Alright guys here's the deal... I've been all over the place in my quest for the next toy. Was looking at Vantage, Viper, M6 and 997S. I had considered GT3 but thought they might be too focused for daily use although probably not as I've owned Viper GTS, Lotus Elise to name a few hardnose cars. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/291976/2007-bmw-m

My last car was a Z4M, the Elise before that, 3 NSX's, 993, and a bunch of other stuff. So for the past couple of weeks I've been leaning toward an M6 - killer motor, sound, bank for buck etc. I had dismissed the Vantage because it rode too harsh to be a GT. If you're going to take small frequency bumps like your tires are overinflated at least be a knock out performer which it isn't

The 997S didn't seem as special to me as the M6. Yes you can drop them and add an exhaust but they're still relatively common. And the drive didn't get my juices going. I hated the Turbo lag of the TT. So I knew if I did 997 it would have to be the GT3. The M6 was quite impressive. Its sound, pace, and even feel to be such a big coupe was surprising. With an exhaust it starts to feel downright exotic. So I've spent the last couple of weeks pouring over the M6 forums and reading up; looking at mods like exhaust, wheels, suspension pulley etc. I also liked the fact that although I can go up to $70k-$80k with an M6 I didn't have to as I can get nice one in the $40's. If a 997TT depreciates any thing like the 996TT it will be in the $30's,$40's in a few years down from the $70's today. Whereas the M6 has already been hit and will likely bottom out in the $30k's as well.

So I was all set for an M6 Until....

I test drove a GT3 today. Holy crap it sounded good. I didn't know a 911 could even sound that good! Didn't even have drone. The ride without the sport button was quite good as well should I take the wife on a date - better than a a Viper SRT Coupe for sure. But the clutch was stupid heavy. Heavier than my old Viper by a bit.

So here are my questions:

1) Can the clutch be lightened with an aftermarket one? Wouldn't want to ever be in traffic... I work from home so not likely in rush hour but traffic can happen at any time. If not, do you guys now a huge left calf

2) Am I supposed to hear the click click of shift linkage/****. It almost sounded like a gated shifter. Quite notchy - normal?

3) Did any of you also consider or own M6? Thoughts?

4) Did the focused nature of the car get old?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

The 2 cars are worlds apart. I owned an E60 M5 and the engine was absolutely spectacular. But I would take a 997.2 GT3 ALL DAY LONG.

Ken

 

Drove my prev 997.1 GT3 for 4 years -- the car never got old. Just wanted another GT3 so I traded it for a 997.2 GT3.

I was taken aback when I saw the title of this post. GT3 or M6? Seems so apples and oranges to me. I've driven the M6. It's a nice car but it's not a sports car. Big and heavy. Lot's of power but it needs it. I'd get bored with it quickly.

Yes, shifter on the 3 is notchy feeling, but it does loosen up after a while as compared to new but never completely gone (at least as of 30k miles anyway). Some people seem to take issue with it. I like it.

 

i have had a m5 and m6 but no gt3. that being said id take the m5 over m6 anyday. m5 feels lighter...and obviously the gt3 over all. but my .02 cents.

 

When I had an 06' 650 I was invited to a 6 series driving school in S. carolina. We mainly drove 650's all day but at the end we were able to test several other models on the track including the M6 and M5. The M6 was everyones favorite and was sooo much faster and felt much more nimble then the M5. I was sold on the M6 and planned on getting one once my lease was up. Then a year later I attended the 2 day M school, which was a few months before my lease was up and right around the time the new M3DCT came out. The M3 was way better then the M5 and even the M6, so after that I decided that I would get the M3 and save 40k. Then I tested the new 997.2S with PDK and thought it was much better than the M3.
That was in 09' and I have not been interested in BMW since. Not to say I would never get another one but at this time they have nothing that appeals to me. Will definitley be checking out the new M5 when its out though. Before I got my GT2, I tested the 3RS and really was considering it. The GT2 and 3 have the same clutch and stiff riding suspension, but its tolerable. The clutch is something I got used to and my calf did not get bigger. The notchiness is actually something that I enjoy, it takes muscle with the clutch, shifter and steering....its not a car that will allow you to have a calm lazy drive. I would not want to DD my GT2 though, so if you go for the GT3 a cheap econobox might be needed on occasion like traffic.
On another note the GT3 will probably get double the MPG of the M6.

 

I agree they are not direct competitors. I appreciate them both for different reasons... Only thing they have in common is price point and that they are high performance german cars.

Curiously do GT3's go through tires super fast?

 

this is an easy decision for me, but I am not unbiased given that I'm a gt3 owner that never got the point of the m6.

the 3 does go thru tires pretty fast. and your point about used pricing is very true. but heavy clutch or not, I'd take the gt3.

 

I would probably get the M6 for a daily driver to be honest. It's more friendly for daily commutes, sits higher so you don't scrape all over the place, will pull harder on the freeway while still maintaining the high revving nature.

I consider the M's the GT3's for the highways.

Now if you ever were to track the car occasionally, all that goes out of the window.

 

Well - 2 very different cars.
BMW M3 could be SOMEWHAT compared to Gt3 LOL but M6

In any case if OP drove both he is more qualified to answer that question and we should not offer an opinion on one vs over
So lets try to answer his question

I do not have Gt3 so take it with a grain of salt - have a Gt2 but with harder than stock suspension

1) Can the clutch be lightened with an aftermarket one? Wouldn't want to ever be in traffic...

You will get used to it. After I got car that was my first reaction but after puting about 3 hours on it I hit a 45 minute patch of traffic, on up/down hill street. And we were moving less than 5 mph. Was it pleasnt - no, was it Ok - yes. Right now I barely notice clutch work.


2) Am I supposed to hear the click click of shift linkage/****. It almost sounded like a gated shifter. Quite notchy - normal?
Normal - and adds to the character of the car

3) Did any of you also consider or own M6? Thoughts?
My brother has that - not a bad car but very different animal. Heavy, non precise, etc


4) Did the focused nature of the car get old?
If it is you Daily Driver - it might. If you doing a grocery runs in it you might find what car is not quite plesant. But if you let it rip quite often - no it would not get old. You had some focused cars before - you should be able to answer on how it works with your personality

Now - If it is going to be your DD for frequent commutes - I would advise against it. M5 all the way
If it is your toy car - GO FOR IT

BTW 997 TT are much better DD cars and turbo lag can be dealt with by propper mods and driving habbits

 

Agree with everything with exception of pull harder on freeway - about the same.

 

That's your answer, M6!

 

Yeah, I forgot that the M6 we raced against the GT3 was slightly modded, so I guess stock to stock, they are about the same.

 

M6 and GT3 might be the same through the quarter but from a roll or over 100mph the M6 pulls. See this M6 vs GT3RS. M6 Has an ECU tune but the GT3 is also an RS.


http://www.youtube.com/user/m5boarddotcom#p/search/19/fuo0wKb8KYs


Slightly modded M5 (Headers, mufflers, tune)

http://www.youtube.com/user/m5boardd...20/F7_xzvrfafc

 

From your questions dosnt seem like the GT3 is for you. Your comparing apples to oranges, The M6 is a heavy big BOAT. if you want to lounge back and not be taken seriously get the M6 (i just hate the new bmws), but if you wanna have fun and get this ear to ear grin every time you gotta go somewhere get the GT3.

 

If you're comparing quarter miles times and pulls to 100 mph, the M6 is the right car for you by virtue of the GT3 being the wrong car. That's not what the GT3 is all about.