I'm struggling.... Boxster S / Impreza STI / E46 M3?
Discussion
TheAngryDog said:
Alot of the jobs on the M3 can be done yourself. Its just the parts that can be expensive. Rear discs are £237 a pair, fronts are around £300 a pair.
Yeah my previous E46 was fairly easy to work on. I replaced the RTABs, the FCABs and the lower arms, springs, shocks, top mounts, steering rack ends, track rods etc. Running Brembos on the Impreza so the discs and pads on that can be a little bit costly.
I'll have to find out the dos and don'ts for the M3 with things like upgrading the anti roll bars and that sort of thing.
I had an M3 and Boxster S at the same time.
Also just sold a 280 bhp WRX, though not an STI.
The Boxster is smooth, feels planted but not fast, in fact it feels slow compared to the M3, and is.
The traction is pretty poor too in the wet, where as the M3 has a LSD, and feels better.
Subaru party piece is its grip, the noise and the ability to press on easily.
They are all different, and have their own trump cards.
Sorry I can't help
mikerons88 said:
Understand the newer model Porsches Boxster's have a bit more power?
Yes, but they still aren't "power" cars they are "chassis" cars.If you want to go fast in a straight line you'll need a V8 or a turbo. Mind you, if you forget the figures and focus on driving then Boxster is a very quick car. But you need to use the revs to make 'em fly!
My neighbour and I both had 996 911s (I had a 3.4 C4, he has a 3.6 C4S) and we both had S54 powered BMWs (him M3, me Z4) - we both reckon the beemer is noticeably quicker in a straight line.
You're not going to lose with either an M3 or a Boxster. But the Boxster will definitely not feel quick.
You're not going to lose with either an M3 or a Boxster. But the Boxster will definitely not feel quick.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes, but they still aren't "power" cars they are "chassis" cars.
If you want to go fast in a straight line you'll need a V8 or a turbo. Mind you, if you forget the figures and focus on driving then Boxster is a very quick car. But you need to use the revs to make 'em fly!
Nope. Supercharged VX or Honda Elise is plenty.If you want to go fast in a straight line you'll need a V8 or a turbo. Mind you, if you forget the figures and focus on driving then Boxster is a very quick car. But you need to use the revs to make 'em fly!
mikerons88 said:
Understand the newer model Porsches Boxster's have a bit more power?
The 987 Boxster s came with 280 originally, so only 16 bhp more than mine.Later 3.4 engines got 295 bhp, still 48 bhp shy of an M3.
Thrashing an M3, and you just knew you were pressing on. They loved to rev.
The Boxster would feel fast until you stepped into the M3.
Still, the driving experience of driving a mid engine Porsche puts a smile on your face without being the fastest road car. Still not a lot bgets close.
Had a fantastic day out yesterday in the Yorkshire Dales with the Impreza and its winter tyres!
The Mrs has said that we should keep the Subaru.... and sell the SLK and the MR2 instead.
So we'll run the Impreza and an M3. Win-win! Might not be an STi but will go nicely alongside the BMW when we get one.
The Mrs has said that we should keep the Subaru.... and sell the SLK and the MR2 instead.
So we'll run the Impreza and an M3. Win-win! Might not be an STi but will go nicely alongside the BMW when we get one.
Had a 2005 WRX, went from that to an MX5 at the time. So the power thing isn't as important to me as it might be to you. But the balance difference was night and day, made more apparent by the fact that the MX5 was all about maintaining as much speed as possible through the bends and the Scoob was about the thrust between them. The MX5 has a delicacy to it's balance that allows you to play with this. The Scoob just isn't delicate at all. It's a big hammer.
I've got a Cayman currently and have driven pretty much all the versions including the Boxster and S. It is somewhere in-between the above. You've got a sonorous and reasonably pokey engine, but it doesn't feel as fast as a scoob. It doesn't have that turbo push in the back and you have to work it to make it go. This might be a sticking point for you if you like the thrust. But it has that balance also, something the scoobs lack. You have to work harder in them, and I find this more rewarding.
I also totally get what you're saying about BMWs. I don't know what it is entirely. I think it might be because they're just too refined. But I found them a bit dull. Even the M3. It's effortless, and fast, but not as exciting as a Scoob.
I've got a Cayman currently and have driven pretty much all the versions including the Boxster and S. It is somewhere in-between the above. You've got a sonorous and reasonably pokey engine, but it doesn't feel as fast as a scoob. It doesn't have that turbo push in the back and you have to work it to make it go. This might be a sticking point for you if you like the thrust. But it has that balance also, something the scoobs lack. You have to work harder in them, and I find this more rewarding.
I also totally get what you're saying about BMWs. I don't know what it is entirely. I think it might be because they're just too refined. But I found them a bit dull. Even the M3. It's effortless, and fast, but not as exciting as a Scoob.
nottyash said:
I had an M3 and Boxster S at the same time.
Also just sold a 280 bhp WRX, though not an STI.
The Boxster is smooth, feels planted but not fast, in fact it feels slow compared to the M3, and is.
The traction is pretty poor too in the wet, where as the M3 has a LSD, and feels better.
Subaru party piece is its grip, the noise and the ability to press on easily.
They are all different, and have their own trump cards.
Sorry I can't help
TroubledSoul said:
Had a fantastic day out yesterday in the Yorkshire Dales with the Impreza and its winter tyres!
The Mrs has said that we should keep the Subaru.... and sell the SLK and the MR2 instead.
So we'll run the Impreza and an M3. Win-win! Might not be an STi but will go nicely alongside the BMW when we get one.
Awesome outcome The Mrs has said that we should keep the Subaru.... and sell the SLK and the MR2 instead.
So we'll run the Impreza and an M3. Win-win! Might not be an STi but will go nicely alongside the BMW when we get one.
mwstewart said:
Your M3 looked good in Imola red and on 18's.
Cheers, yes. not may about.I had a carbon black one before which also had 18s on. I was happy with the ride on them.
Unfortunately I ruined the red one putting Einbach springs on thinking it was for the better after a spring snapped.
Standard is best :-)
I think I may be having a change of heart on the M3. Was all set to go see one at the weekend but I've been reading up on the boot floor/subframe issue and it's put the frighteners on me!
It sounds as though it will likely happen to most E46s at some point simply because it's an inherent design fault. Couple that with the cost to repair as almost all are outside of the ten year goodwill period and it's a big thing to consider.
Facelift 986 Boxster is starting to look very appealing again....
It sounds as though it will likely happen to most E46s at some point simply because it's an inherent design fault. Couple that with the cost to repair as almost all are outside of the ten year goodwill period and it's a big thing to consider.
Facelift 986 Boxster is starting to look very appealing again....
paulmoonraker said:
TroubledSoul said:
Facelift 986 Boxster is starting to look very appealing again....
So you would rather fret about engine failure instead...Neither will be capable of being run on a shoestring. I had a £4k service on a 986S a few years ago when a service combined with a new clutch, RMS repair (whilst the clutch was out it made sense), a new air con compressor, new boots and new discs and pads. The M3 seemed to be similarly prone to throwing up a large bill now and again, albeit both on the whole were reliable day to day.
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