I bought a 997s pdk and still have my m3.

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

You can't really compare any Porsche to any BMW. Porsche bests BMW in almost every test. The M3 might win in practicality, but that's about it. I also disagree that the MDCT is better then the PDK. When I test drove the Cayman S and Carrera 4S, the PDK felt much more responsive and much quicker.

My m3 has zcp and my Porsche has the 20mm lowered sport suspension. My m3 feels way more planted and stable at higher speeds and grip levels in the m3 feel superior. In regards to dct vs pdk, I agree that pdk shifts faster but at the same time feels more like an automatic transmission. Take your foot of the brake from a stop and the Pcar starts moving like an auto. The rocker switches on the steering wheel suck and the shift lever looks and functions just like a tiptronic. Most people would not be able to tell that the Pdk is more than an just an automatic transmission. Also, the pdk automatically shifts if you dont change gears at Redline (which pisses me off). The dct feels just as responsive if not more so. Sometimes the pdk does not want to downshift no matter how hard you try. Pdk might shift a bit faster but all in all the dct in the m3 feels way more special.

[FVM3]

I test drove the Cayman S and 997 Carrera S before getting my 2011 m3. PDK feels like automatic, and the changing gear speed is almost same as M3 to me, maybe im wrong? Not really like the auto upshift , feels like the transmission on the 335i.

[spyderco10]

Weee, what a predicament!

[PINHEAD]

see my sig?

my verdict: M3 > 997 C2S

[alms211]

The used car market is white hot these days. Post it for sale and just chalk it up to an unwise decision. You will recover most of your money on the actual sale of the car but the sales tax is gone bye bye. For Christsake, what is the sales tax in CA? 10%-11%? That is highway robbery......and the state is still insolvent.

[bmwm3redblack]

Keep ///M3 remember it's the last N/A M car so love her!!!

[Poppin Fresh]

Originally Posted by chmura

Should have gotten the GT3 or GT3 RS.

I would not get any other Porsche to replace a M3.

Hopefully one day I can upgrade to one.

Getting a GT3/RS in LA is like owning a wild lion while living in an apartment. You gotta let it loose.

[KIS]

This thread highlights the objective vs. subjective argument. Objectively, the 911 is the faster, better performing car, but the M3 feels just as quick and more capable. Certainly more comfortable. The reality is that if your car is more than just a track car then the objective numbers don't matter. What does matter is how you feel when you're cruising down the road. After 4 Porsches and 3 M's I've concluded that trying to determine what is the better car is futile, if you like it then enjoy it, and if you don't then replace it.

[Manifold]

Originally Posted by KIS

This thread highlights the objective vs. subjective argument. Objectively, the 911 is the faster, better performing car, but the M3 feels just as quick and more capable. Certainly more comfortable. The reality is that if your car is more than just a track car then the objective numbers don't matter. What does matter is how you feel when you're cruising down the road. After 4 Porsches and 3 M's I've concluded that trying to determine what is the better car is futile, if you like it then enjoy it, and if you don't then replace it.

I agree 100% with this general point. And even with a track car, the objective numbers don't really matter either unless one is racing for income. For 99% of us who go to the track, the goals should be to learn how to drive well and to have fun. In choosing a fun car, feeling fast is more important than being fast, unless one is just concerned with (childish) bragging rights.

[Manifold]

Originally Posted by KKM3

I bought a 997s pdk with sport chrono package about a month ago. In retrospect I feel that I jumped the gun and didn't give my purchase enough thought. The plan was to get rid of the m3 shortly after I purchased the Porsche but I just can't bring myself to do it. Comfort and practicality aside, the m3 feels a lot faster than the Porsche. The engine feels way more responsive and the car feels like it's moving through it's gears and speed at a much greater pace than the Pcar. The more I drive both cars back to back the more I want to keep the m. Now I'm stuck and I have no idea what to do. I love the looks, size, steering feel, and prestige of the Porsche but I really feel like the m3 is the better performer. Better engine and better double clutch in the m3. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'd say give it at least another month to see which car you like more. Our impressions change with more experience, and you're lucky be able to do an extensive back to back comparison of these two fine cars.

If you wind up liking both cars about equally, do whatever makes more sense financially. If you really prefer one car over the other, keep the one you like, and bit the bullet financially if that means selling the Porsche. Or keep both if it's not too much financial strain.

BTW, this thread is relevant to me because I'm trying to decide whether to complement my C63 with a 911S cab or M3 cab. Both clearly have their strengths and their personalities are different, so it's not an easy decision.

Good luck!

[sameh]

Give me the Porsche to drive it back to back against my M3 and in a matter of one month, maybe 3months max if not 6 months, let's just say a year and I'll tell you which is better.

[Nine]

First off, I love that people who do not own both are telling the OP 'how it is', how is this possible when somebody is posting their feedback and you don't even own both - just repeating what you read on the forums or in some magazine...it's just crazy to me the BS that gets tossed around here.

OP, thanks for the review.

Originally Posted by KKM3

My m3 has zcp and my Porsche has the 20mm lowered sport suspension. My m3 feels way more planted and stable at higher speeds and grip levels in the m3 feel superior. In regards to dct vs pdk, I agree that pdk shifts faster but at the same time feels more like an automatic transmission. Take your foot of the brake from a stop and the Pcar starts moving like an auto. The rocker switches on the steering wheel suck and the shift lever looks and functions just like a tiptronic. Most people would not be able to tell that the Pdk is more than an just an automatic transmission. Also, the pdk automatically shifts if you dont change gears at Redline (which pisses me off). The dct feels just as responsive if not more so. Sometimes the pdk does not want to downshift no matter how hard you try. Pdk might shift a bit faster but all in all the dct in the m3 feels way more special.

I think most people down play the DCT, it's an amazing transmission.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by Dakar92

Let's bid on it!

let me start the bid...
$1

[taylorcoleman]

Originally Posted by KIS

This thread highlights the objective vs. subjective argument. Objectively, the 911 is the faster, better performing car, but the M3 feels just as quick and more capable. Certainly more comfortable. The reality is that if your car is more than just a track car then the objective numbers don't matter. What does matter is how you feel when you're cruising down the road. After 4 Porsches and 3 M's I've concluded that trying to determine what is the better car is futile, if you like it then enjoy it, and if you don't then replace it.

[valeram]

The wow factor of a P car is always there. Compared to an M in which only a few (here in US) know that it is not just a regular BMW 3 series. Owned and sold an 06 987S after 8 months, it got more attention that my current E92M. But for a DD, IMHO, the M is better and maybe an advantage for not getting that attention. An everyday stealth fast car.

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by KKM3

To all you e9x owners. Don't take your cars for granted. Never think there's something better out there cause there's not and I've driven them all. This current generation m3 is a keeper. Keep it, pet it, drive it for a long time and never let it go.

My E92 has earned a special place in the garage

[a burrito]

Honestly, when I went from my cayman s to my 997 s cab I wasn't thrilled right away either.. When I drove it for about 6-7 months and got used to the rear weight and the dynamics of the car, there really is nothing out there that can match the Porsches feel for the price range.. Give it time and if you still don't like it-don't think its the car, its you. As far as practicality goes, the M3 will poop on the 911 and that is why I am in one right now.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Dakar92

Let's bid on it!

I'm down

Originally Posted by ase2dais

let me start the bid...
$1

$10,000

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by chmura

Should have gotten the GT3 or GT3 RS.

I would not get any other Porsche to replace a M3.

Hopefully one day I can upgrade to one.

+1

[CPB]

Originally Posted by KKM3

I test drove a 2011 gt3 the other day. It's quite an amazing car but the clutch needs like 20 pounds of pressure

The clutch is noticeably heavier, but can still DD it very easily.

[KKM3]

The Porsche is truly beauteeeeful guys. I'll post pix of both cars side by side as soon as I get the chance.

[1Sleeper]

Having driven both on both street and track I would take the M3 in a heartbeat. Thats assuming you are comparing a 997S and an M3. If it were 4S I would feel a little differently but then you are talking at least 95-100k.