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

cbenitah · 02-14-2008, 01:48 PM

Marc,
I agree with you with almost everything you say.. I too have rented cars for the weekend or the day or whatever I needed. I just feel that a 4 seater would be more practical down the line. I am not saying that my boxster is the last car I will own, far from it. But more room would be nice. I like to drive and if we are going somewhere then its me and one more.. I am not raising a family here so that is not the issue, it is the everyday usefulness of a slightly larger car, in my mind a car with a backseat. I like the performance of the boxster, it is a bit on the low side but more than enough for a sporty every day car. I'm torn on what to do here..But any comment helps, and remember that I am still on the Boxsters Side. Although my brain tells me I should come to my sense and have a 4 seater..

Although I do not want 4 doors. 2 is just fine no matter what the size car I will get. Passengers go out an in on the right side anyway :dance:

larryshomework · 02-14-2008, 02:25 PM

Advantages of the M3 include an outstanding power plant with plenty of acceleration and good power distribution across the rev range.

Real (usable) back seats.

Not as good of handling but better than most things out there.

Nice and functional interior - well made.

Bigger trunk space plus fold down rear seats compared to 911's. You can get a lot of stuff in an M3.

Overall, they are great cars. It will not be as viscerally connected to the road but it handles very well and has considerable more power (numbers and feeling). Put that thing in sport mode and it's a beast.

racer_d · 02-14-2008, 03:24 PM

What about a WRX STi? Or even an Evo? I know.. ricer

Maybe they are all over where you live (then again, if you live in Cali, M3s are all over the place too). Audi S4/RS4? MB Class AMG (C32?) could also be comparables. How about the previous generation M5? Thats larger

Ok.. So, you'd like to be able to haul, on occasion, more than one person.

What other things in your life would you need more space for? Why not just be the one who "gets a ride" instead of giving the rides?

My dad has a previous gen (E36) M3 sedan. It is a fantastic car. I would argue it to be equal or better than the Boxster (even an S) from an ease to drive and performance value. I would say even better steering feel than my Boxster had. E36 cars, even "excellent" ones, can be had for under 20K, with most in the $12-14K range. They are a great value and also worth considering. Heck, you could save some coin by going a bit older, and have a little nest egg for that 996/997 down the line.

I don't think either car is a bad one (E46 or E36 or Box S). A friend of mine recently traded his 1995 993 Coupe for an E46 M3 because he wanted room for his little kids. Loves the M3, but misses the 993 everyday.

Jeph · 02-14-2008, 04:02 PM

I guess it's a good move, since space is your main complaint.

For me though, it'd be hard to go to the e46 body style since the e92 version has been out for a while now. I'd probably take a 335i Coupe over the e46 M3. With the turbos, that car is about as fast, and fresher looking -not that the "vintage" Bimmer looks bad. Could you do something like that?

I'm still dying to drive an M Coupe. Have you considered that?

cbenitah · 02-14-2008, 04:39 PM

I guess as well here.. It feels like wanting to get rid of something more than just a car. But then again, it is more than just a car for me. I feel the E36 body style is a very strong one but a bit outdated in some way. I do like the E46.

What other car out there would you recommend if YOU were thinking of switching. I do not want to really sacrifice the sportiness if I can call it that.

I did look at the mini coopers too. as you can see, I'm a bit confused here on what to get that would make me satisfied and also something that would justify a swap.

cbenitah · 02-14-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

I am still going to vote against the M3... it will cost more then the Porsche to run, for a lesser performing car...

Marc

Curious how you see the M3 to be a lesser performing car? I would say its faster than ours, in many aspects, straight line and sometimes even on track (depends on the driver but still)

Back2DTM · 02-14-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbenitah

Curious how you see the M3 to be a lesser performing car? I would say its faster than ours, in many aspects, straight line and sometimes even on track (depends on the driver but still)

I owned a M3. It is NOT lesser performing car, period. That guy has no idea.

xxxalexxxx · 02-14-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

it will cost more then the Porsche to run, for a lesser performing car...

Marc

I would have to disagree with both of those...the Porsche definitely costs slightly more to run/mod, etc. then a BMW M3 I know this for a fact because my brother did a ton of modifications and they all cost less then the stuff I did to my boxster or would like to do...

Second, I love Porsches and obviously my boxster but I wouldn't say that an M3 is a 'lesser" performing car. An M3 is about .1-.2 in front of the boxster S (let alone a boxster) on the track, let alone a modded M3 and they are very easy to mod.

larryshomework · 02-15-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdex

I am still going to vote against the M3... it will cost more then the Porsche to run, for a lesser performing car... Heck, at the track a Porsche CTT is just as quick as an M3 so if your going to step down in performance, why not get better functionality thrown in? Audi's are great street cars, and the quattro is a great safety feature to boot.

I would have to disagree with this assessment. The M3 performs better on some aspects and worse on others. It is short on handling but superior on overall power and power delivery (IMHO). Also, handling and feel is relative. It's not as good as the Box but it's better than just about everything else on the road.

I've owned and driven many Audi's. The are great cars with awesome interiors. However, they have even less handling feel than the BMW's. Quattro is nice but the steering feel is more numb than the BMW.

I loved the BMW's I've owned/own and the Box. The Box is more engaging to drive but the M3 is sweet as well - I'd like to have both.

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

greg9ball · 02-15-2008, 06:01 AM

The discussion is really interesting to me because I narrowed my search to a Boxster S or an M3. The only advantage I found to the M3 was that it has rear seats. I drove the M3 first and was very impressed with the performance. The engine is awesome, but there was a real lack of driving excitement. I did not feel connected to the road. I didn't feel the speed at all, which I don't consider a good thing (perhaps some people do!). The whole driving experience left me numb. Then I test drove the 05 Boxster S! Oh good lord! I knew immediately that I found my car! The whole driving experience was in a work, magical!

I know that I am not as qualified as many to make a judgement, because I have very little experience with either car; however, the experience is very fresh in my mind.

Best of all, I pick up my 05 Boxster S today! Woo Hoo!!!

In my humble opinion, you will give up quite a lot to gain the extra room. That's life. My sister hates her mini van, but she does what she needs to do! If you need the room, than you have to give something up. I personally think you will regret the decision. Is it possible that you just have an itch for something different?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbenitah

Marc,
I agree with you with almost everything you say.. I too have rented cars for the weekend or the day or whatever I needed. I just feel that a 4 seater would be more practical down the line. I am not saying that my boxster is the last car I will own, far from it. But more room would be nice. I like to drive and if we are going somewhere then its me and one more.. I am not raising a family here so that is not the issue, it is the everyday usefulness of a slightly larger car, in my mind a car with a backseat. I like the performance of the boxster, it is a bit on the low side but more than enough for a sporty every day car. I'm torn on what to do here..But any comment helps, and remember that I am still on the Boxsters Side. Although my brain tells me I should come to my sense and have a 4 seater..

Although I do not want 4 doors. 2 is just fine no matter what the size car I will get. Passengers go out an in on the right side anyway :dance:

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...