|
|
04-13-2010, 10:18 PM | #1 |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
From M3 to GT3 - Downsides and Upsides
OK- I've done lot's of searches and maybe I've missed something, but here's what I've been able to gather from posts on Rennlist and here along with my experience with my M3:
I'm thinking of 'someday' trading up to a Porsche 997.1 or 997.2 GT3 (most likely a 997.2). What's driving this is that I've always wanted a P car and I just feel like it's now our never. It's not that I couldn't get one in the past, it's just been that in the past, our M3 has run very close to standard 993's and 997's (model year for model year) and the family situation and cost differences just couldn't be justified. Now, you know the kids are away from school and well, it's maybe time for that P car. Problem is that the M3 is just so perfect as an all around car. I'm concerned maybe it's going to be a case of 'be careful what you wish for...' Anyways, rather than continue to ramble about my personal wants and wishes, it would be cool if the community here can weigh in on the upsides and downsides of switching to a GT3 Upsides: Sportiness- GT3 in stock form is aesthetically sportier in my opinion than an M3 in stock form. Handling- GT3 closer to a track car- owns the M3 stock vs. stock. Interior- GT3 classic sports car interior, nice trim options unavailable in M3 although M3 wheel is meatier. Brakes- GT3 no question. Motor- Motor: Hmm, this could go either way. The characteristics of the M3 V8 are really quite remarkable. It pulls all the way to redline where it produces peak power. Never driven the GT3 in anger to redline so I can't say how it feels, but is based on the GT1 race motor so don't know, just know that peak power is about 500+ RPM less than redline... Weight: GT3 Driving Position: GT3 (personal preference here) Downsides: Comfort: M3 is a unique blend of comfortable sedan and sportiness. GT3 is all sportiness all the time, which could lead to discomfort on longer trips / commuting (it happens). Driving Noise: GT3 is louder all the time- sometimes that's good, on regular drives maybe not so much. Maintenance: Neither one is a Subaru, but the Porsche is a step higher in costs to maintain and service no question. Costs: Used- 50% more, new- almost double. Daily driving: Not really with the GT3- or at least less often than the M3 because of practical issues- trunk space, extra passengers, etc. OK, what do you guys think?
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
04-13-2010, 10:30 PM | #2 |
Civilian
79
Rep 970
Posts |
I have given thought to getting a Porsche but 2 things have held me back:
1 - With a Porsche I would need a second car. The M3 on the other hand is a stand alone car and can easily take 2 suitcases & is very comfortable on long drives. 2 - There is no Porsche Dealership where I live. The nearest one is 2 hours away in Toronto. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 11:05 AM | #4 |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
Now I feel old! JK, LOL
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 12:10 PM | #6 |
Captain
145
Rep 661
Posts |
to a lot of m3 or just plain "sportiness" car guys, i think only upgrade at our level is the gt3.
so i think it's just the matter of if you are "ready" for the upgrade or not. i saw the new RS at a local dealer, and i am getting it for sure in the future. that thing just looks like madness, not too flashy like a ferrari, but def a lot of presence with that decal/graphics and oh my.. the rear wing is gigantic i'm going to try to keep all my cars and add the rs to my stable, but if i can't, i may just pick up a 328 or 335 as a DD.. i'm planning on driving the RS as much as possible but it will not be a DD for me. just don't think the 60 mile commute a day is worth to put on that masterpiece motor
__________________
Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley
otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born |
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 01:02 PM | #7 |
Lieutenant Colonel
344
Rep 1,805
Posts |
GT3 ALL THE WAY!!!! Im going be getting rid of my car soon and have been looking at getting a 997.1 gt3.
-the 997.1 engine produces as much power and torque as the m3 engine with .4 liters less and less 2 cylinders. -400lbs less that alone sells me...and the sounds of that engine is phenominal Test drove an gt3 rs w/ cargraphic header and exhaust sounds like a real race car cause it is!....so amazing. Fine as a daily driver too. your left leg might get a little bigger than your right thou!
__________________
17' M2 DCT - KW CS - Re71r - Carbotech
BW C13 - 1:57:2 ACS - 1:49:6 WSIR - 1:30:6 |
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 08:56 PM | #9 | |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
Quote:
Just curious. Been reading up on Bob MG's posts and he is a former GT3 owner, no direct engine comparisons but he ways pretty heavily on the disadvantages to the GT3. But you guys make some good points, still tempting!
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 09:06 PM | #10 | |
Colonel
755
Rep 2,736
Posts |
Quote:
I'm curious as to what disadvantages the GT3 has compared to a E92 M3, other than subjective daily driving preferences by some? It's all what you want of course. From a purley sports car perspective there is no comparison. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 09:31 PM | #11 | |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
Quote:
The dilemma is how it is the rest of the time, those are disadvantages that Bob MG talks about. I wish you had a little more seat time in the M3- At or near the limit it is really a very different car than just tooling around. The motor is not anything like the E46 in terms of power delivery. The E9X motor pulls all the way to redline where it produces peak power- and it feels that way. I just looked at the specs on the GT3 motor and it's peak is 7600 RPM, quite shy of redline. Now, the RS does peak higher at 7900 RPM. I know that the GT3 dusts the M3 with a much lower lb/HP ratio, but the question is when you don't look at the tach, when do you shift when going all out- just based on feel? 7600 RPM or close to redline? For example, without looking in the E46 M3 I would consistently shift at our near the power peak of 7600 RPM, way below redline. On the E9X it is right around redline (or past!). It's just a different feel- not dissing the GT3, just curious on that 'feel' of the pulling power of the motor...
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 09:39 PM | #12 | |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
So everyone is up to speed, I'll copy Bob MG's post from another thread:
Quote:
Put another way, can lust turn to love from an M3 to a GT3?
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 09:42 PM | #13 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
344
Rep 1,805
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
17' M2 DCT - KW CS - Re71r - Carbotech
BW C13 - 1:57:2 ACS - 1:49:6 WSIR - 1:30:6 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-14-2010, 09:49 PM | #14 |
Lieutenant
53
Rep 574
Posts |
I have the official sales brochure with the HP and torque curves- it looks eerily similar to the E46 (HP curve, not ultimate power- torque is different). Thus, my question for the 'feel' of the motor...
__________________
'08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 01:31 AM | #15 |
Private First Class
13
Rep 148
Posts |
Put another way, can lust turn to love from an M3 to a GT3?[/QUOTE]
I think it will...especially if u always wanted P-car. Like you have said, the kids are away from school (congrats!) and if you have some room to justify the cost differences... and most importantly you feel that its now or never.. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 02:17 AM | #16 |
Lieutenant Colonel
344
Rep 1,805
Posts |
well i drove 1 (gt3 rs) and i must say it rips shreds tears to redline! its quite an amazing engine. although the rs does have the lightweight flywheel the the "reg gt3" lol...does not have....so it did make it rev faster...but havent driven a "reg gt3" to say the diff
__________________
17' M2 DCT - KW CS - Re71r - Carbotech
BW C13 - 1:57:2 ACS - 1:49:6 WSIR - 1:30:6 |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 08:13 AM | #17 |
One mod leads to another ...
422
Rep 2,900
Posts |
Why not supercharge your M3? I think that is what I am going to do then you have practically everything. A car that is a DD that is comfortable and useable, that is faster than 99% of the other cars on the road.
__________________
Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3 |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 08:24 AM | #18 |
Major General
2768
Rep 5,483
Posts |
I went down this path recently, because like you a P car is on my bucket list, though I was not looking at GT3's. What narrowed it down to the E90 was the daily use aspect. I don't want or have time or money to care for and insure a second car, and I didn't drive any 911's, even regular old Carrera 2's, that were daily-driver livable like the M3. Not to mention the 911's in my price range were quite a bit slower and less interesting in the engine department.
Anyway, one day, I hope to still have the E90 as my daily and a GT3 for when I'm replacing the VANOS on the M3. Bucket list item, for sure.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 08:28 AM | #19 |
First Lieutenant
31
Rep 385
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 08:45 AM | #20 |
Lieutenant Colonel
20
Rep 1,504
Posts |
Supercharger money could get you that much closer to the GT3.
-1 GT3 is pretty much the automotive pinnacle for me - nothing else interests me including plenty of much faster cars.
__________________
'09 E92 M3 6MT | Alpine White | Black Leather | EDC | CL Trim | 19s
'03 E46 330i 6MT | Electric Red | Black Leather | ZSP | Bi-Xenons |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 09:03 AM | #21 |
Lieutenant Colonel
344
Rep 1,805
Posts |
its just a different car. different to drive, different feel...that cars not about the power but the way its delivered
__________________
17' M2 DCT - KW CS - Re71r - Carbotech
BW C13 - 1:57:2 ACS - 1:49:6 WSIR - 1:30:6 |
Appreciate
0
|
04-15-2010, 01:21 PM | #22 |
Major
66
Rep 1,305
Posts |
a downside to a GT3??!!!
DOOOOOO IT!!!! i wish I was in the position to buy one!!!
__________________
2009 Jet Black E92 M3, DCT, Nav, Novillo Leather, PDC, EDC, BBS CHR's 20", Yokohama Advan Sports Tires, Eiback Pro-Kit Springs, Dinan Pullies and Dinan Stage1 software, black grills, black side gills, alcantara shift and ebrake boot.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|