Won't argue with you on that one as it is indeed a driver's race. I will most likely keep the 997 as it is after all a 911, one of the best in a long line of 911s. Plus the gas mileage is way better on the 911, not to mention I now have a dd. I just happen to think the performance numbers of the new M3 are damn impressive and better than I thought they would be, esp in the handling department.

 

The new M3 has a few things that are truly in its favor; the dual clutch gearbox and for only $2700, a 414hp V8 with an 8250 rpm redline and a base price of $56,500 vs the Carrera S's base price (for 08) of $83,000.00. The 997S is an incredible car (I love mine) but it is really worth $36,500.00 more than the new M? Gotta see one in the flesh and drive it, but I'm beginning to wonder ...

 

No way would I recommend the M3 over the 997/997S !!!!!!

I like the 3 series and even had a daily driver E90 for 18 months along with a history of 19 BMW's spread out over 15 years -most driven by my ex wives but three were brief departures from Porsche for myself (including two M cars) .

EVERY time I boughta BMW I RAN back to Porsche. In recent times the local customer sales is excellent but service is deplorable . The interior fit and finish of the modern BMW's is so awful . BMW makes a drivers car but it's also the car but lack Porsche driveability or Mercedes comfort .

Despite my sentiment about Mercedes being a "boring" car I leased one for my girlfriend. It's leaps and bounds more comfortable than BMW and customer service with repairs is first class. If I need four doors I want comfort . If I need performance I want PORSCHE.

As for price --even at MSRP the BMW is priced out of the market . The Porsche 997S with current discounts is much more attractive even though it costs more.

The "M" markups are also built on a premise of "limited production" yet years later the roads are filled with them .

BMW can keep the M3.
Your Porsche has the sophistication which the BMW lacks.

 

I really believe the M3 and 911 are just two different cars with 2 different buyers. I can't ever see myself cross shopping the two, as I feel that one is a sedan, based on two other lower sedans that are found everywhere on one's daily commute; and the other is a racing legend and true sports car, made comfortable for the street.

I may consider the 4 door M3 to replace my current DD, but I'd still have to test drive the c63 (amazing engine and torque per the reviews) and the is-F (flame suit on, but I really like the User interface for the nav, toyota reliability, and luxury options). Then there's the customer service/maintenance issues to consider as well, since it is a daily driver, and will have a lot of miles.

That being said, the new M3 performance figures are impressive, but I'm not sure where it stands within its competition: better track times than c63, but slower in a straight line on the road. Hmmm?! For those of us with 911's already, we don't need another track car.

I'd still rather have a used m5 (i love that v10) over all the other sedans in the m3/rs4/c63 class, just for the increased size in seating and trunk (and not to mention the fact that BMW is charging a ridiculous mark-up!).

 

I can't believe the 600 lb weight difference has not been mentioned yet!
The car doesn't stand a chance on the track against the 997s...

Yes the M3 is a great touring car but no match for 997s... would be a great DD though...

 

Good points. For everyday use the M3 would probably be a better all around car. I've got to imagine though that the M3 will still turn some impressive #'s around the track and even if they aren't quite up to a 997S's and for $36,000.00 less I'd let the lesser track #'s slide. Heck you can buy a new M3 save the $36,000.00 and use it to buy an excellent car for the track...

Am I running to trade my 997S? As I said, gotta drive it and see it in person before seriously even thinking about it...the jury is still out.

 

If impatient fast forward to 1 min 35 sec . No translation needed as the gt3 wipes this M3 . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0hVJgMQ2VA

 

Check the m5boards, two members had blown engines already. Doesn't look much better than the old M3 in terms of reliability issues unfortunately

 

The M cars always seem to have some issues the first year or two of production. I have owned two e46 M3s...one a 2003.5 model and also a 2005. They had ZERO problems. Its all a matter of luck. My friend's 986 Boxster S fried at like 35k miles. It was costing him way too much to maintain that thing and he traded it in for an Acura TL and never looked back.

 

Its more like a 300 lb difference. A 997 c2s with full leather and options weighs around 3300 lbs, e92 M3 weighs 3600. Their track times around the ring are pretty similar as well.

 

Considering the $50k difference in price, the performance difference is not enough.

 

I would also add comparing the track times of a GT3 to the M3 is a really pushing it. It's bad enough when comparing it to a 997S with a $36,000.00 price difference but to a GT3 which is $50,000.00 more and runs on Pilot Sport Cups right from the factory that's just not a fair comp at all. I'd like to see what kind of M3 BMW could produce if the M3 listed for $90k+ vs. $56K, I could only imagine what kind of performance it would have and what it would do to the competition.

 

I had an '01 986 Boxster S that I sold to a friend.... 90k miles and still running fine...

 

Former E46 M3 owner, and I'm certainly comparting 997S and the new M3! I also agree that a GT3 and M3 might be fun put on a track together to see what happens, but practically speaking due to the dollar difference the comparison should stop there.

If that's the video I saw elsewhere it was the massive brake fade of the M3 that wasn't exactly inspiring... hopefully that's been worked out for production.

 

Here's one listed at $97,000....
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...d.php?t=121571
!

All that being said, the times are impressive. But they only match (or slightly beat depending on the comparisons) our 4 year old (in design) 997S. Seems more like a lateral move for a BMW, which many wouldn't make, given that they already own the Porsche.

Now if the BMW had the GTR's performance figures and had no ridiculous mark-up... that would be a different story.