Would I be disappointed?
Discussion
I'm thinking of changing from a 996TT X50 to a new M3 (well, 12 months old).
I've had the 996 for 6 months but just can't gel with it. I've tried, really I have, but it's just not doing it for me.
I've found a lovely Interlagos/black leather M3 for sale (had the 1200 service).
I know it's horses for courses and all that, and I've never had an M3 before but has anyone done the same as I'm thinking of doing?
Did you regret it?
I'm guessing the Porsche would be a tad quicker in all respects but speed nowadays isn't everything, is it?
The car is only going to be for weekend use as we've got a 5 series and pick-up.
Opinions?
I will eventually make my own mind up, but I'm interested to know others.
Ta.
I've had the 996 for 6 months but just can't gel with it. I've tried, really I have, but it's just not doing it for me.
I've found a lovely Interlagos/black leather M3 for sale (had the 1200 service).
I know it's horses for courses and all that, and I've never had an M3 before but has anyone done the same as I'm thinking of doing?
Did you regret it?
I'm guessing the Porsche would be a tad quicker in all respects but speed nowadays isn't everything, is it?
The car is only going to be for weekend use as we've got a 5 series and pick-up.
Opinions?
I will eventually make my own mind up, but I'm interested to know others.
Ta.
baz1985 said:
Zip106 said:
If I were you I'd be looking for one with a Porsche warranty.
I'm afraid I can't give you that.
If its to factory spec, a simple 111 point check + OPC warranty cost, which I'd pay.I'm afraid I can't give you that.
It's been out of the OPC network for some time so it would need a full major service, brakes, a Porsche battery, Porsche wipers, possibly 2 rear tyres and I don't think the washer bottle is filled with Porsche water.
Zip106 said:
baz1985 said:
Zip106 said:
If I were you I'd be looking for one with a Porsche warranty.
I'm afraid I can't give you that.
If its to factory spec, a simple 111 point check + OPC warranty cost, which I'd pay.I'm afraid I can't give you that.
It's been out of the OPC network for some time so it would need a full major service, brakes, a Porsche battery, Porsche wipers, possibly 2 rear tyres and I don't think the washer bottle is filled with Porsche water.
I haven't owned a 996TT but I have driven one round a track a few times and I wasn't massively impressed. It's an easy car to drive but I didn't find it hugely involving - very quick though! I drove my own car (an E92 M3) round a track for the first time yesterday and I was massively impressed with it!
It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
Zip106 said:
derestrictor said:
Are you familiar with the sharp end of vivisection?
Now look, go down and sin no more...
I've mentioned several times of my original dissatisfaction with Beetlespürter back when which in hindsight, seems inconceivable.
I can genuinely understand the process which which might lead you to the conclusion made.
Even so, you deserve feeding to the cat.
J-P said:
I haven't owned a 996TT but I have driven one round a track a few times and I wasn't massively impressed. It's an easy car to drive but I didn't find it hugely involving - very quick though! I drove my own car (an E92 M3) round a track for the first time yesterday and I was massively impressed with it!
It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
Thanks, that's the sort of info I wanted It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
996TT an easy car to drive. I think that's where my problem lies.
I'm not overly bothered about being slower than the Porsche, I'm no boy racer anymore - those days went when I became middle-aged
Derestrictor - as ever -
Edited by Zip106 on Saturday 24th October 18:06
Zip106 said:
J-P said:
I haven't owned a 996TT but I have driven one round a track a few times and I wasn't massively impressed. It's an easy car to drive but I didn't find it hugely involving - very quick though! I drove my own car (an E92 M3) round a track for the first time yesterday and I was massively impressed with it!
It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
Thanks, that's the sort of info I wanted It's an absolutely fantastic car and massively capable - not an especially easy car to drive right out of the box but all the more rewarding for the fact that you have to learn it. You'll find it a bit slower than a 996TT (not much) but you should find the handling more rewarding. Interior is nicer than a 996TT too!
996TT an easy car to drive. I think that's where my problem lies.
I'm not overly bothered about being slower than the Porsche, I'm no boy racer anymore - those days went when I became middle-aged
Derestrictor - as ever -
Edited by Zip106 on Saturday 24th October 18:06
I've had a stock 996 Turbo and also a 996 Turbo S in the past and I've been driving an E92 M3 as my daily driver for the last 18 months.
I have to agree that the M3 is more interesting to drive when pushed hard and it sounds great but it does lack the torque of the Turbos under acceleration, especially with the X50 kit. Like others have already said, I also found the Turbo an easy car to drive and I personally wasn't impressed with the sound of the exhaust but still a great car.
If you aren't bothered about the badge side of things and are willing to push the car hard to get the full experience then the M3 is great fun, a great all rounder and a car you can leave pretty much anywhere. However I would also agree with the others that I don't see the M3 as being a 'weekend' car. I personally wouldn't rush to grab the keys at the weekend to go for a blast. I would want something a little more exotic lurking in the garage.
So IMHO yes, you are likely to be disappointed but take an M3 for a test drive and make sure the 'M' button settings are turned up. The throttle is then more responsive than just using the 'power' button. You also need to use the top end of the rev range to get the full effect and put the window down slightly so you can hear the V8.
Have fun.
I have to agree that the M3 is more interesting to drive when pushed hard and it sounds great but it does lack the torque of the Turbos under acceleration, especially with the X50 kit. Like others have already said, I also found the Turbo an easy car to drive and I personally wasn't impressed with the sound of the exhaust but still a great car.
If you aren't bothered about the badge side of things and are willing to push the car hard to get the full experience then the M3 is great fun, a great all rounder and a car you can leave pretty much anywhere. However I would also agree with the others that I don't see the M3 as being a 'weekend' car. I personally wouldn't rush to grab the keys at the weekend to go for a blast. I would want something a little more exotic lurking in the garage.
So IMHO yes, you are likely to be disappointed but take an M3 for a test drive and make sure the 'M' button settings are turned up. The throttle is then more responsive than just using the 'power' button. You also need to use the top end of the rev range to get the full effect and put the window down slightly so you can hear the V8.
Have fun.
I'd thought about an Exige but I really want 4 seats so I can at least take the family out in it.I think the wife would see me as being a little selfish if I turned up with only 2 seats...
As for having a few issues with the Porsche, then yes, I have.
RMS needed doing 2 months ago (35k miles) at £1100, front rad 2 months before that at £500, but that aside I just don't really find it good to drive - a little clinical perhaps?
A GT3 I feel would be a better prospect but I can't afford a 997 one just yet and don't really want another 996.
The lack of rear seats would obviously be an issue.
As for having a few issues with the Porsche, then yes, I have.
RMS needed doing 2 months ago (35k miles) at £1100, front rad 2 months before that at £500, but that aside I just don't really find it good to drive - a little clinical perhaps?
A GT3 I feel would be a better prospect but I can't afford a 997 one just yet and don't really want another 996.
The lack of rear seats would obviously be an issue.
GameOverMan! said:
...I personally wouldn't rush to grab the keys at the weekend to go for a blast...
Really? I'm in mine at every opportunity. I absolutely love driving it. I love pootling about in it, driving it to the shops without worrying about it, sticking it in cruise control at 80 on the motorway, taking the kids out in it and now that I've done one, going on track days in it! I think that every drive in it has an opportunity to be interesting - either a short blat through the gears on a country lane or powering onto a motorway, the engine and chassis make it all a lot of fun at any time. I think that it's pretty amazing that it can do so many jobs with such absolute aplomb - what else could you get which offers the level of practicality, pace and sheer driver involement for the money? Not much IMHO 
Hmmm... interesting! My friend found the same.
We spent absolutely ages finding the 'right' 996 Turbo...with X50...manual...in Seal etc. Eventually (after searching ad nauseum ) we found it...he bought it...he hated it...he traded it in with the same dealer within 4 weeks for an E90 M3!
We spent absolutely ages finding the 'right' 996 Turbo...with X50...manual...in Seal etc. Eventually (after searching ad nauseum ) we found it...he bought it...he hated it...he traded it in with the same dealer within 4 weeks for an E90 M3!
Right, I had a go in an M3 today.
Whoaaaa........ I don't really think I'd like to give my opinion on here, seeing as it's the M Power forum.....
Just to say, I won't be getting one. Nice car though.
The search continues (or I stick with what I've got)
Can't really see myself in an M6, but I had thought of it some time ago.
Whoaaaa........ I don't really think I'd like to give my opinion on here, seeing as it's the M Power forum.....
Just to say, I won't be getting one. Nice car though.
The search continues (or I stick with what I've got)
Can't really see myself in an M6, but I had thought of it some time ago.
Edited by Zip106 on Sunday 25th October 21:46
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