993 TT vs M5 - Comparison - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

BarryC · 2nd August 2001, 03:34

A friend and I were talking about the merits of the 993 vs 996 TT (since he has owned both but currently the 993) and he said why not switch tonight. Who am I to argue??

The car is a '97 (I believe) and he has changed the exhaust and ECU and believes that the car is making around 480 hp. After having driven it a few hours here are some observations:

1) Wonderful PERFORMANCE car but very raw in comparison to the M5.

2) Power curve sucks (in comparison) in that very little torque down low but you better be ready when the turbos kick in! This thing is crazy fast once you get going.

3) Exhaust sound is awesome (you can here it a block a way - 3 blocks at full wail!)

Without a doubt a very fine car but not one I'd want to drive everyday. Driving this car really makes me appreciate how good the M5 is. I was starting to forget that and was contemplating making a change to a Porsche.

I think the answer to my (true) sports car cravings is to just wait until I can afford to have the M5 and a Porsche 996/993 C2!! Those of you on this board who have such a stable - I am truly envious!!

BC

greg · 2nd August 2001, 04:33

I've driven both the 993 and 996 TT's. The 996TT is significantly more refined, and has much better low-end torque characteristics thanks to variable valve timing. The 993 has a more choppy ride - although even the 996 is considerably harsher than the M5.

Every time I switch between the cars, I fall in love all over again, regardless of which car I'm currently driving. But for sure, the M5 is a much better car to live with every day.

BlueBiturbo · 2nd August 2001, 05:16

Nice,

(Blue: I fixed the link. You need to specify an image file inside IMG tags, not an HTML page. To find the URL of an image on the web, just right-click it and choose "properties". /gh)

BarryC · 2nd August 2001, 05:39

Greg,

I think it's interesting that my friend prefers the 993 to the 996. I believe his words regarding the 996 were "too sedan-like" or in other words too refined.

In my book, either car would be great to have for the occasional track day or a fun day in the countryside.

Actually, I'm really looking for a track car and I want a Porsche but I'm also thinking about the M Coupe w/315 hp - very compelling @ $46k or so. My friend is trying to persuade me to go with a Porsche. I'll just drive a 996 C2 and the M Coupe whenever my local dealer gets one in.

In the mean time, I can't wait until my drive to work in the a.m. with the 993!

BC

BlueBiturbo · 2nd August 2001, 06:06

Thanks Greg

MEnthusiast · 2nd August 2001, 06:26

Greg,
you have 2 fantastic autos- isnt it amazing how good these cars are?

ME

JIMMY · 2nd August 2001, 07:58

http://www.geocities.com/jimmy540i/911turbo.htm

greg · 2nd August 2001, 08:19

Jimmy, I ain't taking the bait. I know better.

Hutzal · 2nd August 2001, 08:28

Me too, sorry for saying so Jimmy but your advertising is getting annoying, if your here to talk about cars then so be it, but stop putting adds up to your website. Please and thankyou. Plus a 996TT would kill your supercharged 540i Sport, with all the money that you spent on your car, you could have bought an M5, what a waste of $$.

JIMMY · 2nd August 2001, 08:35

Eeeeeeeeeasy there ~ we are all adults here.

Beleive or not, I'm JUST telling my story with the 911TT, I don't need to promote my site; I have enough viewers already.

Don't crown me! I'm not here for flames. I just post the actual story. There's no need for calling names or telling me what to buy!

mjc · 2nd August 2001, 08:38

BarryC,

As some purists may note, the 993 is still a true sports car, while the 996 is a true GT car (however no disrespect to Greg's 996TT).

I owned a '00 996, but after driving it for a few months, felt it was too refined and bought the M5. However... after driving the M5 and then getting a rush from driving a friends 993, I broke down and purchased a 993 (still have the M5).

Both are great cars, but IMO, again IMO, the M5 is too much of a refined GT sedan (albeit a quick one at that) vs. a sports car.

OTOH, the 996TT is one well respected vehicle.

A_Train · 2nd August 2001, 16:50

Have had the privilege of driving the 996C2, 993TT, 996TT, and M5 extensively, so here are some thoughts / links to earlier posts:

- Thoughts on the M5 versus C2 are here: http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/showt...0&pagenumber=2

- Reasons on trading in the M5 (pros and cons of the car): http://www.bmwm5.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/004090-2.html

- The 993TT is much more raw than the 996TT (stock versus stock); the ride is stiffer, it feels like a sharper handler, and it sounds much better in stock form. The 993TT interior is dated -- the controls are all over the place and the car just feels like it's behind the times. Even the shifter is old-school. Then again, the 993TTs are 5 to 7 years-old now. But that big 993TT rear wing and more pronounced rear-end flare were so nice to look at, from inside and outside the car. Not a big fan of the C2's mini-wing. The 996TT's rear wing was ok at first but have really grown to like it. The 993TT felt faster than the 996TT by the seat of the pants. It also felt like the 993TT definitely had less turbo lag. I don't pay as much attention to magazine's published times as I do to what the car feels like to me, since I don't track the car. Overall, like the 996TT much better as a daily driver, but for a weekend driver, prefer the 993TT, quirks and dated interior considered. 993TT never had a mechanical problem. Made sure to have bought a good one with well-documented history, good miles (14K) and just one owner (who traded it in on a 996TT, actually) and had it checked by a tried-and-true and trusted Porsche mechanic. Had it last Fall and enjoyed it the whole time. Even drove it in light snow once or twice with the S02's and had no problems. Be careful on the throttle when turning in anything other than perfect weather -- much easier to spin the 993TT than the 996TT, believe me. All Porsche factory stereos are just not good, even the upgraded ones. Pay no attention to 6-figure asking prices for 993TT's. $85K - $90K is right for a very good condition, fairly well-optioned, 10K - 15K miles car. Trade-in from private seller to dealer will net high-70s to maybe 80 if lucky, so even paying mid to upper-80s for a car gets the dealer a nice profit. And these cars are out there -- up to you on how patient you are willing to be to get just the car at a price that makes sense to you. I have little clue about putting a value on modded cars.

- The 993TT and M5 are so different that comparing them to each other is an apples to oranges kind of thing. The 993TT is noticeably faster; assuming equal driver skill; don't bother trying to beat a 993TT in a straight line or on the track if you're in an M5. An M5 can be fast, but the Porsche is in a different league.

- A-Train