E92 M3 w/ESS Supercharger vs 09-10 GTR?

[CSanto]

So I've had my car for 3+ years and 30k miles. I'm getting the itch for something else.

My warranty is up in OCT 2012 so I was thinking about doing a VT1-535 SC to liven the car up a bit, and keep me satisfied until OCT 2013 when I can get the new F30 M3 or something like that.

Or I was looking into finding a low mileage 09 or 10 GTR and get into one of those for high 60s low 70s.

My car is probably worth about 50-51 Private sale 48-49 Trade in. 09 loaded w/30k miles.

What do you guys think?

p.s. I've never been in a SC M3. Have driven a 09 GTR once on a test drive. The daily drive-ability is the big ? with the GTR.

[alms211]

I would say "hell yes" to the ESS. I am actually contemplating it myself this summer. I would SC my M3 before I would buy the GT-R. The GT-R is a great car -- I just don't like the styling or the driving dynamics. If I had the itch for something new --I'd get an '07/08 997 Turbo and tune it. That engine is bulletproof

[Z K]

If you are looking at straight line speed, here's a comparison.

[CSanto]

^^ I was watching that video last night lol. Crazy that the e92 with this kit can keep up with a switzer GTR.

I wouldn't go this far though, I'd probably only go for the VT1.

Also, can we throw out some respect for the Z06. At 6 years old, this car still continues to impress.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by alms211

I would say "hell yes" to the ESS. I am actually contemplating it myself this summer. I would SC my M3 before I would buy the GT-R. The GT-R is a great car -- I just don't like the styling or the driving dynamics. If I had the itch for something new --I'd get an '07/08 997 Turbo and tune it. That engine is bulletproof

I agree with your opinion to go for the 997 Turbo.
However this will still be my only car, so with that being said I need boot space for shopping bags, overnight bags, golf clubs etc.

[IFX]

ok honestly, you seem to want a car that will rip your face off. Forget about daily driving capabilities.

Get the GTR, mod it and run laps around M3's all day.

[adc]

Personally, I don't like the driving experience in the GT-R. I would do as the other gent suggested, get a 997 Turbo and mod it - incidentally, it has about the same amount of space/seats/utility as the GT-R (which is very poorly packaged).

Really, nothing else will compare.


Supercharging an M3 is intriguing of course, and given that all these cars have similar displacement, you will get similar amounts of HP out of them if you want to stay within sane/daily driving limits.

But with the M3, the story and expenses won't end there - you will need brakes, wheels/tires and perhaps some suspension mods in order to get the car to keep up with the power increase. Are you willing to do all this - and still risk engine failure?

It would definitely be 911 Turbo for me...

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by IFX

ok honestly, you seem to want a car that will rip your face off. Forget about daily driving capabilities.

Get the GTR, mod it and run laps around M3's all day.

I don't know about rip my face off. I'm just looking for different. I'd probably like having a 1M, but you cant find them. So that's out the window.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by HREM3

I agree with your opinion to go for the 997 Turbo.
However this will still be my only car, so with that being said I need boot space for shopping bags, overnight bags, golf clubs etc.

Understood. I tried to make my former 996 Turbo and 997S my daily driver and I just couldn't get it to work. Not enough space. Would love to have one as a weekend/one day a week toy. I just get bored with driving mundane cars as my DD. Tried it with my former Grand Sport where I would drive my 4Runner as my DD. Lasted about 9 months...sold the Grand Sport and got the M3. 4Runner gets driven about 3k miles/year now and serves the purpose for why I bought it -- haul the dog, crappy weather and Home Depot trips.

I actually had a co-worker say to me "it's about time for you to get another car isn't it?"..... To his defense, I have gone through an assload of cars over the past five years....but I told him "you know what, I think for once I have a car that does precisely what I have been looking for -- and that is great DD ability with performance".

The ESS would give you a beast while maintaining great utility and not affect DD ability.

[CSanto]

^ I think that post helped make my decision. It's essentially exactly what I want. Beast with great dd ability, and good utility.

[Z K]

Well, you are looking at a modified car vs one that is stock. Generally stock is going to be more reliable and you won't have problems with repairs and service like you would a modified car. For a DD, I would want 100% reliability and ease of use. Any down time would be unacceptable. Any dealer can service and repair a stock car but a supercharger problem? You'd need a specialist.

Also, straight line speed is good... but the GT-R will walk all over an M3 on corners, supercharged or not.

[DevJ]

gtr everytime.
i'm getting one once my warranty runs out.. ~6 months

[991GT3]

Modifying a car you know versus buying a 2 year old sports car you don't seems like a toss up.

[erio]

Originally Posted by 997GT3

Modifying a car you know versus buying a 2 year old sports car you don't seems like a toss up.

Just noticed your delivery schedule. 1 car per month for 3 months. Nice . Even, if the GTR is not on time, the Raptor will keep you entertained, esp. given that the weather will still be less favorable for the GTR. How do you like the Cayenne Turbo?

[991GT3]

Originally Posted by erio

Just noticed your delivery schedule. 1 car per month for 3 months. Nice . Even, if the GTR is not on time, the Raptor will keep you entertained, esp. given that the weather will still be less favorable for the GTR. How do you like the Cayenne Turbo?

I'll probably have the GTR before the Raptor. I got word a few days ago that the Raptor is being delayed because of a backordered part. My Cayenne Turbo just got to the US. I hope it doesn't get held up too long because I'm getting tired of driving a pick up. That said, whenever I get in my wifes Cayenne S it seems like a rocket. It's probably good for me to drive a slower vehicle. I was getting too jaded about acceleration. I will update my sig to reflect deliveries.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by Skullbussa

You're going to put a supercharger on an engine that wasn't developed for it? Yeah, that sounds like a smart idea. Just wait until you see what kind of lowball offers you get for your car when the prospective buyers learn about your supercharger kit. You might as well forget about resale value.

Sell the m3 and get the newest 911 you can. Or, if you want utility and the ability to basically beat any car on the street short of a ZR1, get the GT-R.

First off, ESS, Gintani, AA all have been supercharging M3's for many years.

Secondly, ESS put their original development cars through a 50000 mile long term test which involves track driving, extreme heat and cold testing, high-speed Autobahn driving for extended periods, and normal everyday driving.

I'm sure it'e been proven that the engines can handle FI.

Lastly, the guy clearly said a 911 doesn't work for him as this will be his only car.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

OP: where in NY are you? I'm Upstate if you wanna check out my car. We are putting in the 600 kit next week, and it is already a monster with the current kit and the 4:10 diff.

I normally switch cars every year (bad habit), but the ESS beast is a keeper. I pick up my daughter from school with it one day, and track it the next day. Best. Hybrid. Ever.

In the spring I'm going to find someone in the DC/Balt area that has one of these and go for a spin with them...........I've got the itch in a big way.

Best Hybrid Ever

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Do some research...

OP: where in NY are you? I'm Upstate if you wanna check out my car. We are putting in the 600 kit next week, and it is already a monster with the current kit and the 4:10 diff.

I normally switch cars every year (bad habit), but the ESS beast is a keeper. I pick up my daughter from school with it one day, and track it the next day. Best. Hybrid. Ever.

I'm on Long Island.

We're probably not far from each other.

[bholloway]

I'd go for the GTR. If you're the type of person who switches cars every few years, a supercharger kit is wasteful in the sense that its a depreciating investment. What are the supercharger kits running these days $15k-20k or so? Plus the accompanying mods to help it support the power. That's a lot of extra money to spend considering that if you try and sell the car in two years you'd be lucky to get even 50% of that investment back.

If you're like the big M3 fans on this board and will keep the car for a while then go for the supercharger. To me it seems like you're just looking for something new to tide you over for the next year or two and in that case the GTR will be something different.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Kiss your money good-bye.

I'm going to view it as "return on investment" purely from a fun standpoint to soften the blow a bit

[Optherion]

The GT-R is an incredible machine but I am not sure I could recommend it for everyday driving. There are reasons its so fast. The trans is quirky at times, the ride is like a track car. Interior is subjection to everyone's tastes. I happen to like it. I can fit 2 golf bags in the trunk and then some. Back seat is useless. My only gripe about any car that has a ridiculously fast lap time will always be the suspension. Obviously it does not ride nearly as stiff as a GT3RS, but the GT-R at least has other creature comforts that could make it useable everyday. Sadly even though my M3 is my daily driver, I have fallen out of love with the M3. Hopefully the new model BMW's will have the torque I have longed for.

[graider]

it is pointless to supercharged your m3 because at the end of the day, it is still the same car with more hp. why not just get something else entirely different. you only live once.

i go gtr all the way. the 2013 ride is more comfy, big trunk, and out handle/out accelerate/out brake the m3, and smoother transmission. i would rather get a brand new car with warranty than supercharged your m3.