i have driven m3 hard (e46) and i found them to be slower the 996s. But if your 997S is not pulling something isn't right. u know what i mean...

 

I still suspect it's a combination of factors.

Your car not run in. If you remember Road & Track (or it could have been Car & Driver) tested a well run in 997S with over 10,000 miles on it and it did 0-60 in 3.8. A just run in 997S probably matches the factory's figures, and one that's not run in probably doesn't get close.

The weight of fuel makes a huge difference. If your friend was running on empty and you had a full tank, that's like carrying another adult in your car, and that's a huge difference.

Also is your car heavily spec'd with electric everything? Is your friend's M3 lightly spec'd? That weight factor can also make a big difference.

Tire pressures that are off and tires not scrubbed in will make a difference.

You can have someone dyno the car, but my guess is you need to more miles before you get the real performance.

 

Hmm interesting, M3's are quick and exhaust do hardly anything performance wise also..

I know the 997s is def. quicker as you mentioned, but when hopping in a friends it felt exactly or similar performance wise and feel than an M3

 

well....i guess I'll hang on for another 1500 miles or so and see what happens then.....if it still doesn't leave the M3, then I'm going to get it checked out.

thanks for the feedback

 

just FYI: had 2 of my buddies, one 180, another 150, and a girl 120? I was ripping through downtown seattle and dragged a M3 (empty, just the driver) and I still manage to come out ahead.

 

ran one with my m3 he pulled on me after 70 and i have a super light no option no sunroof comp pkg 6sp MT M3 so you know...anyway who cares these are not drag cars...

 

Well put Kevin!!! I've got only 725 on mine, I'm not at all worried about babying the car. Warm it up, then drive it hard! I've no time to waste worrying about following the manual to a T.

 

Indeed, fuel weighs about 6lbs/gallon so we're talking well over 100lbs difference in full vs. empty. That said, 100lbs extra you should still pull easy.

 

Ive said it before and I'll say it again... Some days my 911 feels like a corolla. The stick isn't smooth the power is low and everything else is FUBAR. However, some days it feels like it could smoke a Stradale. No idea why.

 

I'm afraid your 997 is a female...

 

I recently bought a 2005 M3 competition, love the car and am still in the "honeymoon" phase - that said (and with reason for a heavy bias), it is not as fast as a 997S. Enjoy!

 

rofl!

 

M3 has a great engine but at 3.2L 3400+ lbs. it's no 997S, gotta be a bird or squirrel or something clogging the Porsche's air intake.

One reason my old E46 M3 felt fast was--at least with stock exhaust-- that it sounded like an 8000 rpm chain saw!!!! One thing I don't miss is that vibrating sheet-metal rasp of the M3 at some rpms, esp compared to the symphonic 3.8 flat-6 howl.

 

That's why I stay away from the first model year of any new car. Same thing happened with the '99 996. Those things were notorious for having issues. My '06 has been flawless. No creaks or rattles either, which is incredible for a cab. (knock on wood)

 

Ehh, well i still think the E46 M3 is a masterpiece of a car, im just saying the M3 with its 6 cylinder feels identical to a porsche in terms of power delivery and just overall feel, except porsche does it better