Supercharged e9x M3 or a certified 911 Turbo?

[Leozap]

I know most people will say the 911 turbo because of the name and status but the supercharged e9x M3 is way faster than the 911 turbo and it's cheaper too.

[Crazy Bimmer]

OK i gotta ask, what made you think that a SC M3 is WAY faster than a new 911 turbo?

Stock 911 turbo does 11 flat in the 1/4:

Have yet to see any SC M3 come near that. The 911t almost beats the M3 in every performance category.

This thread is almost like the 335 guys saying their cars are better because its faster with a tune. Dont be that guy.

[301Bimmer9]

Go get the turbo we will still love you man

[Crazy Bimmer]

Ah forget everything i said. I didnt realize he said certified 911 turbo. What year?

[biglare]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

OK i gotta ask, what made you think that a SC M3 is WAY faster than a new 911 turbo?

Stock 911 turbo does 11 flat in the 1/4:

Have yet to see any SC M3 come near that. The 911t almost beats the M3 in every performance category.

This thread is almost like the 335 guys saying their cars are better because its faster with a tune. Dont be that guy.

Well from a rolling 65mph I have taken down 911 turbos! The issue with so much power is hooking up from a stand-still. Once the tires are warm and they stick the SC M3 is crazy fast and fun to drive!

Originally Posted by Leozap

I know most people will say the 911 turbo because of the name and status but the supercharged e9x M3 is way faster than the 911 turbo and it's cheaper too.

I'd go the SC M3 route and spend extra money on more rubber!

[Crazy Bimmer]

Stop it! SC M3s are slow. I keep telling myself this so i dont research into them and be tempted.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by Leozap

I know most people will say the 911 turbo because of the name and status but the supercharged e9x M3 is way faster than the 911 turbo and it's cheaper too.

It's cheaper 'til it breaks! The certified turbo car v. an after-market supercharger kit is a no-brainer for me, and name and status have nothing to do with it. The warranty, and the ability to take it to any dealer without hassle is worth a lot. If that is of no value to you, then drive them both and buy your preference, don't let others spend your money.

[Leozap]

I was looking for the certified 08 or 09. The responses here are all reasonable. I guess it all comes down to what you want most out of a car. SC M3 is still tempting though, only cost me $16k or so and the insurance is cheap. Gotta give it some time to find out.

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by shift@red

911 turbo. A SC'd M3 will be prob close to a STOCK 997.1 Turbo (and wont touch a 997.2 turbo) but all you need is a GIAC tune and its no contest. Then add a full exhaust is its a joke.

Well put and exactly what I would have said.

[PunjabiM3]

There are many reasons I can think of to NOT have an SC'd M3 over a 997.1 turbo:

1. If something happens to the M3's motor, you are on your own. Big $$$ to replace it.
2. What is the point of having all that power if you can't utilize it until after 60 MPH? That is like having a turbo civic hatch that is a monster on the highway but can't do squat before then due to no traction.
3. As soon as you put a tune in the 997 turbo and an exhaust on there, you have added another 80-100hp and I highly doubt the SC'd M3 could stay up.
4. The motor in the 997.1 turbo is FI from the factory and will likely have less issues than an SC'd M3 motor.
5. The interior of the Porsche is much nicer imho.
6. I believe the Porsche will also be MUCH faster around a track than the SC'd M3 due to traction.
7. SC'd M3 will have a very limited resale market and you will lose much of that mod money.

I think the M3 is a great car especially in stock form. Slightly modded it is even better imho, but for those that end up spending $$$ on an SC for the speed and also a BBK for better stopping power, I think it is better to purchase a faster car (in factory form) in the first place. My M3 is enjoyable to drive and a beautiful car, but no way would I keep it over getting a 997.1 turbo or GT3. I am hoping to get either the 997.1 turbo or 997.2 GT3 in the next year or so...just need my business to continue doing alright!

[wisesoul]

I would definitely get a 911 Turbo over an M3. For one, you only live once, why not experience a Porsche! Also, with a chip, the massive torque and power gains make it just as fast or even faster than the 997.2 and goes like a rocketship. Add an exhaust and you are done! It is a badass car, go get it!!

[deamon]

Definitely take the 911 turbo over M3 anyday, just a matter of $$$

[alms211]

I am a huge BMW fan but if you can swing a used 997TT (and don't need the room) get the 997TT. The low end, high end, all ends of performance is fantastic. Now, if we were talking 996TT, I'd say SC M3. The 997 was such a big improvement in ALL areas over the 996.

[biglare]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

There are many reasons I can think of to NOT have an SC'd M3 over a 997.1 turbo:

1. If something happens to the M3's motor, you are on your own. Big $$$ to replace it.
2. What is the point of having all that power if you can't utilize it until after 60 MPH? That is like having a turbo civic hatch that is a monster on the highway but can't do squat before then due to no traction.
3. As soon as you put a tune in the 997 turbo and an exhaust on there, you have added another 80-100hp and I highly doubt the SC'd M3 could stay up.
4. The motor in the 997.1 turbo is FI from the factory and will likely have less issues than an SC'd M3 motor.
5. The interior of the Porsche is much nicer imho.
6. I believe the Porsche will also be MUCH faster around a track than the SC'd M3 due to traction.
7. SC'd M3 will have a very limited resale market and you will lose much of that mod money.

I think the M3 is a great car especially in stock form. Slightly modded it is even better imho, but for those that end up spending $$$ on an SC for the speed and also a BBK for better stopping power, I think it is better to purchase a faster car (in factory form) in the first place. My M3 is enjoyable to drive and a beautiful car, but no way would I keep it over getting a 997.1 turbo or GT3. I am hoping to get either the 997.1 turbo or 997.2 GT3 in the next year or so...just need my business to continue doing alright!

All good points above except #2 IMO For the record I never had the opportunity to take on a 911TT from a stand-still but it would be a good race. Don't get me wrong the car is fast from any speed, you just have to practice your launches when you first get the added S/C power. I absolutely love the added S/C power.

Back to the OP it may depend on your use for the car too. I mean I can have a couple of sets of golf clubs and my buddies in the car and haul-arse to the course. Just another view and opinion.

Oh and the GT3 is definitely an amazing car. Just as Sammy! I hope to own one someday as well!

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by biglare

All good points above except #2 IMO For the record I never had the opportunity to take on a 911TT from a stand-still but it would be a good race. Don't get me wrong the car is fast from any speed, you just have to practice your launches when you first get the added S/C power. I absolutely love the added S/C power.

Back to the OP it may depend on your use for the car too. I mean I can have a couple of sets of golf clubs and my buddies in the car and haul-arse to the course. Just another view and opinion.

Oh and the GT3 is definitely an amazing car. Just as Sammy! I hope to own one someday as well!

If the M3 is your dd yes I think it makes sense to SC the M3 and call it a day. But for those like me where the M3 will not be a dd the P-car makes sense plain and simple imho.

[biglare]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

If the M3 is your dd yes I think it makes sense to SC the M3 and call it a day. But for those like me where the M3 will not be a dd the P-car makes sense plain and simple imho.

+1 Agreed!

[yemenmocha]

But... but... I thought I read in a car magazine that stock e92 M3 > stock 911 turbo. So of course SC M3 must be better.

[RedGT3]

Turbo

[GOLFFRR]

if I didn't have a family member who owned a BMW store i would be driving a turbo now! i say if you can get a certified turbo do it, those car are awesome. I just wish the service on them was cheaper, i heard there super expensive for even just a minor oil change? Anyways gl and whatever you decide post pics!

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

if I didn't have a family member who owned a BMW store i would be driving a turbo now! i say if you can get a certified turbo do it, those car are awesome. I just wish the service on them was cheaper, i heard there super expensive for even just a minor oil change? Anyways gl and whatever you decide post pics!

You can just do the oil change at home. Porsche's use synthetic 5w30 motor oil which is way cheaper than the 10w60 our M's use, and it has pretty easy access from what I remember with my 997. Oil change at the dealership is around $300 and the major service on my 997 (20k mile service) ran $1100. I think the turbo would be slightly more than this given the turbos and AWD, but if you don't drive a ton out of the car then the maintenance isn't all that bad. Sure, definitely more than BMW's free service, but comparable imho to a Benz or Audi.

[GOLFFRR]

^^^thats not bad for some reason i thought it was way more. thats cool you are able to do it at home by yourself, im sure that saves you a lot over time.

[devo]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

You can just do the oil change at home. Porsche's use synthetic 5w30 motor oil which is way cheaper than the 10w60 our M's use, and it has pretty easy access from what I remember with my 997. Oil change at the dealership is around $300 and the major service on my 997 (20k mile service) ran $1100. I think the turbo would be slightly more than this given the turbos and AWD, but if you don't drive a ton out of the car then the maintenance isn't all that bad. Sure, definitely more than BMW's free service, but comparable imho to a Benz or Audi.

All 997 turbos come with Mobil One 0W-40 fully synthetic (recommended) as the factory fill. I don't think that a 5W-30 is even on Porsche's Approved List; but maybe. The oil is priced at roughly $8.25 per quart so I don't know if that's any cheaper than the Castrol.. A dealer change will cost anywhere between $200-$300, depending on the dealer and their hourly rate of course. It takes no more than one hour. The turbo takes close to 10 quarts. It is a true dry sump.

It an easy DIY, but much different than your 997. The .1 turbo is a true dry sump (the .2 is integrated) whereas the .1 and .2 997 C2(s)'s are wet sumps (the .2 is aka "integrated dry sump" in Porsche speak.) Either of the wet sumps hold a few quarts less than the dry sump.

Turbo for the OP. I had one and they are pretty incredible, although the .1's are a little soft imo. Still wicked but Porsche geared the 997 turbo a little towards the Merc. crowd. Great dd and weekend warrior.