Giving up on a 996 - I think it's time for an M3

TurboRob · 3 Mar 2019

Can see your logic straying away from a 996 Jackzi. Have you considered the M3's bigger brother, the M5? I've had e39 M5s for the past 7 years and they are a great 'do it all' car.

If your budget is £15-19k as mentioned in OP you'll pick up a very nice, enthusiast owned one that's had all the major jobs done (there aren't any really - bit of rust, brake line replacement). The 5-series is a big step up in quality over the 3-series too, and the e39 interior is one of the best.

Assuming you're happy to be in a 20 year old car (a la 996), if not and you're bit braver the later e60 M5 (v10) is in that budget range but is much more expensive to run.

Jackzi · 3 Mar 2019

I've had an E34 M5 and loved it. And I like the E39 so much that I've kept a 530i as a workhorse for the last 12 years.

I actually felt like the E90 M3 was the spiritual successor to the V8 M5 when I drove it. The weight and dimensions are quite similar (it's actually very close to an E34 and only a bit shorter than an E39).

I can't seem to find any decent ones for sale as they're either very high mileage and cheap or low mileage and 20k plus.

I reckon the E90 is better value for money around the 16k bracket. Even if it won't retain it's value as well as its bigger brother.

I test drove an E60 V10 M5 and didn't like the SMG - it's like someone's changing the gears for you and you're waiting for them to just get on with it.

And I never thought I'd say this but 507 hp is too much for the road. Especially since the performance is mostly accessible above 5k RPM.

I tried a DCT M3 and the throttle blips made me smile every single time. But it also felt a bit to 'Playstation' for me and I wondered whether the novelty would wear off. Has that happened to anyone with a PDK?

Interesting that the discussion has gone towards discussing the BMWs rather than people on here trying to talk me out of it and staying with Porsche :lol:

UncleP · 3 Mar 2019

I've not long got rid of a manual e92 M3 that I only kept for 3 months and am now looking for a 996.

It was a bit of a disaster that ended with the dealer buying back after much argument and a loss to me. I never really took to the car as the engine was just a bit uneventful until the top end. By then you were in custodial sentence speeds. My main issue was with the gearbox/clutch/flywheel. The shift was awful, loud clunk when shifting and rumbling/vibration when pulling away. The dealer agreed to replace the clutch and flywheel but the box was still horrendous.

So I'm now looking for a 996. I've wanted one for ages and always been too scared. I now figure it's better to suffer the paranoia and financial pain than settle for a car I feel indifferent about.

Jackzi · 3 Mar 2019

@UncleP: Was the gearbox issue a fault? Or did you just not like it?

The shift feel on the E90 I drove was OK. Different from a 996 for sure as it didn't have that 'rifle bolt' action and heft to it.

In the 996 I had, I actually didn't like the shift that much and ended up fitting the standard shift linkage from the 997 in it. This shortened the throw by about 20% and felt way better than an SSK (not to mention the standard set up).

@Lukec4s - do you fancy selling your 4S? (my last ditch effort)

JM30 · 3 Mar 2019

Sorry to hear about your failed purchases, nothing more frustrating than spending money out and wasting so much time with no reward! I have been there a few times myself,

I have had both the E90 4door and E92 M3 and I loved the look and rarity of the E90, as mentioned already about the rod bearings, other than that they are fairly bullet proof, both of mine was 6MT although it's a little notchy at times it's still a nice drive, all of my M power cars have been manual so can't comment on DCT.

Good luck with the search,

UncleP · 3 Mar 2019

Jackzi said:
@UncleP: Was the gearbox issue a fault? Or did you just not like it?

I can't say for certain, it was certainly not diagnosed as having a fault by 2 separate indies and the dealer claimed it was a "characteristic" of the manual transmission.

I've never driven another manual e9x m3 but I have had other cars with Getrag boxes and while they have all been like stirring a bucket of golf balls with a daffodil stalk my e92 was by far the worst.

Jackzi · 3 Mar 2019

@UncleP - I see. That doesn't sound great.

I've read on the m3 forums that you can swap the gearstick for the one from the F10 M5 and that's supposed to make a very big improvement. People also fit a 'clutch stop', which I hadn't heard of before, and that seems to mean that the pedal doesn't travel quite as far down.

Not sure if either would have cured your issues. I tried a DCT for comparison, but I kind of didn't gel with the whole 'floor it and hang on' feel. But maybe that would have been the better choice.

I did read somewhere that many owners were complaining of a distinct notchiness between 1st and 2nd. But every BMW I've had has had that.

JM30 · 3 Mar 2019

Been a member of m3cutters for many years, and like you say it's a popular mod changing to F10 gear knob and clutch stop, not something I tried myself though either I was happy enough with it and like you say it's a common feel, same with a 130i I had too,

DrJimBone · 3 Mar 2019

Caymans and Boxters are cheap as chips these days, if you are just looking for a fun drivers car to compliment a daily hack...

:?: some even say better handling and more fun than the 911

:dont know: unless the whole 'Gayman' comments thing is an issue for you..?

Jackzi · 3 Mar 2019

I couldn't care less about 'Gayman' comments :-D I had a 986 and it was a laugh and a half.

I have been thinking about getting a Boxster to complement the M3. I reckon that would be a good combo.

Funds don't allow for that to happen right now, but the thinking is get a cheap 986 2.7 I'd not have to worry about or a nicer 987 3.2 further down the line.

Or even perhaps a 996.1 cab? ;-) (there I go again with the 911s...)

I reckon I'll try the F10 gear knob mod, but I didn't have too much of an issue with the stock set up.

I read up a lot on m3cutters but it's a bit of a different vibe here.

CB911 · 3 Mar 2019

Hi,

I am going to be selling my 98 manual C2 coupe soon. Arctic Silver with Boxster red leather and hard back sports seats, M030 suspension, LSD. Still has ambers with no aero kit. Has immaculate 17 inch C4 wheels with 4 x new Michelin PS2's.

It's done 69k miles, had an OPC service 1.2k miles ago in June 2018, also had ac condensers done last year. I'm simply not using it enough due to work and a young family.

If you are interested, I'll can PM a full advert tomorrow? I was planning to MOT in early April, when it's due before popping an advert up. It's been tucked up for winter on trickle charge, but I have ensured it's been driven regularly on dry roads.

Cheers.

Hooner · 4 Mar 2019

CB911 said:
Hi,

I am going to be selling my 98 manual C2 coupe soon. Arctic Silver with Boxster red leather and hard back sports seats, M030 suspension, LSD. Still has ambers with no aero kit. Has immaculate 17 inch C4 wheels with 4 x new Michelin PS2's.

It's done 69k miles, had an OPC service 1.2k miles ago in June 2018, also had ac condensers done last year. I'm simply not using it enough due to work and a young family.

If you are interested, I'll can PM a full advert tomorrow? I was planning to MOT in early April, when it's due before popping an advert up. It's been tucked up for winter on trickle charge, but I have ensured it's been driven regularly on dry roads.

Cheers.

sounds v/nice :thumb:

cvega · 4 Mar 2019

all the stupid BMW stereotypes aside, I drove a E90 M3 (really wanted a sedan) and I was very underwhelmed by it. And the bearing wear issues on the V8 put me off for good.

NLW73 · 4 Mar 2019

M cars can be as expensive as porkers if not more.

mate of mine runs a big BMW M car specialist and some of the big are eye watering. just look at the cracking rear subframe issues that can costs 1000s to fix as well as the bottom end and vanos issues.

loads of cheap E46 m3s out there but they always end up being money pits to fix and run!!

UncleP · 4 Mar 2019

Cost of parts used to be the biggest problem when it came to repairs as many were often unique to just that model/engine. Hence the M tax comments from many owners. I'm not sure if that's changed since each subsequent model seems to have been more popular than the last.

The e46 certainly had it's fair share of problems but the e9x models seem to be fairly robust when compared to other M cars and indeed similar cars from other manufacturers. No shortage of indies either.

Giving up on a 996 - I think it's time for an M3

TurboRob

Monza

Jackzi

Silverstone

UncleP

Montreal

Jackzi

Silverstone

JM30

Monza

UncleP

Montreal

Jackzi

Silverstone

JM30

Monza

DrJimBone

Spa-Francorchamps

Jackzi

Silverstone

CB911

New member

Hooner

Spa-Francorchamps

cvega

Nurburgring

NLW73

Albert Park

UncleP

Montreal

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