweeping b road with the roof down in the boxster is soooo much fun. It's hard to say what car is better as they are very different in many ways but i can say this, if you get a M3 and an SMG one at that you won't be dissapointed! when you plant the accelerater pedal to the floor i garuntee you will have a big smile on your face.
I say go for the M3, you have had the boxster and experianced it for what it can do, try something new! some good bargains to be had with M3's at the moment too.

[noumenon]

I know on paper the m3 is marginally faster. Though I was sort of expecting that the high up power delivery and extra weight would make it feel about the same, or even more blunt, especially the pickup at lower rpm. I think I need to drive one asap!

[jezzaaa]

Not quite the same, but I went from a 986 S to a Z4M Coupe. All the comments above about the submlime handling of the Boxster are true...it's a much more delicate and finely judged car...but the Z4M's power (which is the same engine as the M3 of course) is just hugely grin-worthy. It's not so much the 0-60 time as the power from 50 to whatever that gets me....it pulls and pulls and makes a fantastic growling noise. I love it. Having said that, I try not to buy another car of the same brand twice in a row, and when the Beemer comes up for a change, I will probably be looking at a Boxster again...or maybe if I'm doing well, a 997 Carrera. There was something about the Porsche which just made me very fond of it. And as said, I do miss the soft top.