2002 Boxster S vs. 2002-2005 BMW M3 - Page 2 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

renzop · 02-15-2008, 09:48 AM

Here's another approach that i have been doing for years. Get a second car. Buy a cheap second car (or pickup) and make it an automatic. The cost of insuring a cheap used car without collision is negligble.

Then you can use the Boxster for what it was intended (nice weather and open road) and drive the beater when you are going to be stuck in traffic, going to the mall or hauling extra bodies (live bodies that is:-).

If you like the Boxster don't get rid of it. You will regret it.

Regards,
Alan

cbenitah · 02-15-2008, 10:00 AM

I had that thought but I cannot have two cars, so I need to find a happy medium. I do like all the comments and they all seam to be the same if you look at it as a whole. We all love the boxster and try to find a good alternative incase we didn't have it..

Back2DTM · 02-16-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

Performance not in the aspect of straight line acceleration. There are lots of cars that are quick in a straight line, but overall balance of the car... Few cars in the world can touch the balance of the Boxster. As far as an idea, I have been around the track since I was 6, but don't take my word for it many of the "Pro's" who teach at the PDE, BMW driving schools (including the head of the BMW program) all point to the Boxster as being a far better handling car then anything BMW produces.

Are you saying the M3 is not a overall balanced car? For the price you pay for? You really have no idea. You should have spend your time somewhere esle when you were 6 because you still don't know much.

mdex · 02-16-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back2DTM

You should have spend your time somewhere esle when you were 6 because you still don't know much.

No need to continue personally attacking me. All I have done here was state my opinion of the M3 vs. Boxster....

cbenitah · 02-16-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

No need to continue personally attacking me. All I have done here was state my opinion of the M3 vs. Boxster....

I agree. All I wanted to know was everyones opinion about the M3 and the Boxster S.. I think this is very good information for anyone being in the same situation as me. I like all comments and when you read them you have to be able to filter since we are talking about different opinions and different experiences.

I have decided to drive my box a little bit longer (unless someone wants to buy it now)

I did decide to sell my GT3 seats though. So if anyone is interested let me know. I am putting them up for sale soon.

cbenitah · 02-16-2008, 04:06 PM

Thought that I should share what else I got as well..

This is a before and after picture of my 1973 914. As you can see its almost a boxster

Boxster breaks and wheels at least.. As well as center console and some other parts. (Did have GT3 seats in it)

mdex · 02-16-2008, 08:07 PM

From the start I have admited that I have an anti-bmw bias... my 540 was a miserable experience that cost a fortune, and while I have driven many BMW's since then, none of them would make me jump back into owning one.

The M3 doesn't have the balance that the Boxster does...it isnt bad, but it isnt even close to the boxster.... but most people dont have the skill to notice.

I am a beliver that if you have to compromise for your street car (and most do) get a car like an audi.... it is a better street car.... missing in the last bit of feedback, but that is the compromise you have to make from driving a sports car.

Whatever you choose all the best.

mdex · 02-16-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back2DTM

You should have spend your time somewhere esle when you were 6 because you still don't know much.

Not to be disrespectful.... but what were your driving qualifications again?

trube78 · 02-16-2008, 08:16 PM

1. If you are talking the M3 cab, the back seats are small and not too useful. Plus when the Top is down the trunk is pretty small.

2. M3 great highway/touring car. In the city, gas mileage goes way down. I forget the EPA specs but think 13/14 city 21/22 hwy.

3. Boxster S does not come close on the interstate but is better in town and on twisties. M3 is tougher to control at the track.

4. M3 is a bigger car on the outside than most folks think. Depending on how you plan to use it , it can be awesome. I felt it was not a well rounded vehicle but that is me.

5. It cannot be modded any easier than a Boxster. Like the Box, big $$ for little HP/TQ gains. The Coupe is faster (stock) than an S but the Cab is slower than an S.

6. The engine is incredible, and it is a well made car.

7. Both cars have pluses and minuses. Almost like comparing a Truck to an SUV to a minivan. There are a few similarities, but more differences.

Hope this helps,
ATB,
Tom

8.

Back2DTM · 02-16-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

Not to be disrespectful.... but what were your driving qualifications again?

How do you disrespect me by asking me this question? :ah:
How about you are not qualified to know anything about me?

CJ_Boxster · 02-20-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

Not to be disrespectful.... but what were your driving qualifications again?

mdex, 1) That is disrespectful. 2) The original reason the poster was thinking of a BMW is "I need more room and the Boxster is not enough".

So maybe you should have spent more time in the 1st grade reading at age 6 than on the track. Of course, I mean no disrespect.

Brucelee · 02-20-2008, 04:04 PM

OK, enough of the witty retorts.

Pls, back to the topic at hand.

Both are fine cars and I would not mind driving either any old time.

Horses for courses as my granpop used to say.

cbenitah · 02-22-2008, 08:23 PM

After a few weeks of test driving and contemplating about a Swap or not its time to let you know about the verdict.. A Pcar is a Pcar.. I cannot seam to find a good enough excuse to get rid of my car. The M3 is a very nice car in any way, and thanks to all of you out there I also know that you think the same, however, a Porsche Boxster is still a Porsche Boxster. I wouldn't mind having a hard top on it though, but since the sun is out 90% of the year here in San Diego I guess I shouldn't complain.

Thanks for all your comments and advise, both good and bad.

Now its time to do some modifications to my car. . Seats, Wheels, Stereo, Bumpers, Hard Top is on the wish list so far..

Maybe we need a new thread that reads: Why I enjoy my Boxster so much

Jeph · 02-23-2008, 04:32 AM

Your Boxster looks great (though the link in your signature doesn't seem to work at the time of this posting).

I too had BMW temptations, but I think I did the right thing by sticking with the Porsche.

saaber · 02-23-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbenitah

Thought that I should share what else I got as well..

This is a before and after picture of my 1973 914. As you can see its almost a boxster

Boxster breaks and wheels at least.. As well as center console and some other parts. (Did have GT3 seats in it)

Are those rivets that I see showing on the fender flares? Have never seen that on a Porsche before.

larryshomework · 02-23-2008, 07:13 AM

My two cents on Audi vs BMW questions.

I've owned 2 e30 3-series, 1 e36 3-series, 3 e46 3-series, 1 5 series from BMW. From Audi, I've owned 2 B5 A4's (1 avant) and 1 B6 A4 Avant.

None of the Audi's had the same road feel as the BMW's. Each of the above was a great car and better from a driving perspective than most of their competitors.

In the end, it was more about style and design than anything else. Audi's have some beautiful cars - the new A5 is a stunner - and I hate the Bangle-ization of BMW. Audi gets a slight node on interiors - just about the best in the business but BMW's have always been close. Both handle great, drive long distances great and have been reliable or more accurately, durable.

I love the way my Box handles - better than an any of the above cars. However, switching to an M3 would bring much more power and a different (but fun) driving experience.

These are all great cars. We are fortunate to have these choices and plenty of open road to exercise those choices

cbenitah · 02-23-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaber

Are those rivets that I see showing on the fender flares? Have never seen that on a Porsche before.

Yes those are rivets, I did that to make it part easy to swap the flair if anything would happen to it and it is also preventing it from cracking. But looks race car like as well..

cbenitah · 02-23-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeph

Your Boxster looks great (though the link in your signature doesn't seem to work at the time of this posting).

It works now

c4s · 02-23-2008, 08:59 PM

I have the 08 335i bi turbo conv. in my garage sitting next to the 05 Boxster S... Lucky to have both... The BMW is a great all around sports sedan... and on a long two hour drive I would probably take the BMW... But for shear driving fun... It's the Box S hands down... I like the car more than my 04 C4S...

The Box is on rails... winds up through the gears perfectly and the balance is superb... I live by laguna seca raceway and get the little guy out on the track a few times a year... nothing like it...

If I had to pick one... it's the Box S...