As having owned both M3s and now a 911 I actually agree with the comment the M3 is more comfortable over the long haul, but not to the point that I don't enjoy driving the 911 more. I just drove to Irvine and back yesterday (roundtrip 100 miles) and I felt it was way to short. I love driving this thing as I did my M3.

My 911 has the sport seats in it (not the new GT2 seats) and in the beginning I felt I made a mistake as I thought the seats were a little confining. Now either the seat "broke-in" to my body or the other way around but I find myself completely comfortable in it.

I always said the M3 is a road car you can take to the track while the 911 is a car meant for the track you can drive on the street.

I love the new E9X M3...sometimes I feel I made a mistake as I miss having a V8 (from my Mustang days) and the V8 in the M3 is just a jewel. I have seen a couple of these new E9X M3s make almost 380rwhp on a dyno and the sound is just aural heaven.

Dave

 

Funny! This thread shows clearly who is a sports car driver and who isn't.

 

You know you can appreciate both cars and still be a sports car driver.

Dave

 

I do not fault the M3. I consider the M3 an excellent sports sedan, with emphasis on sports. My comment refers to the polarized reactions on this thread.

 

I had a feeling thats what you are getting at...the M3 is available as a coupe as well you know.

I agree 100% though there are alot of people who buy the 911 for the social aspect of it rather than the driving aspect of it. My partner in my business is a perfect example of this. When I bought my 07 997 he wanted one and I convinced him other wise cause I flat out told him he was a poseur. That he would do better in a new Jag XK rather than a 997.

Dave

 

I have driven both the e46 M3 and 997S on long drives. One drive is from Irvine in Orange Count to Monterey and back (I have made this drive on both cars). It's around 300 miles. I took the same route for both; the 5 north to the 198 west to the 101 north and then returning the same except using the 46 east from the 101 south to the 5 south.

Both cars were comfortable, but the 997 was less stressful. I felt more rested at the end of the drive in the 997. The 997 is an interesting car in that it can be an easy torque-ie car or a high revving screamer. The M3 was only a high-rev screamer, so you couldn't just ease along. Also, blasting up the 198 (56 miles of curves without any stop signs or traffic lights) the 997 was far better and faster.

I would have to say I prefer the 997.

Now if you want to include the e36 M3, it was actually more confortable than the e46 M3. I drove my e36 M3 from Philly to LA once, and loved it. I would not have made the same trip in the e46 M3, but I would do it in the 997.

As for the new M3, I am not in the least interested in driving it. The M3s I owned were always comrpomises (I can't afford the Porsche I want so I'll just get an M3), but now that I have a Porsche, I couldn't care less about the new M3. It os so nice to not deal with BMW dealership service anymore.

 

I picked my new 997 up in South Florida and drove it home, 1100 miles, stopping only for gas. When I got home I felt just as good as if I had done the same trip, which I have, in my wife's Lexus.

 

It's nice to see others agree.

 

I agree 100% with you. I will most likely look at an E92 M3, a CLK63 AMG Black Series or C63 AMG mid summer 2010 and look at a 993 for a weekend car. The 997S is not a very good DD in my opinon.

 

Why is it annoying? Is it because the cold engine can be a little rough? M3 is the same btw.
These cars shouldn't be driven on short 10 min commutes IMO. Not good for the engine.
I don't remember who said it but I've hear once that if you need to take your Porsche for a short trip - don't - take a walk instead

 

Go figure - I can't get enough of driving this car. I'd drive it down the end of the driveway to get the mail if that wasn't just silly.

We did a rally last week that was about 2.5 hours, then break for food, then an hour home. My wife said, "you're probably tired of driving after all day at this" - I'm thinking, shame it has to end now - I'm just getting warmed up.