M3 or 996?

[Jeff Alton]

Got a question for those who have driven both a 3.4 996 and a late model M3....

Here is my scenario....

-Single father who has his 4.5 yr old over 50% of the time
-have a dedicated DE 911 already
-car will be daily driver
-prices are comparible so not really a factor
-gas is gas, pass the nuts

what would you buy?
what are your thoughts about maintenance costs?

Thanks

[Nostril Cheese]

M3

[Jeff Alton]

I took one for a rip today and actually expected more. You could really feel the weight of the thing. But it certainly is a better car for my son and I to use.

Cheers

[HardDrive]

I don't know enough about the M3s to make a judgement call.

How much work do you do yourself?

[Jeff Alton]

I have a hobby business building 911 motors and doing brake and suspension builds/consulting, so I am pretty much a "do it yourself er" I do all my own maintenance/mods etc.

Cheers

[the]

Last version of the M3 v. a plain vanilla 996???

That's not even close, M3 for sure.

[alf]

4.5 YO fits perfectly in the back seat. 996 is a much better bang for the buck. M3 is a nice cruisier though.

[Spede]

996... keep it in the family.

[Jeff Alton]

Alf, the problem is I need to fit him in a booster seat, will that still fit in the back of the 996?

Ideally I would get an airbag switch and put him in the front with me, where he rides in the other 911 (it does not have back seats).

As a side note, drove an Elise today along with the M3, now if I could only figure out how to put the babysitter and my son in that car. I was actually laughing out loud while I drove the Lotus, what a blast.

Cheers

[aigel]

While I can take my daughter in the back seat (5 year old) of the 993, it's far from ideal. I doubt the 996 is any different. There are booster seats that fit, but it's not a very clean looking ordeal and her head is close to the rear window and the "c pillar". Not promising if I think about a collision. Also, if you plan on keeping the car for more than two years, your son will outgrow it. My vote is for the M3. I would actually consider a lesser model 3 series, save money and gas and still have a decent car. If you want to go have fun, you can do that in the 911 when the son is with the other parent ...

Cheers, George

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by Jeff Alton
Alf, the problem is I need to fit him in a booster seat, will that still fit in the back of the 996?

There are a few seats that have narrow enough bases to fit. But avoid the whole issue, and put him in the front seat.

I put a seat in my boxster (2002). Unlike late models, you need a bar that goes under the seat, and has a buckle that hooks into your child seat. The bar cost me about $100, and the seat was $150 off E-bay. The dealer installed the bar for free because it was a safety issue.

Check out E-bay auctions:

120121974818
330120789322

Not sure how old your son is, but in my 911, I just have my daughter ride in the back seats. They are the perfect size for a 3-5 year old. Are they the safest seats? No.

[Jims5543]

He is 4.5 years old, another 6 month to a year and he is out of a seat completely.

Food for thought.

[alf]

You could cut up a cheapie $10 booster to fit those seats.

However, my 7&9 year olds fit in my 88 without the need for boosters. The belts align nicely at their shoulders and hips.

[Bob's Project]

If you have a hobby business based on 911's I would recommend the 911 for advertising.

[Jeff Alton]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
He is 4.5 years old, another 6 month to a year and he is out of a seat completely.

Food for thought.

The problem with this is our government just announced that starting next year children 8 and younger must be in a booster seat......

I am going to drive the M3 again today to see if I can get a better feel for it.

Anyone know how heavy or tall a child should be before they sit in the front of an airbag equipped car?

Cheers

[campbellcj]

As much as I would love to have a recent Carrera (or Cayman) as a daily driver, it is just not practical for me as I really need a decent trunk and a back seat for my kid, esp. as another one will hopefully arrive within a year or so. Thus for me a sports sedan is the more viable option and sounds like that is the case for you as well.

The new BMW 335i with the twin-turbo is supposed to be sweet. Not sure if there is a 4-door version but it should be cheaper and more stealthy than the M3 but still with super performance.

[livi]

Originally posted by Jeff Alton
The problem with this is our government just announced that starting next year children 8 and younger must be in a booster seat......

I am going to drive the M3 again today to see if I can get a better feel for it.

Anyone know how heavy or tall a child should be before they sit in the front of an airbag equipped car?

Cheers

Following the Swedish regulation. All children shorter than 135 cm must be in a booster seat. That would be around eight years old.

[Jims5543]

Does this include school busses as well?

I have huge issues with the fact that they exampt school busses from the laws.

Like seatbelts.

[Jeff Alton]

Does not apply to school busses, and that debate has begun now too.

Cheers

[epbrown]

How's the old comic strip go? "People unclear on the concept."

The M3's raison d'etre is as a daily driver! A high performance car that you can still commute in and schlep the family around. The purposes you're describing are exactly what it is made for, and there are few that would argue that it's not good at it. Get the M3 already.

I see the same thing on BMW boards - guys that buy an M3 for weekend/summer-only driving; they should be driving 911s (or Z4Ms).