Just picked up my new M3!!!

Let's see of I can post a pic....

that was easy

let's try that again

thanks!

Thanks!!

Hope to see you guys and check out your cars too!

Why BoxsterSboy?? Last car was a boxster....the handle just stuck.

cheers!

this is too much fun

BoxsterSBoy said:

YES!!!! Now I'm almost ready to join you guys for Bimmerfest. Just need to hit 1200 miles....

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so your last car was a Boxter S? how would you compare the E46 M3 to the Boxter S? My next car will be either the M3 or the Boxter S, and I'm leaning more toward the latter at the moment. and I heard in 2003 they might up the HP and change the styling a little in the Boxter.

lemme know what you think about the 2, thank you!

--Andrew

M3 vs. Boxster S comparision

Let me start by saying that my impression is based off of only 600 miles on the M3. I had my Boxster S for almost 2 years.

The 2 big differences are power and handling. The M3 definetly has the advantage on power. Even though I've been driving below 5.5K RPM, I can tell the difference already. It's the torque that's making the difference right now. When I dyno'd my Boxster S, it only had 199 ft-lbs of torque. I always had a hard time pulling away from my friends chipped GTI. With the new car I can pull away, without even trying very hard.

Handling goes to the Boxster, but in a subjective way. I think in absolute numbers that cars are very close. It's just that the Boxsters lower center of gravity and mid engine make it feel like a go kart. The problem is the car doesn't let you know how close you are to the limit. Once you exceed it's limits the car will spin like a top. The price of a low polar inertia mid engine design. The standard Boxster feels like a Miata with more power. The Boxster S feels even better if you have the 18 inch wheels and lowering spings or coilovers. Plus the 6 speed gearbox feels more substancial. With the car lowered with H&R coilovers the ride was very rough, and I like it sporty, so you could only imagine how hard it was. One good thing is the adjustability of the suspension. Camber was maxed out on my car with -1.0 degrees up front and -2.0 degrees in the rear. The steering was heavy compared to the M3, and slightly quicker. The slightest movement was transfered to the wheels. Now this can be real good, or a bit too much depending on your driving. You had to be real smooth with the steering. This of coarse is with a modified car. The standard Boxster didn't feel as planted or have such sharp turn in. Stock to stock the cars are similiar in turn in.

The leather in the M3 is actually better. It's softer and covers more than just the middle section of the seats. For the Boxster, in order to get the entre seat to be in leather it's an extra cost. Soft leather is about $3K extra.

One thing which was suprising was that Porsche isn't making cars like they used to with the 993's. The new generation is finicky, built to a price point and not over engineered like the good old days of Porsche. My car was actually somewhat fragile. It was in the shop about 6 times in 2 years.

Does this help? Do you want more details?? Let me know.

Great write-up Boxsterboy. I have driven the regu;ar Boxster many times and it really is an incredible car. I love how the steering communicates with you but like you pointed out those cars have no low end torque.

Though I will say that once they get going, they really fly and the engine note in the higher rpm's is music to your ears !!!

Re: M3 vs. Boxster S comparision

BoxsterSBoy said:

The problem is the car doesn't let you know how close you are to the limit. Once you exceed it's limits the car will spin like a top. The price of a low polar inertia mid engine design.

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yeah, i test drove a boxter s and it was harder to feel when the car starts to break lose, having correct seating position is very important... luckily i gave it slightly more gas and steered the right way and it didn't spin, and that happened like twice in my 2 hour test drive! =)

One thing which was suprising was that Porsche isn't making cars like they used to with the 993's. The new generation is finicky, built to a price point and not over engineered like the good old days of Porsche. My car was actually somewhat fragile. It was in the shop about 6 times in 2 years.

Click to expand...

that is so true, even the 996's are not as good as the 993's besides the horsepower and the numbers on paper. I would definitely go for a 993 turbo instead of a 996C2 if I have that kindda money.

And I could care less about the leather, I actually prefer the cloth seats if I decide to get the M3. the M leather is really nice though, you're right about that.

sounds like they're both super fun cars, with the M3 quite a bit faster and Boxter S handles slightly better. and the Boxter S probably will be better for the track? I think the Boxter S is more balanced, everything put together nicely, and the M3, while it has really badass independent parts (engine, suspension, etc), it's not as balanced as a Porsche. But I haven't test driven an M3 so I really can't say for sure. Hopefully by the time I decide to change cars the M3's will be available for test drives.

thanks for your writeup!

--Andrew

gor-gee-us.

that's a gorgeous automobile!

please give us more feedback (you, too, alex325) when you get past "break-in".

i would caution you about placing the 993s on such a pedestal because while they might represent the "old porsche", the 996s are faster around the benchmark, the nurburgring. they might not feel as visceral, but they handle better (wider track, better wheelbase).

unfortunately, the current Boxster S outhandles its HP.

anyways, this is sort of what i use for tracktimes....i think the times are usually done by test drivers from each marque, and they do mean something in terms of penultimate all-out power and handling. while it's not listed, the E46m3 does about 8:18 to 8:20 (CSL will be under 8 minutes).

cheers,
coky

http://home.swipnet.se/~w-32546/nbring/laptimes for different cars.htm