Which would you go for? M3 or 911
Discussion
Looking at the prices of interesting stuff currently (and absolutely kicking myself for not buying a relative's shabby but easily tidy-able 997.1 S for £17k!!! in Feb 2020) I need to get myself something fun, and quickly. Has been a year or 2 since having anything more than a runaround.
I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
PopsandBangs said:
Looking at the prices of interesting stuff currently (and absolutely kicking myself for not buying a relative's shabby but easily tidy-able 997.1 S for £17k!!! in Feb 2020) I need to get myself something fun, and quickly. Has been a year or 2 since having anything more than a runaround.
I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
What I'd do is test drive both, as they're so different one will standout as the winner for you.I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
I’d buy the M3.
I’d not touch a 997.1 in 3.8S form for anything, unless it has had a full Hartech rebuild. That’s the engine with the highest bork potential of the lot. Most prone to bore scoring, and a non-replaceable IMS bearing. If you buy one of these, make sure you have an engine rebuild fund available.
M3s can spin rod bearings, but there are plenty of places that will fit you a new set for sensible money as preventative maintenance - make sure it gets done in time. And M3 throttle actuator failure is not uncommon, but it doesn’t require an engine rebuild to fix.
Of course, if the question was M3 vs 997.2s I’d have a very different answer
I’d not touch a 997.1 in 3.8S form for anything, unless it has had a full Hartech rebuild. That’s the engine with the highest bork potential of the lot. Most prone to bore scoring, and a non-replaceable IMS bearing. If you buy one of these, make sure you have an engine rebuild fund available.
M3s can spin rod bearings, but there are plenty of places that will fit you a new set for sensible money as preventative maintenance - make sure it gets done in time. And M3 throttle actuator failure is not uncommon, but it doesn’t require an engine rebuild to fix.
Of course, if the question was M3 vs 997.2s I’d have a very different answer
Nice choice to have!
For a sunny evening and weekend car I'd just have to go for a 911, but from what has been said maybe a different version!
I don't think the M3 has a "thundering" V8 - it's only a 4 litre. An AMG would provide some thunder, but they're Auto only if that matters.
Replacement bearing shells on an M3 are likely to cost around £1K at a good Indy specialist.
Whatever you get enjoy.
For a sunny evening and weekend car I'd just have to go for a 911, but from what has been said maybe a different version!
I don't think the M3 has a "thundering" V8 - it's only a 4 litre. An AMG would provide some thunder, but they're Auto only if that matters.
Replacement bearing shells on an M3 are likely to cost around £1K at a good Indy specialist.
Whatever you get enjoy.
Thanks a lot all.
(almost) unanimously the 911 then....
I'm well aware of the world of s
t I could be in for with both, but especially the 997.1 
My appetite for risk is fairly high in general, and I think the post 2006 engines don't suffer so much with the IMS issue (maybe?)
I'll do every bit of due diligence I can and get it looked at properly.... I mean I see loads running around so they can't all be made of chocolate.... can they?!
(almost) unanimously the 911 then....
I'm well aware of the world of s
t I could be in for with both, but especially the 997.1 My appetite for risk is fairly high in general, and I think the post 2006 engines don't suffer so much with the IMS issue (maybe?)
I'll do every bit of due diligence I can and get it looked at properly.... I mean I see loads running around so they can't all be made of chocolate.... can they?!
ZX10R NIN said:
PopsandBangs said:
Looking at the prices of interesting stuff currently (and absolutely kicking myself for not buying a relative's shabby but easily tidy-able 997.1 S for £17k!!! in Feb 2020) I need to get myself something fun, and quickly. Has been a year or 2 since having anything more than a runaround.
I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
What I'd do is test drive both, as they're so different one will standout as the winner for you.I know these are two completely different cars, in completely different price brackets, but I think I have narrowed it down to a 997.1 C2S Manual (£27-£34k for a good one,) or an E92 M3 Manual (£18-22K ish for a decent example with the right spec.)
This would be a weekend/sunny evening car, occasional countryside weekend jaunt, but mostly just for ragging around in
I am leaning towards the 911...... but I still have not had a screaming powerhouse V8 in my life yet and love the S65.
I realise the M3 wont drive anything like the Porsche, but I can't make my mind up between thundering V8 muscle or a flitty, zingy little sports car.
What would you do?
I've been lucky enough to have a manual E92 M3 and 997.2 GTS in the past.
There is no comparison - the 911 is WAY better to drive. Almost as soon as you start rolling you appreciate the steering feel.
Yes there are risks with a 997.1, so why not head to a well known marque specialist (e.g. RPM Technik) for some preventative maintenance (if budget permits).
The V8 in the M3 is a great engine but it needs to be worked to really feel strong, and the car is relatively heavy.
Enjoy the buying & driving process!
There is no comparison - the 911 is WAY better to drive. Almost as soon as you start rolling you appreciate the steering feel.
Yes there are risks with a 997.1, so why not head to a well known marque specialist (e.g. RPM Technik) for some preventative maintenance (if budget permits).
The V8 in the M3 is a great engine but it needs to be worked to really feel strong, and the car is relatively heavy.
Enjoy the buying & driving process!
Roboticarm said:
911 for sure
The BMW is great but it's a 3 series with better internals, in some ways it will always be comprised by the base car. The 911 is designed to be a sports car from day 1
Yet they put the engine at the back and given it a limp turn in as a result unless you trail brake everywhere, which may or may not be practical on the open road.The BMW is great but it's a 3 series with better internals, in some ways it will always be comprised by the base car. The 911 is designed to be a sports car from day 1
If you prefer a classic FE set up then the 911 is not gonna work compared to the M3 so I support the suggestion of a test drive.
Got chatting to a chap at the petrol station earlier who roared up in a 997.1 C2S....... asking him about his experiences with bore score and how it was holding up...
Was met with a puzzled look and then a "what's bore score?" apparently it was on 120k miles and was sweet as a nut. I'm still unsure that the issue isn't magnified on forums such as these, and that those who have been unfortunate are the most vocal.....
Going to look at 2 tomorrow so fingers crossed
Was met with a puzzled look and then a "what's bore score?"
apparently it was on 120k miles and was sweet as a nut. I'm still unsure that the issue isn't magnified on forums such as these, and that those who have been unfortunate are the most vocal.....Going to look at 2 tomorrow so fingers crossed
Like the bottom end issue on the M3 the internet will make it seem more of a regular occurrence than it really it but on both cars they have significant borkage potential which isn't over hyped but if you go in with your eyes open then if you do have borkage issues you're in the know.
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