Ex 3.0 owners - how much better is M?
- Thread starter mr.nic
- Start date
Quite strange the first time you drive one - all the contact points are the same so you expect a similar experience. But it's totally different - the 3.0 a better jump in it quick and drive from the get go. the M takes a while to warm up but once its going it feels so much stronger .for me the biggest single Improvement is the brakes.
It was not any easy decision and I missed my own 3.0 at first but now after the winter lay off and a few oportune trips out I love the M - but to be honest you've got to love it to be prepared to pay the higher tax and remarkably lower mpg .
You need to drive one and I would drive an Alpina as well they are really quite unique - preferred the M but I can see the attraction of the Alpina.
The 3.0 is a great car - the M is a special car not faultless or perfect but special .
It was not any easy decision and I missed my own 3.0 at first but now after the winter lay off and a few oportune trips out I love the M - but to be honest you've got to love it to be prepared to pay the higher tax and remarkably lower mpg .
You need to drive one and I would drive an Alpina as well they are really quite unique - preferred the M but I can see the attraction of the Alpina.
The 3.0 is a great car - the M is a special car not faultless or perfect but special .
I don't think you'll hear anyone who has made the change from 3.0 to M saying they regretted the decision and wishing they'd kept their 3.0.
srhutch said:
Night and day difference.
As other posts - the non M variants are just much easier to drive, jump in and go.
The ///M is much more involved - the engine is obvisuouly different - but for me it was the overall driving experience which was a whole world of differently better - starting with the steering
Don't get me wrong, I loved the 3 years I spent with my 3.0si - but the ///m in comparison is simply a beast unleashed
Couldnt agree more with all the above comments.
It takes a a good wile to full appreciate the M car over the standard 3.0l.
Last Sunday i was on the Fife run and covered just over 300 miles all in and drove on all different types of road,motorways are definately not what the M was designed for but give it some beans down a well surfaced flowing A class road with flowing bends etc and the car really comes alive,traction out the bends with the M diff is superb,hydraulic steering,better brakes,better suspension all add up.
Best advice is dont judge it on a 15 min test drive,but i think if you can see/feel the potential you will then grow to realise what you have got and then grow to love the car.
It takes a a good wile to full appreciate the M car over the standard 3.0l.
Last Sunday i was on the Fife run and covered just over 300 miles all in and drove on all different types of road,motorways are definately not what the M was designed for but give it some beans down a well surfaced flowing A class road with flowing bends etc and the car really comes alive,traction out the bends with the M diff is superb,hydraulic steering,better brakes,better suspension all add up.
Best advice is dont judge it on a 15 min test drive,but i think if you can see/feel the potential you will then grow to realise what you have got and then grow to love the car.
What Zermatt said more or less.
Dont expect a 'totally' different experience. You prepare yourself for some rocket ship acceleration but you'll realise its just a car with another 100 horsepower. Not in fact a thorpe park ride.
The best notable difference is the brakes and overall experience package. Learn how to handle it and the car can really be enjoyed.
Dont bother with a 996 911. Too much worry and the performance doesnt strike you much more than an M particularly.
Dont expect a 'totally' different experience. You prepare yourself for some rocket ship acceleration but you'll realise its just a car with another 100 horsepower. Not in fact a thorpe park ride.
The best notable difference is the brakes and overall experience package. Learn how to handle it and the car can really be enjoyed.
Dont bother with a 996 911. Too much worry and the performance doesnt strike you much more than an M particularly.
Very different. The 3 litre is smooth and when you own one seems to have as much power as anybody could need.
Jump in a M and you're transported to a different place. The physical familiarity is tweaked by the signature M interior parts and exterior lumps and bumps. Enough for you to notice but not in a shouty way. But turn the key for the first time and you'll experience whats its like to drive for the first time all over again as you 'learn' to handle to non electric steering, M clutch and more power than you thought possible.
And then there's the accompanying soundtrack. A screaming metallic raspiness that initially feels like it's going to damage the car as you take the revs ever vocal and skyward. But don't worry; the higher you take her the more you'll be rewarded.
Sh*t I miss my M.
Jump in a M and you're transported to a different place. The physical familiarity is tweaked by the signature M interior parts and exterior lumps and bumps. Enough for you to notice but not in a shouty way. But turn the key for the first time and you'll experience whats its like to drive for the first time all over again as you 'learn' to handle to non electric steering, M clutch and more power than you thought possible.
And then there's the accompanying soundtrack. A screaming metallic raspiness that initially feels like it's going to damage the car as you take the revs ever vocal and skyward. But don't worry; the higher you take her the more you'll be rewarded.
Sh*t I miss my M.
mad4slalom
Senior member
never drove a 3-0 before the m nor since, some things you just know, and I knew I wanted an M and I knew I didnt want a 3-0,nice enough, but not special enough imo , its like going to see plymouth arglye when Man U are playing up the road !!! 
inkey$ said:
Ditto ^^^^
My god, this is probably going to be me in 2 months time
I just adore the looks and the sound, that kudos of driving such a rare powerful beautiful monster. I have spent sooooo many hours on car websites, review sites, for sale sites and for me there is nothing that offers what the M does for the same money.
When I park it outside before putting in the garage, I just love staring at that wide squat rear end, with those epically placed quad exhausts. I really really really wish I didn't have to let her go but I guess family (boooooo!) has to come first.
It's an amazing car, I didn't feel like this about my 3.0i, that was 'just' a 'nice' car...The M Coup just gets so much attention and positive comments, eg I parked it outside the barbers the other day, on quite main road (but a good parking space
) But I could see it from inside which was comforting! The astonishing thing though was how many people stopped as they went past, quite a few walking fully around the car, I assume admiring it. Some may think this as just an ego boost but I love to share the cars presence with others.Anyways, just go for it, you won't look back! Mine will be up for sale in 2 weeks when I get back from skiing and she's had her Insp1, MOT and been detailed, can't say I'm looking forward to handing the keys over
Woody said:Anyways, just go for it, you won't look back! Mine will be up for sale in 2 weeks when I get back from skiing and she's had her Insp1, MOT and been detailed, can't say I'm looking forward to handing the keys over
Come and take some pics with IMmie. Imola coupe and Roadster together
Then keep it. I agree it's tough to find anything close to an M for sheer value and performance for the money
I went from a 2003 3.0 to a 2007 MR.
Facelift build quality is better and the sports seats and thicker steering wheel feel spot on.
Ditching the electronic steering and run flats makes the M much more satisfying to drive. The M diff means you can actually move in more than half inch of snow and the brakes suitably beefed up. Gearbox is a let down but the engine is great and rips through the upper 4k of the rev band with gusto with a cacophony of metallic rasps.
Buy the M or get a boxster/cayman S
Facelift build quality is better and the sports seats and thicker steering wheel feel spot on.
Ditching the electronic steering and run flats makes the M much more satisfying to drive. The M diff means you can actually move in more than half inch of snow and the brakes suitably beefed up. Gearbox is a let down but the engine is great and rips through the upper 4k of the rev band with gusto with a cacophony of metallic rasps.
Buy the M or get a boxster/cayman S
Stuart Truman said:Come and take some pics with IMmie. Imola coupe and Roadster together
Then keep it. I agree it's tough to find anything close to an M for sheer value and performance for the money
Ahhhhh Stuart I wish I could keep it, anyone wanna lend me a few thousand £££?! I picked up the MPS on Thursday, a very capable, comfortable car with great performance, but it's not a patch on the M. Only drove it from Lincs to Bristol but that was enough to make me realise how hard it's going to be giving up the M. I've never felt this attached to a car before, sad I suppose but I did drive it on my wedding day, took it on my honeymoon, had some great drives and occasions with it so it does hold a special place in my heart
And Stuart I'm not sure I'll be able to make a photoshoot
In the Midlands with wife's Punto this weekend, then off skiing to Italy on Sunday for a week, then at work, then the car is having it's overhaul so won't be wanting to drive it too much after that as will want to be keeping it nice and clean for viewings etc! Still can't believe I haven't/didn't make a meet, shameful...shortfuse 2
Senior member
i have looked at changing my m roadster for 996 turbo drove 4 now .great drive but over priced bad stories of running costs each year reliablity .i cant do it keep getting in the m it does everthing perfect roar power and it just makes me grin every time i get it out the garage
dont think i will ever sell it
dont think i will ever sell it
