335i vs E46 M3 vs 996
Discussion
I have the (admittedly pleasant) dilemma currently of which of the above to chose?
They all cost roughly the same to buy (though the newer car is much simpler to finance). I've driven both the M3 and the 996 and both have their merits, the 335 is a late entrant to my thoughts as I did not realise how cheap they had become.
Pros and cons
M3, great car, quick, comfy, handles very well, been on my hit list for years however, prices in freefall, most expensive of the bunch on running costs, bit heavy.
996, love them, again - quick, handles and drives wonderfully, my little boy would wet himself, prices firm and low (cant see any depreciation for next few years, if ever). Cons, bit older, less creature comforts (bovvered), may take a while to sell when I move on to the 997 (which is next on the list), reliability (though I think this is overplayed in the forums).
335i, tuneable, quaifable (essential in my view), modern (keeps the wife happy), no more than a few years old and lower mileages for the price, very quick, relativly efficient. Cons, a bit boring to look at, sensible, runflat tyres, depreciation an unknown factor, though I can see it slowing down from here.
I must admit, my heart is sending me to the 996 and I vowed never to buy with my head against my heart again however, the troubles in the ME are unlikely to send the price of petrol down so the 335i could actually be good choice.
I throw it open to the floor.
They all cost roughly the same to buy (though the newer car is much simpler to finance). I've driven both the M3 and the 996 and both have their merits, the 335 is a late entrant to my thoughts as I did not realise how cheap they had become.
Pros and cons
M3, great car, quick, comfy, handles very well, been on my hit list for years however, prices in freefall, most expensive of the bunch on running costs, bit heavy.
996, love them, again - quick, handles and drives wonderfully, my little boy would wet himself, prices firm and low (cant see any depreciation for next few years, if ever). Cons, bit older, less creature comforts (bovvered), may take a while to sell when I move on to the 997 (which is next on the list), reliability (though I think this is overplayed in the forums).
335i, tuneable, quaifable (essential in my view), modern (keeps the wife happy), no more than a few years old and lower mileages for the price, very quick, relativly efficient. Cons, a bit boring to look at, sensible, runflat tyres, depreciation an unknown factor, though I can see it slowing down from here.
I must admit, my heart is sending me to the 996 and I vowed never to buy with my head against my heart again however, the troubles in the ME are unlikely to send the price of petrol down so the 335i could actually be good choice.
I throw it open to the floor.
Should push you down the 996 route as a 911 owner but for me it would be a 335i.
You will have a lot to choose from and they are less likely to have been thrashed or tracked.
They are the next level up in terms of tech and gadgets and to be honest I reckon if you dragged the 3 of them, there would be hardly anything in it.
996 is a 90s designed car and it shows it now with the interior and the M3 as much as I like them will presumably be a higher miler.
335 coupe, get bored and chip it and you have the perforamce (almost) of a V8 M3 and it's a bit of a sleeper.
Ocean
You will have a lot to choose from and they are less likely to have been thrashed or tracked.
They are the next level up in terms of tech and gadgets and to be honest I reckon if you dragged the 3 of them, there would be hardly anything in it.
996 is a 90s designed car and it shows it now with the interior and the M3 as much as I like them will presumably be a higher miler.
335 coupe, get bored and chip it and you have the perforamce (almost) of a V8 M3 and it's a bit of a sleeper.
Ocean
Would have to be the 996 for me.
Have owned an E46 M3 Cab and a 996 C4S Cab - M3 is a great all round motor - but the Porsche 911 , well it's a Porsche 911.
335i doesn't do it for me - it just looks so ordinary.
In the M3 i achieved 23 MPG over 4 years , in the 911 i got 21 MPG. Running costs are not that bad, take your time and find a good one.
Have owned an E46 M3 Cab and a 996 C4S Cab - M3 is a great all round motor - but the Porsche 911 , well it's a Porsche 911.
335i doesn't do it for me - it just looks so ordinary.
In the M3 i achieved 23 MPG over 4 years , in the 911 i got 21 MPG. Running costs are not that bad, take your time and find a good one.
Ocean said:
WTF!!
What profile are those tyres??
I reckon that would be more comfortable if he was running cart wheels fashioned from wood!
LOL, there quite low not sure what exactly, the ride is decent enough i think i was just expecting more performance wise i much prefer the mates 535d mapped What profile are those tyres??
I reckon that would be more comfortable if he was running cart wheels fashioned from wood!
Having test driven all 3 in the not too distant past I can only recommend the 996. Im am biased but none of the others felt remotely as aggressive or sporty as the 996. Get it PPI'd, warrantied and have fun.
True, the others will have a less dated interior but bottom line, its a Porsche, not a BMW.
True, the others will have a less dated interior but bottom line, its a Porsche, not a BMW.
335i engine is all mid range. Fine if you like the accessibility of power and all that, but don't expect it to be fun. Coil packs and whatnot don't sound like they are all that reliable on these piezo direct injection engines either.
E46 M3 has the finest straight 6 engine ever made (and ever likely to be made if the emissions regs keep going). Image a bit of a problem for some.
996 has stupid ugly headlights and the interior is very dated now. Not all that exciting either.
E46 M3 has the finest straight 6 engine ever made (and ever likely to be made if the emissions regs keep going). Image a bit of a problem for some.
996 has stupid ugly headlights and the interior is very dated now. Not all that exciting either.
996 is the best drive but you will have to ask yourself if you can live with the compromises ie interior, potential running costs, space etc.
I'd dismiss the 335i as too boring and requiring a few grand more to bring it upto scratch with the diff/remap.
The E46 M3 I like but would also have to dismiss on the grounds that something better is available from the same manufacturer (although a disturbing number of them seem to have had new clutchpacks/gearbox rebuilds)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2506039.htm
Assuming a realistic budget of around 20K.
Either that or save a bundle and go E39
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1792476.htm even at munich legends prices I think these offer great value for money
I'd dismiss the 335i as too boring and requiring a few grand more to bring it upto scratch with the diff/remap.
The E46 M3 I like but would also have to dismiss on the grounds that something better is available from the same manufacturer (although a disturbing number of them seem to have had new clutchpacks/gearbox rebuilds)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2506039.htm
Assuming a realistic budget of around 20K.
Either that or save a bundle and go E39
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1792476.htm even at munich legends prices I think these offer great value for money
Arrgh!
Now I'm more confused. Seriously "Opinions Matter" thanks for the replies.
I've found a lovely 996, low(ish) miles and from a good supplier ready to go and will cost me bugger all over the next year bar petrol. I think the toss up now comes down to 996 vs 335(Andy, if I had the budget for a CSL I would not even be here asking the question, they are the car to buy for £25k absolute no brainer).
Most of you seem to agree, the 996 is the more agressive drivers car and I should probably just do it and get it out of my system (lol, like that will ever happen). However I've been tootling round in a Bently GT for the last week and the creature comforts coupled with HUGE torque are quite compelling (must be getting old). So a chipped and diffed 330i may be a perfect compromise (but still a compromise)
Arrgh!
Now I'm more confused. Seriously "Opinions Matter" thanks for the replies.
I've found a lovely 996, low(ish) miles and from a good supplier ready to go and will cost me bugger all over the next year bar petrol. I think the toss up now comes down to 996 vs 335(Andy, if I had the budget for a CSL I would not even be here asking the question, they are the car to buy for £25k absolute no brainer).
Most of you seem to agree, the 996 is the more agressive drivers car and I should probably just do it and get it out of my system (lol, like that will ever happen). However I've been tootling round in a Bently GT for the last week and the creature comforts coupled with HUGE torque are quite compelling (must be getting old). So a chipped and diffed 330i may be a perfect compromise (but still a compromise)
Arrgh!
Are the 996s not going down any further in price? Also, will you be looking at the 3.4 or 3.6 996? There are people who will only buy the 3.6 as it's supposed to be a better engine (so says the internets).
I'm in a very similar position, I'm going to be moving on from a Boxster S to one of the three that you have listed and I'm leaning towards the M3 CS (not the CS) as it seems to sort out some of the steering feel issues and sharpens the car up a little without being a compromised as the CSL.
Let us know what you go for as it will be interesting to hear your feedback!
I'm in a very similar position, I'm going to be moving on from a Boxster S to one of the three that you have listed and I'm leaning towards the M3 CS (not the CS) as it seems to sort out some of the steering feel issues and sharpens the car up a little without being a compromised as the CSL.
Let us know what you go for as it will be interesting to hear your feedback!
theboyfold said:
Are the 996s not going down any further in price? Also, will you be looking at the 3.4 or 3.6 996? There are people who will only buy the 3.6 as it's supposed to be a better engine (so says the internets).
I'm in a very similar position, I'm going to be moving on from a Boxster S to one of the three that you have listed and I'm leaning towards the M3 CS (not the CS) as it seems to sort out some of the steering feel issues and sharpens the car up a little without being a compromised as the CSL.
Let us know what you go for as it will be interesting to hear your feedback!
I'm looking at good 3.4s , the 3.6s have dropped into my budget range but only for high milers and missing service bookers (clocked). The 3.6s will keep dropping I'm sure, but the 3.4s now seem to be priced on condition and spec (ie horrible interiors are cheaper than your black leathers)I'm in a very similar position, I'm going to be moving on from a Boxster S to one of the three that you have listed and I'm leaning towards the M3 CS (not the CS) as it seems to sort out some of the steering feel issues and sharpens the car up a little without being a compromised as the CSL.
Let us know what you go for as it will be interesting to hear your feedback!
The CSs are a nice option, good luck with that, I should give them more consideration as well really.
Will clock in with my result when it happens.
Cheers all.
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