A buddy of mine has the e92 M3. It definately has more technology, better interior, and is more comfortable but after driving it, I found my 997 to be more nimble, more fun, more RAW, and turns more heads. Nuff said!

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Before I got the e60, I thougt as some here that you buy a Porsche for the Passion and you buy a Bimmer for the Fashion. But after owning both, I actually enjoy both.

Go with your preference and select - its only a choice that you have to stay with until you sell it.

I am sure they will make more cars.

 

After 10 years of M3's, the E36 and the E46, here I am. There is no substitute.
Looked at the E92. They were 10-20k less than new. Bought at maybe the bottom of the recession and got a $100k car for the same money. Compared to the M3 - already has the exhaust roar, the BBK, a great low ride, incredibly wide tires, etc. You compromise in the versatility, no question about it. But my kids dive to get into the back of the Porsche. Had to force them into the back of my M3.
Maintenence, not much different out of warranty.
Insurance, the 997 was less.
Mileage, 997 is better.
Just a much better car - and as you suggested a much better value in today's market although prices of the used 997's have really firmed and supply has gone way down. Good luck in the search and be sure to take a spirited drive in one.

 

Had an order placed on a E92 M3 (white on red loaded!) and cancelled it and got a 997 C2S Aero kit.

Drove to the BMW dealer a few weeks later and the guy was like "woah you got THIS for the price of the M i was going to sell you? Well Done man!"

True Story.

 

I have gone back and forth between an ///M and 911 since 1995.

 

Yep, second that dillema. With our e60 just about outtta warranty and disappointed at Munich's decision to discontinue V10, GTR's performance and 2 more seats for real people in the back is a very tempting alternative indeed.

 

Wow, I am surprised you would consider a Nissan. I've just never been in a Japnese car that had "road feel", including Z's. Fast, yes, but is the GT-R really worthy of your consideration?

 

I suggest the OP ignore this empty opinion.

 

Gee, hope I didn't offend thee!

 

Did you drive the GT-R? Most of the negative posts on the webs have been from guys who haven't even driven the damn car.
I drove an '08 while visiting L.A. The drive was unreal. I have been a german car snob. I have a different perspective after the drive. Don't discount the car because of the Nissan badge.

 

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No I didn't give it serious thought because I personally am not into the chiseled look, and it seemed to slant more to the power/speed side of things. I agree with you about people who give negative perception w/o having a driving experience. That said, I go back to my original comment about my J-car driving experience, nothing yet has that German feel of the road, but then I haven't driven the GT-R either! I would love to have something with superior finesse, speed, and reliability thrown in and btw, at a lower cost.
Don't want to get into the M3 vs C2S debate type of discussion, but yes, I would be interested in your review of the GT-R, and how it relates to say an 09 C2S in road feel/handling.

 

This summer I too was in the dilemma of either getting a 08 e92 M3 or a 06 997s. Cost wise they were pretty close in price, Porsche being a bit more. I ended up getting the 08 e92 M3.

My reasons in picking the M3:
- M3 had full 4 yr warranty, while 06 only had 2 yr CPO warranty
- All 997.1 models do not carry a bluetooth feature which is a big big feature I use when driving the car (who wants to hold a phone when driving?).
- Nav on 997.1 is garbage. Yes iDrive isn't no winner, but compared to the PCM on the 997.1, its like using AOL dial-up instead of Cable broadband
- Want the extra space in the M3
- Buying a used Porsche is like buying someone's apartment and living with his/her decorations. 997 are very specific in options, colors, etc. based on the original owner's taste. And since Porsche allows original buyers to custom order options, its definitely harder finding the 'right' used 997, with the color/options that you would be happy with. Personally, I really digged the aerokit package (love the GT3 look I guess). Hated the 'lobster' wheels, which many 06's had.
- My overall cost of ownership on a M3 would be less. This is subjective, and not saying it would be the same for all. But I get winter set ups for my car (live in the northeast), and I know that a winter set up is cheaper on a M3 then a 997. In addition, regular tires would be cheaper on the M3 then the 997. Note to OP, back rear tires on a 997 go for about $500.00 a piece to replace - and you usually will buy in pairs. Add the free maintainence BMW offers on cars (up to 4 yrs/50k miles), it was a no brainer.

Some observations since my purchase:

- The e92 M3 is a great car (i know some on this board may think its so-so. Everyone has an opinion, right?). The V8 is great and the noises from the car are wonderful. My car is fully optioned and has DCT, and the tech on it is out of the world (ie mlogic, EDC, DSC, etc). Its great to drive, and fast as *****. But yes, its heavier then it should be, and would be great if it had less weight.
- The 997 is a SPORTS car and will have more of a racing feel then the M3, which is really a sports coupe. And yes, it will have a very visceral feel once you sit in low and hear the V6 rumble in the back. But while I love the 997 V6, the M3 V8 is also a wonderful engine in its own right. You will know when you rev that engine up to 8000 rpm during shifting, which is what you do with the M3 since its built with a high revving engine.
- The M3 is very practical, and since its my only car, it works for me. I know if I had the 911 as my everyday car, I wouldn't be so comfortable driving it at times. Example: I sometimes have to travel or commute and leave it in parking lot would had made me very nervous. I know people on this board does use the 997 as a DD, but I realize that I couldn't do it. A 997 for me has to be a 2nd car.
- The rep of the BMW driver, is less then desired. If you own the 997, there is a definite better sense of brotherhood in ownership of the car (the people on this forum are great). Not to stereotype but there seems to be more 'jerks/punks' who drive BMWs out there. Probably because 3 series/M3 BMW drivers are probably skew demographically younger then the average 997 driver.
- People really like the e92 coupe in my area. Get many compliments from strangers. Even 997 owners check it out when I have it parked (and then sneer as they walk back to their beloved 997s ...j/k).
- I do not regret getting the M3 over the 997.1s. I'm very satisfied and happy with my purchase. But again that is compared to the 997.1s. If it was the 997.2s vs the M3, totally different story, but then it wouldn't be the same price point now, would it?
- Graduation from BMW to Porsche does seem like the natural progression for many and I myself will probably look into the next car purchase as a 997.2s or GT3.

Overall summary: Like everyone says, go test the cars and see which car will work for you. Everyone has different needs, lifestyles and qualms, so you will be best to answer which one is the one for you. Best of luck to the OP and I hope my post helps some.

 

Probably the right choice. A few points:

- who wants to hold a phone when driving?
>> unfortunately way too many people.

- Buying a used Porsche is like buying someone's apartment and living with his/her decorations. 997 are very specific in options, colors, etc. based on the original owner's taste.
>> not sure if this is really true - you can buy a 911 off the lot and you can custom order an M3.

- In addition, regular tires would be cheaper on the M3 then the 997. Note to OP, back rear tires on a 997 go for about $500.00 a piece to replace - and you usually will buy in pairs. Add the free maintainence BMW offers on cars (up to 4 yrs/50k miles), it was a no brainer.
>> M3 tires may run you a little less depending on wheel size - go to Tire Rack and compare - not as big a difference as you might think.

- V6 - no no no - Flat-6.

 

I think that's changed, BimmerForums is pretty much 99% fanboys now. I own an E92 M3 and don't really chat about cars there because of the rampant fanboyism.

As for the OPs question, they are two different cars. The 997 is a true sports car, while the M3 is really a good sport GT. Depends on what you want.

What do YOU want from a car?

 

The M3 is a great car and yet I just can't fall in love with it . 19,000 miles on mine and not one cough . I thought about modding it but can't see it when I'm not that into the car .

It has all the comforts , all the gadgets, ample space, free maintenance, reliability.
I don't post about my M3 much yet I do think at some point I would replace it with another M3 .

If I only had the M3 I would want a 911.
If I only had a 911 I would not want an M3 .

Having only the M3 with no other cars --something is missing .