2001 M3 vs 2003 Boxster

[evo-r]

Posting this poll for a friend of mine

Which would you get, if for the same price for a weekend car?

Option #1:
2001 BMW E46 M3
6-speed manual
127k miles

Option #2:
2003 Boxster (base)
Tiptronic
82k miles

[Perfectlap]

Any German sports car with 127K miles would need some extensive records shown before being considered by itself let alone against another car.
As for the Boxster I had $12-14K in repairs at the 70-90k odometer mark.

p.s.
My 986S has only been a 'weekend car', garage kept for 90+% of its mileage. Still cost me a bundle once major maintenance time rolled around.

p.p.s.
a manual E46 and manual 3.2 Boxster are very close in performance.
A 2.7 Boxster is more on par with a Honda S2000 as far as performance.
The S2000 is the best weekend car as far as bang for the buck/maintenace imho.

[Joe B]

Uh, this is a Boxster forum ! I have a BMW (not an M3) and a Boxster, and for a fun car I'd get the Boxster (manual transmission please!), but for longer trips and some practicality, the Bimmer.
I guess all mota just beat me to basically the same opinion.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Any German sports car with 127K miles would need some extensive records shown before being considered by itself let alone against another car.
As for the Boxster I had $12-14K in repairs at the 70-90k odometer mark.

p.s.
My 986S has only been a 'weekend car', garage kept for 90+% of its mileage. Still cost me a bundle once major maintenance time rolled around.

p.p.s.
a manual E46 and manual 3.2 Boxster are very close in performance.
A 2.7 Boxster is more on par with a Honda S2000 as far as performance.
The S2000 is the best weekend car as far as bang for the buck/maintenace imho.

Too bad they are not dirt cheap like boxsters, I would suggest him looking at an s2000 but he will pay much more up front, save on repairs though.


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[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Too bad they are not dirt cheap like boxsters, I would suggest him looking at an s2000 but he will pay much more up front, save on repairs though.


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The S2000 hold value pretty well, aren't nearly as expensive to run, are more durable (imho) than German cars and are just as much fun at the Autox/DE.
win, win, win, win.

Wait until the second hand C7's and ZL1 Camaro's get cheap. They'll be unbeatable on all of the above. With a stick stirer instead of Xbox handles.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

The S2000 hold value pretty well, aren't nearly as expensive to run, are more durable (imho) than German cars and are just as much fun at the Autox/DE.
win, win, win, win.

Wait until the second hand C7's and ZL1 Camaro's get cheap. They'll be unbeatable on all of the above. With a stick stirer instead of Xbox handles.

Haha i agree about the s2000 completly, i just cant afford one in the first place, they do not hold value, they are apreciating... no joke, not at a steady price, rather appreciating, and its because so many are being riced out and destroyed for the purist causeing few good examples left, but it is a very polarizing car, for each one that is riced out and ruined there is one kept in a garage driven by a calm old couple only on weekends with low miles . My mother was very very close to buying a s2000 before the economy flopped, wish she would have, on occasions i would possibly prefer it to the boxster. As for your chevy fetish, american crap will always be american crap, weather fast or not haha.

[Top_Ramen]

If it's just strictly a weekend car, I'd personally go for the boxster even though tip is kinda gross(my .02), but if he's going to be using it as a daily driver/ fun weekend car id go for the m3. As far as higher mileage bimmer's, my summer beater 645ci comin up to 90,xxx and my winter beater is a e39 528i and it's been pretty reliable. It's comin up to 150,xxx and only problem that's popped up was a bad water pump.

[Chuck W.]

PPI on both then decide.

[Mark_T]

Neither. Not fond of BMW's and the Boxster is a tip.

[j.fro]

Yeah, neither. Finding a base Boxster with a manual in the same price range shouldn't be tough.

[thstone]

The M3 is an easy winner. The E46 is a classic design and the M3 version only looks better. The M3 has 333hp. The M3 has a manual transmission. The only advantage for the base Boxster is the convertible.

My wife drives a 2002 base E46 and my younger son has a 2001 E46 with the Sport (suspension) package. Both are more reliable and much cheaper to operate/repair than any of my Porsche's.

[BIGJake111]

Boxster because of better reliablity despite being a small amount more exspensive to fix, bmws cost a fortune to maintain too, exspeially with that many miles.


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[black_box]

I'd do the M3..... a lot more for the money. If the Box was an S with 6MT, it would be different story altogether....

[818BoxsterS]

If you are comparing an m3 and a base boxster the m3 beats it in almost every category.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by 818BoxsterS

If you are comparing an m3 and a base boxster the m3 beats it in almost every category.

It beats the boxster in many individual areas despite being better in most every way, as a whole the boxster is better, reminds me of this review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NlaOS3Vxrg

[Mark_T]

Originally Posted by 818BoxsterS

If you are comparing an m3 and a base boxster the m3 beats it in almost every category.

Ever come out of a store and find someone taking a picture of your M3?

Ever cruise through a small town school zone and hear some kid yell "Hey look, a BMW!"?

Ever had some big mean-looking dude flying his colors on a Harley pull up beside you at a light and say "Nice BMW, man!"?

Didn't think so.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Ever come out of a store and find someone taking a picture of your M3?

Ever cruise through a small town school zone and hear some kid yell "Hey look, a BMW!"?

Ever had some big mean-looking dude flying his colors on a Harley pull up beside you at a light and say "Nice BMW, man!"?

Didn't think so.

I'm with Mark on this one. BMWs seem to be more for the old boring types
Not an exciting car to look at...

I've actually caught people posing for pictures with my car

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by particlewave

I'm with Mark on this one. BMWs seem to be more for the old boring types
Not an exciting car to look at...

I've actually caught people posing for pictures with my car

I once had a guy take exception to my loud headers/exhaust -- he shot me this "there goes the neighborhood" dirty look. He was standing with his cute girlfriend waiting for the valet to bring his car outside of this trendy hotel. He started mocking the Boxster as poor man's Porsche. With my top down I could just hear him a few feet away. As soon as I pulled away two chicks walking over in 4" heels started ooing and ahhing and one took out a camera and started taking pictures of me driving away. LOL. Some poor man's car eh?

[runjmc2]

Tell your friend to decide what flavor of ice cream he likes and then ask which brand is best.

[shadrach74]

I'm not old (40) nor boring. Having had stick time in both, I can tell you that anyone that wants a true sporting experience would select the e46 M3.

Is your friend more concerned with people noticing him in a convertible, or how the car drives?

I'm putting on my Internet nomex suit now so bring on the flames...

Compared to a to a 2003 base tip, the 2001 e46 M3 has:
More acceleration.
More grip.
Better braking.
Sweet as can be tranny.
Excellent ergonomics.

It represents the best of the best of sport sedans in 2001

I mean no offense to those who've bought a base model tip, but I think that model is kind of confused about what it wants to be. The worst power to weight ratio of any of its siblings mated to a slush box.

If you just want to cruise around with the top down then go get a proper boulevardier like a Merc SL and enjoy a more luxury oriented roadster.

I think my 02 S is somewhat underpowered, but it is still loads of fun in a 6 speed and will outbrake almost anything. Driving it well (smoothly and quickly) is a rewarding experience...because it's not easy; one must get to know the car. Proper launches, upshifts and "heal and toe" downshifts all require finess to perform in satisfactory manner and are infinantly more satisfying than pushing or pulling on a flappy paddle or nudging a selector between + and -.

If one were to take my S and remove 30hp, while adding weight to its midsection, and then give it smaller brakes and take away my ability to physically interact with the power delivery, I dont think I'd drive it very much.

Sorry... Thats just me.

I've driven many roadsters over the years from e-types, Healeys, TR6s, bug-sprites...I cannot imagine any of them being fun as automatics.

Now, if it was a base 5 speed vs an M3 SMG...I'd probably go 986!