German Car Zone - View Single Post - Impression from an owner: M6 vs 997 Turbo

Just_me · **Impression from an owner: M6 vs 997 Turbo -** 05-04-2007, 06:53 AM

Dudes, this is my impression only after 1k kms of *daily driver* seat time in the P car, so keep your flames to yourselves.

Both my cars are clean and it was supposed to rain all day today - the wife won't let me drive her truck, so I stayed home today and have even more time on my hands than usual.

Please note that I am old, grumpy and get pisssed at any minor inconvenience. My conclusion is that the M6 is a far better daily driver.

Driver interface.

While the 997 is vastly improved from the 996, it is not quite up to par with the M6. The seats, which are multi functionally adjustable and heated, just don't have the comfort of the M6 seats. (I did my seasonal Florida migration this winter of 1900 kms. both ways in one sitting each without any issues) Compared to any other car, the chairs in the 997, however, are great.

The nav doesn't have a split screen, nor does it have a perspective option (I really like silly toys!) The stereo is crap and there is no bluetooth or ipod or satellite or voice control. Call me shallow, but to have a car that pushes 200k and needs $10k in stereo upgrades just pissssses me off. (I can't get my bum cooled in the M6 and that bugs me too!)

Driving experience.

I have owned 4 996 cabs, 2 996TT's and 3 996TT cabs in the last 8 years. The 997TT is vastly improved compared to the 996 and truly captures the roots of the 993tt experience. It feels far less heavy, way more connected and more lively. Initial tip-in is way more lively than the 'Chevy half-ton' feel of the 996TT- there is way more initial torque and it comes on much earlier. It is a far better car than the 996.

The sound is a bit disappointing however, it reminds me of a 'motor sound' equipped 993 - 'just doing my job here, don't mind me!'. I really miss the 'vacuum cleaner on ritalin' sound of the 996 na cars. There's a ton of tire noise in the 997TT - it's much louder than the M6.

When you get on these cars, it's a really intense 'two hands on the wheel' experience. Way more rush than the M6, but in a vastly smaller rev-band. Plus, it takes some concentration to shift right at red-line to avoid a frustrating 'off boil' time. While the M6 is a smooth rush to jail, the 997TT is a wild roller-coaster ride to the same destination. I can't imagine how much of a rush this car would be with a stage III. (ecu, exhaust and headers)

The PASM in this car really works. You can drive in normal, sport and sport pasm. Sport activates the throttle twitchiness and over-boost function, while sport with pasm acts like edc in its harshest mode - it truly makes the ride uncomforably harsh - much like the 996tt. In the softer setting, the car is far more forgiving - just a touch firmer than I would prefer for a dd.

The 997TT is vastly improved over the 996. It's a far better 'sports car' than the M6. For me, however, it's not a better daily driver than the M6 because my preferences skew more to luxury, comfort and convenience.

Prices being what they are in Communist Kanuckistan, I have already sold the 997 for a 10k profit and I'm car shopping again!

M6 v. 997TT - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)