G80 M3, 911, what am I missing?
Discussion
Hi all,
Thinking of changing the current Tesla Model 3 Performance in the next couple of months.
Had it a year and a half and it's been great, but I had a couple of M Cars before it and feels like a massive letdown despite being fast - need to go back to something petrol and exciting.
Past cars:
F56 Mini Cooper S
M140i
F82 M4
F90 M5
My favourite to drive was the M4, but the M5 was just stunning in every way and the perfect daily. The M4 was a handful and I think that's why I preferred the drive.
Logical choice could be a current-gen M3 or M4 with the switchable X-drive. Surefooted when left in 4WD but a handful in RWD MDM mode. I don't normally modify my cars, but the figures the S58 engine cars make with a remap are very tempting and would make it more powerful than anything I've had before. It would also be nice if it felt quicker than the Tesla since I'll be back to paying for fuel.
I was pretty set on one of these, ideally the M3 as I think it looks better - however an M4 with Ultimate pack and the carbon bucket seats would be similar price to a basic spec M3.
Someone in work suggested a 911, which I assumed would be out of my price bracket on finance. I've ran a few quotes with the broker I use and an early 992 shape Carrera S is similar money to the M3/M4 due to the higher GFV. This seems like a step up both in outright price and category, but I'm not sure it actually offers more. If I went Carrera 4S it wouldn't have the switchable 4WD like in the BMWs - so imagine this would have tonnes of grip and perhaps get a bit boring?
The 992 is obviously classier, but down on power, less toys, less configurable, likely more bland in spec as I can't stretch to a GTS.
For most I think this would be an easy choice and they'd go 911 when comparing with a BMW. However there's plenty of arguments for both sides and I've already had a couple of M Cars. I only need the back seats for my 2 small dogs on occasion so size of the 911 is a non-issue. Unsure what reliability would be like outside of warranty being a 2019 or maybe 2020. My BMWs have been faultless.
Other consideration would be a late 991.2 GTS, as these are similar money too and would let me get a more interesting spec. Don't know how these compare with a 992 S.
Open to other suggestions. Budget is really finance dependent but happy to explore options in this price range.
Thinking of changing the current Tesla Model 3 Performance in the next couple of months.
Had it a year and a half and it's been great, but I had a couple of M Cars before it and feels like a massive letdown despite being fast - need to go back to something petrol and exciting.
Past cars:
F56 Mini Cooper S
M140i
F82 M4
F90 M5
My favourite to drive was the M4, but the M5 was just stunning in every way and the perfect daily. The M4 was a handful and I think that's why I preferred the drive.
Logical choice could be a current-gen M3 or M4 with the switchable X-drive. Surefooted when left in 4WD but a handful in RWD MDM mode. I don't normally modify my cars, but the figures the S58 engine cars make with a remap are very tempting and would make it more powerful than anything I've had before. It would also be nice if it felt quicker than the Tesla since I'll be back to paying for fuel.
I was pretty set on one of these, ideally the M3 as I think it looks better - however an M4 with Ultimate pack and the carbon bucket seats would be similar price to a basic spec M3.
Someone in work suggested a 911, which I assumed would be out of my price bracket on finance. I've ran a few quotes with the broker I use and an early 992 shape Carrera S is similar money to the M3/M4 due to the higher GFV. This seems like a step up both in outright price and category, but I'm not sure it actually offers more. If I went Carrera 4S it wouldn't have the switchable 4WD like in the BMWs - so imagine this would have tonnes of grip and perhaps get a bit boring?
The 992 is obviously classier, but down on power, less toys, less configurable, likely more bland in spec as I can't stretch to a GTS.
For most I think this would be an easy choice and they'd go 911 when comparing with a BMW. However there's plenty of arguments for both sides and I've already had a couple of M Cars. I only need the back seats for my 2 small dogs on occasion so size of the 911 is a non-issue. Unsure what reliability would be like outside of warranty being a 2019 or maybe 2020. My BMWs have been faultless.
Other consideration would be a late 991.2 GTS, as these are similar money too and would let me get a more interesting spec. Don't know how these compare with a 992 S.
Open to other suggestions. Budget is really finance dependent but happy to explore options in this price range.
andrewpandrew said:
No back seats for the dogs on the odd time I need them... otherwise would be very interested.Seats in the back of the 911 are unusable for humans but would be fine for them.
Hammy98 said:
andrewpandrew said:
No back seats for the dogs on the odd time I need them... otherwise would be very interested.Seats in the back of the 911 are unusable for humans but would be fine for them.
I once went M3 to 911 back to M3, for me a 911 is more than the sum of its parts or on paper stats, but this was back when both were naturally aspirated and the 911 felt hugely different to a front engine RWD M3.
I drove a 992 GTS a few weeks ago that a car dealer friend had in stock and whilst it was hugely fast it didn't feel like a 911 as I remembered that "anvil out the back" feel had gone along with the bobbing front end/lively steering, it felt more normal to drive, more accessible less of an event but obviously a much more capable car than my old 997.2 C2S.
Personally I wouldn't be tempted by increasing the debt because the GFV is better, I'd keep the same headline borrowing number and then match off the M car that gets you vs the 911 that gets you.
Left field suggestion, but Ferrari Approve California T?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...
Wills2 said:
I once went M3 to 911 back to M3, for me a 911 is more than the sum of its parts or on paper stats, but this was back when both were naturally aspirated and the 911 felt hugely different to a front engine RWD M3.
I drove a 992 GTS a few weeks ago that a car dealer friend had in stock and whilst it was hugely fast it didn't feel like a 911 as I remembered that "anvil out the back" feel had gone along with the bobbing front end/lively steering, it felt more normal to drive, more accessible less of an event but obviously a much more capable car than my old 997.2 C2S.
Personally I wouldn't be tempted by increasing the debt because the GFV is better, I'd keep the same headline borrowing number and then match off the M car that gets you vs the 911 that gets you.
That makes sense, it's in line with my preconceptions of what the 992 S would be like as well. I've always wanted one, but the enjoyment for me is the car keeping me on my toes and I'm not sure a newer gen 911 would do that, probably a bit too capable. I'm sure the M3/M4 would be the same in 4WD mode at least I have the option there to switch to RWD. I drove a 992 GTS a few weeks ago that a car dealer friend had in stock and whilst it was hugely fast it didn't feel like a 911 as I remembered that "anvil out the back" feel had gone along with the bobbing front end/lively steering, it felt more normal to drive, more accessible less of an event but obviously a much more capable car than my old 997.2 C2S.
Personally I wouldn't be tempted by increasing the debt because the GFV is better, I'd keep the same headline borrowing number and then match off the M car that gets you vs the 911 that gets you.
I agree on the debt figure too as that was my intial thought, will need to do more calculations to see as I took a bath on the M5 being nearly new and I feel the new M3/M4 has a long way to fall value-wise still. I thought there would be decent spec 4WD models with sensible mileage nearer 40k by now.
The 991.2 GTS seems least likely to bite me with regards to residuals. A nice spec one under Porsche warranty about £75k is what I was looking at. A nice spec 997 GTS is still 50k so I'd like to think I'd be able to get that back in a few years. M3/M4 has the potential to lose 30k in a couple of years with the prices they're currently at for a nice spec.
Ultimately whatever I go for the car will probably only be kept 2/3 years max so residual is a bit of a concern as I don't want to be left with nothing after putting in a chunky deposit.
andrewpandrew said:
Left field suggestion, but Ferrari Approve California T?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...
Lovely thing, maybe a bit too special for 10k miles a year though. Will see what the figures look like out of interest.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...
With that budget & entertainment high on your list I'd take a good look at the 996 GT3, update the infotainment & you've got a very good car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506223...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
Or an Evora 400 2+2:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511147...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506223...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...
Or an Evora 400 2+2:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511147...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503290...
You've owned M3's, M5's, M4's - you haven't owned a Porsche, a 911. Up your game, be aspirational - a 911 is a step up from the aforementioned, the 992 even better still.. Or you can play it safe, ride under the radar, be unassuming and go with what you know, the BMW M cars.
To each to their own I guess. Enjoy whichever route you take, but remember, you only live once.
To each to their own I guess. Enjoy whichever route you take, but remember, you only live once.
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