Test drove a 2012 Porsche 911S over the weekend, surprised the M3 held up

bmwm3redblack · 06-28-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

Huh, I have a 6MT, but what I LOVE about the DCT is that it's just like a manual when in "manual" mode. Leave it in 5th and floor it, it'll stay in 5th. Hit the rev limited in 5th, it'll keep bouncing off of it. Just like in a regular 3-pedal manual. I had a GTI with DSG and absolutely hated that it would upshift and downshift for you when in manual mode. This was problematic especially on the track. In my mind, BMW's DCT is doing it 100% right.

+1

matthewk · 06-28-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nirvanayoda

Transmission: The PDK is much better than the DCT in my mind. The thing about PDK that immediately struck me was that although it would hold a gear until you shift it yourself, whenever you floor it, it automatically downshifts for you. The DCT does not automatically downshift for you, and coming from an automatic, I find myself sometimes in situations where I mean to accelerate quickly, but I forget to downshift and I end up going very slow in 6th gear or something. Perhaps more time in the M3 will cure this, but I loved that aspect about the PDK

Moreover, the PDK will upshift for you automatically if you hit the rev limiter instead of bouncing off the limiter like the DCT does. The transmission makes the Porsche much easier to drive to its limits acceleration wise. My friend who came with me said that he prefers that it takes more skill to drive the M3, but I much preferred the PDK. 911s win.

These two are my favorite parts of the DCT. I just want the car to do exactly what I tell it to... Nothing worse than hitting an APEX in slightly too tall of a gear and flooring it just to have the "automagic" transmission downshift on you unsettling the entire car and putting you ass first into the ourside barrier.

Same goes for the auto upshifting, I would rather hit the limiter and modulate the throttle just off of it coming into a hard braking zone then having to deal with an additional downshift.

PDK absolutely got it wrong by taking control out of the hands of lazy drivers.

Erhan · 06-28-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

Huh, I have a 6MT, but what I LOVE about the DCT is that it's just like a manual when in "manual" mode. Leave it in 5th and floor it, it'll stay in 5th. Hit the rev limited in 5th, it'll keep bouncing off of it. Just like in a regular 3-pedal manual. I had a GTI with DSG and absolutely hated that it would upshift and downshift for you when in manual mode. This was problematic especially on the track. In my mind, BMW's DCT is doing it 100% right.

Agreed. If you hit the redline in a given gear 200ft before a turn, you don't want car to upshift, that will confuse you.

GT3 Tim · 06-28-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erhanh

Agreed. If you hit the redline in a given gear 200ft before a turn, you don't want car to upshift, that will confuse you.

Agreed. Not only will it confuse you, it will upset the car quite a bit. Scary!

I didn't know that fact about PDK. I love how the DCT will hold a gear, period. Having a car shift for you like that is lame, especially at the track.

m3keash · 06-28-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I had a C2S gen2 for a day and drove it back to back against my M3 and I sort of agree with the OP except:
Handling, on smooth roads the 911 wins but on uneven roads the M3 wins.
Power/acceleration, the 911 has the edge but nothing you are going to lose sleep lusting after.
Transmission, the DCT is the better transmission IMO in all areas.
In all the 911 is a great car and if they were similarly priced it would be a no brainer but at the price premium the Porsche sells for?
It makes the M3 look like a proper bargain.

With back to back test drives before I bought I M3 I'd have to agree on all accounts. Plus for me, I was going convertible and the hardtop wins out, the true 4 seater wins out. It's an all around better DD.

As for the OP's notion of no one being able to tell the difference between a 335 and an M3 I beg to differ. I don't go a day without some one commenting about my car and Porsche's are a dime a dozen around here.

mdosu · 06-28-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackberry

WTF?! Why is everyone ripping on the op. relax guys and cut him some slack. It was the first time he sat in a p car and it didn't wow him. It is all good. W/e

..

+1 seriously, the more legitimate reviews we have of this quality the better the quality of this site.
His review was thoughtful and insightful. Unlike the bullsit we've seen in other reviews like "uhhh, needs more torque".

we need to encourage more posts like this.

persian54 · 06-28-2011, 12:09 PM

Maybe you should drive a GTR

o yeah I went there.

ssabripo · 06-28-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

Maybe you should drive a GTR

o yeah I went there.

Dodge2Dub · 06-28-2011, 12:34 PM

OP, have you considered trying the 1M? Sounds like it may give you what you desire...luggage space, room for 4 people, great torque, M3 Suspension and uniqueness. Also, the tunes are already pushing the 1M up by 100 HP.

On the downside, based upon your review, it's a 6MT.

Nine · 06-28-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge2Dub

OP, have you considered trying the 1M? Sounds like it may give you what you desire...luggage space, room for 4 people, great torque, M3 Suspension and uniqueness. Also, the tunes are already pushing the 1M up by 100 HP.

On the downside, based upon your review, it's a 6MT.

What?

Anyway, the DCT is an amazing transmission - from the OP's review I wonder if he fully understood how to set it up and play with it in manual mode.

Great review, always enjoy reading people's experiences...

Seattle S65B40 · 06-28-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssabripo

Dodge2Dub · 06-28-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine

What?

Anyway, the DCT is an amazing transmission - from the OP's review I wonder if he fully understood how to set it up and play with it in manual mode.

Great review, always enjoy reading people's experiences...

Lazy torque, suspension and uniqueness with M3 utility = 1M.

saeedg48 · 06-28-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Bahn

They are totally different cars, good job comparing apples vs oranges.

AHHA

FVM3 · 06-28-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge2Dub

OP, have you considered trying the 1M? Sounds like it may give you what you desire...luggage space, room for 4 people, great torque, M3 Suspension and uniqueness. Also, the tunes are already pushing the 1M up by 100 HP.

On the downside, based upon your review, it's a 6MT.

1M? LOL

Dodge2Dub · 06-28-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

1M? LOL

Okay, what's wrong with the 1 series M based upon what the OP desires??

stuka · 06-28-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

I'll take an M3 over a Carrera or Carrera S any day.

Having said that:

GT3>M3>Carrera

If you are going to upgrade to a Porsche and get rid of the M3, might as well go for a Gt3. However, if you have a GT3, you will probably need another car. So the best car combo IMO, is a GT3 and an M3.

Personally, as soon as I pay off my M3, I am keeping it and getting a GT3. To me going from an m3 to a Carrera or Carrera S doesn't make much sense and is mostly a product of "Grass is Greener" syndrome for many.

If you don't have kids, you CAN DD your GT car.

I DD'ed my GT2 for 6 months when my son was first born and we were still looking for a family car while my son was being shuttled in the E30.

Other than the fact that I couldn't put raw meat, egg, and seafood in the trunk (non insulated for weight saving), I could fit three grocery bags in the trunk, and my work bag in the empty backseat area (no backseat from the factory).

stuka · 06-28-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssabripo

having said that, I do agree that the TS does not have a good grasp on Porsches yet, because they are phenomenal cars inside out. A "POS dry hump" 997.2 Carrera S I raced on the track raped any time (and fun factor) I've ever made on the M3.... P cars were made to be driven at the track....hard!

Um, 997.2 Carrera S has that cheap bored out Coxster wet sumper. It does not have a GT1 engine, biggest scam ever by Porsche telling people that those engines have "integrated dry sump."

stuka · 06-28-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Maintaining that sucker is big bucks. Porsches are pretty reasonable.

430 is not bad, only about 5K for major service.

355 is 8K for major service.

For reference, GT2 major service is 2400 bucks.

ManAndMachine · 06-28-2011, 02:17 PM

110K for a Carrera S is robbery,You can buy one of these for 70-80K right now and blow the doors off of both cars in question.

This was mine a few years back and sticker was 118K brand new..

Seattle S65B40 · 06-28-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTM505SX

110K for a Carrera S is robbery,You can buy one of these for 70-80K right now and blow the doors off of both cars in question.

This was mine a few years back and sticker was 118K brand new..

For novice p-car guys like me, can you tell us what "this" is? I'm guessing 2007 GT3-RS?

Seattle S65B40 · 06-28-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shift@red

Thats a 997.1 GT3. 8400 rpm redline, 3.6 liter with 415 hp.

And yes, it will absolutely obliterate any car in question in this thread.

Looks sick. Might be my next car if F32 M3 disappoints...

ManAndMachine · 06-28-2011, 02:23 PM

2007 First gen 997.1 GT3.

06-28-2011, 12:09 PM	#29
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	Maybe you should drive a GTR o yeah I went there. __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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06-28-2011, 12:34 PM	#31
Dodge2Dub Captain 36 Rep 910 Posts Drives: E90 M3; Ducati Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	OP, have you considered trying the 1M? Sounds like it may give you what you desire...luggage space, room for 4 people, great torque, M3 Suspension and uniqueness. Also, the tunes are already pushing the 1M up by 100 HP. On the downside, based upon your review, it's a 6MT. __________________ E90 M3: Some cool stuff...more to come Ducati 1199 Panigale: Bucket full of mods
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06-28-2011, 02:17 PM	#41
ManAndMachine Lieutenant 25 Rep 596 Posts Drives: G80M3 BG KO, '17 Taco Pro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Valencia,Ca iTrader: (0)	110K for a Carrera S is robbery,You can buy one of these for 70-80K right now and blow the doors off of both cars in question. This was mine a few years back and sticker was 118K brand new..
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06-28-2011, 02:23 PM	#44
ManAndMachine Lieutenant 25 Rep 596 Posts Drives: G80M3 BG KO, '17 Taco Pro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Valencia,Ca iTrader: (0)	2007 First gen 997.1 GT3.
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