996 Turbo disappointment after M3. Am I missing something?

[Onetrackmind]

Hi all,

Couldn't decide to put this in the M Power or 911 forum so it's going in both!

I've recently bought a 996 turbo having previously owned two E46 M3's and still owning an E36 M3 3.0 (which was going to go up for sale soon). I've really enjoyed the three M3's but always fancied a 911 and when a turbo came up at a good price I took the plunge and bought it. I didn't originally want a turbo as I thought I'd be quite happy with a Carrera 2 996. However, the turbo was at a good price and avoided the potential engine troubles that put me off a Carrera. On first impressions with the 996 tt I was in love with the supercar looks and more exotic experience over the M3's but now I'm having second thoughts. I found the M3's great to drive as I loved the way they'd move about under you in the corners and allow you to feel like you could drive close to the limit. By comparison, the 996 tt is much more planted in the corners and somehow doesn't feel as fun. I've no doubt it's quicker than the M3's but I kind of miss the FR layout and 'hooligan' driving experience. Also, the 996tt is a bit quiet compared to screaming straight six of the Beemer.

Should I just give the 996tt more time and fit a performance exhaust or have I just bought the wrong car?if so, I'll get myself back into an E46 M3 soon. I read about 911 owners saying the driving experience takes longer to learn but ultimately being more satisfying but I'm not sure I 'get it' yet.

[Onetrackmind]

Just to clarify, it's not that I was expecting the same driving experience between the two cars. The 996 tt has many strengths, such as, occasion, pure shove, looks, steering feel, brake feel and power, grip etc etc. it's just that I didn't expect it to be SO competent when handling. It's not that I drifted the M3 everywhere, far from it. I suppose I miss being able to steer on the throttle. I'm sure as I learn the car there will learn other characteristics of the handling that I will enjoy. I'll have to work on my 'slow in, fast out'. After all, I still have the old E36 M3 for hooliganism!

[Onetrackmind]

Henry-F said:

The 996 Turbo will be different things to different people. It's quick, particularly so because of the tubo. That shove through the seat as the power delivery gets compressed by the forced induction. But it's also a bit daunting when you get in and drive. Everything happens a bit quicker, you arrive at corners a bit faster and the throttle seems to have a life of its own. One minute you touch it and the car rockets away, another time it does far less. It depends on where you are in the rev range and how much boost pressure you've got.

In the simplest sense a 996 turbo flatters the average driver. You can potter round corners then blast along the straight before making use of those indestructible brakes and taking the next bend. But this is your Dad's car, or in my daughters case her mum's, so you've always got that nagging voice in the back of your head telling you to be careful. It's not like your first car who's throttle was an on off switch and providing you are old enough to have had a rear wheel drive car, something you constantly tried to get the back end to step out at every opportunity. No mean feat in a 1.3 Cortina!

But it is possible to chuck a 996 turbo around. You just have to be able to work all the knobs properly. Not everyone can or indeed wants to and as has been said already you do find yourself moving at faster speeds. The 996 turbo isn't a book you read in a weekend. It takes a while.

Is it the best? One of the best would probably be a beater way of putting it

Henry

Some really helpful insights on the first and third para but you've lost me in the middle!

[Onetrackmind]

Adam B said:

should have gone with plan A + Hartech treatment i reckon

Maybe, except Hartech are 3500 miles away from me. In the UK, this would have made sense.

[Onetrackmind]

OP here. Thought I'd report back with an update now that I've had the 996 Turbo for 15 months. I think it's fair to say that I'm getting along with the car much better. A couple of spirited drives and some time behind the wheel certainly helped reveal the true virtues of the car. I thought that high revving NA engines were what I preferred prior to the 996 turbo but the pace on boost is, as many have said, really addictive. I've come to realise how although it is 4WD the balance is towards the rear and you can feel the car underneath you and use the rear weight to your advantage through corners. The steering feel is undoubtedly better than I've known in any other car. The braking power is pretty good, although I'm told they do struggle eventually on track. I think one of the main attributes of the car that I've come to appreciate is how special it feels to drive. The low seating position and quirkiness of driving a 911 makes it feel an event to be in. I don't consider it a supercar as its a bit too measured for that but it does look rather exotic. The low and wide profile really does set it apart from 'normal' cars.

I'm still tempted by another M3 as my inner hooligan likes RWD, especially at low speeds. Can't help but feel that I would regret it though as the 996 feels so unique in comparison to a fast 3 Series. It also doesn't hurt that they're not depreciating. Currently saving to buy a house but once that is out of the way the plan is to either pick up a cheap E36 M3 or Integra R - if there are any cheap ones left. I really want to do more track days but the thought of stacking the 996 is off putting. Then again I occasionally flirt with the idea of an E92 M3 DCT or 997 PDK as I could drive it every day here in heavily trafficked Dubai.