e9x M3 vs 911

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by jdogg2000

I agree with the great responses so far. The decision is simple... if you don't need the practicality of the M3, if you can afford it, and if you want all of the disadvantages that come with a true "sports car" then there is no substitute for a Porsche...



I am a long-time BMW fan, the last of my 5 BMWs in a row was a 2011 E92 M3:




The M3 is a FANTASTIC daily driver, in fact much better than the 911 for that purpose I think. The only thing I didn't like about my M3 was the fuel tank range, 200 miles to fill up was a PITA!

However, if one is looking for a true "sports car", you must look elsewhere. BMWs have just gotten too big and heavy to match what it feels like to drive a Porsche Cayman/Boxster/911. Because I have another car to use for my daily driving, I decided to get something more raw, more sport focused, less practical:











It rides a lot harsher, tire noise is louder, trunk is so much smaller, I keep scraping the front lip... but for pure thrills it is simply .


I anticipate I will be back into a BMW someday when my needs change (M2 looks enticing when I need 4 seats again), but while you're a single guy (like me), I think you owe it to yourself to seize the opportunity for some impracticality while you still can. I'm a BMW fan, I'm a Porsche fan, heck I'm a car fan. Any true car fan should have a BMW and a Porsche of some kind at some point of his life, IMO. Save the ///M for when you need a larger, more practical vehicle. Go for the more extreme car now!
I feel lucky to be able to cross both the M3 and the 911 off of my bucket list!

Bravo - Well Said,.......welllll said

[ihtfp06]

I was considering the 911 Cabriolet vs the M3 Convertible when I made my purchase several weeks ago. Ultimately, I ended up with the M3 because:

1. I've had a great experience with my wife's 135i
2. Missed the 8500rpm redline on my Elise
3. The hideous carpet between the rear seats on the Porsche (I know I would probably never have someone in the backseat, let alone sit there myself, but it really takes away from on otherwise beautiful interior)
4. Cost: The 911 convertibles with comparable age and miles I found were $5-10k more expensive.
5. The M3 is the top dog (from the factory). If I had a Carrera, every time I saw an S, 4S, GTS, Turbo, or Turbo S I would feel a pang of regret.

[tmpendergrass]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. I will probably try to drive both again before I purchase anything but a week separated from the test drive, the porsche is the car I remember.

[MrPrena]

Originally Posted by tmpendergrass

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. I will probably try to drive both again before I purchase anything but a week separated from the test drive, the porsche is the car I remember.

Keep us updated. I was facing similar situation about 6+ mo ago.
thanks!

[slicer]

I love Porsches but a well set up M3 is a fantastic car. I would take an M3 with KW clubsports (or a comparable high quality coilover) over a cayman s, 997.1 Carrera c2, or any 997.1 (excluding turbo or gt3). I would not consider a 997.1 because I am not a fan of the motor. IMS issues and oil starvation issues. I lost a 996 c2 motor on my first ever track day due to oil starvation. 997.1 uses the same engine architecture (albeit an updated version).

The 997.2, 987.2 DFI motor is a big improvement. All gt3 and turbo Porsches (except for 991) have the Metzger motor which is a gem.

In summary I would not consider the 997.1 c2 over an e9x M3. I also have a 987.2 cayman S (wife's car) and I prefer my M3 by far. It is however a little unfair because of the amount of modifications on my M3.... I could have bought a used 997.1 gt3 or turbo with the money I have in this car.

[vegaseric]

The E90 M3 is the Swiss army knife of performance cars. If you want a car that is slightly understated, yet can haul passengers in comfort AND perform duties on the track... this is your car.