Is time to change again. now I'm driving 2001 996 c2 cpe 3.4 with 87,000km.
I'm thinking keep what I driving now or change (worry about problem coming soon, cause the milage).
A dealership offer me trade the 2005 m3 smg with 9,000km $15,000 on top
or I can move up a 2003 996 c2 cpe 6speed with 19,000km $20,000 on top
Help!

 

well this is a very personal decision.. I had an 04 M3 SMG and I have a 996 C2 Cab right now... Let me tell you why I got rid of my M3 after only 1 year of ownership - SMG...

The SMG transmission is something I didn't like at all. If I had to do it all over again, I would go 6 speed... The other issue was the times I went to the dealer... I think it was 7 in 1 year which is too much... I had an NSX before the M3 and it was solid, no issues in the time I owned it..

I had multiple issues with M3 which left me stranded, including one that the car thought it was in 1st Gear on SMG and it was actually in Neutral but it wouldn't let me turn it on... It was dead... Towed me in from Naples since I was over there and the car stayed at the dealer for 1 week until they figured it out!...

I had multiple CEL, tire pressure sensor came on, problems with the stereo (Harmon Kardon), just on and on but the biggest issue was SMG... The service advisor told me that it wasn't perfected and that issues were common...

I lost faith in the car since it was my daily driver and decided to dump it...

If you do get it, don't forget to get the extended service plan on it which only costs like $1300 and it will cover maintenance for another 2 or 3 years... Brake job on that car is like $900 alone... Well worth it.

The 911 is pretty new to me still but (knock on wood), has been solid...

Then again, I owned a Honda Accord back in the 90's that turned out to be a total dud...

Good luck...

 

Having previously owned a very modified Dinan 330i, I was considering upgrade to an M3 prior to purchasing my 996. My 330i was rock-solid reliable and we also own an X3 which has been stellar as well (for a grocery-getter...lol).

If you really have your heart set on an M3, get a 6speed. If you want the SMG, wait unil the new models come out that have the new iteration of SMG. The current SMG is notchy IMO and I did not like it.

Personally I am very happy with deciding on my C2 over an M3, it is way more fun to drive. Not only that but a pcar commands a LOT more respect and attention on the road. It's how many people drool over a pcar. I say go for another 996, maybe a TT?

 

the m3 is a great, great car, but it's still a distant 2nd in driving fun compared to even the most basic 996

 

Let's put it this way.

Suppose you were dating a supermodel. Late 20s, approaching 30. You're scared it might start to show on her, and you're scared she might cost you more money to keep her look young. Then the uh, massage parlor offered you a trade-in.

A 21-year old regular girl. Cute, nothing spectacular. She's nice to live with, but you will always have that nagging feeling of what it was like being with a supermodel.

Or

a 20-year old supermodel. Pricier initially with dinners and dates, but you don't have to invest a lot of money for at least another decade for her to run smoothly. A newer, better version of what you already have, you might say.

So, what would you do?

 

In an ideal world, you'd be seeing BOTH...even at the same time if possible!

 

I ALWAYS go with what is more fun to drive hard... LOL

 

Well you may not like th SMG but other than that, the M3 is a good car. I went from a supercharged M3 (1995-1999), Benjamin Choi (on 6speed) just moved from an M3 (2001+) to a C4. The M is a nice car to drive but if I were you I would keep driving your C2 for another year, then see if you can scratch enough together for a 997. There isn't much of a jump to the 2003 (I have a 2003 C2).

At one point last year I was trying to make the same decision as you (6 speed M3), and my friend (M3 owner) told me this, "Well if you get an M3 you will have enough room for a nice looking girl as well as room to drag around her two younger siblings. If you get teh 996 you will have enough room for a hot girl and her overnight bag."

If SMG is in the picture then I wouldn't go with the M3. And in any case I would see if you could hold out for a 997 or possibly a 2008 M3 (with DSG).

 

Very interesting analogy! LOL. Maybe it's just me, but I've always preferred "regular" girls since they have a lower maintenance schedule. As for the cars though, I would go with the 996 over the M3.

 

It's got nothing to do with the size of the vehicle or how many people you can shove in it. No one buys a 911 or an M3 to be a people transporter and even more so from someone who already drives a 911.

I loved my '04 M3. I had it slammed on a set of quality adjustable coilovers along with a set of 19" BBS LMs. Exhaust. Clean.

But I will say my porky C4S is far and above the superior driving experience than the M3. The steering feel is levels above. The sound is much more exotic especially with the sport exhaust on the 911. And the attn is, well, both good and bad and either way you'll get a lot more of it. The 911 is a race car dumbed down for the streets. The M3 is a commuter car souped up to be a sporting GT coupe.

Especially the way mine is setup. I almost wanna go incognito and just drive my Jeep around all the time at times.

 

I has a M5 nice car, but you have to keep in mind one thing - Which car is always been considered the Brench Mark for all Sport Cars "911" Nough Said. I love mine, Can't wait for the 08 TT. buidl # 1298.... Counting the moments. My Targa is 3 years old, 52K miles and Still ROCK SOLID !

 

porsche porsche

 

And I'll say it again.

Chicks dig porsches, chicks drive M3's.