E46 M3 vs 996 911
Discussion
Hi folks,
I have been considering buying myself a M3 for my 25th birthday, which is in April. I probably would have bought it sooner but, the insurance will be nearly £1200 cheaper being 25, an extra year NCB and an extra year driving. I have had my heart set on it for about for the last year. I was planning to spend a maximum of 10k but, I am pretty confident I will be able to pick up a decent one for about £8k. Although tonight I was surprised to find 996's starting at about £12k. So my question is, are the entry level 996's worth the extra over a E46 M3? Also how good are both of these cars? What ever car I buy, will be my everyday car but, I have other cars if I need more practicability so, that isn't really an issue. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I have been considering buying myself a M3 for my 25th birthday, which is in April. I probably would have bought it sooner but, the insurance will be nearly £1200 cheaper being 25, an extra year NCB and an extra year driving. I have had my heart set on it for about for the last year. I was planning to spend a maximum of 10k but, I am pretty confident I will be able to pick up a decent one for about £8k. Although tonight I was surprised to find 996's starting at about £12k. So my question is, are the entry level 996's worth the extra over a E46 M3? Also how good are both of these cars? What ever car I buy, will be my everyday car but, I have other cars if I need more practicability so, that isn't really an issue. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
There are problems with the 996 c2 early ones google it oil leaks etc.
Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
Welshbeef said:
There are problems with the 996 c2 early ones google it oil leaks etc.
Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
I love that the OP is asking about an M3 or a 911 and you suggest a Mazda Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
Urban Sports said:
I don't think I'd want to own an £8k e46 M3 or a £12k 996.
I think a £12k M3 would be a better bet.
IMO
Yep! Do not, repeat - do NOT buy a cheap one of either! Take your time, test drive a few of each and get a feel for how they have they have been owned and cared for. I think a £12k M3 would be a better bet.
IMO
Hmmm, some interesting replies here. The E46 M3 engine is one of the more reliable engines made. Early ones suffered oil pump issues but they were recalled and fixed. That was a decade ago and its extremely unlikely to be an issue now. Never heard of a VANOS failing on an E46 M3.
I've owned an M3 for a couple of years and its brilliant. I've driven various 996's and never really go on with them. I found the steering far too vauge despite what people say to the contrary and it seems crapt and not as fast as I was expecting.
Bottom price for an M3 right now is £7,500 so I doubt you'll get a 'good one' for £8k and by that I mean whilst it might seem good, it might need tyres and brakes in 5,000 miles which means £1200 being spent.
I'd certainly own an M3 over a 911 as I find it a much better car. I'd also recommend the SMG system over the manual gearbox and the Nav system. I've been 'car shopping' with alot of people who ended up buying an M3 and there is a big different between an early Manual with no Nav and a 2004+ with SMG, Nav, voice recognition and so on. The suspension was altered slightly in 2004 and older cars and I can certainly notice it when I drive one.
If you have £10k to spend though, I'd certainly recommend it. My friend bought my old one and then sold it to another friend (who still has it now). So its been with us from 52k to 92k and in that time its needed a new starter motor and clutch but thats all.
Expect it to chew through rear tyres fairly quickly though and they are pricey.
I've owned an M3 for a couple of years and its brilliant. I've driven various 996's and never really go on with them. I found the steering far too vauge despite what people say to the contrary and it seems crapt and not as fast as I was expecting.
Bottom price for an M3 right now is £7,500 so I doubt you'll get a 'good one' for £8k and by that I mean whilst it might seem good, it might need tyres and brakes in 5,000 miles which means £1200 being spent.
I'd certainly own an M3 over a 911 as I find it a much better car. I'd also recommend the SMG system over the manual gearbox and the Nav system. I've been 'car shopping' with alot of people who ended up buying an M3 and there is a big different between an early Manual with no Nav and a 2004+ with SMG, Nav, voice recognition and so on. The suspension was altered slightly in 2004 and older cars and I can certainly notice it when I drive one.
If you have £10k to spend though, I'd certainly recommend it. My friend bought my old one and then sold it to another friend (who still has it now). So its been with us from 52k to 92k and in that time its needed a new starter motor and clutch but thats all.
Expect it to chew through rear tyres fairly quickly though and they are pricey.
Welshbeef said:
There are problems with the 996 c2 early ones google it oil leaks etc.
Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
Well ideally I want to be in a F430 by the time I'm 30 and have wanted a R34 GTR since playing Gran Turismo 2. I don't feel a Mazda would be a step up. Only hatchback I would be interested would be a proper lightweight thing, like a Clio 182 or something like that. Although they certainly aren't a 25th birthday present I am interested in. I already have a W203 C320, E39 535, E46 320 and for a track slag, a 4th gen Honda Prelude 2.2 Vtec. I have had other powerful cars like EVO 4 GSR and a chipped and remapped A3 1.8T Quattro to name a couple. So I do think for my 25th, it's about time to go for something properly powerful. Conversly m3's in general will have been driven harder and they too have issues with big end failure early ones which at the price you quote I guess is the case.
I'd say longer term you will lose less on the 911 and of course the kudos of driving one. Although frankly at 25 having that it's a case of where next ie you will have reached your goal. A 911 turbo or gt3 or rs are better sure but not hugely different in day to day.
Think hard and maybe that Mazda mps might be a better choice for now then three years time step up again
Edited by WEHGuy on Sunday 30th January 20:11
Cemesis said:
Hmmm, some interesting replies here. The E46 M3 engine is one of the more reliable engines made. Early ones suffered oil pump issues but they were recalled and fixed. That was a decade ago and its extremely unlikely to be an issue now. Never heard of a VANOS failing on an E46 M3.
I've owned an M3 for a couple of years and its brilliant. I've driven various 996's and never really go on with them. I found the steering far too vauge despite what people say to the contrary and it seems crapt and not as fast as I was expecting.
Bottom price for an M3 right now is £7,500 so I doubt you'll get a 'good one' for £8k and by that I mean whilst it might seem good, it might need tyres and brakes in 5,000 miles which means £1200 being spent.
I'd certainly own an M3 over a 911 as I find it a much better car. I'd also recommend the SMG system over the manual gearbox and the Nav system. I've been 'car shopping' with alot of people who ended up buying an M3 and there is a big different between an early Manual with no Nav and a 2004+ with SMG, Nav, voice recognition and so on. The suspension was altered slightly in 2004 and older cars and I can certainly notice it when I drive one.
If you have £10k to spend though, I'd certainly recommend it. My friend bought my old one and then sold it to another friend (who still has it now). So its been with us from 52k to 92k and in that time its needed a new starter motor and clutch but thats all.
Expect it to chew through rear tyres fairly quickly though and they are pricey.
Thanks for you input. Can you tell me a bit more about the Manual vs SMG? 2 of my cars are autos which are good for wafting about but, I would have thought, in a performance car, it would have to be a manual all the way?I've owned an M3 for a couple of years and its brilliant. I've driven various 996's and never really go on with them. I found the steering far too vauge despite what people say to the contrary and it seems crapt and not as fast as I was expecting.
Bottom price for an M3 right now is £7,500 so I doubt you'll get a 'good one' for £8k and by that I mean whilst it might seem good, it might need tyres and brakes in 5,000 miles which means £1200 being spent.
I'd certainly own an M3 over a 911 as I find it a much better car. I'd also recommend the SMG system over the manual gearbox and the Nav system. I've been 'car shopping' with alot of people who ended up buying an M3 and there is a big different between an early Manual with no Nav and a 2004+ with SMG, Nav, voice recognition and so on. The suspension was altered slightly in 2004 and older cars and I can certainly notice it when I drive one.
If you have £10k to spend though, I'd certainly recommend it. My friend bought my old one and then sold it to another friend (who still has it now). So its been with us from 52k to 92k and in that time its needed a new starter motor and clutch but thats all.
Expect it to chew through rear tyres fairly quickly though and they are pricey.
ETA - What I meant is, a decent one for £8k might be possible because within the next 2 months, petrol is only going to rise so, hopefully big powerful cars are only going to drop in price. Also I don't might waiting for somebody who is desperate for cash and I am more than willing to travel to the other side of the country for the right car at the right price.
Edited by WEHGuy on Sunday 30th January 20:16
Edited by WEHGuy on Sunday 30th January 20:17
Eviltad said:
Before you jump in, make sure you have your eyes open regarding running costs.
Don't stretch to the £12k leaving yourself skint because if something breaks it will probably be a £1k fix.
[/patron]
Well I'm used to running a few cars at a time anyway so, have a good handle on maintenance costs.Don't stretch to the £12k leaving yourself skint because if something breaks it will probably be a £1k fix.
[/patron]
Popeyed said:
Looking to spend £8-10 on a new car at 25, and hoping to be in a F430 by the time you're 30; better get working!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff