Thinking about coming back to an M3

[kdphan]

Returned ATS-V lease last month
Sold GT-R last week

Considering these:
-2018 M3 with comp pkg (Had 2015 M3 awhile ago)
-Cayman GTS
-base 991.2
-F-Type R

I will use it as my commuter, about 40 miles round trip daily. I live near a canyon and plan to use it on weekends. M3 would probably be a lease unless I find a good preowned one to buy.

I'm sure some of you guys have owned all of these at one point or another.
Please chime in and let me know how you've liked/disliked them.

[wdskukm3]

Nothing beats having a 4 door and 400+hp track capable car to drive. One of the reasons I got the M3. I love having the space and the rear doors for my daughter to go in and out.

Can I ask why you got rid of the GTR.

[NCThreePedals]

I can't get over paying over 80k for the GTS since it's only a 4 banger. Get a used GT4 but that won't be a comfy daily.

My vote goes for M3 or base 991.2

[Funf6cyl]

Owner of a 991.2S and 718 GTS here. Both fantastic cars. You won’t even think about the “4 cylinder” after you get in an are blown away by everything else and then realize the 4 sounds pretty damn good - better than the 6 in the M3/4 for sure. That said, the turbo flat 6 is one of only a few motors that with turbos actually sounds good. The AMG 4.0 being the other that didn’t lose anything in the sound department with the move.

[elitex]

I would go with the 911. They are incredible even in base form. You can always tune the turbo engines for more oomph.

[elitex]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Owner of a 991.2S and 718 GTS here. Both fantastic cars. You won’t even think about the “4 cylinder” after you get in an are blown away by everything else and then realize the 4 sounds pretty damn good - better than the 6 in the M3/4 for sure. That said, the turbo flat 6 is one of only a few motors that with turbos actually sounds good. The AMG 4.0 being the other that didn’t lose anything in the sound department with the move.

I test drove a 718 Cayman GTS and was blown away. It's a great car and turbo 4 doesn't sound bad at all. Almost pulled the trigger but ended going with an Evora 400.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by elitex

I test drove a 718 Cayman GTS and was blown away. It's a great car and turbo 4 doesn't sound bad at all. Almost pulled the trigger but ended going with an Evora 400.

Yes, such an incredible car and that’s a significant understatement. People who are in the market and write it off or don’t look are truly missing out on one of the most enjoyable and capable cars on the market at any price.

Evora 400 is a blast too! It was also on my list when looking.

[csbear]

Originally Posted by kdphan

Returned ATS-V lease last month
Sold GT-R last week

Considering these:
-2018 M3 with comp pkg (Had 2015 M3 awhile ago)
-Cayman GTS
-base 991.2
-F-Type R

I will use it as my commuter, about 40 miles round trip daily. I live near a canyon and plan to use it on weekends. M3 would probably be a lease unless I find a good preowned one to buy.

I'm sure some of you guys have owned all of these at one point or another.
Please chime in and let me know how you've liked/disliked them.

Already had an M3 + end of life cycle for F80 + canyon = 718 GTS

The 718 GTS is one of the best cars Porsche makes without getting into the GT cars, which may not be best for a daily driver (40 miles) anyway.

Nothing against the M3 ZCP. It is a wonderful sedan obviously. However, you will have more fun with the 718 if you don't need those backseats.

[minn19]

I think this one is kind of simple. If you want the practicality of a sedan then get the M3. If not then I'd go 911, but I'd go a bit above the base if you are going to go that route. S or GTS, but if on a budget I get it and the base is still a very nice car.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by csbear

Already had an M3 + end of life cycle for F80 + canyon = 718 GTS

The 718 GTS is one of the best cars Porsche makes without getting into the GT cars, which may not be best for a daily driver (40 miles) anyway.

Nothing against the M3 ZCP. It is a wonderful sedan obviously. However, you will have more fun with the 718 if you don't need those backseats.

Totally agree. The thing Porsche keeps doing is making the regular (non GT) more like GT cars by adding things from the GT cars, like the 718 getting the GT4 suspension and the new 992 getting the GT3 front suspension. And not only do they do that they recalibrate and dial it in to perfection. And yet, they still really leave a lot on the table on purpose.

Just for comparison sake,

lightning lap (VIR)

M4 3:01 (summer tires)

718 GTS 2:55 (summer tires)

M4 GTS 2:53 (cup tires)

That right there should tell you all you need to know. 718 GTS on cups would likely be 3-4 seconds faster.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Totally agree. The thing Porsche keeps doing is making the regular (non GT) more like GT cars by adding things from the GT cars, like the 718 getting the GT4 suspension and the new 992 getting the GT3 front suspension. And not only do they do that they recalibrate and dial it in to perfection. And yet, they still really leave a lot on the table on purpose.

Just for comparison sake,

lightning lap (VIR)

M4 3:01 (summer tires)

718 GTS 2:55 (summer tires)

M4 GTS 2:53 (cup tires)

That right there should tell you all you need to know. 718 GTS on cups would likely be 3-4 seconds faster.

Wow a newer design purpose built light two seat sports car beats an older non purpose built mainly four seater around a track? You don't say.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Totally agree. The thing Porsche keeps doing is making the regular (non GT) more like GT cars by adding things from the GT cars, like the 718 getting the GT4 suspension

The 718 has the GT4 suspension??

[quattr0]

Originally Posted by kdphan

Returned ATS-V lease last month
Sold GT-R last week

Considering these:
-2018 M3 with comp pkg (Had 2015 M3 awhile ago)
-Cayman GTS
-base 991.2
-F-Type R

I will use it as my commuter, about 40 miles round trip daily. I live near a canyon and plan to use it on weekends. M3 would probably be a lease unless I find a good preowned one to buy.

I'm sure some of you guys have owned all of these at one point or another.
Please chime in and let me know how you've liked/disliked them.

since you mentioned canyon....will need to go w after market exhaust to fully enjoy it whether u will go w gts or 991.2 base (I have the latter). Always told myself Porsche sport exhaust is good enough until i got the after market one, its huge difference!!!

Im afraid once you test drive the F type r, your decision will be clearer....

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by minn19

Wow a newer design purpose built light two seat sports car beats an older non purpose built mainly four seater around a track? You don't say.

Actually the 718 (or 981 platform) is an older car than the F8x platform since it was released in 2012 so that argument is not valid

Hm, an M4 GTS was purpose built and if equipped on the same tires I would bet the 718 would be faster. And on top of that, the M4 GTS had only about 50% more power and torque.

The M4 has a better power to weight than a 718 GTS yet is 5 seconds slower around a track that caters to power.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Actually the 718 (or 981 platform) is an older car than the F8x platform since it was released in 2012 so that argument is not valid

Hm, an M4 GTS was purpose built and if equipped on the same tires I would bet the 718 would be faster. And on top of that, the M4 GTS had only about 50% more power and torque.

The M4 has a better power to weight than a 718 GTS yet is 5 seconds slower around a track that caters to power.

Sure the current 718 is no different than the platform introduced in 2012.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by minn19

Sure the current 718 is no different than the platform introduced in 2012.

By and large they are closer to the same than they are different.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

By and large they are closer to the same than they are different.

I have no idea how you can make that statement. Completely different engines etc and I believe you are wrong, isn't the current generation a 982 and the previous one in 2012 a 981?

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by minn19

I have no idea how you can make that statement. Completely different engines etc and I believe you are wrong, isn't the current generation a 982 and the previous one in 2012 a 981?

No, the 718 is just the facelift of the 981. Again, they are more the same than anything. Sure they engines are different but no significant changes were made to the suspension.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by wdskukm3

Nothing beats having a 4 door and 400+hp track capable car to drive. One of the reasons I got the M3. I love having the space and the rear doors for my daughter to go in and out.

Can I ask why you got rid of the GTR.

I just stopped driving it.
Drove it 3x the last 2 months.

I think I just fell out of love with it.

[kdphan]

I just realized the 2016-2017 AMG GTS is within the same price range of the above cars.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by kdphan

I just stopped driving it.
Drove it 3x the last 2 months.

I think I just fell out of love with it.

Is that also what happened to the GS-F? I remember you had that as well.

Which is why none of our suggestions will work for you unless you identify yourself what you like about cars you drive.

I test drove the Cayman GTS, as well as a 911 T, and 911 S to replace my x5m. The cayman is simply too small of a car for me even though it drove great, I was blown away by the 911. Feels light, great size, great practicality for a 2+2, rwd rear engine traction, great tranny, great engine, etc.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

No, the 718 is just the facelift of the 981. Again, they are more the same than anything. Sure they engines are different but no significant changes were made to the suspension.

Different model number, different engines and you are the one claiming they put the GT4 suspension in the current 718. How is this just a facelift?

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

This is a troll thread. Click bait title then bashes BMW. He should have just bought a Porsche, moved on and left Bimmerpost alone.

IIRC it was never this bad, but after this conversation I'm tending to agree. He used to be under a different user name though right?