I just like to get owners opinions on the driving dynamics and living with both of these cars on a daily basis.

I've driven both but it's sort of hard to tell without actually owning both cars at the same time. I'm back in the market for possibly a 3.4 996 or E46 M3.

TIA

 

I just went from an '04 E46 (daily driver) to an '01 996 (as second car). While I love the refined nature, handling, and power of the M3, there's just something about a Porsche you cannot beat. The 996 is more raw, more edgy around the turns, and it sounds awesome. Not sure I'd want a 996 as a daily driver...997 a better choice for many reasons.

Just one man's opinion...

ak

 

i have 3.6 996 and an 03 e46 m3 currently at the same time,love them both but soon one has to go cause i'm expecting my second child ,,,,,,,hmmmm probably the 996

 

Yeah, that's one of my dilemmas now too since I have a 8mo and expecting another one in Sept. The extra back space of the m3 would be nice but I figure I can fit them also into the rear of the 996, just a bit more cramped. Remind you, not as a daily driver but it would be cool to lug around the whole family in a sports car occasionally.

 

I have a 99' 3.4 996 as my daily driver and my Mom drives an 06' e46 M3 vert, but I still live at home so I have a pretty good feel for both cars. Hands down the Porsche is more fun to drive and to me it feels just as comfy as the M3, maybe the M3 is slightly more comfortable. As far as practicality goes (despite what my mother thinks) I honestly think you can fit more stuff in the porsche. The trunk is surprisingly deep on the early cars(maybe its on all rear wheel drive 996's) and when you have no rear passengers, because of the way the seats fold down (maybe the non vert m3's seats fold down too?) you have a lot more room in the in the back to put stuff. Also because of the rear deck, w/ the seats down you can fit rather large objects back there. The rear deck is helpful in its self when you have passengers, as it allows an extra place to throw stuff.
When doing random errands I think the 996 is a lot more practical, its easier to load grocerys and stuff. Also I can carry a lot of stuff in my car (guitars, amps and drums, the occasional home depot run ) that if my parents were to do the same thing they would have to opt to take their truck cause the M3 just couldn't fit it.

As far as passengers go, I'm going to have to give the win to the m3. You can fit 6 footers in the back of the m3 fairly comfortably. If you want to load up the porsche with people, you'll have to put the ladies in the back, and it'll still be a little tight.

Other than that the Porsche I believe is the better car, and if you don't have to deal with over 1 passenger daily, I think its the more practical choice too .

Also the Porsche gets a lot better MPG than the M3, especially with a cai. Even under the hard driving my car gets, when ever my car is full warmed up it sees redline, it gets better mpg than the m3 driven civilly.

 

Porsche and M3

 

Yes I had a 05 e46 m3 cab and my 04 911. The 911 is just a different animal. Perfect balance and refinement. The m3 was great and a "practical" every day car with more room and a trunk.
Now I have a 08 m5 and my 911. I rarely drive my 911 but its still a great car and its more the whole package and zen-like feeling driving it -- Its the whole experience where as the BEAST is just the fastest car i've ever driven and comfortable and fits my 3 kids and all other crap
Mike

 

Had both.

Believe me when I say that you will want the 996 even more after you make the 'wrong' decision.

M3's do not command any respect to people that don't know the car. it's just another boxy BMW. The Porsche on the other hand, has instant gratification - where ever it goes. Add to it a SY skin and

 

I have a 1999 996 3.4 Black. I use this as a daily driver. Love it. It has ample room for my usage. The back is not for tall men. I am 6'4". I get about 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the hwy. I purchased this about a year ago after having a 1978 928 Euro for 13 years.

 

I generally hate comments that sound snobby in any way but in my experience, this is true. I've been a BMW guy and although they are very good cars, most people don't associate BMW with "exotic", where as the Porsche, they do. It was amazing to see people turning around and gawking when I drove my friend's Porsche Boxter S for a short time when it first came out, even a Boxster got stares.

 

Porsche. At fast speeds both feel sporty. The Porsche feels sporty at slow speed vs the Beemer that feels like a sedan. And, practical enough. I have put around 60k miles in 2.5 years and I am 6.6. It works.

 

the m3 is every bit as fast as a 996 and you can carry 4 true sized adults

 

I had both for 3.5 years. When my wife got sick last year one of them had to go and the easy choice was the 996...and we have two other practical cars (A4 and E55) so it didn't even come down to practicality.

To be fair there is no driving experience like the Porsche, Feel, Feedback, communication from the car is second to none.

...but the overall experience of the M3 in EVERY setting can't be touched. The comments in this thread about people gawking and paying attention to the Porsche was actually a negative for me. I could never enjoy the Porsche the way it's meant to be driven without sticking out like a sore thumb and being "that *******" in the red porsche. (mine was a factory aero car too). You can drive like an enthusiast in the M3 and fly under the radar. It's every bit as fast just lacks a bit of the feel and communication of the P-car.

I miss my 996 quite a bit, I will own another one before too long, but I feel I made the right choice in keeping the M3 over the Porsche when I needed to get rid of one or the other.

Andy

 

Therea no doubt I get more looks and head turns in the 911. Even more than a m5

 

Both are excellent cars. Yet vastly different. You can go with your heart or practicality. What is the right path only you know. All I know is when I drive the 996 I am at peace. Driving becomes something special. You drive 2 blocks to the store for something you do not need. Just to drive. My wife loves the creativity of my excuses to just take the 996 out for a spin. This car has 72,000 miles on it. The only question is who goes first.