Is a 996 any good?

[M12maniac]

Hi Guys

I'm a potential new owner, I'm looking at a 996 as a car that i can track and drive home afterwards. I was looking at E46 BMW M3's as an option. I noticed that the 996 comes in at a similar price.

I don't know anything about them, are they a good option for track and are parts going to be significantly more than the M3? I'd like adjustable suspension and maybe better brakes.

What are the pros and cons?

Thanks in advance.

[thegoose]

If you don't know anything about them (and I do believe you) then why do you think you need better brakes and different suspension?

Having tracked an E46 M3 and had the brakes overheat in 2.5 laps of Oulton Park I'd agree that one of those is very poor in that department (iron sliding calipers and all) but the 996 would only need uprated pads & perhaps extra cooling unless run on slicks. As a separate item you could do with a deeper sump & maybe even an Accusump oil system if you're very quick in the 996

A 996 is about twice the price of an E46 M3 (£10k v. £5k) and the M3 is about 75/80% of the fun so it would represent better value/track mile. I'd rather be in the Porsche though.

[mollytherocker]

Budget?

[phatgixer]

This



was better than this



But neither as good as this

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..I've had a couple of M3's, and still got my track 1, but the 996 is my daily now, I prefer it, definitely has more torque, the 4S brakes are fine for the road, a lot depends what you want to drive, but usually comes down to budget..!

[steve singh]

M3 if you need a bit more practicality and don't have a porsche itch.

Porsche if you never owned one and don't need bigger car.

Running costs if a factor will probably push you down the m3 route.


Bottom line is they are both epic cars and if finances allow, then everyone should have at least owned both in their lifetimes!!!


(PS i've had 2 996s and 3 e46 m3's - i absolutely love the m3 and think the current one i've got will be a keeper given both this and the exceptional condition it is in - with other cars brought around it)

[DiscoColin]

If you are looking to track it and we were not talking about a GT3 I reckon that an E46 M3 might be the better option. You can sink so much money into making a Carrera a decent track car that you would invariably have been better off buying a GT3 to begin with. Conversely - upgrades to an E46 are much more cost effective by all reports that I have ever had.

[phatgixer]

DiscoColin said:

If you are looking to track it and we were not talking about a GT3 I reckon that an E46 M3 might be the better option. You can sink so much money into making a Carrera a decent track car that you would invariably have been better off buying a GT3 to begin with. Conversely - upgrades to an E46 are much more cost effective by all reports that I have ever had.

I spent quite a lot on mine. In retrospect I would just junk the standard BMW pads and fit Pagids / hoses / SRF and that would be it

Trouble is the racks are not up to a lot of track use and the diffs are a bit flimsy if you lean on them...

Engines are brilliant, though