From M3 to GT3 - Downsides and Upsides

[Montoya]

OK- I've done lot's of searches and maybe I've missed something, but here's what I've been able to gather from posts on Rennlist and here along with my experience with my M3:

I'm thinking of 'someday' trading up to a Porsche 997.1 or 997.2 GT3 (most likely a 997.2). What's driving this is that I've always wanted a P car and I just feel like it's now our never. It's not that I couldn't get one in the past, it's just been that in the past, our M3 has run very close to standard 993's and 997's (model year for model year) and the family situation and cost differences just couldn't be justified. Now, you know the kids are away from school and well, it's maybe time for that P car. Problem is that the M3 is just so perfect as an all around car. I'm concerned maybe it's going to be a case of 'be careful what you wish for...' Anyways, rather than continue to ramble about my personal wants and wishes, it would be cool if the community here can weigh in on the upsides and downsides of switching to a GT3

Upsides:
Sportiness- GT3 in stock form is aesthetically sportier in my opinion than an M3 in stock form.
Handling- GT3 closer to a track car- owns the M3 stock vs. stock.
Interior- GT3 classic sports car interior, nice trim options unavailable in M3 although M3 wheel is meatier.
Brakes- GT3 no question.
Motor- Motor: Hmm, this could go either way. The characteristics of the M3 V8 are really quite remarkable. It pulls all the way to redline where it produces peak power. Never driven the GT3 in anger to redline so I can't say how it feels, but is based on the GT1 race motor so don't know, just know that peak power is about 500+ RPM less than redline...
Weight: GT3
Driving Position: GT3 (personal preference here)

Downsides:
Comfort: M3 is a unique blend of comfortable sedan and sportiness. GT3 is all sportiness all the time, which could lead to discomfort on longer trips / commuting (it happens).
Driving Noise: GT3 is louder all the time- sometimes that's good, on regular drives maybe not so much.
Maintenance: Neither one is a Subaru, but the Porsche is a step higher in costs to maintain and service no question.
Costs: Used- 50% more, new- almost double.
Daily driving: Not really with the GT3- or at least less often than the M3 because of practical issues- trunk space, extra passengers, etc.

OK, what do you guys think?

[enfield]

I have given thought to getting a Porsche but 2 things have held me back:

1 - With a Porsche I would need a second car. The M3 on the other hand is a stand alone car and can easily take 2 suitcases & is very comfortable on long drives.

2 - There is no Porsche Dealership where I live. The nearest one is 2 hours away in Toronto.

[graider]

i think at your age, go for the gt3. you will only live once, so give it a shot.

[Montoya]

Originally Posted by graider

i think at your age, go for the gt3. you will only live once, so give it a shot.

Now I feel old! JK, LOL

[Trier Germany]

GT3 my dream car! I'm still dreaming of a GT3 RS But I don't have $100K for a used one bummer

[skim]

to a lot of m3 or just plain "sportiness" car guys, i think only upgrade at our level is the gt3.
so i think it's just the matter of if you are "ready" for the upgrade or not.
i saw the new RS at a local dealer, and i am getting it for sure in the future.
that thing just looks like madness, not too flashy like a ferrari, but def a lot of presence with that decal/graphics and oh my.. the rear wing is gigantic
i'm going to try to keep all my cars and add the rs to my stable, but if i can't, i may just pick up a 328 or 335 as a DD..
i'm planning on driving the RS as much as possible but it will not be a DD for me. just don't think the 60 mile commute a day is worth to put on that masterpiece motor

[TheKosherStogie]

GT3 ALL THE WAY!!!! Im going be getting rid of my car soon and have been looking at getting a 997.1 gt3.

-the 997.1 engine produces as much power and torque as the m3 engine with .4 liters less and less 2 cylinders.
-400lbs less

that alone sells me...and the sounds of that engine is phenominal

Test drove an gt3 rs w/ cargraphic header and exhaust sounds like a real race car cause it is!....so amazing. Fine as a daily driver too. your left leg might get a little bigger than your right thou!

[devo]

Motor: Advantage GT3, whether it's a .1 or .2.

Anyway, GT3 for sure!!! I love mine. The.2 is phenomenal.

[Montoya]

Originally Posted by devo

Motor: Advantage GT3, whether it's a .1 or .2.

Anyway, GT3 for sure!!! I love mine. The.2 is phenomenal.

So this is based on personal comparison between the M3 and the GT3?

Just curious.

Been reading up on Bob MG's posts and he is a former GT3 owner, no direct engine comparisons but he ways pretty heavily on the disadvantages to the GT3.

But you guys make some good points, still tempting!

[devo]

Originally Posted by Montoya

So this is based on personal comparison between the M3 and the GT3?

Just curious.

Been reading up on Bob MG's posts and he is a former GT3 owner, no direct engine comparisons but he ways pretty heavily on the disadvantages to the GT3.

But you guys make some good points, still tempting!

I've driven the M3, probably not enough to make an excellent comparison. For the record, I've owned a couple of E46 M3s, several 997 variants, including the turbo and drove a .1 GT3 extensively and decadently.

I'm curious as to what disadvantages the GT3 has compared to a E92 M3, other than subjective daily driving preferences by some?

It's all what you want of course. From a purley sports car perspective there is no comparison.

[Montoya]

Originally Posted by devo

I've driven the M3, probably not enough to make an excellent comparison. For the record, I've owned a couple of E46 M3s, several 997 variants, including the turbo and drove a .1 GT3 extensively and decadently.

I'm curious as to what disadvantages the GT3 has compared to a E92 M3, other than subjective daily driving preferences by some?

It's all what you want of course. From a purley sports car perspective there is no comparison.

Agreed that the GT3 is pretty near the top of the street legal sports cars.

The dilemma is how it is the rest of the time, those are disadvantages that Bob MG talks about.

I wish you had a little more seat time in the M3- At or near the limit it is really a very different car than just tooling around. The motor is not anything like the E46 in terms of power delivery. The E9X motor pulls all the way to redline where it produces peak power- and it feels that way. I just looked at the specs on the GT3 motor and it's peak is 7600 RPM, quite shy of redline. Now, the RS does peak higher at 7900 RPM.

I know that the GT3 dusts the M3 with a much lower lb/HP ratio, but the question is when you don't look at the tach, when do you shift when going all out- just based on feel? 7600 RPM or close to redline? For example, without looking in the E46 M3 I would consistently shift at our near the power peak of 7600 RPM, way below redline. On the E9X it is right around redline (or past!). It's just a different feel- not dissing the GT3, just curious on that 'feel' of the pulling power of the motor...

[Montoya]

So everyone is up to speed, I'll copy Bob MG's post from another thread:

Michael, I have had every GT3 from the first 2000, MK2, RS, GT2 and 997 GT3.
Great great cars. But not as every day drivers. I always had an M3 or Cayenne as the daily. One time I had an RS and a CSL for daily.

I have sold the sports cars due to kids and well, growing up a little, and the DCT is the closest driving impression thrill/ enjoyment I have experienced to these sports cars.
Do yourself a favour and test drive one, as for the money there is no better car.

You will spend more money on a GT3, and trust me the novelty wears off in three months, then it's not worth the extra money!!

Now, add that to various comparisons in the press where the M3 subjectively 'beats' various P cars (never against a GT3) and this is what has me pausing about such a change. Like I said in the first post- hopefully its not a case of 'be careful what you wish for'

Put another way, can lust turn to love from an M3 to a GT3?

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by Montoya

Agreed that the GT3 is pretty near the top of the street legal sports cars.

The dilemma is how it is the rest of the time, those are disadvantages that Bob MG talks about.

I wish you had a little more seat time in the M3- At or near the limit it is really a very different car than just tooling around. The motor is not anything like the E46 in terms of power delivery. The E9X motor pulls all the way to redline where it produces peak power- and it feels that way. I just looked at the specs on the GT3 motor and it's peak is 7600 RPM, quite shy of redline. Now, the RS does peak higher at 7900 RPM.

I know that the GT3 dusts the M3 with a much lower lb/HP ratio, but the question is when you don't look at the tach, when do you shift when going all out- just based on feel? 7600 RPM or close to redline? For example, without looking in the E46 M3 I would consistently shift at our near the power peak of 7600 RPM, way below redline. On the E9X it is right around redline (or past!). It's just a different feel- not dissing the GT3, just curious on that 'feel' of the pulling power of the motor...

id bet for the quickest 0-60/ 1/4mile ect...you would take it to redline...but maybe someones got a dyno graph and you can look how the power drops after peak hp is hit

[Montoya]

Originally Posted by sammyrusso

id bet for the quickest 0-60/ 1/4mile ect...you would take it to redline...but maybe someones got a dyno graph and you can look how the power drops after peak hp is hit

I have the official sales brochure with the HP and torque curves- it looks eerily similar to the E46 (HP curve, not ultimate power- torque is different). Thus, my question for the 'feel' of the motor...

[panbo]

Put another way, can lust turn to love from an M3 to a GT3?[/QUOTE]

I think it will...especially if u always wanted P-car.
Like you have said, the kids are away from school (congrats!) and if you
have some room to justify the cost differences... and most importantly you feel that its now or never..

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by Montoya

I have the official sales brochure with the HP and torque curves- it looks eerily similar to the E46 (HP curve, not ultimate power- torque is different). Thus, my question for the 'feel' of the motor...

well i drove 1 (gt3 rs) and i must say it rips shreds tears to redline! its quite an amazing engine. although the rs does have the lightweight flywheel the the "reg gt3" lol...does not have....so it did make it rev faster...but havent driven a "reg gt3" to say the diff

[AMPowerJ]

Why not supercharge your M3? I think that is what I am going to do then you have practically everything. A car that is a DD that is comfortable and useable, that is faster than 99% of the other cars on the road.

[Richbot]

I went down this path recently, because like you a P car is on my bucket list, though I was not looking at GT3's. What narrowed it down to the E90 was the daily use aspect. I don't want or have time or money to care for and insure a second car, and I didn't drive any 911's, even regular old Carrera 2's, that were daily-driver livable like the M3. Not to mention the 911's in my price range were quite a bit slower and less interesting in the engine department.

Anyway, one day, I hope to still have the E90 as my daily and a GT3 for when I'm replacing the VANOS on the M3. Bucket list item, for sure.

[05SCM33]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

Why not supercharge your M3? I think that is what I am going to do then you have practically everything. A car that is a DD that is comfortable and useable, that is faster than 99% of the other cars on the road.

+1

[RandyB]

Supercharger money could get you that much closer to the GT3.

-1

GT3 is pretty much the automotive pinnacle for me - nothing else interests me including plenty of much faster cars.

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

Why not supercharge your M3? I think that is what I am going to do then you have practically everything. A car that is a DD that is comfortable and useable, that is faster than 99% of the other cars on the road.

its just a different car. different to drive, different feel...that cars not about the power but the way its delivered

[shiggy]

a downside to a GT3??!!!
DOOOOOO IT!!!!
i wish I was in the position to buy one!!!