I did this same comparo with the M3 and 911. Drove a bunch of them back to back on the same day. I decided on the 911 despite the 15K more it cost me. I realized I wanted a real sports car and the M3 although great was too sedan like. It was a great car though.

 

997S vs M3.... NO COMPARISON... 997S will skunk it every time... strait line, track, corners, low speed and high... but then again it should... it costs significantly more.... wouldn't even compare the two...

 

if you want a fast, practical GT-type car, get an M3 or S4...if you want that sports car feel, go with the 997.


VERY WELL SAID, I HAVE BOTH A E46 M3 AND A 996. THIS IS VERY ACCURATE.

 

Originally posted by LIL RAJA
a m3 is 330ci on steriod. It does not have the history or the dynamics of a true sports car. it's a coupe with sports car influence. the engine is great and the luxuries make it a good daily driving package. However, i think the m3 is for younger people and for the mass. Whereas the 911 is for pure driving and throughbred car.

Raja

Guys while I agree with you on some of the points of the difference between an m3 and a 996/997...

We should probably point out .. That if you had to have 1 car for everyday use. The m3 is a much better car than both the 996 and 997... It may not be faster than a 997S ... Its certainly not newer.. It however is much more practical...

To say that the m3 doesnt have pedigree or a racing history is not true.. While the 911 has been around for 40 or so years now, the M3 started its life in 1986.....

It does have a very succesful racing history in its own right.. It infact holds the most wins and championships in touring car history.( e30 m3 )........... As far as my memory serves me corectly it has been very succesful in competition in the US as well as around the world in all 3 generations... E30 , E36 and E46..

I was fortunate to drive a M5 V8 powered E46 M3 in Germany last year... If that car was available today from BMW , I would take it over a 997S hands down.........

But hey, thats just me..........

 

if they put a V8 in the M3 that would be a serious threat to 996/997.... certainly the Porsches handle at a level above the M3 and give you a better driving feel...

but I have to agree... if you have to own one car and one car only... the V8 M3 would be it..... they have to improve the handling for Porschephiles to consider it a real threat cause its good but its no 911.

The essense of a 911 is the driving experience, sound and great handling that can't be matched by anything else.

 

Met up with an M3 just before. He was in the same lane in front of me. I heard him nail it , so I nailed it too. Passed him on the left in a curve, looked at me speedo and was at 125 mph. I backed off. We met at the light. Talked a liitle bit - He was a cool guy, pretty young. He said my car was beautiful. I told him I used to have an 02 M3, and it's a great car. Light turned green, we took off, and I took him by a few car lengths- a lot more than th 20 hp difference would lead me to believe. I couldn't shake an M3 in my 996 in a straight line. Ok the point - The M3 is a great car, but it is no 997S. More power, better handling, true sports car feel, and definitely worth the pricetag.

 

Things I read on car boards make me realize how many idiots sit behind the wheel of sports cars. A real discredit to non-idiot enthusiasts out there.

The M3 has plenty motorsports heritage. The E46 M3 is an awesome car that is critically acclaimed. A 330CI can't even begin to approach the greatness of the M3.

The N/A 996s are great as well and is a legitimate sports car. The M3 a GT. You can tell when you drive it. The M3 simply feels more plodding, a bit more distant. It is heavier.

The 997 S v. M3 isn't even a comparison. 997 S is an amazing car and is much faster than the E46 M3. And it costs a lot more. Has less room. Is barely more than two seats.

There's value in the M3, however. Much respect to both cars. And why the hell would an M3 driver be drooling over a reg. 996 when reg. 996s can be had for a few more? And with the RMS issues and with many cars now out of warranty or close to it...

I'd be like damn poser... couldn't afford a real 911 eh?

 

a. he'd be drooling cause he knows what he's missing...
b. if you need back seats then you can't afford one.

A real 911?? and just what kind of Porche do u drive palsy?
... next time I see an M3 driver I'll think "couldn't afford a second car eh? hee hee"

 

Dont speak when you have no clue of what you are talking about that comparison is like saying a GT3 is a 996 on steroids. The 330 and M3 share common interior parts and some other parts but thats where it ends.

 

I backed you up you back me up the m3 is a fierce track competitior and always has been it is no slouch.