Discussion
In terms of pure driving dynamics how much better is a facelift 986S than a E46 330ci Sport?
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
You're talking about an E46 Ci Cabriolet? Or a Coupe? If I assume you're talking about the Cabriolet, then the Boxster has it by an almost inconceivable amount if we're focussing on driving pleasure. On the plus side, the E46 looks lovely, and the 3.0 litre straight six is smooth, musical and muscular; the car seats 4 comfortably and has a decent boot. It handles well, but feels like a heavier car than the coupe, and body flex is noticeable with a bit of shudder on nasty bumps -= particularly if you're traversing bumps and cornering at the same time. It could just be me, but I find the Cabriolets wollier at the helm and less pointy than the coupes. Up against the E46 Cab, a Boxster feels small, agile, communicative and 'around you' in a way the BMW can't approach. It's arguably more musical given that you can hear more of what the flat 6 is up to, and the car feels structurally really solid. There's no comparison as a driver's tool, really. Boxster has it by a mile. Make the BM a coupe and give it an M motor, and it starts to look a bit different.
ETA - Any E46 Cab you're likely to be looking at will be an automatic, so that makes it completely shite by default.
ETA - Any E46 Cab you're likely to be looking at will be an automatic, so that makes it completely shite by default.
Edited by loach on Thursday 12th April 13:53
I looked at buying a 330i sport. I was unimpressed by the test drive and bought a 986 S instead. The boxster was more expensive, but for me, it was a no brainer. The BMW didn't talk to me the way the boxster did. It felt heavier, less entertaining, more quiet and refined. I wanted more of a sporting car, so the Porsche had it by the proverbial country mile.
Try both, I'd be surprised if you don't buy the boxster!
Many thanks for the comments. I'll try to get a drive of 986S.
My current car is a E46 330ci Sport Convertible Auto. Its not a bad car, but there is too much scuttle shake/body flex which compromises handling and ride, its too heavy, steering is lacking feel. (I did intend to buy a coupe, manual with Nav Prof and Xenons, but couldn't find one...result a convertible with an almost permanently placed hardtop...a Boxster will be utilised in the same manner).
My current car is a E46 330ci Sport Convertible Auto. Its not a bad car, but there is too much scuttle shake/body flex which compromises handling and ride, its too heavy, steering is lacking feel. (I did intend to buy a coupe, manual with Nav Prof and Xenons, but couldn't find one...result a convertible with an almost permanently placed hardtop...a Boxster will be utilised in the same manner).
baz1985 said:
In terms of pure driving dynamics how much better is a facelift 986S than a E46 330ci Sport?
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
how much do you perceive it would cost to get into a 996 facelift?
Wetwipe said:
baz1985 said:
In terms of pure driving dynamics how much better is a facelift 986S than a E46 330ci Sport?
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
how much do you perceive it would cost to get into a 996 facelift?
Circa £30k, with respect to condition/spec/miles.
baz1985 said:
Wetwipe said:
baz1985 said:
In terms of pure driving dynamics how much better is a facelift 986S than a E46 330ci Sport?
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
how much do you perceive it would cost to get into a 996 facelift?
Circa £30k, with respect to condition/spec/miles.
this www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/150493.htm is my car in the classifieds. not a million miles apart in value and I promise you its a great way of getting into a facelift 996. it is a fantastic car and is only going becuase I have a tubro itch i need to scratch
although the ad shows the car for sale in Suffolk, I work in Bolton during the week and the car can be there with me
Edited by Wetwipe on Thursday 12th April 22:09
I can vouch for wetwipes car - it looks absolutely stunning, best 996 I've seen.
Of course wetwipe you realise that if you've left it with nervous for all this time he has probably formed an un-natural fondness for it by now and you'll have to callously unpeel his fingers from the wheel and extract him from the interior with a large lever..
Wetwipe said:
baz1985 said:
Wetwipe said:
baz1985 said:
In terms of pure driving dynamics how much better is a facelift 986S than a E46 330ci Sport?
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
I am not concerned about image/perceived perception/sexuality, running costs, reliability, or build quality...just pure driving pleasure.
(Ideally, I would like a facelift 996 C2, but frankly I am circa £10k short).
how much do you perceive it would cost to get into a 996 facelift?
Circa £30k, with respect to condition/spec/miles.
this www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/150493.htm is my car in the classifieds. not a million miles apart in value and I promise you its a great way of getting into a facelift 996. it is a fantastic car and is only going becuase I have a tubro itch i need to scratch
although the ad shows the car for sale in Suffolk, I work in Bolton during the week and the car can be there with me
Edited by Wetwipe on Thursday 12th April 22:09
looks fantastic mate.
I would love a 996, but realistically I don't have the necessary liquid capital. Oh well at least I'm still young.
I live in Wapping which has cobbled streets. I'm very pleased to say that scuttle shake is not an issue in a boxster. It's better in fact over the cobbles than a new clio and as good as a new 7 series or new e class. I had an mx5 before this and it's also hands down better than that, despite both being designed from the start as roadsters. Well done porsche.
Sawing the top off a tin top is never going to be great. You should notice a real difference in a boxster.
Dare I say I also prefer the 986 boxster S to the 3.4 996? And, yes, I have driven hundreds of miles in each. Sure the 996 is quicker in a straight line, but you always know where the engine is and the front end feels light to me. With the boxster, it doesn't really feel mid engined, just very neutral.
For all the 911 purists who think rear engined is good, where did porsche put the engine in the Carerra GT?
Sawing the top off a tin top is never going to be great. You should notice a real difference in a boxster.
Dare I say I also prefer the 986 boxster S to the 3.4 996? And, yes, I have driven hundreds of miles in each. Sure the 996 is quicker in a straight line, but you always know where the engine is and the front end feels light to me. With the boxster, it doesn't really feel mid engined, just very neutral.
For all the 911 purists who think rear engined is good, where did porsche put the engine in the Carerra GT?
Edited by noumenon on Friday 13th April 12:15
mmc.
The twisted familiar creatures gazed from the battlements, a puzzled expression on their faces.
For centuries they had closed their gates to the outside world, practicing their strange cult devotion to rear engined cars. “We don’t need your modern knowledge of physics”, they cry, “We’ll return to air cooling one day, you wait and see.” With a satisfied grin and nod, they shuffled back to their black and white TV to catch the latest episode of morcombe and wise. 
The twisted familiar creatures gazed from the battlements, a puzzled expression on their faces.
For centuries they had closed their gates to the outside world, practicing their strange cult devotion to rear engined cars. “We don’t need your modern knowledge of physics”, they cry, “We’ll return to air cooling one day, you wait and see.” With a satisfied grin and nod, they shuffled back to their black and white TV to catch the latest episode of morcombe and wise. Edited by noumenon on Friday 13th April 12:14
noumenon said:
mmc.
The twisted familiar creatures gazed from the battlements, a puzzled expression on their faces. For centuries they had closed their gates to the outside world, practicing their strange cult devotion to rear engined cars. “We don’t need your modern knowledge of physics”, they cry, “We’ll return to air cooling one day, you wait and see.” With a satisfied grin and nod, they shuffled back to their black and white TV to catch the latest episode of morcombe and wise.
The twisted familiar creatures gazed from the battlements, a puzzled expression on their faces.
For centuries they had closed their gates to the outside world, practicing their strange cult devotion to rear engined cars. “We don’t need your modern knowledge of physics”, they cry, “We’ll return to air cooling one day, you wait and see.” With a satisfied grin and nod, they shuffled back to their black and white TV to catch the latest episode of morcombe and wise. No no no. The noble ranks atop the battlements looked downwards at the small, ragged and disshevelled creature as it picked up another small projectile to hurl in their direction. A general and unspoken feeling of discomfort and embarrassment rippled through the lines at the brave but doomed and hopeless display going on beneath them. As the next tiny missile was thrown feebly at the blockades, a few of those assembled started to look plaintively at one another. "Aaaaww....it looks hungry.." said one of the more kindly witnesses "Should we let it in and give it something to eat?". "I think they like cheese..." came a helpful reply. "Can we keep it?" came another voice "Things haven't been the same at home since the parrot died, and one of these would make a cracking pet."
Edited by loach on Friday 13th April 12:42
That's cheating, you can't change the story, only continue it! You should know that! Especially when you believe the cult of engine in the back. You can't change it. Just make it less tail happy by mollycottling it with modern design and electronics. 
Though reminds me of the dead parrot sketch. lol.
Though reminds me of the dead parrot sketch. lol.
Edited by noumenon on Friday 13th April 12:59
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