Took a Porsche 911 out today, God I love my M3

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

There's always going to be a different opinion on this subject. Just like some people prefer AWD or even FWD at the track (though those people are weird too). But anyone who says FI makes the M3 much more fun at the track is either a really bad driver, or a really good one.

^this

[larryn]

Originally Posted by NavidM3E92

I really want to see what all the fuss is about the porsche. Ill probably test drive one soon

Agree. This thread made me want to go test a 991 911S. Added to agenda for this weekend.

[Raja Ventureshield]

i have owned both a 911 c2s and m3. Both N/A. I have to say i like them both for different reason. Overall, the M3 is better because of practicality 4 seater, space etc. However, the 911 c2s was definately more responsive in every way and was a better car.

Anyway, i see your M3 is SC, that's a whole different story. In the end what is most important is you are happy with what you have. I sold my M3 and probably getting a 991 c2s/c4s or GT3 next as well as keeping an eye for Lime Rock edition M3 as a side car. Life is short, why chose. :-)

[M3forMe]

I have not found a modern Porsche I didn't like better than my M3. I know sinful in this forum but that is my opinion. My favorite 2011 Turbo S with PDK. I wet myself. I haven't tried a GT3 but would sure like to get a chance.

My M3 is just my step to selling the wife on a Porsche. I had to have a back seat but once the kids are gone, so will the M3. Sorry.

[F1Venom]

I think the 991S is miles better than its predecessor, and while it won't be as quick as a SC M3, it's still a special car. And at $130k, it better be.

[Curt2000]

If I could afford/justify a 991S then I would have one...for my current situation, the M3 is the perfect match for me and I have no regrets.

[Richbot]

Porsche makes a better car than the 911 these days, I love 911's but the p-car to get is the cockster or cocksman, even if pricing were reversed

[elitex]

Funny thing is that I just drove the 991 911s this past weekend.

It is a great car, well built, love the engine noise, feels solid. IMO, it similar to the M3 in many ways. 911 feels like the next step up in performance. My problem with the 911 is the price, I priced one out to $130k

It is not $55k better than an M3 but it is definitely a better sports car. I am starting to really think about buying one but I think I want to spend a little more time in my M3.

[HeartMD]

Originally Posted by larryn

Agree. This thread made me want to go test a 991 911S. Added to agenda for this weekend.

+2

[karussell]

If you want a pure 911 the best bang for your buck is a 997 Gen 1 GT3. Replace the dual mass flywheel with the RS single mass. The mezger engine is the real deal. true dry sump racing motor exactly same as in the cup car. They can be bought for low 70's now. 3100 lbs fully loaded. only drawback in US is it has a sunroof although its not a glass panel and doesn't hurt headroom.

As an all-around sports car the M3 is fun. Its so forgiving and easy to drive. However because its so easy to drive there is its one drawback. And I can see when driving in a straight line stop light to stop light its hard to compare a 911 to an M3. but I tell you a 911 (any 911) has character all of its own. the rear weight bias creates a very exciting and dynamic car. its not for everyone granted as i know many people that just are unnerved by being "pushed" by that engine back there. but i never felt more pride and gratification from a street car than driving a 911 at speed on a race track. a 911 is not forgiving of mistakes. it rewards precision and commitment. also, there is not mistaking how much lighter a 911 feels than an M3 especially the current generation. even the C2S convertible is under 3400 lbs.

i have both. i love driving the M3 day to day. also love the porsche. hard to give up either one of them. if the track is dry however i'll always take the Porsche. in the wet, i enjoy drifting and the M3 is very good at that.

[jonasaurus]

Not sure I fully agreew with you OP. From the onset there is a greater sense of occassion in jumping in a 911. Granted different layouts will dynamically feel different not sure how to translate the 911 not feeling responsive. From a practicality perspective and an all in one purpose the M3 is miles ahead no doubt and thats the reason why I love it and still have it after 2.5 years.

[Ezio]

I would want a Gtr over a 911 at this point in life. It's just offers more car for my street driving.

[M2Crew]

The E92 is better than a 997 non-GT3/Turbo.

The 991 is better than the E92.

"Regular" 911s have never impressed me until the 991. My thoughts after driving one hard - "What the heck will the 991 GT3 be like?!" I was genuinely wowed.

Anyone trying to rationalize an E92 over the 991 as a performance machine for any reason other than cost is kidding him/herself. 991 is noticeably better than the now-outgoing M3.

[ridin135]

Have to agree with the OP. I have never liked Porsches and never understood the desire to own one. The 911 has never had an evolution in its design which bothers me but this is not here or there as it is just my personal opinion.

I test drove a 991 911 4s and it did not change my feelings for the vehicle at all, if anything it just enforced them more. Yes the car handled well and had a good amount of power it just never sparked any kind of emotion from me. If the price was more around $70,000 the car would be alot more appealing but for an msrp of $126,000 it just doesn't make any sense to me.

Though on this very day I did decide I needed a porsche in my future. But it was the new 981 base boxster/cayman not the big brother 911. The mid engine balance of this car made my M3 feel like a big luxury sedan. This vehicle lit a fire in me when I was driving it just as the M3 did when I first picked her up. Though the power is low in the base, the way it is brought on made the car feel faster then it actualy was. It was way more driver envolved as you were always downshifting to stay within the powerband and all the while staying within reasonable speeds for the road.

I was even considering replacing my newly acquired M3 for a boxster/cayman S but in the end I decided I would rather add one in the future then replace my beloved M. For an only car I knew the lack of power would eventually get to me along with the practicality I would lose by switching. While I have driven countless caymans & boxsters in many configurations my decision would be to buy a base in the future. The S was faster but the way the power was brought on didn't make it feel alot faster then the base.

[Robin_NL]

I wanted a 997S a few years ago so I testdrove one. Solid as a rock, speedboatlike handling(which I don't really like actually) a very responsive an torquey engine (for an atmospheric engine that size 3.6 litres) and just a character of its own.

But I chose the E90 M3 6MT back then, because of :
-its price
-2 kids so more practical.

But no way ever in my life the E9x is a better sportscar than a 997(let alone a 991) , ok it's easier driftable and is more 'neutral' midbend (but the 997 speed is higher tendency to understeer with almost nothing upfront)


So I came to the conclusion the 997S is a better sportscar but a bit too expensive .

To compare a M3 SC tuned to a 991 atmospheric is kind of weird, sorry.

Also : My current car feels and is more composed, faster, more agile and more fun etc than my ex M3 at the cost of less space and practicality , and a little less comfy ride. But as an allrounder the E9x M3 could be the winner. At a price: Not so torquey and low MPG...

Each to their own. I just wanted the M3 to have the 4.4 litre 450BHP GTS engine, that's all

Cheers
Robin

[i001947]

Originally Posted by ridin135

Have to agree with the OP. I have never liked Porsches and never understood the desire to own one. The 911 has never had an evolution in its design which bothers me but this is not here or there as it is just my personal opinion.

I test drove a 991 911 4s and it did not change my feelings for the vehicle at all, if anything it just enforced them more. Yes the car handled well and had a good amount of power it just never sparked any kind of emotion from me. If the price was more around $70,000 the car would be alot more appealing but for an msrp of $126,000 it just doesn't make any sense to me.

Though on this very day I did decide I needed a porsche in my future. But it was the new 981 base boxster/cayman not the big brother 911. The mid engine balance of this car made my M3 feel like a big luxury sedan. This vehicle lit a fire in me when I was driving it just as the M3 did when I first picked her up. Though the power is low in the base, the way it is brought on made the car feel faster then it actualy was. It was way more driver envolved as you were always downshifting to stay within the powerband and all the while staying within reasonable speeds for the road.

I was even considering replacing my newly acquired M3 for a boxster/cayman S but in the end I decided I would rather add one in the future then replace my beloved M. For an only car I knew the lack of power would eventually get to me along with the practicality I would lose by switching. While I have driven countless caymans & boxsters in many configurations my decision would be to buy a base in the future. The S was faster but the way the power was brought on didn't make it feel alot faster then the base.

I can seriously relate to your comments. Thanks for saying it.

[W///]

Originally Posted by NavidM3E92

I really want to see what all the fuss is about the porsche. Ill probably test drive one soon

Originally Posted by larryn

Agree. This thread made me want to go test a 991 911S. Added to agenda for this weekend.

Make sure you try a new Boxster/Cayman. They are pretty amazing.

[pkimM3r]

Id take a 997 or 991 (but it has to be at least an S model - personal preference) over the m3 any day. That being said im keeping my e90 forever and the porsche would have to join the club.

[valeram]

Originally Posted by JFWM3

I took out a collegues Porsche 911 today.

Nice car, but God I love my M3. Even in stock form the M3 felt more responsive. But with the supercharger on the M3 it was night and day. The M3 just felt so much more reponsive in all aspects. When my collegue took my car out, his jaw just dropped.

My advice, if your thinking of trading your M3 for a Porsche 911/911S, just supercharge your car. You wont be disappointed!

That is exactly my plan when the time comes.

[///M3THOD]

Originally Posted by JFWM3

I took out a collegues Porsche 911 today.

Nice car, but God I love my M3. Even in stock form the M3 felt more responsive. But with the supercharger on the M3 it was night and day. The M3 just felt so much more reponsive in all aspects. When my collegue took my car out, his jaw just dropped.

My advice, if your thinking of trading your M3 for a Porsche 911/911S, just supercharge your car. You wont be disappointed!

991?

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by JFWM3

I took out a collegues Porsche 911 today.

Nice car, but God I love my M3. Even in stock form the M3 felt more responsive. But with the supercharger on the M3 it was night and day. The M3 just felt so much more reponsive in all aspects. When my collegue took my car out, his jaw just dropped.

My advice, if your thinking of trading your M3 for a Porsche 911/911S, just supercharge your car. You wont be disappointed!

John, One of those days I've got to come over and give your fine car a spin It sure looked good when you let me have a peek under the hood after your install and I was privileged to be a passenger for a brief ride. I know it must feel a lot different with the steering wheel in front of you

[US///M3]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

The 991C2S is a better car in every aspect (but practicality), it comes down to if it is worth almost double the price. I adore 911's, so to me cost was secondary, I just wanted one. But after driving the 991 (which is phenomenal) you also realize what an incredible car the M3 is. The M3 is right behind the 911 for half the price, and that is simply incredible, and makes it almost a bargain.

+1
The 911 is also more of a status symbol than the M3 in the " winning" department.