New M3 or second hand 911?
Discussion
Current situation is as follows:
I have a 2006 X5 and a S2 Elise.
The Elise is stuck in a lock-up for half the year (at least) and I am thinking about rationalising things (2 lots of servicing, 2 lots of RFL, 2 lots of insurance etc).
I have always fancied both of the above and reckon that for the price of a new (or newish M3)I could get a low mileage 2004 or 2005 911 C2.
Does anyone have experience of both cars, are maintenance costs of a 3/4 year old 911 likley to be far in excess of a more recent M3 over a two year ownership life?
What experiences have people got of the M3 as a daily car (I have a mixture of town and motorway driving) and have no children (but likely to change over the period I would own the car).
Any comments/thoughts would be most welcome.
I have a 2006 X5 and a S2 Elise.
The Elise is stuck in a lock-up for half the year (at least) and I am thinking about rationalising things (2 lots of servicing, 2 lots of RFL, 2 lots of insurance etc).
I have always fancied both of the above and reckon that for the price of a new (or newish M3)I could get a low mileage 2004 or 2005 911 C2.
Does anyone have experience of both cars, are maintenance costs of a 3/4 year old 911 likley to be far in excess of a more recent M3 over a two year ownership life?
What experiences have people got of the M3 as a daily car (I have a mixture of town and motorway driving) and have no children (but likely to change over the period I would own the car).
Any comments/thoughts would be most welcome.
can't help directly, i did a similar thing, consolidated from a TVR chimaera & VW passat diesel to a Z4MC 
I do a lot of miles 20k+ a year so economy is important, after reading reviews of the new M3 the economy has dropped considerably from the E46 people are averaging below 20MPG in the M3 
though reading the same of the 911 25+ figures are pretty common.
i know that doesn't sound a lot of difference, but at todays(and possibly next weeks
) fuel prices it soon adds up - sorry i don't buy this if you sen £30k plus on a car you shouldn't need to worry about economy! well i don't on the track coz i enjoy myself... however sat in traffic on the M1 is no fun at all
if it were my money (and i love M3's) i would go for the 911 - if practically is involved then its a no brainer
I do a lot of miles 20k+ a year so economy is important, after reading reviews of the new M3 the economy has dropped considerably from the E46 people are averaging below 20MPG in the M3 though reading the same of the 911 25+ figures are pretty common.i know that doesn't sound a lot of difference, but at todays(and possibly next weeks
) fuel prices it soon adds up - sorry i don't buy this if you sen £30k plus on a car you shouldn't need to worry about economy! well i don't on the track coz i enjoy myself... however sat in traffic on the M1 is no fun at all if it were my money (and i love M3's) i would go for the 911 - if practically is involved then its a no brainer
991 every day of the week.
Though you have to be clear if you're after a 997 or a 996.
New M3 is still considerably more than a second hand 997 let alone late 996!
Reliable, not too thirsty, servicing 2 years/24 months, extended warranty £900, no exclusions, better depreciation, much, much more special - you don't get 911 320 d models., etc., etc
Sorry to say it on a BMW forum but for your criteria, there is no comparison.
Though you have to be clear if you're after a 997 or a 996.
New M3 is still considerably more than a second hand 997 let alone late 996!
Reliable, not too thirsty, servicing 2 years/24 months, extended warranty £900, no exclusions, better depreciation, much, much more special - you don't get 911 320 d models., etc., etc
Sorry to say it on a BMW forum but for your criteria, there is no comparison.
Edited by Job38 on Wednesday 9th April 17:33
OK, I've currently got an E92 M3 and have previously owned 911 Turbos(996) and based upon your original post I would have to say buy a Porsche. This is for no other reason than you will kick yourself as you've not had one before (could be wrong) and you passed up the opportunity. This is not to say the 911 C2/C4s are quicker or better.
The reason I went for the M3 was mainly due to not having any problems with the many BMWs I've had in the past and the service dept at my local dealership is spot on. I cannot say the same about my previous Porsche's or local OPC and also a not so very local OPC. However this is just my experience and I can't comment for others and this wouldn't stop me buying another in the future.
I also felt the new M3 would take more daily abuse, has more room and will probably take more mileage without the residuals taking a massive dive. The M3 is also my daily driver and will be joined with 'something for the weekend' at some point soon, fingers crossed.
Which ever car you buy I don't think you'll be dissapointed and I'd imagine the running costs will be similar. There's great fun to be had in both cars that's for sure and there's nothing quite like driving/owning your first Porsche...
Good luck!
The reason I went for the M3 was mainly due to not having any problems with the many BMWs I've had in the past and the service dept at my local dealership is spot on. I cannot say the same about my previous Porsche's or local OPC and also a not so very local OPC. However this is just my experience and I can't comment for others and this wouldn't stop me buying another in the future.
I also felt the new M3 would take more daily abuse, has more room and will probably take more mileage without the residuals taking a massive dive. The M3 is also my daily driver and will be joined with 'something for the weekend' at some point soon, fingers crossed.
Which ever car you buy I don't think you'll be dissapointed and I'd imagine the running costs will be similar. There's great fun to be had in both cars that's for sure and there's nothing quite like driving/owning your first Porsche...
Good luck!
I just had to make this decision, an 05/06 C2S or the M3 and this is what I found. The C2 is ok but the C2s is the one to go for, costs more but holds it value better so in the long run something like an extra 8k costs you about 1-2 and it's better to drive and more fun. I came from the Z4M and was fed up of the total lack of space so the C2S was in my eyes a more practical car but I only wanted to spend 50k and i couldn't find anything remotely close to my spec that was in my budget, 60k yes but not 50k. So I looked at the M3, I had an E46 M3 before the Z4M and knew how good an allrounder it was but the E92 blew me away, as soon as i got in it and drove it I knew it was the car for me, extremely practical, amazing engine, really comfy and just fitted my lifestyle better. But, I still have a hankering for a Porsche road car so I bought the E92 knowing that i would swap into a 998 in 2010
They are different cars, the neither are faster than the other but the M3 is far more practical, refined and easier to live with, the C2S is the more fun though, the only downside in the m3 is the economy, 19.8mpg average for me and that does hurt when you do 25k pa!
They are different cars, the neither are faster than the other but the M3 is far more practical, refined and easier to live with, the C2S is the more fun though, the only downside in the m3 is the economy, 19.8mpg average for me and that does hurt when you do 25k pa!
996 turbo, thats what i'd spend my pennies on 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/453102.htm
chip it, eat m3's for breakfast and wont loose as much money on it
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/453102.htmchip it, eat m3's for breakfast and wont loose as much money on it
Edited by Disco_Biscuit on Wednesday 9th April 20:15
Stitch,
Just to throw another option into the equation and speaking from someone who has owned 2 996C2s a 997C2 and 2 996 Turbos - I recently changed to a BMW M6.
For the price of a new M3 you can step into a main dealer 1 year old M6 with only about 7-8K miles. You get something more exclusive than either a 997 or an M3, much quicker than either, better specced than either and still the benefit of 2 years remaining warranty.
I drove the V8 M3 and the M6 before making my mind up and the M6 blows the M3s socks off IMO (NOTE M3 drivers - I said IMO before you start throwing toys out of the pram).
Certainly worth a look.
Just to throw another option into the equation and speaking from someone who has owned 2 996C2s a 997C2 and 2 996 Turbos - I recently changed to a BMW M6.
For the price of a new M3 you can step into a main dealer 1 year old M6 with only about 7-8K miles. You get something more exclusive than either a 997 or an M3, much quicker than either, better specced than either and still the benefit of 2 years remaining warranty.
I drove the V8 M3 and the M6 before making my mind up and the M6 blows the M3s socks off IMO (NOTE M3 drivers - I said IMO before you start throwing toys out of the pram).
Certainly worth a look.
Having had a Elise 111R for 2 years, I wanted something more user friendly (even as third car in house). I hesitate between and tried Porsche Boxster S, 997 C2s and M3. The only reason which push me to the M3 is the 4 real seats. Otherwise, the Porsche is The sportcar per definition and to be forum friendly, the M3 is THE Family sport car.
jonlwright said:
Stitch,
Just to throw another option into the equation and speaking from someone who has owned 2 996C2s a 997C2 and 2 996 Turbos - I recently changed to a BMW M6.
For the price of a new M3 you can step into a main dealer 1 year old M6 with only about 7-8K miles. You get something more exclusive than either a 997 or an M3, much quicker than either, better specced than either and still the benefit of 2 years remaining warranty.
I drove the V8 M3 and the M6 before making my mind up and the M6 blows the M3s socks off IMO (NOTE M3 drivers - I said IMO before you start throwing toys out of the pram).
Certainly worth a look.
Great car until you get out, turn around, and look at it Just to throw another option into the equation and speaking from someone who has owned 2 996C2s a 997C2 and 2 996 Turbos - I recently changed to a BMW M6.
For the price of a new M3 you can step into a main dealer 1 year old M6 with only about 7-8K miles. You get something more exclusive than either a 997 or an M3, much quicker than either, better specced than either and still the benefit of 2 years remaining warranty.
I drove the V8 M3 and the M6 before making my mind up and the M6 blows the M3s socks off IMO (NOTE M3 drivers - I said IMO before you start throwing toys out of the pram).
Certainly worth a look.
That's when you wished you'd gone for one of the other two
Edited by housemaster on Thursday 10th April 17:38
How can an almost 3 year old car cost the same as brand new car?
What if something goes wrong? Yes, you can get a warranty but will it cover everything? How do you know it hasn't been thrashed or trashed? There's something nice about knowing you're the first owner of a car.
How tall are you? I'm 6' 2" and the Porsche was a tight fit; leg room was awful and my knee was constanly rubbing against the transmission tunnel. I ruled out the manual because using the clutch was awkward for my long legs.
Do you have any family? M3 is roomy, so you can all enjoy it.
The M3 will fair better when more are seen on the road. I still don't see many 3 coupes but when I do I think they're really nice. I'm sure that this model is going to grow on people. The M3 has taken a bit of a slating but mainly by people that don't or will never own one. As more are sold the tide of comments will turn - it really is a good car.
I'm a little biased now but I did look closely at a Porsche and it just didn't add up. As said before, give them both a try and then decide.
What if something goes wrong? Yes, you can get a warranty but will it cover everything? How do you know it hasn't been thrashed or trashed? There's something nice about knowing you're the first owner of a car.
How tall are you? I'm 6' 2" and the Porsche was a tight fit; leg room was awful and my knee was constanly rubbing against the transmission tunnel. I ruled out the manual because using the clutch was awkward for my long legs.
Do you have any family? M3 is roomy, so you can all enjoy it.
The M3 will fair better when more are seen on the road. I still don't see many 3 coupes but when I do I think they're really nice. I'm sure that this model is going to grow on people. The M3 has taken a bit of a slating but mainly by people that don't or will never own one. As more are sold the tide of comments will turn - it really is a good car.
I'm a little biased now but I did look closely at a Porsche and it just didn't add up. As said before, give them both a try and then decide.
I can't comment exactly from personal experience, but I've had an E46 M3, a 997 Carrera S and an M5, so I'm pretty close.
If I were you I'd go for the M6 option. In my opinion neither the 911 nor the M3 feel special - they are both just too common.
The M6 is significantly faster, yet still seats four in comfort.
Take it to Buttertubs Pass, hit the 'M' button and ask yourself if you've made the right decision...
If I were you I'd go for the M6 option. In my opinion neither the 911 nor the M3 feel special - they are both just too common.
The M6 is significantly faster, yet still seats four in comfort.
Take it to Buttertubs Pass, hit the 'M' button and ask yourself if you've made the right decision...
From what I hear most of the 6 series range suffer from huge depreciation hence why you can pick them up with huge discounts. Also, how does the M6 stack up on fuel consumption and tank range?
Just something to look into if you do go down this route. Granted the 911s or M3s aren't free from losing money but they may do so at slightly less gut wrenching rate.
So much choice these days. Ya pays da money and takes ya pick.....
Just something to look into if you do go down this route. Granted the 911s or M3s aren't free from losing money but they may do so at slightly less gut wrenching rate.
So much choice these days. Ya pays da money and takes ya pick.....
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