Living with an M3 - better option than Porsche?

Living with an M3 - better option than Porsche?

Author
Discussion

daz05

2,904 posts

194 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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The M3 does feel bigger at first and it takes time to get used to it but, it's a superior car when pushing on in just about every way and with the exhaust mod you get back some of the drama lost over the Z4m. That's my opinion anyway having owned and loved both.


Lord Flasheart

266 posts

109 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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the z4m coupe was farking terrifying! it just always felt like it was going to bite me.....and i spend a lot of time in 2 stroke karts which have a habit of swapping ends without much warning.

dick_dastardly71

171 posts

188 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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I've owned all three and, to be honest, they're all great cars. Had a 997 C2S back in 2005 / 2006 that I parted with when my daughter was born. Since then have had two E92 M3s (manual and DCT - as others have said, you need the DCT). And currently a C63 coupe.

Of these, the C63 is the one that makes me smile more of the time - the noise, the grunt at any engine speed, the ease of accidentally (ahem) getting sideways. There's never a mundane drive in the C63.

The M3 only really felt special if driven hard; beyond what's possible on UK public roads. Pottering about in traffic it simply feels like a 3 series, but without the low down urgency of a 335i or 335d.

But the 911 felt more special and, on the right road it was epic (a week revisiting the North Yorkshire roads of my youth - Malton, Helmsley, Pickering, Whitby, etc - shortly after it was run in will never be forgotten). Unless you need 4 seats, a 997 would be my choice from your shortlist.


80quattro

1,724 posts

194 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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IMHO, go for a 996 Turbo if you don't need the space. Get a good one from a Porsche specialist, and you'll love it. 12k/2 year service intervals for 2004 chassis cars, 4wd for all year daily driver use, plus it will hardly lose anything in depreciation. The same cannot be said for M3's.


SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

233 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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The 996 Turbo is just so dull though. Fast but boring.

If you want the best driving car in your budget (way better than any 911 or M3), that looks fabulous, is reliable, cheap to run and holds its money like no other, you need a.....













Lotus Elise

Technomad

753 posts

162 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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Went through similar decision process a couple of years ago: M3 - powerful, relaxing to drive, felt too much like an ''ordinary" 3-series. 911 C2S (Gen 2): Scalpel to the M3's Sabatier... If you value the learning process and the subtlety of feedback then the 911 is where it's at.

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

182 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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SidewaysSi said:
The 996 Turbo is just so dull though. Fast but boring.

If you want the best driving car in your budget (way better than any 911 or M3), that looks fabulous, is reliable, cheap to run and holds its money like no other, you need a.....


Lotus Elise
Don't think my back could take it as a daily driver TBH, plus need a clear handsfree option etc. Elise probabbly not the easiest to live with. I agree about everything you say about it though.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

233 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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PompeyPaul said:
SidewaysSi said:
The 996 Turbo is just so dull though. Fast but boring.

If you want the best driving car in your budget (way better than any 911 or M3), that looks fabulous, is reliable, cheap to run and holds its money like no other, you need a.....


Lotus Elise
Don't think my back could take it as a daily driver TBH, plus need a clear handsfree option etc. Elise probabbly not the easiest to live with. I agree about everything you say about it though.
In that case, what about an Evora? Should meet your requirements and are a fabulous daily.

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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PompeyPaul said:
Thanks for that. I assume day to day C63 costs not hurrendously more than M3 / XKR or any equivialnt performance vehicle? What was your average MPG out of interest?
It has to be the C63 for me to even though I just sold ours(an Alpina D3) I can't fault it over the Four years we had it great car epic engine running costs were pretty good average fuel consumption over the Four years was 24.1 mpg my brother is averaging 26.3mpg but his running costs have been around £800.00 more for him surprisingly.

PompeyPaul

Original Poster:

519 posts

182 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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SidewaysSi said:
In that case, what about an Evora? Should meet your requirements and are a fabulous daily.
Would be top end for the cheapest ones. Did I also read somewhere that pre-facelift ones have a number of issues?