Ok so Obviously this is a porsche forum so everyone would say to get the porsche. But i would like to hear it from the people who own both the cars. What would you reckon?

2008 M3 loaded coupe
or 2006 carrera S with chrono ?

 

Search feature will help as there are many threads on this .

Bottom line -
If you need space then it has to be the M3.

If not --
Buy a 997S and you won't wonder about the M3 that got away .
Buy an M3 and you might wonder about the 997S that you didn't buy .

 

yrralis1 is certainly right about the emotional aspect. But we need more information.
Is that 2006 911 a CPO car? Is the M3 CPO? If the 911 is not CPO, the warranty may be about to expire, depending on the in service date of the specific car. That could be an important cost factor.
Does the 2008 M3 have DCT? The 911 obviously wont. If you really want that DCT experience, that's yet another factor.

To really kick off the never-ending debate, OP should post links to adverts for an M3 and a 2006 911 and then we can really spin our wheels on it.

 

Here we go again!

 

There are two ways this is going to end: 1) you decide by flipping a coin 2) you decide by test driving both yourself and seeing which you like best and which fits your life the best. I say go with option #2. There is no doubt that the 911 is a sportier car, but if you regularly drive your kids to school and like to pack the car to go camping, a M3 may be a better choice.

That said, if you are looking at an auto, I would strongly suggest you take a second look at your budget to see if a PDK is a possibility. If you're thinking of a manual, doesn't really matter.

 

Honestly, these two vehicles drive so different from one another I always wonder how and why someone is comparing them.

They're both great cars... drive 'em both and buy what you like. Who cares what we think?

 

Go to an M3 forum and "most" owners would love to opt for a 911. Go to this forum and "most" 911 owners won't even consider downgrading their 911 to an M3 unless they need the extra space or couldn't afford the payments. There are obviously people on each forum that are considered exceptions to the rule for whatever reasons. Bottom line...the 911 is a true sports car and the M3 is a GT car. I did not own an E92 M3 but have driven one before I considered a 911. My prior car was an older model M3. It was a great car for what it's meant to do, but it wasn't purpose-built from the ground up like the 911. It essentially was modified from a 3 series "sport coupe", and a great modification at that. In the end, as everyone would point out...test drive both, look at what you need the car for, and pick the one that suits you for your needs.

 

I have had 24 years of BMWs (7 cars) until this 911. Two were M3s and one an e39 M5 (the last decent M5).

An M3 is not going to fill your 911 craving, I can promise you that. (the e39 M5 would get closer).

The M3 is more practical in terms of space; rear seats and trunk. The M3 is a more comfortable driving car - less harsh suspension. The M3 has a far better sound system - maybe a few other gadgets (not DCT on an '08 I don't believe).

But it is no 911. In 10 years what will it be? In 10 years, a 911 will be a 911 - a classic.

So it depends on how deep that 911 love is running in you. I can definitely appreciate your dilemma - when I was shopping the choices seemed so difficult - now I cannot imagine any other outcome.

 

Bless you my son, for you have provided the only answer...

 

i think this topic has been beaten to death in this forum so i'm just going to say, the normal progression is bmw then porsche. so if you haven't had a bmw yet, get the m3 and later step up into porsche whenever you're ready. or you can just skip it and go straight to porsche.

 

..... 997>M3, this is after owning 3 past BMW's one of which was an M3.
Do a search, the answer will be pretty clear.

 

m3's are great cars, but i don't think they quite compare to the driving experience of a porsche.

 

Bought the E92 M3 in Jan 08, sold it Novemeber 08, bought a 997s - enough said really.

 

Just sold my E46 M3, looking for a 997. You need to drive them both. The 997 isn't for everyone. Louder, lower and smaller. But significantly better. The E92 will be a dog. Incredibly low mileage and BMW will be shifting to a turbo 6, just watch. When the new one comes the E92 will be dead. For Porsche the 993 is classic but now looks a bit dated, the 996 had issues, but the 997 really brought the platform forward. I think it will be a valuable car for some time.

 

I agree with just about everything said above. It's your money, so you have to drive it and tell yourself which one you like.

I did the same couple weeks ago and needless to say I am in a 997.