968 considerations
Discussion
Can't really compare them other than to say they are closely matched on the race track so are all nicely balanced, great handling cars. However, all 968s are at least 20 years old and feel more like classic than a modern cars. An important difference is that the Cayman and E46 will depreciate whereas 968 values are increasing quite rapidly, especially original Club Sport variants. If you do decide to get a 968 then ownership should cost you nothing and, who knows, you might even make a profit over time. Just don't expect to find features that we now take for granted, like aircon (few cars have it), satnav and any of the electronic suspension wizardry of modern Porsche cars.
Can't really compare them other than to say they are closely matched on the race track so are all nicely balanced, great handling cars. However, all 968s are at least 20 years old and feel more like classic than a modern cars. An important difference is that the Cayman and E46 will depreciate whereas 968 values are increasing quite rapidly, especially original Club Sport variants. If you do decide to get a 968 then ownership should cost you nothing and, who knows, you might even make a profit over time. Just don't expect to find features that we now take for granted, like aircon (few cars have it), satnav and any of the electronic suspension wizardry of modern Porsche cars.
Absolutely love my '94 968 Sport. Bought it last year with FPSH at 90k miles. Still feels well screwed together.
Shares a garage with a 997.2 GT3, so we're not talking that fast but it's beautifully balanced & still rewards good, smooth driving. Just like a "proper Porsche" in that regard.
Recommended.
Shares a garage with a 997.2 GT3, so we're not talking that fast but it's beautifully balanced & still rewards good, smooth driving. Just like a "proper Porsche" in that regard.
Recommended.
It's an older car and is based on a 1970's design (924) compared to late 90's for your BMW (in terms of base 3 series, I realise M3 was 2001-on), so will feel very different but it's a very accomplished car.
It'll only really make sense on demanding roads or a race track, where it all comes together nicely and progress can be similar to the M3 despite ~90bhp less. It'll take stick better too - for example I overheated the (healthy) brakes on an E46 M3 in under 3 quick laps of Oulton, a 968 Sport (with warn pads) was much better.
A Sport or Club Sport on 17's (standard coupe came with 16's and softer suspension, both easily changed though) is a great package and rewarding to drive in the right circumstances. The M3 will accelerate much better though and feel more modern. 968 values are stable or rising but I think E46 M3's have bottomed out and there will begin to be a separation where the chavved up neglected dross continues to decline but the nice examples will be stable and begin to rise (though not massively for a while yet).
They both have their pros and cons practicality-wise, a 968 has poor rear seat space but is a hatchback. I dropped my E36 Evo convertible off for some work this morning and had to walk to the station - in a 968 my bike would have easily gone in the back (as it possibly would in an M3 coupe if it had folding seats), likewise a full set of spare track wheels will fit inside (careful when shutting the rear hatch, it's one big expensive piece of glass!).
It'll only really make sense on demanding roads or a race track, where it all comes together nicely and progress can be similar to the M3 despite ~90bhp less. It'll take stick better too - for example I overheated the (healthy) brakes on an E46 M3 in under 3 quick laps of Oulton, a 968 Sport (with warn pads) was much better.
A Sport or Club Sport on 17's (standard coupe came with 16's and softer suspension, both easily changed though) is a great package and rewarding to drive in the right circumstances. The M3 will accelerate much better though and feel more modern. 968 values are stable or rising but I think E46 M3's have bottomed out and there will begin to be a separation where the chavved up neglected dross continues to decline but the nice examples will be stable and begin to rise (though not massively for a while yet).
They both have their pros and cons practicality-wise, a 968 has poor rear seat space but is a hatchback. I dropped my E36 Evo convertible off for some work this morning and had to walk to the station - in a 968 my bike would have easily gone in the back (as it possibly would in an M3 coupe if it had folding seats), likewise a full set of spare track wheels will fit inside (careful when shutting the rear hatch, it's one big expensive piece of glass!).
blade7 said:
The M3 has a great engine, the 968 not so much. Sort out the brakes and suspension on the M3 and I'd expect it to be all over a 968.
I suppose a popular brake upgrade is to fit 6-pot APs. What about the suspension though? Smth to suit road driving mostly instead of racingthegoose said:
It's an older car and is based on a 1970's design (924) compared to late 90's for your BMW (in terms of base 3 series, I realise M3 was 2001-on), so will feel very different but it's a very accomplished car.
It'll only really make sense on demanding roads or a race track, where it all comes together nicely and progress can be similar to the M3 despite ~90bhp less. It'll take stick better too - for example I overheated the (healthy) brakes on an E46 M3 in under 3 quick laps of Oulton, a 968 Sport (with warn pads) was much better.
A Sport or Club Sport on 17's (standard coupe came with 16's and softer suspension, both easily changed though) is a great package and rewarding to drive in the right circumstances. The M3 will accelerate much better though and feel more modern. 968 values are stable or rising but I think E46 M3's have bottomed out and there will begin to be a separation where the chavved up neglected dross continues to decline but the nice examples will be stable and begin to rise (though not massively for a while yet).
They both have their pros and cons practicality-wise, a 968 has poor rear seat space but is a hatchback. I dropped my E36 Evo convertible off for some work this morning and had to walk to the station - in a 968 my bike would have easily gone in the back (as it possibly would in an M3 coupe if it had folding seats), likewise a full set of spare track wheels will fit inside (careful when shutting the rear hatch, it's one big expensive piece of glass!).
The practical considerations is really what holds me back. The m3's boot fit a buggy and luggage set. I think I would struggle living with the 968 now that i have a little kid...It'll only really make sense on demanding roads or a race track, where it all comes together nicely and progress can be similar to the M3 despite ~90bhp less. It'll take stick better too - for example I overheated the (healthy) brakes on an E46 M3 in under 3 quick laps of Oulton, a 968 Sport (with warn pads) was much better.
A Sport or Club Sport on 17's (standard coupe came with 16's and softer suspension, both easily changed though) is a great package and rewarding to drive in the right circumstances. The M3 will accelerate much better though and feel more modern. 968 values are stable or rising but I think E46 M3's have bottomed out and there will begin to be a separation where the chavved up neglected dross continues to decline but the nice examples will be stable and begin to rise (though not massively for a while yet).
They both have their pros and cons practicality-wise, a 968 has poor rear seat space but is a hatchback. I dropped my E36 Evo convertible off for some work this morning and had to walk to the station - in a 968 my bike would have easily gone in the back (as it possibly would in an M3 coupe if it had folding seats), likewise a full set of spare track wheels will fit inside (careful when shutting the rear hatch, it's one big expensive piece of glass!).
Motorsport3 said:
blade7 said:
The M3 has a great engine, the 968 not so much. Sort out the brakes and suspension on the M3 and I'd expect it to be all over a 968.
I suppose a popular brake upgrade is to fit 6-pot APs. What about the suspension though? Smth to suit road driving mostly instead of racingMotorsport3 said:
The practical considerations is really what holds me back. The m3's boot fit a buggy and luggage set. I think I would struggle living with the 968 now that i have a little kid...
You'll struggle even more when he/she gets bigger, so best get the car now whilst you can enjoy it! 
Seriously though, the 968 is very practical and carry lots of stuff (which doesn't have to be a spare set of wheels, it could easily be a buggy and luggage).I've had several M cars and my first Porsche was a 968.
To me, the 968 is more fun on country roads and feels quite special.
However, it feels very old around town and on the motorway. An E46 M3 is much more comfortable, faster, better exhaust/engine noise, better for luggage and passengers.
An E46 M3 at less than £10k vs a 968 around £20k at present. I would have the M3 or a 996.
My thoughts when I owned the 968 - http://www.fastgerman.com/968.htm
To me, the 968 is more fun on country roads and feels quite special.
However, it feels very old around town and on the motorway. An E46 M3 is much more comfortable, faster, better exhaust/engine noise, better for luggage and passengers.
An E46 M3 at less than £10k vs a 968 around £20k at present. I would have the M3 or a 996.
My thoughts when I owned the 968 - http://www.fastgerman.com/968.htm
Just remember the 968 is a great car, but a pretty slow 'performance' road car.
It could easily have handled an extra 30-40 horses IMO if Porsche would have allowed it too. But then it would have pissed all over the 964 or later 993 of the same era in real road driving conditions, so Porsche could not let that happen.
Still a fantastic Porsche though.
It could easily have handled an extra 30-40 horses IMO if Porsche would have allowed it too. But then it would have pissed all over the 964 or later 993 of the same era in real road driving conditions, so Porsche could not let that happen.
Still a fantastic Porsche though.
fastgerman said:
I also seem to remember an article suggesting the 968 CS was faster around a track than a 964 RS
911 World did an article in early 2010 comparing a 993 race car, my 964 race car and a 968 race car, all prepared to the same championship and class regulations. Tony Dron drove them all around a *very* wet Silverstone. The article favoured the 968. I won the championship in my 964. 
fastgerman said:
From memory, I thought 260 bhp was quite easy - drilled airbox, remap and free flow exhaust?
This is what you need though:
I also seem to remember an article suggesting the 968 CS was faster around a track than a 964 RS
This be true. Just goes to show that outright bhp on track maybe less important than on the road. Weird world we live in This is what you need though:
I also seem to remember an article suggesting the 968 CS was faster around a track than a 964 RS
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