Is an M3 a good substitute?

[NoSubstitute]

Hi. I'm a Porsche 911 owner for the past 5 years. I have a 997.2 Carrera. It's been my daily driver but I still stoked everytime I see an M3. The newer 991 does not interest me at all, so as the new generation M3/M4. I plan on acquiring a used e92 2011 or newer. Any other 911 owners here? The thought of having a normally aspirated V8 non-DFI engine gets me excited. I am keeping my 911 since it's been dependable but after those years I have this itch now to try another car. I am also looking at the Audi RS5 but all audi look very generic to me. I think I'll just do it.

[Sinful]

Nice to hear that people are looking at the naturally aspirated engine as special versus the newer models turbo charged. The noise is really intoxicating, as well as the driving experience. When you done driving it like a track car, its also a great all around car too! Give one a drive and you will end up buying one!
I think I read someone say once: Its not the best in any one category but it is #2 in every category!

[bga23]

I've owned a 997.1 C2S and I currently have my e90 for sale so I can get back into another 911. I'd like to get a 997.2 GT3 but prices for these are insane, above sticker for a ~4 year old car! I realize a GT3 is a very special/unique car but I guess I still find a 911 to be more engaging than an M3. But that's just my .02 and you know what they say about opinions...

If you think you want to go the e90 route I've got a great one for sale, potentially not too far from you (see my signature).

[Ezio]

I think you would really enjoy the feel and sound of the V8. although the 911 is probably a better car.

[Flying Ace]

keep your 911.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Jexter

Porsche's I-6 doesn't sound good?

This love affair you have with the NA v8 sound, I swear

Trying to figure out where I said a 911 sounds bad. Also one of my dream cars being a 991 gt3. Weird

[mermar]

Originally Posted by SinfulM3

I think I read someone say once: Its not the best in any one category but it is #2 in every category!

I would argue that it is #1 in the category of being incredibly capable, incredibly visceral, while also being a completely comfortable daily driver.

One could easily go to the track and rip off hot laps in the morning - and then pick up a an executive for a sales/prospect lunch meeting.

[Longboarder]

The M3 is better as an all-around daily driver. the 911 has some limitations due to its size and configuration. It fits 4 people and luggage just fine, and is much more comfortable. Plus it provides similar performance to a 997.2 Carrera S. If you get an M3, get the newer ZCP (competition package) with the DCT trans. It put a smile on your face trust me.

[tito_gsx]

I used to own a 997 S which I loved! Best all around sports car but I needed 4 doors for hauling the kid so i went with the best compromise. Day to day the m3 is less stressful to drive and I dont worry about rock chips and door dings as I did in the Porsche. Performance driving the m3 has lower limits compared to the 997 but the handling and balance is phenomenal. I found the 997 understeered too much. On track the 997 far surpasses, its a very capable car. If you can keep both then your laughing!

[bga23]

Pose the same question over on Rennlist and see what sort of response you'll get.

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by Jexter

Porsche's I-6 doesn't sound good?

This love affair you have with the NA v8 sound, I swear

Lol imagine an i6 stuffed in the ass of a porsche

[BPMSport]

"There is no substitute for the ultimate driving machine"..

Sorry, I had to

[NoSubstitute]

Thanks for everybody's reply. Yes I am keeping the 911. I have 3 kids to raise so obviously I need to stay under $100 grand budget. I could have grabbed the new M4 but an inline turbocharged 6?? No way! I am getting one with DCT for sure as it's gonna be my wife who's primarily driving it. I am checking out several specimens and finalizing. Five years ago the M3 was my second choice before the 911 and told myself I will get a new M3 after that but disappointed with the new engine that BMW has put into the new M cars so I believe the e92 will be a classic so very eager to have one.
I won't post on Rennlist as I know what their answer is gonna be.

[badbeef]

I used to have a 911 and I think overall it was better built. It never broke. But even still, I sold it and bought an e90. Primarily this was because the 911 was a good occasional car, but not really an every day car (didn't like the seating position as much, not as good on a long trip, couldn't hold as much people/cargo). Recently I bought a set of winter wheels from a local guy who sold his e92 for a 997.2 4S cab. He said the 911 was a faster car but he just couldn't get used to it. He seemed to have buyers remorse. Having both a 4 door M3 + a 911 is the sweet spot! If I could have both I would....choosing between these 2 legends is tough.

[CarreraX]

I love driving my M3 but there is NO WAY it will ever replace my 911! The 911 will still be in the garage a long time after the M3 is history.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

Thanks for everybody's reply. Yes I am keeping the 911. I have 3 kids to raise so obviously I need to stay under $100 grand budget. I could have grabbed the new M4 but an inline turbocharged 6?? No way! I am getting one with DCT for sure as it's gonna be my wife who's primarily driving it. I am checking out several specimens and finalizing. Five years ago the M3 was my second choice before the 911 and told myself I will get a new M3 after that but disappointed with the new engine that BMW has put into the new M cars so I believe the e92 will be a classic so very eager to have one.
I won't post on Rennlist as I know what their answer is gonna be.

you are among friends who share this view.

[bsacamano]

Originally Posted by Jexter

I think you won't be happy going from a Porsche to an M3 or Audi. Completely different driving characteristics.

Unless you are looking for completely different driving characteristics.

[LarThaL]

The M3 sounds better, the engine is intoxicating in how it revs, the throttle response is spectacular and the car has an absolutely perfect ride/handling balance for the street. Porsche is a better pure performance car however.

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by Jexter

I-3 x 2?

Boxer 6?

You get the point.

Just semantics, but i6s are known for being long and tall, neither characteristic being at all suitable for a rear mount Porsche chassis. Hence the chuckle.

Nomenclature I'm acquainted with for these motors: H6(horizontally opposed) or f6(flat).

[Nice Rumble]

I also have a Cayman S to share the garage with my 2009 Coupe which I purchased this summer. I now find I gravitate toward the M3 when going for a drive over taking the Porsche. They are two completely different driving experiences but compliment each other nicely as there is no overlap. The P car is more focused and has more of an edge to it. More agile, lighter and the flat six sound (sport exhaust) while intoxicating isn't as satisfying as the V8 (Corsa). Porsche makes great track cars. They are merely race cars legal to drive on the street and the M3 is a street legal high performance car you can take on the track. The M3 is more comfortable on long trips and has more room for people and luggage. Get one of each if you can, they make great choices for the desired application.

[youngnastyman]

Funny because I've been thinking of making the opposite switch for some time now. Ideal car would be a 997.2 C4S

[Sleeper519]

Originally Posted by tito_gsx

I used to own a 997 S which I loved! Best all around sports car but I needed 4 doors for hauling the kid so i went with the best compromise. Day to day the m3 is less stressful to drive and I dont worry about rock chips and door dings as I did in the Porsche. Performance driving the m3 has lower limits compared to the 997 but the handling and balance is phenomenal. I found the 997 understeered too much. On track the 997 far surpasses, its a very capable car. If you can keep both then your laughing!

...on paper, definitely.

Funny though, when I see a 997 on the street, I think sexy, capable, pure sports car, etc, etc.

But when I see one on the track... I think, meh, not much of a rival, almost pedestrian. Unless its a GT3 or TT it doesn't register to me as much competition for the E92 M3 on the track. It's probably just a perception with me, who knows. Maybe I've just encountered a lot of poorly driven ones.

Not knocking the 911--they are great cars!! I have enjoyed driving them on the street.