If the 911 carrera, im not talking about a turbo, were the same exact price as the M3, what would you buy?

Would you still be driving the M3 or would've you bought the porsche instead?

M3 of course.

I've driven the 911 and frankly was not that impressed. Also, the interior looks like crap.

M3.

M3 of course.

I've driven the 911 and frankly was not that impressed. Also, the interior looks like crap.

i had the opposite experience. i drove both and found the M3 (e46) to be a bit disappointing (guess i just expected more from it). first of all it wasn't as quick as i thought it would be, granted it was a vert w/ the top down (heavier, and thus slower than a coupe). second, the stick felt somewhat "rubbery" when shifting. the C2 on the other hand feels faster, even if the numbers are almost identical. shifting feels nice and crisp. and i think the M3 is beautiful, but i'm in love with the 996.

i agree that the M3 wins interior design hands down though. And I think i like the sound of the M3 better (from inside the car that is).

I'd take the Carrera if their prices were the same.

btw - my opinion on the M3 may be a little biased, as i am used to driving my bro's 99 M Coupe. shifting is much nicer than the M3 b/c he has a SSK. and b/c of its light weight, seems just as fast as the M3. so naturally i expected more from the more powerful M3, not thinking about the fact that it was heavier...

I would go with the lighter car!

(which is a vote for the 911, of course! :stickoutt )

I consider the e46 M3 to be the last of the "good" BMW's.. I find nothing else (new) at the dealership that even interests me. With that said, they are still heavier than I would want.

That doesn't make the e46 M3 a bad car at all, it just leans more towards luxury than sports for my personal taste (hence the 911 vote here!).

Now the CSL is a different story... but when you compare that to the GT3? (not to mention the GT3 is available in the states, and cost less than the CSL... doh!). If I could get a US-legal CSL for <$65k, now you're talking! (dream on, right?)

Without consideration of other factors? (read: kids, daily driver, etc)

996

911, without hesitation.
In fact I was also considering 2002 911 when i got my M3. I really think the M3 is an awesome car but the Porsche is something else --- has more of the essence of a pure sport car if you ask me.
I don't think the 911 can command the 15K difference in price tag (especially not the 996), but if someone would offer me to trade my M3 for its 911, it would be a done deal.

yeah, its the Porsche price premium that is a little rich for my wallet!

If I were receiving more benefit for that extreme price different (N/A 996's can cost TWICE a e46 M3) I might actually consider owning one. As it stands, I think they are the better sports car but not the better value (I guess the same case could be made for an EVO/STi, or SRT-4, etc). e46 M3 (IMO) is the better bang-for-the-buck.

but reading the topic of this thread.... assuming price were the same...