Can I have your opinions please ?

[drfrank]

Hi

I am still struggling to decide between the M3 and the 911 (996). I have £30k to spend and whilst my heart says get the 911, my head says buy the M3.

I would like the 911 but I cannot afford a Porsche approved and I just feel it is too risky to go out of the dealership.

The M3 BMW AUC I can afford and I feel it gives me a bit of reassurance.

I have seen this one:

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

What do people think ?

Any advice greatly appreciated !!

Drfrank

[Job38]

911 every time I'm afraid.
You don't need an approved OPC car.
Lots of good indys out there or private sale.
Just make sure the sale inculdes Porsches 111 point check and warranty.

Can't believe I just said that on a BMW forum.....

[Nano2nd]

i was in the same situation, couldn't afford the 996 i wanted (C4S) would have liked an e46 M3 but am worried about depreciation when the e92 filters through to the second hand market.

i have just bought what is as near as damn it brand new (3 months old, 2000 mile) Z4 M coupe from sytner(3 year warranty so no worries) at just over your 30k budget - but they represent great value at the mo... just an idea

Edited by Nano2nd on Monday 29th October 17:11

[GTWayne]

^ I too have just purchased a near identical Z4 M Coupe and have owned Porsche previously. My reasons were different to yours and if I were in your situation and wanted the reassurance of warranties etc. I would go for the BMW, but, be warned, if you have a Porsche itch at all, you will need to scratch it at some point

[Pugsey]

The 996 that you'll get for your money will feel - and look - dated compared to the newer (not much slower) M3 that your money will buy you. I'd go for the M3 now and maybe go for a 997 next time.

[Vixpy1]

for that money, if you can find a CSL, have it!

[Job38]

CSL - yes, if you can find one for that money.
But, M3 v/s 996 (post 2002 facelift for £30K) - no contest.

Yes, the performance is similar, the M3 probably a bit quicker.......

BUT:-

996 is, dare I say it, more reliable.
Far less expensive and conditioned warranty.
M3 - though excellent car, is based on a bog standard car, more common than a Mondeo.
The 996 is the product of over 40 years engineering development of a bespoke (if flawed) sports car that is the 911.
Yup, the 'Porsche' badge has some negative connotations, but far less so than the 'questionable demographic' that always follows M3s.

Its the subtleties of the 996: the communucative steering, the perfectly modulated brakes, the traction out of a corner, balance of ride and handling, beautiful driver interface, the view of the hips from the side mirrors, etc., etc., blah, blah.

I'm happy to be flamed, but I really feel, in your particular situation, you'll regret your decision if you go for an M3.
If you really have an M3 itch, fine, buy one,for £15K and enjoy it................................









Then get a 911.

[drfrank]

This is the porsche I have seen:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/241999.htm

I need dealer facilities as I will require some finance, although I have heard you can do it through a third party is this correct?

Also, how easy is it to buy from a private seller using one of these finance companies ?

Thanks

Frank

[Job38]

Sorry, don't quite understand.....

RJS are reputable independents, they can offer finance, and warranty, if you need it.
Your local Official Porsche Centre (OPC) will service the car, if you want that.
For peace of mind, what you really need is an OPC used car warranty c. £900 pa.
This requires a 111 point check (plus any work required).
(Its really an insurance against the very unusual, though not unknown, incidence of total engine failure).

MOST IMPORTANT!

DO NOT BUY A TIPTRONIC 911 UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Edited by Job38 on Monday 29th October 21:40

Edited by Job38 on Monday 29th October 21:41

[taffyracer]

Umh, that is actually a very good car, my old one in fact and I'd gladly tell you how much I sold it to them for so you can haggle!

[sleep envy]

bought a 12 month old M3 back in 2004 - sold it 3 weeks later as IMO it's dull in comparison to a 911

horses for courses - totally different cars

[M3desmo]

Nano2nd said:

i was in the same situation, couldn't afford the 996 i wanted (C4S) would have liked an e46 M3 but am worried about depreciation when the e92 filters through to the second hand market.

i have just bought what is as near as damn it brand new (3 months old, 2000 mile) Z4 M coupe from sytner(3 year warranty so no worries) at just over your 30k budget - but they represent great value at the mo... just an idea

Edited by Nano2nd on Monday 29th October 17:11

Sorry to burst your bubble fella, but you're worried about depreciation and yet you bought a Z4M coupe?? Those are shedding money very quickly at the moment and even if you bought at a discount at a dealer the residuals are going to suffer badly. Great car, but not a good place to put your money if you're concerned about depreciation.

To the original poster: Up your budget by a few £k and get yourself a CSL. I've had mine just over a year, put 12k miles on it and yet could confidently sell tomorrow for the same as what I paid for it. Provided you buy the right car they are the closest thing you'll get to depreciation-proof motoring.

[Nano2nd]

M3desmo said:

Nano2nd said:

i was in the same situation, couldn't afford the 996 i wanted (C4S) would have liked an e46 M3 but am worried about depreciation when the e92 filters through to the second hand market.

i have just bought what is as near as damn it brand new (3 months old, 2000 mile) Z4 M coupe from sytner(3 year warranty so no worries) at just over your 30k budget - but they represent great value at the mo... just an idea

Edited by Nano2nd on Monday 29th October 17:11

Sorry to burst your bubble fella, but you're worried about depreciation and yet you bought a Z4M coupe?? Those are shedding money very quickly at the moment and even if you bought at a discount at a dealer the residuals are going to suffer badly. Great car, but not a good place to put your money if you're concerned about depreciation.

To the original poster: Up your budget by a few £k and get yourself a CSL. I've had mine just over a year, put 12k miles on it and yet could confidently sell tomorrow for the same as what I paid for it. Provided you buy the right car they are the closest thing you'll get to depreciation-proof motoring.

I understand what your saying and a CSL would of been my first choice, unfortunately i do 20k a year mileage both personal and business and need a warranty. most CSL's in my price range were pushing 40,000 miles and no warranty... plus the insurance was excessive!

obviously any car will depreciate, i just figured in the next couple of years an e46 m3 (CSL aside) would do more that the Z4MC. the z4 is a much rarely car, i've bought the newest, lowest mileage one in the bmw dealer network, almost brand new at about 15k off list relistically how much more money can they loose once this oversupply of management cars drys up?

[taffyracer]

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the depreciation of the Z4M, its huge in the 1st few months but that makes it a decent 2nd hand buy, which is why I swapped from the M3 above to a Z4M, i just had it valued against a new M3 and the p/ex was very reasonable considering what i paid for it, made the last 4 months motoring alot cheaper than running the M3 for 4 months so its no worse for sure

[blackcab]

I am a huge 911 fan, and funds permitting would buy one, but at £30k, you would get a fairly old one and I would be worried about reliability, I took the choice to get a fairly new high spec M3 with low miles and believe I made the right decision, fantastic car to drive, plenty of power and loads of confidence in the reliability and warranty etc, things would have been different with £50k to spend though

[nickb55]

ive had 2 M3's and 3 911's, and in my humble opinion, i'd view them like this:

if you're worried about depreciation, buy a 911 (poss CSL), dont buy an M3 or Z4M

if its reliability (and by extension running costs), buy a 911.

if it's fun u want, then in order of best first:

911/CSL
Z4M
and last by some distance... M3

I'd have thot 30grand will get u a decent one of any of the above.

all IMHO

... am now putting on the body armour....