1) Don't fool yourself, they are both expensive to maintain.
2) if you need a car that won't let you down, get a new Honda or Toyota - not used 911 or M3.
3) You mention performance reviews for the cars, but are you going to use the car that way? If you are only talking daily driving, the track info really isn't that helpful. And honestly, it's not that helpful in general.
4) Do you have stuff/people to haul around?
5) More men look at a 911 than women. This doesn't work in my favor. For others, it might.

Lastly, you may only have 1 chance in your lifetime to get the car you want without any compromises. Get the one that you've dreamed about.

-td

 

5) More men look at a 911 than women. This doesn't work in my favor. For others, it might.

Granted, men will focus on the ride ..but women check out the combo platter of the car and the stud behind the wheel.

-td[/quote]

 

I'm married and not in the "market," but if I were, I'd say that the right woman will be attracted to the right car.

 

You're right. Happens all the time.

-td

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. From your guys posts I found out what I already knew from the beginingm but it was good to get it reinforced.

The beamer, is just a beamer...but its a great beamer (I still think its better looking then the new one and the Porsche). I am going to need back seat and trunk for the trips to Hamptons & the Cape with my buddies in the summer. The downside no AWD but between school and work in the city I'm not going to need it.

The Porsche is obviously better (There are no substitutes) but I don't think its the right time for me to own one. I think if I got the 996 C4, I'd love it...but to be honest who dreams of a porsche with out getting the Turbo? It's like getting a cayman and saying you didn't want a 911. I'll hold off and make the step up in my 30's...hopefully

(I'm only at year 15, got 10 more to go)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Iu7...next=1&index=4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D09qQ...eature=related

 

So...does anyone know someone who's looking to get rid of an E46?

 

Good choice, I'm sure that you are going to love the M3, it's a fantastic automobile. You will get into a Porsche some day.

I bypassed the BMW, I'm more of an Audi guy (A6 Avant - what a great ski car). Now I also have a C4S and love every second of it.

 

I went to a BMW dealer and test drove an 04' vert 3x,xxx miles, Ti Silver/Gray leather/ Navy Top (VERY NICE/RARE Color Combo) with every option, SMG, NAVI, CW & Prem Pkg, park sens., etc.

From when I put the Key in the Ignition I absolutelty loved it. I could tell the car was VERY pampered. It felt new almost like it still needed to be broken in. They were asking $31,xxx which I thought was a little high considering in 2004 it was about $50,000 brand new and its 5-6 years old.

Afterwards I went over to look at the new cars and see what their opinion was on the an e46 vs 335. Needless to say they were pushing me towards at 135cic. "It's better then the E46 M3", the dealer said.

In my mind an "M" is an "M" and there is no standard version that even remotely close. I think an M3 has presence and commands attention. It's the barometer for all other sport car (2+2)/sedans (Audi S4, MB AMG, etc.) try to measure up against. Yet the dealer showed me a picture of an E36 M3 sedan thats his baby, and he gets the "M" and why it is special, yet he's standing there telling me the 135 is better in everyway than the M3. I think that the 135 is a litte femine and not sure I feel comfortable driving it.

But, I was wondering what your thoughts were 135cic vs E46 M3 vert

 

If you're interested, I'll give my opinion. I've had an e36 M3 for the last 2.5 years, and before buying my 996 I was looking between the e46 m3 and the 135i (i dont like the 335's).

For starters, M3 vs 911 is very different. And (not to bash you) but your comment a few posts earlier about a non-turbo 911 being a poor car is just foolish. Not everyone wants or needs a TT.

But back on topic.

All I can say is drive all of the cars. Theyre VERY different. Also, I would stay away from any sort of smg/tip unless you really need it. From what I've been told, none of the cars have an exceptional system. Im a die-hard manual fan tho.

The M3 is more of a grand touring type car. You can fit a full family, lots of luggage or whatever, and go. The thing that the e46 m3 has that the 135i and the 996 dont (except some 99's) is an LSD. That doesn't matter for everyone, but in some instances it will. The BMW ride in general compared to a porsche is very different (ive only owned these two brands and went back to porsche from bmw). The Porsche is sportier, the M3 can hide better as just a normal everyday car. You wont draw the attention a PCar would get, which is good or bad depending what you want (dont buy a car bc other ppl like it, get it bc you like it).

Anyway, the 135i is an awesome car, and it does outperform the e46 M3. It has an M package as well, but is not an M car. It never will be (most likely). It can still hold its own on the track or the street, and it will be newer. Some people love the style, some hate it. I think it's a great car. I was giong to pick one up, but opted against leasing a car. I also didnt need the extra space the BMWs provided.

As for the price the dealer had, I think that's too much. e46's are selling at the low $20k's now. I havent done lots of research on them, but one asking for $30k better be really special. They have been hit pretty hard over the last 6 months - 1 year.

Again tho, drive all the cars. Feel them. A 135i will come with a warranty. The turbo is easy to chip. It's not an M car. An e46 M3 may/may not have a warranty, and it will be limited. Does that matter? A well cared for car shouldnt need one, but always build in for when things break. M cars are NOT cheap. Parts and labor are both on the very high end. The 996 is going to run you decently more than an e46 M3, and is completely different frmo the other two. Most likely it wont have a warranty. It cannot comfortably fit 4. Storage space is limited. IMO tho, the quality and ride enjoyment dwarfs the other two. Thats why I got my 996.


edit: Also, the e46 M3 is not a sport sedan. The sedan option was not there for the e46 model line. It's only a coupe (or vert, but still 2 doors)

 

Skoot thanks for the reply. I think I am going to hold off for a little due to the economic conditions. Instead I'll use the money for the car for some short term investments and see where I am in a year.

Note: I edited my comment to clarify. I know the M3 is a coupe, but its compeition (S4, MB C-AMG, Jag S type R etc.) are primirily all sedans. Also, I know the regular 911 is a great piece of engineering. I jsut got spoiled because the first one I was ever in was a Turbo.

 

Smart and wise decision for knowing when to make a purchase.

///Michael

 

Can someone inform me on the difference between a 1999-2004 911 C4/C4S 3.4 (996?) and the 2004+ 3.6? C4/c4s (997)