right older M3. I was thinking of the 2000 plus series, which is much more powerfull and much heavier, equal to the 996tt in weight.

390 is quite a bit different than 350 that you posted for a tuned 996tt. Some people would kill for 40 awhp.

Again, even on a dyno dynamics, there are several in here that have dynoed between 400 and 440 with a tune. I would believe 390 that you just stated. That is close to 400. I think a very well tuned K16 car would be closer to 400 and a K24 car would be above that. Also you are looking at GIAC tune on the 350 whp. An EPL, UMW, Proto tune would beat those numbers easily. Not all tunes are created equal.

How much have you spent on the M3 to get it there. You built the bottom end to take the power, turbo, intercooler, fueling? Tune? How much cash for all that?

An active autowerks stage 2 turbo kit which sells for $10k. gives 430 BHP, not WHP. For that same amount of money, a 996tt will be putting out 200 more BHP!!!

all you had to do to your 996tt is tune and you are near all that adding of a bazillion bolt ons to the M3. how is that apples to apples? An off the shelf GIAC tune on one car and a complete turbo kit and corner balancing on the other? please. Add up the aftermarket $ you spent on the M3 and put that in the 996tt. then it's apples to apples.

much easier to squeeze power out of the 996tt than the M3 and built right I am sure that your 996 would beat the M3 around the track as well. Not to mention the M3 has the aerodynamics of a brick.

I really like M3's, but there is no comparison. I sure liked my buddies enough to want to buy it off of him when he was wavering on selling it.

 

The few tracks I have been to, M3's are routinely getting smoked by 911 turbos, and mostly 996's. I like M3's also, but the 996tt is the supra of the new age. Sorry for the equating a Porsche to Rice, but hey the Supra is a monster and I think it is saying a lot to say that the 996tt is the new supra, at a much higher end and much higher price. Quality is much better too.

 

True, nor are all drivetrains of the same make/model/age of stock cars. Just offering some data points for a little perspective.

A fair point. According to my wife, I spent too much.

A decent 996TT example would be $45k(car) + $10k(tune) = 600hp (using your numbers)

A decent E36 M3 would be $10k(car) + $45k(tune) = 600hp (or more)

So for dollar/performance, I already made my decision for a track car. ($45k is not what I paid for my tune, it's only a hypothetical)

My apples to apples comparison referred to the dyno numbers - ie my dyno numbers vs other cars on the same dyno. (Again the data is not meant to be proof, just some data.)

What is the "right build" for my 996? For that matter, how do you know that it isn't already "built right?"

Like I've said, I've chosen my track car and I'm happy with my decision. It sounds like you would make a different choice and be equally happy. Either way, it's all good.

 

you make a lot of valid points about cost of track car. Can't argue with your logic there.

 

I have both. 996TT remains a weekend car, and the M3 is my track car. Going from an E36 M3 to a TT would be a giant leap. 996TT is the best used car bargain out there considering its performance. You can't go wrong.

 

I'm actually going to take my wife's 87 328is Sedan as a daily driver when we buy her a new bimmer this fall... I enjoy driving the E36 and think it was the best car BMW ever sold!

Mike

 

I think the e30 M3 was the best car BMW ever sold.

 

Although I like both, and they are both way outdated, the E36 has just enough creature comforts to live with on long trips and commuting. And it still "feels" light, bringing you back to that E30 "feel"!

Mike

 

BMW makes great cars. Their new offerings like the M5, M6 and M3 are better than the cars they replaced.

 

Hi,
I am sure you have received a lot of feedback by now. But from a personal experience,
We owned a 1997 E36 (since 1997) which I sold in 2004 to buy a Euro-Spec (I picked it up in Germany) E46 M3 SMG which I just sold in favor of James ****'s GT-800.

E36 was a lighter more nimble, but lacked the oomf factor. E46 had more HP and a great gearbox (I loved the SMG-II w/ a SW mod), but a tad on the heavy side, but again a great car. the 996 is a new territory for me, but so far all I can say is great handling car. As far as power, I may not be a good reference since the vehicle I purchased was already heavily moded and sorted out - All I can say is my kids love the turbo kick and my wife hates it .

 

Must be a chick thing!

Bought mine modded too and am a horrible barometer for "stock" opinions!

Mike

 

I loved that color on the e36's. I grew up in a Porsche household and somehow first bought a BMW and never went back until my 02 996tt. Having owned the entire BMW line including 8 different m3's, the latest m5, and everything in between, you WILL NOT regret the turbo... now i see why the family was always with porsche from the start...