So how good is an E46 M3 then?
Discussion
Hi guys i have come over from the darkside "porsche forum". Im considering chopping in the Boxster soon and i have always liked the e46 M3, will the M3 feel a great deal quicker after a 986 2.7 228 Boxster?? Will the convertible M3 flex like my bloody 320d Msport cab did or shall i just bite the bullet and buy a coupe to be safe?? Budgets going to be around the 23k mark. Opinions really? 
king awesome!
Out!It will feel - and is - substantially quicker. In fact it's quicker than the 3.4S. I had a coupe then moved to a cab. and while you can sense some flex if you look for it it isn't enough to either worry about or spoil the car. In fact on an undulating B road my cab on 18" wheels was probably better - by virtue of being slightly more supple - than my coupe on 19"s. It's widely accepted that 18" are the drivers wheel of choice on the coupe and def DON'T get 19"s if you go cab. Enjoy!
TOENHEEL said:
What about Z4M Roadster has anyone drove both the M3 and the Z4M roadster, they seem just as rapid on paper. They are looking rather attractive in the classifieds.
As you've got a Boxster I think the Z4M will disappoint you chassis wise - although not grunt wise - because it's a two seater sports car and you'll expect the same abilities as you are used to in the Porsche. Personally I think it's looks are a bit doubtful too - but that's just a personal thing of course.petrolhead76 said:
Boxster is the best roadster by far so why bother chopping it in? I thought the Carrera S was just as fast as the E46 M3 in a straight line 0-60mph and much faster on a twisty track?
I love my Boxster but it just frustrates me that its a car deliberately held back by Porsche, it deserves at least a 3.6 with a LSD and then it would be awesome. Really just fancy something with a bit more poke but even moving into 3.2's isnt really worth it as they aint much quicker to be honest. The 3.4 maybe but out of my price range.
TOENHEEL said:
Thin its probably best if i drive both and make my mind up. What was the score with the CS model what changes were made? These seriously have to be bargains of the century, lump of motor for the money.
CS has uprated brakes (although not uprated enough for track work), 19" CSL wheels (well, fronts are slightly narrower, rears the same), CSL steering rack (quicker response & more feel), M Trac mode (relaxes traction/stability control) button on alcantara steering wheel (very pleasing!).I opted for the SMG gearbox which I'm really enjoying and is amazing when you really want to push on - it's a bit of a marmite thing though and you'll find fans & detractors on here - each to their own, best advice is to try both stock in stock M3 and CS guises.
4000 miles into ownership & thoroughly recommended thus far. Having previously owned a 330 Cab I didn't consider the M3 in Cab form - sure it would be less supple than the 330 but even so I can't believe the handling isn't compromised to a degree.
JT
Deutscher said:
The E46 M3 is quicker than a 996, let alone a Boxster. Go for the coupe.
Not sure about that oneThe M3 E46 feels very similar to the 986 Boxster S to me under 100 mph once rolling, the figures from 0-100 favour the M3 by about a second, if you both get the most out of the cars from a standing start. In reality on the road once you’re moving the M3 will only pull away at higher speeds from the Boxster S. The 2.7 Boxster runs out of shove even earlier so you’ll notice more of a difference compared to M3. The traction control is also very keen on the M3 and intervenes too often because the ride is just slightly to firm for crap UK roads, its well judged on the smoother asphalt.
Tbh, I've driven the M3 and CSL and thought they were over rated, the CSL being to much the track car to make a good road car(to stiff and full of rattles) and M3 not really having very much steering feel compared to the Porsche, certainly lacking the sort of poise offered by the mid engined Porsche. The M3 does do high speed cruising very well though, feels stable well into 3 figures, also very comfortable on a long drive. The M3 is more the GT than out and out sport car imo.
You need to drive one, there’s some real bargains around at the moment, and 15-17k buys you an awful lot car for the money.
Edited by Bumcrack on Wednesday 27th February 16:50
Bumcrack said:
Deutscher said:
The E46 M3 is quicker than a 996, let alone a Boxster. Go for the coupe.
Not sure about that oneThe M3 E46 feels very similar to the 986 Boxster S to me under 100 mph once rolling, the figures from 0-100 favour the M3 by about a second, if you both get the most out of the cars from a standing start. In reality on the road once you’re moving the M3 will only pull away at higher speeds from the Boxster S. The 2.7 Boxster runs out of shove even earlier so you’ll notice more of a difference compared to M3. The traction control is also very keen on the M3 and intervenes too often because the ride is just slightly to firm for crap UK roads, its well judged on the smoother asphalt.
Tbh, I've driven the M3 and CSL and thought they were over rated, the CSL being to much the track car to make a good road car(to stiff and full of rattles) and M3 not really having very much steering feel compared to the Porsche, certainly lacking the sort of poise offered by the mid engined Porsche. The M3 does do high speed cruising very well though, feels stable well into 3 figures, also very comfortable on a long drive. The M3 is more the GT than out and out sport car imo.
You need to drive one, there’s some real bargains around at the moment, and 15-17k buys you an awful lot car for the money.
Edited by Bumcrack on Wednesday 27th February 16:50
Had a run in a CSL before I bought and didn't like the SMG box (although I know a lot of people do) or the fixed back seats. However, I tried it back to back with a 996 Targa and even though the CSL wasn't exactly a cherished example I still thought it was the better car to drive (I know, heresy!).
Anyway, the experience with the CSL led me to purchase a CS (manual box, adjustable seats!) and having covered 12k miles in the year since I bought it I still think it's great. I can't comment on how it compares to a standard M3 (cos I've never driven one) but I reckon the steering and chassis are both excellent and even on 19" wheels the ride quality is way better than my previous car (a 330Cd Sport on 18's). The only downside is the relatively high running cost but you go in with your eyes open and I guess a Porsche isn't exactly cheap on that score either!
As a final point I would agree with the sentiment that the M3 is more GT than sports car. Personally I think it's a great all-rounder but for me anything that weighs over 1.5 tonnes is just too heavy to be a real fun car on a twisty B-road!
Good luck with the search!
Anyway, the experience with the CSL led me to purchase a CS (manual box, adjustable seats!) and having covered 12k miles in the year since I bought it I still think it's great. I can't comment on how it compares to a standard M3 (cos I've never driven one) but I reckon the steering and chassis are both excellent and even on 19" wheels the ride quality is way better than my previous car (a 330Cd Sport on 18's). The only downside is the relatively high running cost but you go in with your eyes open and I guess a Porsche isn't exactly cheap on that score either!
As a final point I would agree with the sentiment that the M3 is more GT than sports car. Personally I think it's a great all-rounder but for me anything that weighs over 1.5 tonnes is just too heavy to be a real fun car on a twisty B-road!
Good luck with the search!
TOENHEEL said:
Hi guys i have come over from the darkside "porsche forum". Im considering chopping in the Boxster soon and i have always liked the e46 M3, will the M3 feel a great deal quicker after a 986 2.7 228 Boxster?? Will the convertible M3 flex like my bloody 320d Msport cab did or shall i just bite the bullet and buy a coupe to be safe?? Budgets going to be around the 23k mark. Opinions really?
For 23k you should get 04 with low miles and good history, which is what I have, but wish I had gone for CS, which seem to be quite rare compared to CSL which will demand a higher purchase price anyway.Prices of M3 is dropping by the day, don't discount buying private. You won't be disappointed unless you buy a total nail, still a very good if only now looking slightly dated.
Go for it.
I would think e46 is quicker than boxster S but have doubts it can outdo a 996
I have owned an old 911 and it was a fantastic car but when faced the same dilemma as you I went for the M3. Why?
-it's more fun to drive because the rear goes easier (no weight at the rea wheels) than 911 and is easier to control on the limit )if you are into track days etc)
-boxster S is admiteedly a 'hairdressers' car or the 'poor man's 911' or 'I could not afford a 911' car - all embarassing (OK who cares what they say)
-it's a bigger car, fits 4 people so you can actually use it with friends, better for travel if you care about this
-ongoing maintenance is cheaper
that's why I preferred it
I have owned an old 911 and it was a fantastic car but when faced the same dilemma as you I went for the M3. Why?
-it's more fun to drive because the rear goes easier (no weight at the rea wheels) than 911 and is easier to control on the limit )if you are into track days etc)
-boxster S is admiteedly a 'hairdressers' car or the 'poor man's 911' or 'I could not afford a 911' car - all embarassing (OK who cares what they say)
-it's a bigger car, fits 4 people so you can actually use it with friends, better for travel if you care about this
-ongoing maintenance is cheaper
that's why I preferred it
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