e92 m3 vs 09 911 targa

[niqui]

hi
i was just wondering, how the 911 targa, 09, compares with the e92 m3.
performance and feeling, as a daily driver.
seating and storage, is no big deal/
i am asking this because, i only really saw comparisons between the c2s and the m3, not the regular 911...at least here.
which would you take and why?
please keep the cars in question bone stock, i will not mod.
also, both cars would probably be mt, maybe, just maybe, the targa, could go pdk...doubt it really.
thanks

[Driver72]

Car and Driver recently did a comparo test of the base 911 vs M3 (both Dual Clutch versions).
They gave the nod to the M3.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test

Price vs. performance so would I

But even in base form the 911 out accelerated the M3. 400 lbs less weight, better gearing, and possibly better aerodynamics.
As good as a M3 is, it's still a 3 series though so if "snob factor" is important to you too, the P-car has a leg up in that arena.

Also how long do you want to keep the car? If past the warranty, P-cars are expensive to maintain as well. I had a 996 911 TT for a bit. Sweet car, but expensive and drew way too much attention.
Everybody wanted to race and I felt like everyone over 50 was looking at me with disdain.
I also worried about it too much when left in parking lots or while going out.

It's a tough choice without knowing all your pros and cons.

The obvious answer and what everyone will tell you is to go drive and take a look at both, then go back and look at each of them a second time.
You should know which you want at that point.

[niqui]

thanks for the help
i was actually gonna buy a cayman s before the m3...but i wanted more grunt.
the one thing i dont love about the porsche is the snob factor, as i am young. but a young guy in any of these cars is not gonna get far today.
i plan on keeping for 4 years.
i havent driven a new 911, last one was a 06.
my main concern, was whether the non-s targa, has enough grunt...clearly it does i guess.
anyways, thanks again
when the snow clears, all ask for a test drive,
i am happy with m3 so far, just wanted to know, how it compares, as a pcar is likely to be next in line.
thanks

[Sticky]

911 has better traction off the line on street tires with its weight in the back. It also comes with much wider tires. With better traction, the M3 can put its power down, and is the faster car.

The M3 has much more power @ the wheels than even the S.

M3 has greater headroom if you intend to mod.

The 997 is lighter.

The M3 feels more solid in transitions and handles better, the 997 does not give the same confidence with the light front end.

If money is a concern, some people can afford the 911 but can't afford the associated costs, finding it costing them more than they thought to maintain.

My BMW service center does treat me better and resolves issues faster than my Porsche service center. This does vary by dealer.

Can't really go wrong either way.

[aggie57]

Originally Posted by kpari09

I got to drive my friends 997 s. I gotta say that i was pretty disappointed. The car sounds like a catless lawn mower, and the interior lacks the amenities and quality of the m3. Also, imho, the m3 is light years ahead of the porche in refinement, comfort, and value. I stopped by the porche dealership the other day, just to take a glance at some of the 997's. The 09 997 s types are going for well over 100k. What a freak'n rip.

You've gotta push the Porsche before you get any impression of what it's like. Then it's a different car.

And yep, I have one as my DD.

[graider]

997 gt3/gt2 over m3, hell yes.

any other porches over e92 m3, no thanks.

[MrHarris]

Originally Posted by Sticky

911 has better traction off the line on street tires with its weight in the back. It also comes with much wider tires. With better traction, the M3 can put its power down, and is the faster car.

The M3 has much more power @ the wheels than even the S.

M3 has greater headroom if you intend to mod.

The 997 is lighter.

The M3 feels more solid in transitions and handles better, the 997 does not give the same confidence with the light front end.

If money is a concern, some people can afford the 911 but can't afford the associated costs, finding it costing them more than they thought to maintain.

My BMW service center does treat me better and resolves issues faster than my Porsche service center. This does vary by dealer.

Can't really go wrong either way.

+1 on the light front end. That shit is scary when you let off the gas in the middle of a sweeper turn.

[NewM3driver]

I considered the 997 when I bought my car in Oct, and had the opportunity to get a basic 997 with 6k miles to drive and live with for about 10 days. (That car, incidentally, was traded at my BMW dealership on a new M3).

What a let down. The car was in perfect condition... black/black, and I could have got it for less than I paid for my new M3. I wanted to love it so bad, but the truth was I found myself day after day walking away less impressed. It was nice, but the rattles(10 year old 993's are ROCK solid), nervous handling, and noisy, uncomfortable and cheap looking cabin were a turn off. Gone too, is the classic "thud" of an older porsche door closing. This Porsche car felt Japanese.

When I returned the car, I took home an M3 coupe overnight. OMG! The M felt SO much smoother, more balanced, and upscale. It handles better and while feeling about the same from a start felt like it would run away from the 997 up on the highway. The $68k M3 felt like the more expensive car when compared to the $85K sticker priced Porsche (base radio, no nav, partial leather).

Could the experience be different in a 997S with all the pricey interior options... sport exhaust, sport suspension, full leather, carbon fiber, on and on and on? Maybe. BUT, then you are comparing a $110K porsche to a $70K M3.

I decided to go with the M3 and could not be happier.... and that $40K I saved? I'm searching for a cherry 993S2, silver over black with low miles... A Porsche classic. I may have to Kick in an additional $15 to get a perfect one, but at least I will know I have a keeper. NOTHING connects driver to road like a good 993.

[NoSubstitute]

Most M3 owner's are in denial. They can't afford a Porsche!

[needspeed]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

Most M3 owner's are in denial. They can't afford a Porsche!

Now is your comment really called for you silly person. I would say for many it is just a matter of choice not affordability.....Steve

[chmc73]

if you have the money by the porsche. but you can't go wrong with either.

[Chris_S]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

Most M3 owner's are in denial. They can't afford a Porsche!

I just traded a Cayman S for my M3!

[drvai]

Originally Posted by niqui

thanks for the help
. but a young guy in any of these cars is not gonna get far today.
i plan on keeping for 4 years.
i

What do you mean by that?

[niqui]

Originally Posted by drvai

What do you mean by that?

i meant it in reference to the fact that Porsche's are considered snobby, but in the post, i later said that a young guy in any of these cars-an m3 included- is gonna get flack anyway...ie i meant disregard the argument of it being a flash car.
i just meant that a young guy in any of these cars, from most of the general public will not be treated equally or regarded equally. you may think this is untrue, and i am sure this depends, but i am young and have always driven my families cars, which are relatively high-end, so i am experienced in this regard.

but thanks for all the help in the thread. when i am done with the m, i think the targa is my next car as of now, who knows in 2 months. just as u guys said, you have to push the 911 to see if it really does it for you, and i havent so its up in the air. i had a blast in the cayman s though.

[niqui]

yup the comment about the cost and denial; i hope ur not serious.
i 100% agree that the cabin and lack of options at that sticker hurts. anyway, maybe in the summer ill go for a real spin, the last 911 i drove was a c4 2003 i think, cab, with tiptronic. the auto tranny was really disappointing, but i still had fun, first time in a convertible.

[NoSubstitute]

Same thing with my case. I'm in a Porsche is because I cannot afford a Lamborghini.

But don't get me wrong, my wife has the M3, and she prefers it more than the Porsche. My daughter puked at the back of the 911 and cannot get her to ride again.

The bottom line is get what you can afford since both are excellent in the hands of mortals like us!

[jm1234]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

My daughter puked at the back of the 911 and cannot get her to ride again.

You should have put her inside...

[matt beard]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

Same thing with my case. I'm in a Porsche is because I cannot afford a Lamborghini.

But don't get me wrong, my wife has the M3, and she prefers it more than the Porsche. My daughter puked at the back of the 911 and cannot get her to ride again.

The bottom line is get what you can afford since both are excellent in the hands of mortals like us!

Actually no, I'm buying an M3 because I cannot afford a 911 Turbo. A base 911 however, wouldn't even want it.

[niqui]

i dont find their to be a massive price gap between a fully loaded m3 and a 911 in canada at least.
obviously with porsche, options can make a 100k car in 140k before u know it, but m saying , the sticker in canada on a fully loaded m3 in canada can hover around 87k, with practically every option, and a base 911 with practically nothing is hig to mid 90 s...i know option for option this is a crap comparison, but, with base options on a 911, like preferred and pcm package, it would be a sizable difference but not unrealistic...

[cut2qr]

Originally Posted by NoSubstitute

Most M3 owner's are in denial. They can't afford a Porsche!

Drove my 996 c4s cab for 4 years DD 60k miles
Got tired of of the poor ride quality. Traded for the M3 never happier.
Its faster, more comfortable. Only negative is that it is not as much a panty dropper

[ericlikescars]

I came away extremely let down with the 997.

The engine sounded like my Big Foot Go ped when I was 14, and the car didn't inspire half the confidence in corners as the M3 does (My older brother owns an 09 M3). The Porsche was lightyears better then my 335i, but there really isnt much that isn't, haha.

The growl the M3 has brings a tear to my eye every single time, Interior is much more refined and and enjoyable, and I just quite frankly didn't enjoy how the P Car looked by the M3. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge porsche fan, god knows what I would do for a 997 TT. But, as far as comparing the M3 to the Porsche I drove, I came up MUCH more impressed with the M. I rest my case.

[maaicher]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

+1 on the light front end. That shit is scary when you let off the gas in the middle of a sweeper turn.

Why did you do that?