C&D Article: M3 DCT v Carrera PDK

[footie]

swamp,

Point taken, I must have missed that but my points are still valid even when two cars seem to be identical in perforance as is the case in this test. The m3 and 997 give totally different experiences behind the wheel and it's still up to each person as to whether the Porsche is worth it.

Another point worth noting is brand loyality, magazines favour the company spending the most in ads, it's something I have notes in UK rags and I doubt the States is any different, so take every reviews overall result with a pinch of salt.

[GnokGnik]

Originally Posted by jaeS4

...Especially after they compared the M3 against the 997TT which is twice the amount of a loaded M3 and the M3 beat the 997TT as well....

The M3 beat the 997.1Turbo and GT-R with price and usability in mind, not outright track performance. The new 997 with pdk might have given consumers better performance/usability in ratio of its price.

Plus they were looking for an excuse to compare two trick transmissions.

[matt beard]

Originally Posted by urbo73

This is why I said

I did say that numbers are half the story - there is some useful information, but don't care overall. I can care less about what the editor likes in terms of feel, so having a winner is pointless to me. Verbiage? You can get a WRONG feel perhaps by verbiage, since feel/preference is subjective. For instance, I completely disagree in this review regarding the steering on the 911. I don't think he's lying, I just don't agree. That's his impression/feel.

Let's be honest. The tests are done because these guys have nothing to write about every month (that's "sexy" and sells, like "M3 vs. 911"), the winner thing sounds good all the time, and they need to sell magazines. A better comparison test would be M3 vs. RS4 (maybe the've done that - don't know). M3 vs. 911 is apples to oranges. Some like both, some hate apples, and some hate oranges. Yet both have nutritional value.

What exactly would you prefer then? Perhaps a magazine such as Automobile, where performance numbers and anything else that even resembles interesting is replaced by page after page of fuel efficiency and usesless banter of how much money was donated to the United Way by their staff. I happen to find these comparisons quite compelling, after all it is a mag. for car enthusiasts. Furthermore, as for your comment about feel/preference being subjective, that is the point. These editors are paid to do these comparisons, and are paid to give their own opinion. Otherwise you would just end up with a list of #'s and measurements, and that would make for a pretty poor read.

[arr0gant]

Originally Posted by matt beard

What exactly would you prefer then? Perhaps a magazine such as Automobile, where performance numbers and anything else that even resembles interesting is replaced by page after page of fuel efficiency and usesless banter of how much money was donated to the United Way by their staff. I happen to find these comparisons quite compelling, after all it is a mag. for car enthusiasts. Furthermore, as for your comment about feel/preference being subjective, that is the point. These editors are paid to do these comparisons, and are paid to give their own opinion. Otherwise you would just end up with a list of #'s and measurements, and that would make for a pretty poor read.

No shit! Why don't people get it?

[urbo73]

Originally Posted by matt beard

What exactly would you prefer then? Perhaps a magazine such as Automobile, where performance numbers and anything else that even resembles interesting is replaced by page after page of fuel efficiency and usesless banter of how much money was donated to the United Way by their staff. I happen to find these comparisons quite compelling, after all it is a mag. for car enthusiasts. Furthermore, as for your comment about feel/preference being subjective, that is the point. These editors are paid to do these comparisons, and are paid to give their own opinion. Otherwise you would just end up with a list of #'s and measurements, and that would make for a pretty poor read.

Originally Posted by arr0gant

No shit! Why don't people get it?

Get what? Re-read my post (#34) and you'll see that you guys are the ones that don't *get it*. I've made my point.

[aggie57]

Well, as some of you will know I had an M3 on order for some time but in the end cancelled that and bought a runout base 997.1 Carrera for the same money as my (heavily optioned) E90 would have cost.

What I can tell you is that the two cars are quite different to drive and that strongly influenced my final choice. Like others have said the M3 is much more oriented to comfort - with performance and handling as well.

The 911 though is a sports car, pure and simple. It's lighter, you have more feel through the controls, and the fact that you feel what the car is doing on the road is a plus, not a limitation. It's comfortable enough to be used as a DD but I certainly wouldn't have bought it as my only car. If that was the case I would have stuck with the M3.

In fact when I realised that I didn't have to compromise the decision was a no-brainer.