E46 M3 vs Porsche 968

[Motorsport3]

I m wondering how the 968 compares to the M3. The Porsche is older tech surely but probably a more focused sports car?
Anyone had a chance to own/drive both?

[Gruber]

In my view, the 968 is the sweeter handling car (although the M3 is better for tail out lairy shenanigans), but the M3 has the better engine. I found the Porsche 4-pot to be a bit dull in comparison to the M3's straight six screamer.

Both excellent, but in different ways.

[Helicopter123]

944/968 one of the best handling chasis ever made by Porsche.

A good 968 also likely to be a shrewd investment.

[evojam]

Porsche 968 all day long for me,see a nice one on the road,which is a rarity these days and it always makes me smile.E46 M3's just don't have the same effect!

[dadofbud]

Having had both, the E46 M3 is the force to be reckoned with of the two, 968 may better driving position, better brakes (no contest with the M3) , better handling, but in no way can it match the best engine that BMW ever made

[Motorsport3]

dadofbud said:

Having had both, the E46 M3 is the force to be reckoned with of the two, 968 may better driving position, better brakes (no contest with the M3) , better handling, but in no way can it match the best engine that BMW ever made

That's what i was thinking as well. That engine is such a piece of kit that I couldn't consider moving to a 4 pot an upgrade. The comment on brakes is broadly recognised as well but aftermarket solutions are out there to improve it. So difficult to justify changing....

[MOTK]

I've had the CS version of both and 98% of the time I'd agree that the M3 was the better car mostly to do with the engine difference. There were however a few moments I had with the 968 where I felt a feeling I never managed with the M3 even after extensively modifying it, totally in tune with the car and taking liberties I wouldn't have done with the m3, incredibly exhilarating machine. Plus it always felt you were going faster than you actually were which can only be a good thing these days in many ways.
It's not impossible at all to drop an LS2/3 crate into a 968... an itch I'd love to scratch one day.

Edited by MOTK on Sunday 31st May 22:31

[dadofbud]

MOTK said:

I've had the CS version of both and 98% of the time I'd agree that the M3 was the better car mostly to do with the engine difference. There were however a few moments I had with the 968 where I felt a feeling I never managed with the M3 even after extensively modifying it, totally in tune with the car and taking liberties I wouldn't have done with the m3, incredibly exhilarating machine. Plus it always felt you were going faster than you actually were which can only be a good thing these days in many ways.
It's not impossible at all to drop an LS2/3 crate into a 968... an itch I'd love to scratch one day.

Edited by MOTK on Sunday 31st May 22:31

I think the driving position in the 968 helps to give a more sporty drive, and as you have said the Club Sport 968 is a real charm and becoming quite rare with a related price tag to match.

If they can put a an LS lump into a T350 I'm sure they could get one into the 986, might be too heavy though?

[MOTK]

Almost unbelievably it's about 10kg lighter than a 968 lump.

[dadofbud]

MOTK said:

Almost unbelievably it's about 10kg lighter than a 968 lump.

That's amazing, okay that's one for the lottery bucket list, buy a mint 968Cs and a factory new LS motor for install, would the Porsche transmission tunnel take a T5 gear box ?

[MOTK]

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

[Crackie]

I swapped from a late ( H reg ) MO30 944 turbo to a E36 M3 EVO saloon when my son was born. A 944/968 with an S50B32 would be pretty special too; identical max torque wouldn't overwhelm the chassis, a much bigger power band to play with and the noise............

[Kawasicki]

one is a great sports car with a nice 4 cyl engine, the other a nice sporty coupe with a great 6 cyl engine.

fairly different.