Discussion
I am thinking of trading my M3 (e36) conv in for a 996 conv or M3(E46) conv but cant decide. My head says 996 but heart says M3. With only £40k to spend, I am looking at the early 996, which means the previous owner(s) would have seen off the bulk of the depreciation but then, rumours have it than Porsche is planning a facelift in 2004....so more loses. I have shopped around and found a few of both cars in my budget range and being conv, I will guess now is the best time to buy.
On the other hand, the oldest M3s are only a year old, which means price will tumble under my ownership....not good. On the other hand, I will guess than the maintenance cost on the M3 will be slightly less than the porsche. The maintenance/running cost is a huge factor for me. Also, the M3 seems to have more 'presence' than the 996 (personal view, off course)
Reliability is not in question with either model.
Either model will only be in my possession for 2 years at the most, so I need something that financially makes sense.....but also does/look the biz
I need some views please, particularly from those who have owned both
On the other hand, the oldest M3s are only a year old, which means price will tumble under my ownership....not good. On the other hand, I will guess than the maintenance cost on the M3 will be slightly less than the porsche. The maintenance/running cost is a huge factor for me. Also, the M3 seems to have more 'presence' than the 996 (personal view, off course)
Reliability is not in question with either model.
Either model will only be in my possession for 2 years at the most, so I need something that financially makes sense.....but also does/look the biz
I need some views please, particularly from those who have owned both
I wouldn't have thought the maintenance costs would be much different. The 996 is cheaper to service than many realise, ie once a year or every 12k miles, whichever is sooner. I know on the turbo the 12k is £250 and the 24k is £450. I can't see the cost of consumables ie tyres,pads and discs being any different between the two cars.
In theory a 4 year old 996 should loose less in depreciation over 2 years than a 1 year old M3 cab.
Good luck with your decision. Obviously it go's without saying get a test drive of both types of vehicle before even thinking about making a decision.
DAZ
PS - welcome to Pistonheads.
In theory a 4 year old 996 should loose less in depreciation over 2 years than a 1 year old M3 cab.
Good luck with your decision. Obviously it go's without saying get a test drive of both types of vehicle before even thinking about making a decision.
DAZ
PS - welcome to Pistonheads.
mate, this really is a no- brainer.
the M3 is not a patch on a 996.. Ive had both
What i would really recommend though, is going for a 40 k 996 coupe rather than a cab.(the cab 996 isnt pretty.)
The 996 at 40k really has bottomed out whereas all BMs depreciate more linearly.
Besides.... the 996 is a special car... the BMW, well I never got a buzz from driving it.
BTW ive done plenty of track days.. and again, the 996 is the better track car.
the M3 is not a patch on a 996.. Ive had both
What i would really recommend though, is going for a 40 k 996 coupe rather than a cab.(the cab 996 isnt pretty.)
The 996 at 40k really has bottomed out whereas all BMs depreciate more linearly.
Besides.... the 996 is a special car... the BMW, well I never got a buzz from driving it.
BTW ive done plenty of track days.. and again, the 996 is the better track car.
Pete, when you say pretty, do you mean to look at or to drive? I am not overtly keen on the cab myself as I hate anything that squeeks and creeks but I think it looks good with the roof down or winter hard top on. That aside, the only way I can get a 996 with the missus's blessing is, if it came with a "roofless option"
According to www.track-challenge.com
Track/996/M3 E46
ring/8.17/8.22
hockenheim/17.1/17.6
They do not specify what suspension was on that 996. The Sport suspension would be a bit faster than the stock stuff.
At Road Atlanta, they are very close and basically come down to the driver. Both are pretty quick cars.
Good luck.
Roy
ps. You should check this out before you get an M3:
http://members.roadfly.org/jason/m3engines.htm
Track/996/M3 E46
ring/8.17/8.22
hockenheim/17.1/17.6
They do not specify what suspension was on that 996. The Sport suspension would be a bit faster than the stock stuff.
At Road Atlanta, they are very close and basically come down to the driver. Both are pretty quick cars.
Good luck.
Roy
ps. You should check this out before you get an M3:
http://members.roadfly.org/jason/m3engines.htm
)From what I remember Clarksons main gripe was with a non-manual gearbox on the M3 (This isn't so much of a problem as he appears to have a go at just about every companies F1 style/SMG/Tiptronic type gearboxes). I know someone who has moved from the previous version M3 cab to the new version and he's delighted with the car (manual gearboxes in both instances).
DAZ
DAZ
Reliability is not in question with either model.
It should be. Don't think that just because you are buying a new or new-ish car from a quality manufacturer that they will be flawless.
A friend of mine with a manual E46 M3 has had a gearbox replaced, and there seems to be a con rod issue according to that North American recall.
Early 996s also suffered from a few minor problems, most of which will have been sorted under warranty now. But they happened. And 996 Targas still have a roof rattle, it seems.
Basically, always question the reliability - and insist on a warrantied car if at all unsure.
Personally, I think a 2002> 996 is the better built car and will be cheaper to run. The E46 M3 engine is more highly tuned.
Best value is the E46 M3, and IMHO better looking in cabrio form.
All the best
Domster
I'd also advise you to make sure that you test drive an M3 cabrio of a year old as opposed to a new one from a showroom. After a year mine was rattling like a gooden. I loved the engine and the comparitive comfort compared to my new chariot but i'd definitely go for the coupe next time around...............
No real experience of 996's - apart from driving past them on trackdays
No real experience of 996's - apart from driving past them on trackdays
Beware E46 M3 engines... an awful lot of them have gone bang.
Check out the page below and you'll see what i mean:
http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm
Just be warned.
www.VerySideways.com
Check out the page below and you'll see what i mean:
http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm
Just be warned.
www.VerySideways.com
I know this is going to sound a little (oxy)moronic, but buy the car you want. Myself, I don't believe a sports car purchase is a head thing so long as basic essentials like reliability & running costs pass muster. Besides, you posted this on a Porsche board, and unless you mirrored it on BMW, you must have known what to expect 
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