M135i to 996/997?
Discussion
Having read the buying guide on the 996 last week I've been lusting after a 911. As usually happens I started out looking at lowly £10-12k 996, then it went to 996.2 up to £15k, then realised for circa £20k I can get a decent 997.1. Being totally honest I love the looks of the 997, the 996 looks ok but not sure I'd be looking back at it while walking away..
Anyway, I'm currently in an M135i and wondering if anyone has driven both? I find the turbo shove of my current car plenty fast enough for road use, and reasonable on track. I've never driven a carrera but have briefly driven a 996 turbo on track which remains the most powerful car I've driven (sadly out of budget)! I'm concerned the NA 3.6 would feel a little slow at road speeds compared to the low down shove I get the the '1.
I've recently realised that I've become a little numb to fast cars on the road due to having them as dailies, (I had a C1 for a couple of days while my Z4 was in the garage, and when I got back in it, it felt really special. Up until that point I was a bit bored of it and wondered what all the fuss was over the N52 engine
) and such I'm thinking of the Porsche as a second car and getting something cheap to run to work in.
Has anyone owned/driven both and can provide any feedback? It won't be for a few months at least so don't feel comfortable going to traders for test drives with no intention of buying just yet..
Thanks!
Anyway, I'm currently in an M135i and wondering if anyone has driven both? I find the turbo shove of my current car plenty fast enough for road use, and reasonable on track. I've never driven a carrera but have briefly driven a 996 turbo on track which remains the most powerful car I've driven (sadly out of budget)! I'm concerned the NA 3.6 would feel a little slow at road speeds compared to the low down shove I get the the '1.
I've recently realised that I've become a little numb to fast cars on the road due to having them as dailies, (I had a C1 for a couple of days while my Z4 was in the garage, and when I got back in it, it felt really special. Up until that point I was a bit bored of it and wondered what all the fuss was over the N52 engine
) and such I'm thinking of the Porsche as a second car and getting something cheap to run to work in.Has anyone owned/driven both and can provide any feedback? It won't be for a few months at least so don't feel comfortable going to traders for test drives with no intention of buying just yet..
Thanks!
LordHaveMurci said:
I've owned my 996 3.4 for 5yrs now, they are not 'quick' in a straight line, after your 135i it may feel a little lacking.
However, nothing is quite like a 911 when it comes to the twisty bits, you really would have to drive one for an extended test drive to see what you think.
That's what I thought, I'm thinking driving a slow daily (possibly lined up a 1.3cdti corsa However, nothing is quite like a 911 when it comes to the twisty bits, you really would have to drive one for an extended test drive to see what you think.
) will also make me appreciate it rather than driving it on the boring commute.Is it worth going for the 3.6 over the 3.4 in terms of reliability? Or will either be pot luck?
I tend to use my 172 Cup as my daily so the 996 does feel more special when I get to use it.
Think the 3.4 & 3.6 both have known issues, if slightly different ones. Buy a good one, get it inspected & keep a slush fund just in case, you won't regret it
Mine doesn't have PSE, REALLY wish it did so look for one that has it, sounds amazing.
Think the 3.4 & 3.6 both have known issues, if slightly different ones. Buy a good one, get it inspected & keep a slush fund just in case, you won't regret it
Mine doesn't have PSE, REALLY wish it did so look for one that has it, sounds amazing.
LordHaveMurci said:
I tend to use my 172 Cup as my daily so the 996 does feel more special when I get to use it.
Think the 3.4 & 3.6 both have known issues, if slightly different ones. Buy a good one, get it inspected & keep a slush fund just in case, you won't regret it
Mine doesn't have PSE, REALLY wish it did so look for one that has it, sounds amazing.
I'll have to wait til I can get a drive in one then, incidentally I ran a 172 a few years ago and that certainly felt faster on the road than the on paper stats would suggest - most likely down to the low weight of it. Good little car that was..Think the 3.4 & 3.6 both have known issues, if slightly different ones. Buy a good one, get it inspected & keep a slush fund just in case, you won't regret it
Mine doesn't have PSE, REALLY wish it did so look for one that has it, sounds amazing.
Phateuk said:
I'll have to wait til I can get a drive in one then, incidentally I ran a 172 a few years ago and that certainly felt faster on the road than the on paper stats would suggest - most likely down to the low weight of it. Good little car that was..
Had mine for 4yrs now, it's a Cup too so it's pretty nippy. Bought it to hillclimb with but it's such great fun I've also ended up using it as my daily/dog transport & use the 996 for longer drives / hoons.In 5yrs ownership of the 996 I honestly still can't say I've mastered driving it, the only car I've owned I can say that about & that's what I love about it. Don't get me wrong, I can drive it quickly but always feel the car is better than me (which I'm sure it is!). The Clio gets driven at 10/10ths on hillclimbs with no reservations whatsoever, wouldn't be brave enough to try that with the 996.
I ran a 130i for 2 years before my 997.1 S so am reasonably well qualified to comment
The BMW is smooth and quick for sure.
The 911 feels much more of an event to own, sit in, and drive. You've got to grab hold of it to make it feel much quicker than the 130i but, above 4.5k revs it unleashes another level of performance that the BMW doesn't have.
The Porsche feels bigger and less chuckable but the limits feel (I've not experimented with actually finding them) that they are much higher.
Don't be fooled by low purchase prices though....running costs are on another level.
The BMW is smooth and quick for sure.
The 911 feels much more of an event to own, sit in, and drive. You've got to grab hold of it to make it feel much quicker than the 130i but, above 4.5k revs it unleashes another level of performance that the BMW doesn't have.
The Porsche feels bigger and less chuckable but the limits feel (I've not experimented with actually finding them) that they are much higher.
Don't be fooled by low purchase prices though....running costs are on another level.
I have a 997.1 C4S and an M135i.
The BM is 10mph quicker on my "test toad" but as others have said the 997 is much more of an event to drive and own. The 135i is an auto and much better for the kids so always gets the nod for long journeys
The BMW is driven by my wife mostly, but even after 8 months if both are on the drive its a very tough choice... the BM is so much fun and the "lairiest" car I have ever driven. I think that says a great deal about the BMWs abilities, but if one had to go it would be the M135i every day of the week despite the running costs differential.
To sum up - Owning a Porsche is a bucket list item, an M135i is not. Do it !
The BM is 10mph quicker on my "test toad" but as others have said the 997 is much more of an event to drive and own. The 135i is an auto and much better for the kids so always gets the nod for long journeys
The BMW is driven by my wife mostly, but even after 8 months if both are on the drive its a very tough choice... the BM is so much fun and the "lairiest" car I have ever driven. I think that says a great deal about the BMWs abilities, but if one had to go it would be the M135i every day of the week despite the running costs differential.
To sum up - Owning a Porsche is a bucket list item, an M135i is not. Do it !
Edited by Barton on Friday 18th July 17:36
Barton said:
I have a 997.1 C4S and an M135i.
The BM is 10mph quicker on my "test toad" but as others have said the 997 is much more of an event to drive and own. The 135i is an auto and much better for the kids so always gets the nod for long journeys
The BMW is driven by my wife mostly, but even after 8 months if both are on the drive its a very tough choice... the BM is so much fun and the "lairiest" car I have ever driven. I think that says a great deal about the BMWs abilities, but if one had to go it would be the M135i every day of the week despite the running costs differential.
To sum up - Owning a Porsche is a bucket list item, an M135i is not. Do it !
You're very lucky to have both! Sadly its one or the other for me at the moment The BM is 10mph quicker on my "test toad" but as others have said the 997 is much more of an event to drive and own. The 135i is an auto and much better for the kids so always gets the nod for long journeys
The BMW is driven by my wife mostly, but even after 8 months if both are on the drive its a very tough choice... the BM is so much fun and the "lairiest" car I have ever driven. I think that says a great deal about the BMWs abilities, but if one had to go it would be the M135i every day of the week despite the running costs differential.
To sum up - Owning a Porsche is a bucket list item, an M135i is not. Do it !
Edited by Barton on Friday 18th July 17:36
I agree totally about the BM, such a great all rounder, after 5 months I still sit at work looking forward to the drive home. Most cars I've had I'm already picking faults with after this length of ownership but the 1 seems to have most bases covered.What made you pick the c4 over the c2? I've been thinking after the auto bm I'd fancy a manual c2 just for the red balance. I imagine day to day on the road it isn't that noticeable but I like to do the odd track day which sways me towards the rwd Porsche
In the past I have owned a 997.1 C2S and currently own an M135i. 997 was manual but BMW is auto.
The M135i is very quick and brilliant as an every-day car but I don't find it that satisfying to drive. 997 was much better: steering, feedback, brakes and the noise. For a fun car I would definitely take the 997 (although personally I would be looking at air-cooled rather than water-cooled).
The M135i is very quick and brilliant as an every-day car but I don't find it that satisfying to drive. 997 was much better: steering, feedback, brakes and the noise. For a fun car I would definitely take the 997 (although personally I would be looking at air-cooled rather than water-cooled).
Thanks for all the feedback 
It would seem my ideal solution would be the m135i for daily tasks and a 911 for fun. As above I think a turbo would suit me but given my initial budget of £12k is a bit out of range, plus if I end up spending low 20's I'm not sure I could turn down a nice 997 for an older 996 turbo despite the turbo looking amazing.
I'll continue reading up and saving some cash and hopefully report back here the new owner of a 911
It would seem my ideal solution would be the m135i for daily tasks and a 911 for fun. As above I think a turbo would suit me but given my initial budget of £12k is a bit out of range, plus if I end up spending low 20's I'm not sure I could turn down a nice 997 for an older 996 turbo despite the turbo looking amazing.
I'll continue reading up and saving some cash and hopefully report back here the new owner of a 911
Whilst I've got a 996 c4 (daily driver in rural environment), for the money you're looking at, you're in 996 turbo territory.
No engine issues, but higher running costs.
That said, you run the risk of expensive engine repairs with the Carrera 2 or 4 3.4, 3.6 (996&997)
3.8 997.2 is apparently less suspect but other can tell you about that.
In your position, I'd go 996 turbo. Spend a bit more.
Dan
No engine issues, but higher running costs.
That said, you run the risk of expensive engine repairs with the Carrera 2 or 4 3.4, 3.6 (996&997)
3.8 997.2 is apparently less suspect but other can tell you about that.
In your position, I'd go 996 turbo. Spend a bit more.
Dan
I've previously owned a 996 C2 3.6 and also driven an M135i.
The M135i is an absolutely fantastic little car, and the inert steering is the only thing that really lets it down.
I'd think long and hard before swapping what's probably the best and quickest RWD hot hatch on the market for an old 911. Your car is nearly new, and whilst a £20k 911 might seem appealing in the classifieds photographs, the reality is that anything in this price/age bracket is most likely going to feel pretty old and tired in many respects compared to your M135i. There are also a lot of things that you currently take for granted with regard to reliability and maintenance costs.
In terms of a drivers car I preferred my 987 3.4S to my 996. With the budget you have in mind I'd suggest taking a look at a Gen 2 987 Boxster or Cayman. They might well give you the "special" feel you're after, whilst still being new enough and reliable enough to not feel like you're taking a big step back compared to what you're used to.
Gary.
The M135i is an absolutely fantastic little car, and the inert steering is the only thing that really lets it down.
I'd think long and hard before swapping what's probably the best and quickest RWD hot hatch on the market for an old 911. Your car is nearly new, and whilst a £20k 911 might seem appealing in the classifieds photographs, the reality is that anything in this price/age bracket is most likely going to feel pretty old and tired in many respects compared to your M135i. There are also a lot of things that you currently take for granted with regard to reliability and maintenance costs.
In terms of a drivers car I preferred my 987 3.4S to my 996. With the budget you have in mind I'd suggest taking a look at a Gen 2 987 Boxster or Cayman. They might well give you the "special" feel you're after, whilst still being new enough and reliable enough to not feel like you're taking a big step back compared to what you're used to.
Gary.
Good food for thought guys
cslwannabe: I know what you mean, I think the boxter is such great value for what you get, and I could get a lot newer car for the money, but this seems like a heart ruling head situation I'm in and really fancy a 911
DanoS4: The turbo would be my dream car, and as a second car I suspect the running costs would be manageable, how do these fair on track? I know they're blisteringly fast but aren't they 4wd how does this compare dynamically with a c2?
Hedgeman: Yes this is my main concern about getting a 996, they do look pretty dated inside, the 997 less so imo (from pictures) although I haven't been in one. I appreciate it will be pushing 10 years compared to my 6 month old car and as such require ongoing maintenance costs and consumables.
I guess I've got some thinking to do..
cslwannabe: I know what you mean, I think the boxter is such great value for what you get, and I could get a lot newer car for the money, but this seems like a heart ruling head situation I'm in and really fancy a 911
DanoS4: The turbo would be my dream car, and as a second car I suspect the running costs would be manageable, how do these fair on track? I know they're blisteringly fast but aren't they 4wd how does this compare dynamically with a c2?
Hedgeman: Yes this is my main concern about getting a 996, they do look pretty dated inside, the 997 less so imo (from pictures) although I haven't been in one. I appreciate it will be pushing 10 years compared to my 6 month old car and as such require ongoing maintenance costs and consumables.
I guess I've got some thinking to do..
The M135i is nowhere near being faster than a 987.2 S and so, I expect, also not faster than a 997.
It might have more of a low-down shove and so feel quicker (because of the turbo), but if you actually watch the speedo it is quite a lot slower along anything but dead straight roads. I thought it was fast as all hell until I looked down and thought "I'd be carrying a lot more speed through here in my car".
You have to be much higher in the rev range to get the same acceleration in an NA Porsche, but if you want to compare apples to apples, you have to put the Porsche in its power band!
If I had to get from a A to B quickly, I'd take the 987 and keep it above 4,500 revs (which would also sound great from start to finish).
It might have more of a low-down shove and so feel quicker (because of the turbo), but if you actually watch the speedo it is quite a lot slower along anything but dead straight roads. I thought it was fast as all hell until I looked down and thought "I'd be carrying a lot more speed through here in my car".
You have to be much higher in the rev range to get the same acceleration in an NA Porsche, but if you want to compare apples to apples, you have to put the Porsche in its power band!
If I had to get from a A to B quickly, I'd take the 987 and keep it above 4,500 revs (which would also sound great from start to finish).
imo never buy a s
tter as a run about, why spend 80% of your life in a stter.
B: the m135i is not that fast a car any way some people are saying other cars ie 911's and Caymans will be slower but the m135i is about 11 seconds to a ton !! A new Boxster is faster than that !
not that you are buying new but even a 2003 base model 911 does the ton faster !!!
So the quotes given on here are a bit misleading, also fast these days is sub 8 to a ton with the GTR and 911 turbo's doing the ton in the 6's that's twice as fast as a M135i
I see ORD has the same feeling, great minds and all that :-)
tter as a run about, why spend 80% of your life in a stter.B: the m135i is not that fast a car any way some people are saying other cars ie 911's and Caymans will be slower but the m135i is about 11 seconds to a ton !! A new Boxster is faster than that !
not that you are buying new but even a 2003 base model 911 does the ton faster !!!
So the quotes given on here are a bit misleading, also fast these days is sub 8 to a ton with the GTR and 911 turbo's doing the ton in the 6's that's twice as fast as a M135i
I see ORD has the same feeling, great minds and all that :-)
Edited by mrdemon on Monday 21st July 09:39
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