Took the leap

Art__Vandelay · 03-15-2026, 03:14 PM

First and foremost: This isn’t a “I’m done with BMW” or “BMW has lost its way” thread. Still love my G80.

But after owning several M3s, I eventually reached a point where I felt the need for something “more.” I wanted a car that I wouldn’t just use to get from point A to point B, but one I’d want to drive purely for the sake of driving. The M3 certainly fulfilled that to some extent, but at some point you feel the desire for a next step. Only a Porsche came into question for me, because I wanted a car that still prioritizes pure driving pleasure, without being too flashy. I test-drove a 992.1 GTS. A really good car, but in the end, the jump compared to the G80 was too small to justify the trade-offs (price, seats, cargo space etc.). That’s when I realized that probably only a GT3 could meet those criteria. So I went for a test drive and it was exactly what I’d hoped for. I ordered a Touring that very same day. 10 days ago, I was finally able to pick it up. I’m still in the break-in period, but the precision, the steering feel, the light weight, the stiff chassis, the sound and the character of that beautiful NA engine just feel right. Looking forward to the experience.

I’ll keep my G80 for the time being; it’s just too good of a package, and after all these years, I can’t just walk away from BMW (plus I need a 2nd car).
.

Henn28 · 03-15-2026, 03:37 PM

What’s not to like! Beautiful car.

How did you option it?

G MONEY · 03-15-2026, 04:39 PM

Not sure how you can drive the P and listen to the beautiful symphony, then hop in that chainsaw on steroid sounding, pop and bang gross-ness

ash_schwin · 03-15-2026, 05:57 PM

So stunning and classy at the same time, my dream car is a similar specced GT3 touring. Enjoy in good health.

mirob · 03-16-2026, 07:13 AM

You're definitely parking it like it's a BMW. J/K!

That's awesome - congrats and enjoy!

FloridaM5 · 03-16-2026, 07:21 AM

Congrats. Beautiful gt3!

Vic55 · 03-16-2026, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Not sure how you can drive the P and listen to the beautiful symphony, then hop in that chainsaw on steroid sounding, pop and bang gross-ness

LOL you really dont like the G8X exhaust--- I had Zero idea after all these years of you posting. Im frankly shocked

Anyways congrats AV-- thats a fucking car!!!

G MONEY · 03-16-2026, 08:32 AM

Come on VIC. Don’t be one of those dudes who say they like it.

Especially with your fleet and past whips.

Vic55 · 03-16-2026, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Come on VIC. Don’t be one of those dudes who say they like it.

Especially with your fleet and past whips.

I dont love it LOL--- and I did mod it to make me frown less.

I was kinda joking with ya but the inline 6 does need something.

Art__Vandelay · 03-16-2026, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henn28

What’s not to like! Beautiful car.

How did you option it?

Oak Green Neo exterior on black interior. Cohiba brown interior would look nice but since it's very similar to Tartufo (which I have on my G80) i didn't want that, so i went with plain black which I don't mind on a 911 at all.

Went with PDK as I let my MT days behind me a long time ago (MT is generally less popular in Europe compared to the US). The PDK is anyway among the best gearboxes around, and the one in the GT3 has an added appeal thanks to its even sportier setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by G MONEY

Not sure how you can drive the P and listen to the beautiful symphony, then hop in that chainsaw on steroid sounding, pop and bang gross-ness

Well let's say it's always good to have some change between the cars.

But joking aside, I appreciate the package the G80 offers, it's a really good car.

G MONEY · 03-16-2026, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic55

I dont love it LOL--- and I did mod it to make me frown less.

I was kinda joking with ya but the inline 6 does need something.

I agree. A big ass single turbo please. Thank you

6SPDG82 · 03-17-2026, 09:20 AM

Congrats lovely spec! Enjoy in good health!

juliusoh · 03-20-2026, 12:16 PM

Such an amazing car and spec congrats!

TJay74 · 03-20-2026, 03:51 PM

I keep telling myself that once I retire in 12 years that once the wife and I decide where we want to end up at I want to get down to 2 vehicles, a DD for us to share and a Porsche as the toy car.

My problem is the model that trips all of my wants is dumb pricey. I want turbo, possibly AWD, aggressive appearance, low mount rear spoiler. Most of it points towards either a Turbo model or GT3 model.

Then comes my reality check, most of those even on the used market are $200k+ vehicles.

BryanCO · 03-20-2026, 06:30 PM

Beautiful! Have fun!

SALD25 · 03-21-2026, 06:57 AM

Beautiful looking car! Congrats to you and the lovely green lady you’ll be driving

ando · 03-21-2026, 08:29 AM

Congrats. Special car for sure!

NoSuchSol · 03-24-2026, 10:25 PM

I went a little older than you for my preferred GT3 and I like having both. The M3 has been a stellar daily and hooligan wrapped up into one. I've kept the G80 longer than any recent vehicle which makes my wife very happy. lol

02M3ForMe · 04-01-2026, 08:43 AM

Perfect spec. Congratulations!

yousefnjr · 04-01-2026, 01:47 PM

Choice color

congrats bud

FASTTOYS · 04-01-2026, 11:22 PM

GT3 Touring nice + G80 great combination. Put miles on M car & pleasure drive the GT3.

D_SheerDrivingPleasure · 04-02-2026, 12:04 AM

OP - Time to sign up for Rennlist. The Bimmerpost mods are going to block you for cheating.

nice car btw

03-15-2026, 03:14 PM	#1
Art__Vandelay Lieutenant Colonel 2355 Rep 1,581 Posts Drives: 2023 G80 M3 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Took the leap - first Porsche (GT3 Touring) First and foremost: This isn’t a “I’m done with BMW” or “BMW has lost its way” thread. Still love my G80. But after owning several M3s, I eventually reached a point where I felt the need for something “more.” I wanted a car that I wouldn’t just use to get from point A to point B, but one I’d want to drive purely for the sake of driving. The M3 certainly fulfilled that to some extent, but at some point you feel the desire for a next step. Only a Porsche came into question for me, because I wanted a car that still prioritizes pure driving pleasure, without being too flashy. I test-drove a 992.1 GTS. A really good car, but in the end, the jump compared to the G80 was too small to justify the trade-offs (price, seats, cargo space etc.). That’s when I realized that probably only a GT3 could meet those criteria. So I went for a test drive and it was exactly what I’d hoped for. I ordered a Touring that very same day. 10 days ago, I was finally able to pick it up. I’m still in the break-in period, but the precision, the steering feel, the light weight, the stiff chassis, the sound and the character of that beautiful NA engine just feel right. Looking forward to the experience. I’ll keep my G80 for the time being; it’s just too good of a package, and after all these years, I can’t just walk away from BMW (plus I need a 2nd car). . Attached Images Last edited by Art__Vandelay; 03-15-2026 at 04:46 PM..
	Appreciate 30 BeefyBeefo189.00 ash_schwin1712.00 DravitM3Cx63.00 bri10428399.00 mirob5272.50 Dieselmd265.00 TheSundayDriv3190.00 Vic5526350.00 ToysArs243.50 SaxyBMW1973.50 champagnepak11017.00 chicagofan0021730.00 juliusoh351.50 matowi2708.00 ando2391.00 Limegrntaln14840.00 BackOnBlack1654.00 MaC-N54-E82767.50 AlterZgo1781.00 Salespunk2046.50 NoSuchSol235.50 G80GreenMachine120.00 Bumpinjeep7785.50 02M3ForMe4464.00 The Guvna93.50 yousefnjr8397.50 OldButSmooth377.00 JTO246902.00 waiting174.00 Autoaddict613.00 Tweet Quote

03-15-2026, 03:37 PM	#2
Henn28 Private 297 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2026 G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2025 Location: New Orleans iTrader: (0)	What’s not to like! Beautiful car. How did you option it?
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03-15-2026, 04:39 PM	#3
G MONEY Colonel 2801 Rep 2,557 Posts Drives: 2017 458/ YAS m4 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: EARTH iTrader: (0)	Not sure how you can drive the P and listen to the beautiful symphony, then hop in that chainsaw on steroid sounding, pop and bang gross-ness
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03-15-2026, 05:57 PM	#4
ash_schwin Lieutenant 1712 Rep 446 Posts Drives: G80 M3, Model YP, Accord Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [6.71]	So stunning and classy at the same time, my dream car is a similar specced GT3 touring. Enjoy in good health.
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03-16-2026, 07:13 AM	#5
mirob Colonel 5273 Rep 2,351 Posts Drives: M3CX Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bomb City, TX iTrader: (0)	You're definitely parking it like it's a BMW. J/K! That's awesome - congrats and enjoy!
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03-16-2026, 07:21 AM	#6
FloridaM5 Captain 782 Rep 690 Posts Drives: x5m Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Congrats. Beautiful gt3!
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03-16-2026, 08:32 AM	#8
G MONEY Colonel 2801 Rep 2,557 Posts Drives: 2017 458/ YAS m4 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: EARTH iTrader: (0)	Come on VIC. Don’t be one of those dudes who say they like it. Especially with your fleet and past whips.
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03-17-2026, 09:20 AM	#12
6SPDG82 Lieutenant Colonel 3911 Rep 1,978 Posts Drives: 2025 G82 MT, 2026 X5 x40i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 G82 M4 [9.50] 2026 X5 40i X-Drive [8.00]	Congrats lovely spec! Enjoy in good health! __________________ 2025 Skyscraper Grey manual G82. Instagram: 6SPDG82 2026 Skyscraper Grey X5 40i
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03-20-2026, 12:16 PM	#13
juliusoh First Lieutenant 352 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 25 G80 M3 LSB Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: LA/OC iTrader: (2)	Such an amazing car and spec congrats!
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03-20-2026, 03:51 PM	#14
TJay74 Captain 638 Rep 860 Posts Drives: 20 X3M & 24 M4xC & 25 M340i Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Norman OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 BMW M340ix [0.00] 2020 BMW X3M [0.00] 2024 BMW M4xC [0.00]	I keep telling myself that once I retire in 12 years that once the wife and I decide where we want to end up at I want to get down to 2 vehicles, a DD for us to share and a Porsche as the toy car. My problem is the model that trips all of my wants is dumb pricey. I want turbo, possibly AWD, aggressive appearance, low mount rear spoiler. Most of it points towards either a Turbo model or GT3 model. Then comes my reality check, most of those even on the used market are $200k+ vehicles.
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03-20-2026, 06:30 PM	#15
BryanCO Lieutenant Colonel 2428 Rep 1,927 Posts Drives: FL5, 992.1 GT3 Manuals Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Beautiful! Have fun!
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03-21-2026, 06:57 AM	#16
SALD25 First Lieutenant 614 Rep 353 Posts Drives: montegoblue blue e92 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: central jersey iTrader: (0)	Beautiful looking car! Congrats to you and the lovely green lady you’ll be driving
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03-21-2026, 08:29 AM	#17
ando Colonel 2391 Rep 2,229 Posts Drives: F80, G80 & G87 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.50] 2024 M2 [9.67] 2022 BMW M3 [8.37]	Congrats. Special car for sure!
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03-24-2026, 10:25 PM	#18
NoSuchSol First Lieutenant 236 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 23 G80 Yellow Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 Comp Xd ... [0.00]	I went a little older than you for my preferred GT3 and I like having both. The M3 has been a stellar daily and hooligan wrapped up into one. I've kept the G80 longer than any recent vehicle which makes my wife very happy. lol Attached Images
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04-01-2026, 08:43 AM	#19
02M3ForMe Lieutenant Colonel 4464 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Perfect spec. Congratulations!
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04-01-2026, 01:47 PM	#20
yousefnjr salty cowboys fan 8398 Rep 4,102 Posts Drives: ‘06 Z4MR, ‘20 X7, ‘22 M4x Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	Choice color congrats bud __________________ she’s home! '22 M4 Comp xDrive
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04-01-2026, 11:22 PM	#21
FASTTOYS Second Lieutenant 72 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 26-M4 Comp/24-Z06/25-Q6 P+ EV Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA TEXAS iTrader: (1)	GT3 Touring nice + G80 great combination. Put miles on M car & pleasure drive the GT3.
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04-02-2026, 12:04 AM	#22
D_SheerDrivingPleasure Major 1806 Rep 1,342 Posts Drives: Very Fast F80 & G80 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NYC & Germany iTrader: (0)	OP - Time to sign up for Rennlist. The Bimmerpost mods are going to block you for cheating. nice car btw __________________ Dare I squeeze three at yo' cherry M3
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