First porsche - advice/opinions sought!

[Galahad]

Hi all,
Am currently after a new car and have pretty much whittled it down to an E90 M3 or a 997.
Test drive a 2010 M3 with DCT and EDC yesterday and although it was very fast and very accomplished, it didn't really raise my heartrate until the speeds were getting a little silly.

Just back from driving a 997 now at 911 virgin and am still feeling a little giddy, so I think my heart is telling me that the 997 is the way forward! This is the one I drove

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

and although the interior felt quite dated and low tech after the M3, drving it just made me smile and I think right now that is what I am after! I am not to keen on the wheels but Tom kindly agreed to change them to some sport designs if I want which will suit the aerokit better I think.

It will have four new tyres fitted but it's the warranty situation I am curious about. Their £400 a year warranty seems to cover everything I'd be concerned about, but what would I gain from spending £1500 instead getting a 111 point check and an OPC warranty instead?

Any input greatly welcomed. Just need to decide if I can live with a 997 day to day versus the creature comforts an M3 will offer as quite a lot of my driving is a short commute and then into London.

[davek_964]

The general view is likely to be :

If the car is stock, you are happy to keep it stock, you are happy to use an OPC for servicing, and you are happy to pay the cost (including any needed remedial work) - then the Porsche warranty is the most comprehensive you're likely to get.

[Ian_UK1]

Galahad said:

Just need to decide if I can live with a 997 day to day versus the creature comforts an M3 will offer as quite a lot of my driving is a short commute and then into London.

A 997 is a joy to live with as a daily driver. All the creature comforts you need are there (plus the daft grin every time you drive). What more could you want?

[Trev450]

911V have an excellent reputation on here so I would personally go with their warranty for a year and then review the situation again when it expires.

Nice car by the way and a very comprehensive spec.

[warobbo]

Bought my first porsche a week ago a 997 c2, and can't stop driving everywhere. I have been a BMW fan for 20 years and yes I was on the brink of getting an m3. Dont do it...the porsche is way more fun and certainly stands out from the crowd. You won't regret it

[Callughan]

997 is just as comfortable as M3 for daily use, yet more focused where it counts.

911 Virgin good to buy from, that's where I bought my recent one.

Porsche warranty is the only one to have imo, do some searches on here for issues surrounding 997 engine.

Edited by Callughan on Friday 11th January 20:28

[slodge]

Galahad said:

Any input greatly welcomed. Just need to decide if I can live with a 997 day to day versus the creature comforts an M3 will offer as quite a lot of my driving is a short commute and then into London.

Had 2 E90 M3s (cab and coupe) and each lasted 6 months before being chopped in. You are right in that it takes silly speeds for a M3 to come alive - rest of the time IMO it's a bit boring but does have the toys. I have no great memories of drives in them which must say something... To keep your interest you need a 911 in your life and 997 is a great proposition as daily drive. I'm on my 2nd one of these (GTS) as a DD after several 996s and it's the best commuter I've had. Keeps you iinvolved, brings a smile to your face and as you'll see from another thread on here - very practical!!

Cheers

Slodge

[crystalmethod]

I was in the same situation a little while back. Tested M3, RS4, C63. All great cars but none excited me. Then I drove a 997 and was instantly hooked.

So if I was you I'd go for it. I loved the first 997 so much that the only thing I could replace it with was with another similar car.

You won't look back. BTW I went the other way with alloys and persuaded the dealer to take the sport designs off and put carrera classics on, but my one didn't have the aero kit, which may well look better with sport designs.

[F3RNANDO]

That looks a cracker - get in there!!

[rimkah]

Galahad said:

Tom kindly agreed to change them to some sport designs if I want which will suit the aerokit better I think.

Does Joel from RSJ work at 911 Virgin now.mwhahahahahahhahahah

[Martian O]

rimkah said:

Galahad said:

Tom kindly agreed to change them to some sport designs if I want which will suit the aerokit better I think.

Does Joel from RSJ work at 911 Virgin now.mwhahahahahahhahahah

I thought Henry was keeping quiet over on that thread!

[Technomad]

warobbo said:

Bought my first porsche a week ago a 997 c2, and can't stop driving everywhere. I have been a BMW fan for 20 years and yes I was on the brink of getting an m3. Dont do it...the porsche is way more fun and certainly stands out from the crowd. You won't regret it

+1. Have only had BMW cars for the last 16 years. Same two models were on my shortlist and I came to a very similar conclusion to the OP - the E90 M3 is stunningly competent, comfortable and a great all-rounder. And bloody thirsty, fwiw. I drove it, enjoyed it, but felt like I'd stepped out of a commodity - a fantastically well-developed driving appliance. In fact - and this may forever brand me - I found it less fun to drive than my X5, which has the great virtue of a huge dichotomy between how it looks and how it can actually be driven. And that's a lot of the fun - having a vehicle where you have to learn how to drive it, to get the best out of it over time.

Then I drove a 997 for the first time. Couldn't stop grinning. Then drove a Cayman and that struck me rather like the M3 - almost too predictable and competent for its own good. Drove another 997. Couldn't stop grinning. Bought one 3 months ago and still can't stop grinning.

Now I can pretty much guarantee that right now, on any given road, I could be faster in either an M3 or a Cayman. But I'm on the 911 learning curve and, pretty much every time I go out, I discover a little more of its talents and how I can explore even the lower third of them. I feel I'm learning to drive, but properly this time. That's why I bought a 911.

All the best!

[rimkah]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

I was watching that one too OP, but not keen on the Aerokit.

Can others confirm: if you want to go OPC warranty you can not add Bluetooth / Iphone functionality to the PCM 2.1 in the the 997 without invalidating ?

From what all here say 911V offers a pretty good deal on the warranty without the handcuffs of the OPC 'system'

u cant.

[rimkah]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

rimkah said:

u cant.

It's that simple?

Absolutely

[rimkah]

Martian O said:

rimkah said:

Galahad said:

Tom kindly agreed to change them to some sport designs if I want which will suit the aerokit better I think.

Does Joel from RSJ work at 911 Virgin now.mwhahahahahahhahahah

I thought Henry was keeping quiet over on that thread!

I am sure the virgins had said they don't change their parts?