2002 Boxster S vs. 2002-2005 BMW M3

[Jeph]

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]

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 I feel the E36 body style is a very strong one but a bit outdated in some way.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]

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]

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.

[Benny986]

well if you need the space, then you need the space.

if it was me, i'd get an s4, or a c32. both those cars have lots of TQ.

before the boxster, I was going to get the e46M3. I was set on it. Then I drove it. In the SMG and manual. It honestly didn't feel much faster than my B6 A4 3.0QM. And my audi is not a fast car. The m3 just doesn't have the TQ. Top end its fine, but light to light it doesn't FEEL fast.

The exhaust note also wasn't my favorite either. I like the way my audi sounds way more.

I have driven both at autox, and I like my boxster more. The M3 is a bit on the heavy side. but then again, all cars seem to be gravitating that way.

is the m3 a bad choice? no. are you looking for some reassurance here? it sounds like it, and from the sounds of it, most of the people including me think that it isn't a bad idea. it just wasn't my cup of tea, so i got the boxster. and couldn't be happier.

FWIW, if you are into forums, and hanging out with fellow car owners, my buddy just got an e46 # series, and he likes the audi crowd more. Not sure if that means anything to you or not.

[mdex]

Originally Posted by Back2DTM

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

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.

[John V]

A stock M3 is a very quick car but it's severely hampered by its soft suspension, narrow wheels, and lack of camber.

With a few basic modifications - stiffer springs and better shocks, camber plates and wider front wheels and tires, the M3 will annihilate a Boxster in terms of numbers...

... but the Boxster will be more rewarding and more fun to drive. And it sounds much better.

[Triumphblack]

Before buying my 2002S I was also considering an M3. My dealer, who is also a client ,with over 30 years experience in dealing with used high end cars, porsche, BMW Mercedes, etc. said you really have to watch used M3's. Many are driven hard and abused by less experienced drivers. Its the Mustang/Camaro of the more affluent.

[Back2DTM]

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]

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....

[mdex]

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?

[xxxalexxxx]

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]

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]

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]

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..