Living with an M3 - better option than Porsche?
Discussion
Good morning everyone.
I am in the process of deciding on my next car, which I will be lookling to buy in the next 4-6 weeks.
I have pretty much narrowed it down to a C63, an M3 (E90/92) or Porsche 911. I intend to test drive all over the coming weeks. I expect all to be superb on the drive. Only me and the other half, and no need to carry lots of luggage. Will be a daioly driver, for work and wil be doing around 12 miles a year, with 50/50 motorway / town driving. Fun driving will be weekend country roads. Unlikely to track it.
I guess my question is at those of you that have owned both an M3 and 911 as daily. Would I feel that the M3 is less of a "drivers car" and would I regret not going Porsche, or will it bloe me away euqally as a daily and make each day feel a bit special?
I am in the process of deciding on my next car, which I will be lookling to buy in the next 4-6 weeks.
I have pretty much narrowed it down to a C63, an M3 (E90/92) or Porsche 911. I intend to test drive all over the coming weeks. I expect all to be superb on the drive. Only me and the other half, and no need to carry lots of luggage. Will be a daioly driver, for work and wil be doing around 12 miles a year, with 50/50 motorway / town driving. Fun driving will be weekend country roads. Unlikely to track it.
I guess my question is at those of you that have owned both an M3 and 911 as daily. Would I feel that the M3 is less of a "drivers car" and would I regret not going Porsche, or will it bloe me away euqally as a daily and make each day feel a bit special?
Which 911 are you considering?
Whichever one you choose, a 911 will always feel like more of a sports car - it's lower, huge amounts of grip and traction, more feedback, better feel on the pedals, gear shifter, etc. Get one with a PSE or Carnewal exhaust and it will sound great too. But practicality wise they are terrible, I would not entertain one if it was my only car (and I don't have any kids either).
But the only way to find out what's best for you would be to test all of them!
Whichever one you choose, a 911 will always feel like more of a sports car - it's lower, huge amounts of grip and traction, more feedback, better feel on the pedals, gear shifter, etc. Get one with a PSE or Carnewal exhaust and it will sound great too. But practicality wise they are terrible, I would not entertain one if it was my only car (and I don't have any kids either).
But the only way to find out what's best for you would be to test all of them!
One thing I will add is don't underestimate how many miles you might do in the first year. I did 20k in my first year with my first (and only so far) Porsche, I just loved it that much. They really are fantastic cars! My local supermarket was literally a ten minute, two mile drive away and it used to take it me 40 miles of back roads to get there, any excuse for a hoon.
Test them and see how you feel. I have limited experience in the M3s but a Porsche feels special in comparison IMHO.
Also bore scoring issues are largely overstated, like anything on the internet. Nobody buys a car, has 100k trouble free miles and then rants about it on PH.
You could also have a 996 TT within budget I think and that does not share any of the regular 996/997 issues.
Also bore scoring issues are largely overstated, like anything on the internet. Nobody buys a car, has 100k trouble free miles and then rants about it on PH.
You could also have a 996 TT within budget I think and that does not share any of the regular 996/997 issues.
interesting topic...
I am thinking about the very same thing... what the next move from my M3 now is... if say you budget £30k, you could get a 2010 Carrera or an 08/09 Carrera 2S...
I need 4 seats, and dont want the next car to be a step down in straight line performance, which I think boils things down to the Carrera 2S.
Really dont like the styling of the 996 even if you can get a 996T for the price
I am thinking about the very same thing... what the next move from my M3 now is... if say you budget £30k, you could get a 2010 Carrera or an 08/09 Carrera 2S...
I need 4 seats, and dont want the next car to be a step down in straight line performance, which I think boils things down to the Carrera 2S.
Really dont like the styling of the 996 even if you can get a 996T for the price
jayemm89 said:
If you have to carry anything more than young children very occasionally - the 911 won't cut it - the back seats are VERY small.
Would you consider either a Jaguar XKR or perhaps even a DB9? If you're on 996 money then there should be a selection of Jags that fit and they do go well.
Only two of us need to fit in - no kids.Would you consider either a Jaguar XKR or perhaps even a DB9? If you're on 996 money then there should be a selection of Jags that fit and they do go well.
OH has a Jag XF diesel if we need more space or mass distances etc.
Have considered XKR 5.0 and also keen to test one. Think they look amazing and sound fab too. Just need to see how they drive.
jayemm89 said:
If you have to carry anything more than young children very occasionally - the 911 won't cut it - the back seats are VERY small.
Would you consider either a Jaguar XKR or perhaps even a DB9? If you're on 996 money then there should be a selection of Jags that fit and they do go well.
The back seats in an XKR are worse than a 911, if that's an issue....Would you consider either a Jaguar XKR or perhaps even a DB9? If you're on 996 money then there should be a selection of Jags that fit and they do go well.
EDIT: I see it isn't an issue
C63 for me every time... but I am a previous owner.
I've driven the M3 and love it too, but the power delivery is quite peaky for everyday use and the C63's noise is just epic. It's not a one trick pony either and the C63 Coupe that I owned had fantastic steering and feedback. It's not clinical sharp like the M3, but unless you track often that shouldn't be an issue. Also you would have to have VERY deep pockets to track a C63 as it will destroy its consumables!
I've driven the M3 and love it too, but the power delivery is quite peaky for everyday use and the C63's noise is just epic. It's not a one trick pony either and the C63 Coupe that I owned had fantastic steering and feedback. It's not clinical sharp like the M3, but unless you track often that shouldn't be an issue. Also you would have to have VERY deep pockets to track a C63 as it will destroy its consumables!
moffat said:
C63 for me every time... but I am a previous owner.
I've driven the M3 and love it too, but the power delivery is quite peaky for everyday use and the C63's noise is just epic. It's not a one trick pony either and the C63 Coupe that I owned had fantastic steering and feedback. It's not clinical sharp like the M3, but unless you track often that shouldn't be an issue. Also you would have to have VERY deep pockets to track a C63 as it will destroy its consumables!
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?I've driven the M3 and love it too, but the power delivery is quite peaky for everyday use and the C63's noise is just epic. It's not a one trick pony either and the C63 Coupe that I owned had fantastic steering and feedback. It's not clinical sharp like the M3, but unless you track often that shouldn't be an issue. Also you would have to have VERY deep pockets to track a C63 as it will destroy its consumables!
i had the same conundrum recently. i've previously owned 964, 996, e46 M3, e60 m5, and z4m coupe so have an idea what i'm looking at. i've always liked BMWs as they are just beautifully put together and great to drive. the c63 was about £4-5k more expensive than the e92 M3, as was the 997, so i've gone for an e92. its currently in having the OEM exhaust mod, and a set of track wheels (shod with Toyo R888s) will be coming shortly. its comfortable on the motorway and around central london. you really dont need any more power, its just great all around.
the other major concern i had with 911s is the servicing. i've a few mates who have them (997 conv and 996 c4s) and talking about servcing 'suprises' they've had with them is terrifying.
the other major concern i had with 911s is the servicing. i've a few mates who have them (997 conv and 996 c4s) and talking about servcing 'suprises' they've had with them is terrifying.
Lord Flasheart said:
the other major concern i had with 911s is the servicing. i've a few mates who have them (997 conv and 996 c4s) and talking about servcing 'suprises' they've had with them is terrifying.
Just to add a little bit of balance to that, I am sure it is possible to get a nice surprise on a Porsche but an ///M BMW isn't immune either.For reference, I got my 996 C4 a full service plus plugs plus belts plus coolant all in for £700 including VAT at a Porsche main dealer - including a natty Boxster for the day. An Insp II on my Z4 would be closer to a grand at a main dealer. However I believe the E92 is somewhat friendlier for service costs.
My main issue with the E9X M3 is the size of the thing. It felt closer in size (and probably was) to my 6 series rather than my 911s or Z4. They are stunning cars but the roads around me are just a bit too narrow for me to be able to properly enjoy a car that big. My 645 felt like I was constantly threading a needle, the 996/997 and Z4 are all fairly narrow cars by comparison so that made them preferable to me. Pretty sure the E9X would be a better thing to commute on the motorway in though.
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