turboman786

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here....but some constructive answers would be welcomed...

I have about £30k to spend on my next car...

I am still undecided between a Porsche 996 and the e46 BMW

PORSCHE 996

Pros:
1. It's a porsche...and still relatively rare/prestigious
2. Stunning to look at, particularly with the GT3 kit
3. The reviews say they are great to drive..(I've not driven one yet)

Cons
1. Engine issues, espcially RMS, although I intend to get a Porsche inspection/warranty to allay my fears
2. Prices seem to be going down quite quickly, which may lead to them becoming a bit more popular...
3. Interiors on most of them are bland, not what Id expect in a car that cost over £60k new...
4. Impractical..ie only a 2 seater...it's going to be my only car

BMW e46 M3

PROS:

1. IMHO they are beautiful cars, esp with the 19" alloys
2. Lovely modern interior, well specced/sat nav/tv/bluetooth etc
3. Fantastic engine/handling, albeit a disappointing engine note
4. Nice, practical fast car

CONS

1. Not even remotely exclusive, there are sooo many around where I live
2. Image is a bit poor now
3. Engine note is not up to scratch IMHO
4. Ive had an e36 m3....
5. I anticipate these cars will contiune to depreciate rapidly....

hmm.....both cars have their appeal....I'm inclined to go for the Porsche simply because they look and sound gorgeous..

Your experiences please..

(please note, I am only really interested in REAL ownership/driving experiences, rather than the usual pub talk etc!)

imi

You say that the M3 is as common as muck....its the same with porsche as well - in London anyway - so there is no exclusivity there at all.

I think the M3's engine note is wicked, it sounds very nice.

As a practical car with plenty of performance I think you will be hard stretched to beat the M3.

If the image of the M3 is a problem for YOU, then I'd stay well clear.

I did.....ended up going for something completely different

GCollier

I owned a 996 from new for 2 years. I test drove an M3 when I was looking for something a little more practical (have 2 kids now). In comparison the M3 felt poorly built, had a poor engine note and the feel of the main controls was sub-standard compared to the porsche. It also felt lacking in torque and urge from lower revs.

There will be a new V8 M3 out relatively soon. That will only hurt residuals even further. As 911's get older they become classics and are still sought after - doubt you'll ever see an £8k 996. M3's (E30 aside) on the other hand simply end up as chav-wagons for people who'd like a newer BMW but can't afford one.

So I'd go for the 996, but make sure you get any possible purchase fully checked our and warrantied.

Gary.

stilover

Hopefully my next car will be a 996 C4S in a couple of years time. All the ones I've seen are still 50K+. Far too much for me. I absolutely love Porsche's, so I would say, go for the Porsche. People give Porsche drivers a bad rep, but that's just jelousy IMO.
At the end of the day a M3 is just a BMW. A porsche, is a porsche. Stick a private plate on, and only them in the know will, know how old it is.
Plus, not much will live with 170mph +

imi

agree with the comments, if practicallity isnt an important factor Or shall we say that tha porche is practical enough...then it beats the M3 in every dept hands down.

still not exclusive though

RS Grant

Have never driven either.. Can purely go on looks/spec/personal opinion.

But I've never seen a 1.6 Porsche 911 with Carrera bits on it...... But seen plenty of 1.6 BMW's with M3 bits plastered all over them. That alone puts me off it, if I was spending that money, I would want to know that I was buying something exclusive.


Thats absolutely true IMO...


Cheers,
Grant

Gav

I've not owned either but been in plenty of each and driven them both. I'd say the porsche everytime matey, just got that 'something' that the M3 doesnt IMHO. As said they arn't rare anymore but you just see soooo many M3's and M3 copies that alone would put me off

Good luck with the choice, they are both great cars, just one's better than the other IMO.

Gav..

davyboy

If you do go for the 996, please do not get one with a GT3 spolier kit.

That is so;

"Turbo scoop on a sport"

"Sti Spoiler on a WRX"

They look great as they are.....

Nevetas

Indeed, I'd take the E46 M3 over a 996 Carrera/s.

I'd take a GT3 over the M3, I'd take a 997 Carrera S over the M3.

I'd take a GT3 over the CSL.

I'd take the CSL over the 997 Carrera/S/Turbo.

'bout somes it up for me

Adam M

You wonder why people give porsche drivers a bad rep when you write something like that?

You are going to be a porsche driver and you have clearly demonstrated tha once in your seat you will look down on others drivers because you have a porsche and they might "only" have a BMW!

I can afford a porsche, no doubt in my mind or wallet about that, but I would far rather drive a ford focus than end up with an attitude like that.

Returning to the thread at hand, both the M3 and the 996, especially the turbo are common as muck in london. Exclusivity isn't a factor with either of these cars if you live round there. Even ferraris are heading that way now.

I can only say drive them both, compare the costs of owning them both. The 996 will definitely not have as far to fall come resale time and from what I gather, servicing of a porsche isn't expensive, potentially less than the BMW.

Not sure I agree on the buld quality or engne note points, as the CSL is not a million miles away from the M3 and that is considered to have lone of the finest sounding engines in the world. We are only talking intake tract modifications to achieve that accolade.

TopBanana

Hear hear.

Andy M3

Right. I think these 2 cars really depends on your mood.

The BMW will be the better car to own as it is based on a normal car.

The Porsche may get on your nerves with little things. The boot is annoying at times with operation and isn't the biggest. Then there is the width of the sills getting in and out, especially in winter.

So for every day use the BMW is easier to live with.

To drive.

The 996 is pretty safe in all weather, but once again I think the M3 is better because it is based on a car. They both make fantastic progress point to point -

So I think when judging the 2 your need to concentrate on the practical - every day side.

Hope that helps

Andrew

davyboy

Interesting, and the Porsche is based on what....a cucumber?

Andy M3

yes yes

911's are designed as sports cars - and you can't get a 1.6 version

Mad Gypsy

Now thats fookin funny!!

I drive a 996 with sports pack, far more special than the M3, both in terms of driving and looks. I've just had a sports exhaust fitted and it sounds awesome, far better than the M3 (though not as nice a sound as the CSL imo) I honestly can't find fault with it.

P4LNY

I own an M3, The 2nd of which ive owned, i cant say anything overly bad about the cars but my next purchase will definatly be a porsche for the following 3 reasons,

1 Depreciation, Everybody knows this is so much better on the porsche

2 Individuality, V's C4S do a search on auto trader and youll see what i mean

3 Build Quality, nothing too major but not what you'd expect from a 40k + car

Nuff Said

Karl 227

A VW Beetle, HTH

Deep Singh

[QUOTE=Adam M]You wonder why people give porsche drivers a bad rep when you write something like that?

You are going to be a porsche driver and you have clearly demonstrated tha once in your seat you will look down on others drivers because you have a porsche and they might "only" have a BMW!

I can afford a porsche, no doubt in my mind or wallet about that, but I would far rather drive a ford focus than end up with an attitude like that.

Returning to the thread at hand, both the M3 and the 996, especially the turbo are common as muck in london

1) Everybody who drives a prestige car has it for a number of reasons. One of them is because its better than Mr Smiths. A 8nob drives it only for that reason, but for most it will factor to some extent.



2) '996s are common especially the turbos'. Do you think there are more turbos than na 996s??

Deep Singh

As for the question. Never owned either but have driven both quite a bit. 996 as long as you can afford a decent example. No point owning a dog no matter what the badge.
If not, then wait until you can.
The M3 is already almost a forgotten car, once the 400 BHP V8 M3 comes out it'll be in no mans land

imho

slim_boy_fat

With £30k to spend then its got to be a nice M3, thats just not enought to get a nice 996. Running cost for the Porker wil be 2,3 or 4 times higher!!!!!

Andy M3

Not true. My dad has a carrera 4 and has just paid £180 for a basic service [not far off my skoda service], and his 40k service [major] was a couple of quid of £1000 which is normal territory for you BMW / MERC / Audi stuff. He bought x4 18" carrera wheels with p-zero's to replace his 17's for £2500 which is £1000 cheaper than i can get Volvo 18's for. It does 25-30 mpg and 170 mph.

I think they are a bargin super car.....

LINX

996's are depreciating pretty badly at the moment - just ask the dealers !, a 993 C4/2S would be a better choice imo as prices are pretty rock solid for all 993's at the mo.

993 is held in a lot higher regard than 996 by the porsche community.....

davyboy

But a 30k 996 will not depreciate an awful lot more. I do not think we will see a sub 20k RHD 996. I think they will steady at about 22-25k.

The old 993 v 996 debate is whole new thread.

Chunk_22

Get the older shape M5, E49 or whatever it is. Beautiful looks, faster then both, and as practicall as it gets.
I know its a 4 door but still, its a amazing car.

Senior_AP

I was going to post that but thought I'd be shot down in flames!!

2001 Y reg M5, 50k miles, about 20 grand.

BEAT THAT!!

slim_boy_fat

lolss ye right, try owning one for a few years and see how the bills add up.

And i dont consider £1000 normal money for a service. Basic service if oil and filter change, so thats an expensive filter then eh!!!!!

Reality check me thinks

An M3 will be a good wedge cheaper to run.

Senior_AP

Hmm. I had a BMW 323i SE and an inspection 2 cost me £800. No major problems with the car but what you gotta remember is BMW's, Porsche etc don't just last longer cos they're "better cars" - they last longer cos the maintenance from the dealers is better than your average ****** pissing in your oil tank.

M3 may be cheaper yes, but a 911 it aint.

<from a BMW fan >

Chunk_22

I thought the same, but took the risk anyway.

M5 all the way.

Cheers Mike

RS Grant

Hmm, these cars run Oil Tanks.... Does that help the performance then??


Cheers,
Grant

jimby

ive driven neither

but looking back at history, BMW were meschersmit (who made inferior planes to the british) and porsche who designed the Panzer tanks which were by far the superior tank.

so porsche beats BMW!

also the 911 can trace its roots back through the 996,993,964,911,356,beetle right back to before WW2. so you can rest assured it will probably be a car that will outlive you.