Discussion
My daughter is growing quickly, and will soon be too tall to travel comfortably in my GTS, which I love.
I've seen that the current M3 is now available with a Competition Pack, which seems to be getting decent reviews.
I haven't got on fantastically with previous generation M3's as I found the traction light was on in many situations and conditions, but I do like the look and figures of the current M3 saloon.
Has anyone owned both, and can give a perspective on the differences? I appreciate that the comparison won't be based on the Competition Pack equipped edition but any pov would be welcome, as I won't get a chance to test drive one for a few weeks due to work commitments.
Many thanks.
I've seen that the current M3 is now available with a Competition Pack, which seems to be getting decent reviews.
I haven't got on fantastically with previous generation M3's as I found the traction light was on in many situations and conditions, but I do like the look and figures of the current M3 saloon.
Has anyone owned both, and can give a perspective on the differences? I appreciate that the comparison won't be based on the Competition Pack equipped edition but any pov would be welcome, as I won't get a chance to test drive one for a few weeks due to work commitments.
Many thanks.
crystalmethod said:
No, it's a coupe. She's 13, and can fit in OK, but it's pretty tight for long journeys. She complains about the limited space and the noise, but also doesn't want to change the car. Very helpful.
Same here to be fair, travelled approx 4hrs each way at New Year & she moaned about no legroom but still lobes going out in it! Thankfully we have two other cars as daily drivers so it's less of an issue. Here's my two
The Porsche is a 997.2C4S manual and the M3 is DCT, so there's some obvious differences in how they drive.
M3 : More space (but it is a saloon), lots of toys, faster in a straight line (I think), but the artificial noise can be a bit of a pain.
997 : Faster in the twisties, great (genuine) sound and feels like its made of granite.
I'm using the M3 as a commuter these days, so the 997 doesn't get used as much, so when it does get used it's feels much more "special".
However if I had to keep one it would probably be the M3 (but maybe that's because I have a Cerbera).
The Porsche is a 997.2C4S manual and the M3 is DCT, so there's some obvious differences in how they drive.
M3 : More space (but it is a saloon), lots of toys, faster in a straight line (I think), but the artificial noise can be a bit of a pain.
997 : Faster in the twisties, great (genuine) sound and feels like its made of granite.
I'm using the M3 as a commuter these days, so the 997 doesn't get used as much, so when it does get used it's feels much more "special".
However if I had to keep one it would probably be the M3 (but maybe that's because I have a Cerbera).
I went from a 997 to an m4 cab. I much preferred the 997. The traction control light was on a lot in the m4 but I had an early car and I believe some of the traction issues may have been addressed on newer cars. The m4 was extemely quick but just a little dull if I'm honest, so much so that I sold it pretty quickly. I'm sure the m3 would be a better drive than the cab though .
Many thanks for the perspectives everyone. I'm rubbish at quoting individuals, so...
I love the F10 M5's and have no doubt there'll be some great deals by now given where it is in its lifespan, but I live in central London, so would prefer to have something a bit smaller.
Pottman - nice fleet. My 997 has been near bullet proof re build during the four years I've had it. Is the BMW built down to a noticeably lower quality? I had one in the late 90s and it was built really well, although the paint was terrible!
Molar E - that's exactly what I feared re dull / traction light. Hopefully they have got better. Will have to see on a test drive when the Competition equipped ones start to show up. I'm assuming that'll be in a couple of months.
I love the F10 M5's and have no doubt there'll be some great deals by now given where it is in its lifespan, but I live in central London, so would prefer to have something a bit smaller.
Pottman - nice fleet. My 997 has been near bullet proof re build during the four years I've had it. Is the BMW built down to a noticeably lower quality? I had one in the late 90s and it was built really well, although the paint was terrible!
Molar E - that's exactly what I feared re dull / traction light. Hopefully they have got better. Will have to see on a test drive when the Competition equipped ones start to show up. I'm assuming that'll be in a couple of months.
crystalmethod said:
Many thanks for the perspectives everyone. I'm rubbish at quoting individuals, so...
Pottman - nice fleet. My 997 has been near bullet proof re build during the four years I've had it. Is the BMW built down to a noticeably lower quality? I had one in the late 90s and it was built really well, although the paint was terrible!
Thanks. I've spent a bit on my 997 over my three years of ownership, usual stuff including air condenser and unusual stuff such as a new set of wheels. The M3 is still under warranty so no costs so far, however it feels better built than my E46 and E90. The paint quality, even with my M3 being an individual colour is not as good as a 7 year old Porsche ...Pottman - nice fleet. My 997 has been near bullet proof re build during the four years I've had it. Is the BMW built down to a noticeably lower quality? I had one in the late 90s and it was built really well, although the paint was terrible!
Ultimately they are both great cars, just have different characteristics and it depends what you like.
One final thing - in the M3 most people seem to think it's just a normal 3 series, whereas everyone knows you're driving a 911.
Wills2 said:
I went e92 M3 - 997.2 - e92 M3 and now have an F80 M3, there are benefits to both but as ever in the M3 you have to modulate the throttle and work with the car to get the best out of it, then again that's just like the 911.
I think that's why many people have owned both.
You seem like the only poster to see the positives of having to modulate the throttle. I think the M3's comparative lack of traction over the 911 as a positive thing for sure.I think that's why many people have owned both.
bennyboysvuk said:
Wills2 said:
I went e92 M3 - 997.2 - e92 M3 and now have an F80 M3, there are benefits to both but as ever in the M3 you have to modulate the throttle and work with the car to get the best out of it, then again that's just like the 911.
I think that's why many people have owned both.
You seem like the only poster to see the positives of having to modulate the throttle. I think the M3's comparative lack of traction over the 911 as a positive thing for sure.I think that's why many people have owned both.
I had to quit 20 years of 911 ownership when my young daughter flat out refused to get in the back any more. The M4 is a great all round alternative, its a lot of performance for the money, but the TC light flicker might get old eventually - the one thing a 911 engine stuck out over the rear wheels is good for, is traction.
Have you considered keeping the 911 and getting something cheap and cheerful for when you need to take your daughter somewhere?...it will only be for a few short years before your role as her transport officer becomes redundant.
Have you considered keeping the 911 and getting something cheap and cheerful for when you need to take your daughter somewhere?...it will only be for a few short years before your role as her transport officer becomes redundant.
I looked at buying an M4 about three months ago having owned two M3's previously. I bought an 997 GTS....
The GTS's chassis and steering is night and day better than the M4. M4 might be quicker but it all feels quite artificial and like it's trying too had. Start up the M4 and stand outside and listed to it idling....
The GTS's chassis and steering is night and day better than the M4. M4 might be quicker but it all feels quite artificial and like it's trying too had. Start up the M4 and stand outside and listed to it idling....
Thanks for everyone's feedback and perspective.
The above is what I feared. I know an M3's never going to be as well sorted as a 997 due to their different design priorities, but I'd hoped that they would be relatively close in some respects.
Currently trying to organise a test drive sooner rather than later to find out for myself.
The above is what I feared. I know an M3's never going to be as well sorted as a 997 due to their different design priorities, but I'd hoped that they would be relatively close in some respects.
Currently trying to organise a test drive sooner rather than later to find out for myself.
crystalmethod said:
Thanks for everyone's feedback and perspective.
The above is what I feared. I know an M3's never going to be as well sorted as a 997 due to their different design priorities, but I'd hoped that they would be relatively close in some respects.
Currently trying to organise a test drive sooner rather than later to find out for myself.
Not the same but I'm sure still a great car The above is what I feared. I know an M3's never going to be as well sorted as a 997 due to their different design priorities, but I'd hoped that they would be relatively close in some respects.
Currently trying to organise a test drive sooner rather than later to find out for myself.
Since I moved to my M5 I haven't missed my 997 at all.
I'm now moving to an X5!
Must be getting old!
And right on cue http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-spottedykyw...
Wills2 said:
Not sure I've ever driven a powerful RWD car where you didn't have to modulate the throttle, not sure it's a benefit it's just a fact of driving them.
Maybe not a benefit as such, but another facet/level to accessing the car's potential and thus makes the process/car more engaging/enjoyable to drive.I owned a CSL and Mk1 996 GT3 back to back, I always thought the GT3 faster, in reality there was little in it on the road, the GT3 was more visceral, more of the time, and whilst my initial time behind the wheel of the CSL made me think it lacked traction, the reality of the matter was, it could carry every bit as much corner speed as the GT3, but some modulation of the throttle was required to keep things tidy.
As for the new M3, I thought (Wills2 will know better than me) there were software updates available for the TC ECU on the early cars ?
If all else fails, get the car over to Rossiters (UK Schnitzer dealer) and have a chat with Lorcan, they have a suspension set up that cures all the foibles of the early (pre 2015) ? and non-Competition pack equipped cars. They also have an M4 demo you (and your daughter) can try...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-m4-a...
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