I'm always evaluating my options with cars, and am curious of any 997 owners have tried (or own) a new M3. If so, I'd appreciate your comments.

 

Is the new M3 out yet...I thought it was later this year? I bought a new M3 back in 95 and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned, tight ,fast, smooth, great handling , never any problems to speak of and a relative bargin for the $. From the BMW advertising pics I've recently seen in the car mags the new M3 looks really nice, especially in white. The car mags have been posting 114 mph trap speeds so it should be plenty fast and for +/- $65k a good deal for all the technology and performance, especially with the new dual clutch trans.

 

Yes, it's currently available at most dealers with a $25K mark-up.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/m3-coupe...by-dealer.html

 

I am pretty sure if you search around you will be able to get it for sticker. Now the question is this for all you 997 owners out there. How many of you have considered getting the new M3 in place of the 997? I am kinda thinking about trading in the 997 for the new M3 even though I have not had the 997 for all that long. I do love the 997, but the new M3 appeals to me more and more (I have owned two e46 M3s prior to the 997 and loved them). The e92 M3 is faster than the 997 c2s, is more practical, cooler technology, free maintainence. But the 997 is a classic and def more of a sports car as opposed to a super fast GT. Thoughts please!

 

I am to be honest..although I disagree about the M3 being faster. It's seems to me to be a drivers race. The power to weight ratio of these cars is very close...I think the M3 is a bargain for what you get...I love my 997 and do think it is a more beautiful car but the high revving V8 and the practicality features of the M3 makes up for alot. Oh, and let's not forget the cheaper price tag.

Dave

 

I bet their selling their demo...alot of west LA dealers did this. I don't think in this economy it is going to fly very long though.

Dave

 

Couldn't agree more. $100K M3 is financial insanity. It would seem from what I've read on the boards, most people want to go the other way, M3 to 997, myself included.

I didn't buy a BMW, I bought an M3. I'm not interested in anything else they make (made). My next car will be a Porsche, perhaps even a GT3.

 

A friend of mine is the sales manager at a local BMW dealership so he invited me for a test drive on Friday night (first deliveries were on Saturday). I previously owned an 02 E46 M3 coupe and currently drive an 06 997 4S cab. Compared to the 4S the new E92 M3 is as you might expect a totally different car. Even with its V8 power and edgier appearance (the one I drove had the CF roof which is cool and the hood power bulge is much more pronounced than on the E46. I also liked the large, open lower grill) it still drives like a muted grand touring car. The exhaust tone in the city is quiet, the sports seats are deep and padded (not as bolstered as I would like) and the shifer, as compared to the short throw sport shifter in my 4S, feels sloppy with a lot of travel. On the highway the E92 is well behaved although when maneuvering at high speed it had more than the expected amount of body roll which was unsettling. At WOT it sings like a V8 should, deep and throaty with lots of torque and excellent acceleration. The fit and finish were excellent and it comes fully equipped with all the expected comforts and technology. For the price CDN$87K IMO the E92 M3 represents very good value and has a real trunk, and seats 4 in a pinch (2 qualities I really miss in a car).

 

So it's the demos that are for sale right now? The base coupe (which comes very well equipped) is only $56.5k and that includes full schedules maint and rotors etc..wow.

I heard the the new dual clutch set-up is yet to be released...is this true?

Does anyone know if the M3's new V8 is DFI?

I guess the 997's soon to be power boost will help put the 997 ahead in acceleration.

These appear to be the only options and seem to be rather reasonable...note the dual clutch trans is only $2700.

Packages
Premium Package$1,900•Digital compass mirror•BMW Assist•Power folding mirrorsBlue-gray Brushed Aluminium TrimCarbon Leather interior trimSycamore Anthracite Wood Trim•Universal Garage Door OpenerBamboo Beige Novillo LeatherBlack Novillo LeatherFox Red Novillo LeatherSilver Novillo LeatherBeige Novillo Extended Leather$1,100Black Novillo Extended Leather$1,100Fox Red Extended Novillo Leather$1,100Silver Novillo Extended Leather$1,100
Technology Package$3,250•M Drive•Navigation system•Electronic Damping Control•Comfort Access system
Cold Weather Package$750•Retractable headlight washers•Heated front seats•Ski bag
Options
Performance Options•19" Forged and polished Double Spoke wheels (Style 220M) with mixed tires$1,200•Electronic Damping Control$1,000•M Double-clutch Transmission with Drivelogic$2,700
Convenience Options•Heated front seats$500•Moonroof$0•Navigation system$2,100•Power rear sunshade$350
Entertainment Options•Enhanced Premium Sound$1,900•HD radio$350•iPod and USB adapter$400•Satellite radio$595
Safety Options•BMW Assist$750•Park Distance Control (rear only)$350

 

I don't think the 997 will be ahead in acceleration even with the new bump in output. The 0-60 times of the two cars are about identical (997S 4.3s, M3 4.1s) but the 0-100 time of the M3 is much faster (9.4s vs 10.7s). Handling wise, steering feel etc I am sure the 997 is superior. I think either car would be a driver's race on a track. But on a straight the M3 would pull ahead. But the M3 does have free maintainence and will have a better resale value than the 911.

 

And speaking of which, anyone know what kind of a trade in value a 2006 997 c2s with 20k miles, full leather interior, adaptive sports seats (heated), bose, sport chrono, porsche ssk would be? Car color is white on sand beige. I know I could check kbb but dealers always seem to give less...

 

Well that depends on how much of a boost the 997's get, but I don't imagine the 997 going beyond say 340 and the S about 370 give or take an extra few hp. The new M3 should have no trouble taking the C2 (even the 09) but the 09 S might be another matter...we'll just have to wait and see just what new new powers rating will be.

As I've said way back when, the new M3 is gonna be quite a car, and for $56.5k vs. $73.5 for a standard Carrera the M3 will be very tempting indeed.

 

All the manufactures use the Porsche 911 (997) as a bench mark, how often do you hear as fast as 911, or better this then a 911, etc. I think that the 997 is far from perfect, but it is a very good car. The rear seats in the 997 are a joke, I don't even acknowledge them, I can't imagine that the BMW rear seats are any better then then the 997s for space. Buying an M3 and saying it is based on practicality, I think are lying to themselves. I wouldn't consider trading my 997 for an M3.

 

There is nothing Iconic about an M3 IMHO. The 911 is pure beauty. My 997 isn't going anywhere.

 

Most 997S's that have been recorded do 0-60 in 4.1 or less, the 4.1 time you are using for the E92 M3 is one test, the new Road and Track article. If you look at the best times that the 997S has recorded it is also Road and Track at 3.9 0-60 and a 12.3 @114.8mph in the quarter mile, although this time has yet to be duplicated by anyone else. Same thing for the new E92 M3. In fact a couple of tests showed the plain vanilla 997 running 0-60 in 4.3 sec. More important then 0-60 is the 1320 time which once again the 997S is probably a solid mid 12 sec. car as is the new E92 M3.

Dave