Hello. New to the Forum.

I am currently an owner of a 2004 M3 Cab. I would like to upgrade to a Porsche in the near future. I love my M3 and take good care of it but its time to get a true sports car.

After I bought the M3 and locating the M3forum, I was surprised with the quirks that Bimmers had and some of the major recalls on such a great car. Anyhow, I would like to do my homework this time and find out if there are any significant issues with the 997 C2S, C4S.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Lots of people here will have lots to say about this.
But my summary is: Get a 2007 or later model year with CPO and you won't have anything to worry about.

 

Every car has a some sort of quirk and if you read a few posts you'll get to see liitle things like the passenger seat rattle to a soot buildup in the talpipe. However the positives far outweigh the negatives and making the step into Porsche is a common transition from an m3 or other BMW . In fact --you may even decide to keep yoir car as a daily driver to preserve the Porsche from dings and mundane miles.

One thing you will notice intrantly is the difference in gearbox precision . The 997 slices through the gears like butter wheras the M3 has a more sloppy shift pattern . What you will miss with the M3 is the practical space of having a trunk and seats as well as the lack of hips which tend to be miscalculated by the careless person parking next to it or pulling out .

In terms of driving it's very different . The M has the front engine and the 997 with its rear engine config may take a litlle practice . For me I have always had both simultaneously so I feel much like one who can speak two languages fluently . I simply prefer speaking Porsche yet it does not detract the enjoyment I get with my M3 besiide it.

Bang for the buck the first 911 ought to be a 997S . The base car is very nice and so is the C4S but with the 997S you get the larger engine and the benefits of two wheel drive UNLESS the region and snow pose an AWD choice.

Good luck.

 

Buy the best you can afford and look for a great deal. Many people say get the S but I don't think thats a necessity.

I have not owned an M3 but I did own several Z4's. They are no comaprisons to the porsches I own.

I bought a base 997 with little options for a good price. And I have spent alot of time with it and my boxster doing DE's.

With some track driving experience I know the cars well and I pass 997S's and turbos in the DE's I attend.


Good luck

 

Traded my M roadster [Z3] and M coupe [Z4] for my first 997S. Haven't looked back -- love the car especially with the sport exhaust!! The rumble is intoxicating. The handling is unmatched -- I am dying to get to the Dragon with my Porsche.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have done a bit more research and I believe there is one critical step which is required. DDE? From what I have read, the main purpose is to see if the car had been rev'd over the limit in each gear range? Does that sound right?

I was lucky with my M3 purchase. I had a friend in the States whom lived 40 minutes away from the dealer selling the car (used). Unless i can luck out again and find a car in the same area, I may need to factor in flight cost, etc. Or should I only look for a Porsche/BMW/Mercedes dealer selling a used 997. This way I can ensure this test (DDE) is performed?

Thanks

 

I went from an E46 to a 996 40th anniversary to a 997.2 C2S. I love the fact that the 911 is a true sports car. Was very happy with the 996 - didnt miss the E46 at all. The 997.2 is just incredible. I vouch for the move if you dont need the space. I have 2 kids but use another car for space. However, I drive my 997 almost every day - its now officially my DD

 

Perhaps read through the topic, early 2005 have problems - model 2006 had some upgrades(IMS followed by a knocked out engine). Nevertheless I would only buy the early once with CPO to make sure.
I just bought a 2005 997 cpoed - but still waiting. Hope the car is not a lemon - it looked too good to be true for the price

 

I too had a 2004 M3 cab, purchased new. Unlike yours, it was a piece of 'crap' and was gone in 9 months (for an 05 vette). The only significant problem many of us have experienced with our Porsches is finding a dealer with a decent + honest + reasonably priced service department; you may have a great one in your area (or you can find a decent independent, as I have). I think the best advice is to get a CPO, which will cost several thousand $ more but worth it if you get at least 3 years of coverage at whatever your projected mileage rate is. Others on the forum will shoot me but with a CPO there's no real need for a PPI or DME scan.

 

Thanks. I am hoping to retain the M3 as well. The family does love the top down during the summer. The 911's just won't be as comfortable for four.

 

Get a DME in case you are interested in some other car and this may become the deciding factor in your decision if one car has some ignition cycles in the 4-6 ranges.
I think a CPO is a good decision regardless.

I sold my 2005 E46 M3 a month ago and purchased an 09 C2S. My M3 was great, but the C2S is a very different driving experience.

Good luck with your decision.