Why did you choose BMW over Porsche?

[ee90]

I’m just curious? I see alot of people even non e9x m3 go back and forth between bmw and Porsche ownership.

What makes you come back to a bmw when Porsche is supposedly better?

I know most of the time it’s for usability but did any one switch back to bmws for any other reasons?

[darren p.]

Personally, I can't afford a GT3 yet but when I can, I will not be getting rid of my M3.

I can't speak for others but unless its a GT class Porsche, I just don't see the run of the mill (naturally aspirated) 911s or Caymans far better than an E9x, they certainly don't sound as good!

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by ee90

I’m just curious? I see alot of people even non e9x m3 go back and forth between bmw and Porsche ownership.

What makes you come back to a bmw when Porsche is supposedly better?

I know most of the time it’s for usability but did any one switch back to bmws for any other reasons?

Much cheaper to buy, maintain and own...

[kolosy]

there's also very little diy support that i could find. it's there, but not as abundant as for bimmers.

[chicagob5]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Much cheaper to buy, maintain and own...

This isn’t strictly true in my experience.

My 981 GT4 is cheaper than my M3 when it comes to any parts that I’ve had to buy in my short 2 years of ownership. It’s also easier on consumables on the track but I’m still on the stock 20’s so tires are a bit more expensive.

I’d also wager that factoring in depreciation, it would likely be cheaper to own despite the larger upfront cost of the vehicle.

That said - in the e9x case in particular, I think the the S65 is/feels more special and exotic than the 3.8L in the GT4. Everything around the motor in the GT4 feels more special. The M3 makes a better street car and feels more exciting on the road. The GT4 is too buttoned up and is kinda boring just cruising around since there really isn’t much drama. It really shines on track.

[ee90]

Originally Posted by kolosy

there's also very little diy support that i could find. it's there, but not as abundant as for bimmers.

That is very true, I own a Mercedes as well and the diy support is basically non existent. I had to buy a service manual just so I could find the torque specs and torque sequence for a valve cover lol.

I don’t think most owners in the German brands diy/mod thier cars as much as BMW owners.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by ee90

I’m just curious? I see alot of people even non e9x m3 go back and forth between bmw and Porsche ownership.

What makes you come back to a bmw when Porsche is supposedly better?

I know most of the time it’s for usability but did any one switch back to bmws for any other reasons?

Originally Posted by chicagob5

This isn’t strictly true in my experience.

My 981 GT4 is cheaper than my M3 when it comes to any parts that I’ve had to buy in my short 2 years of ownership. It’s also easier on consumables on the track but I’m still on the stock 20’s so tires are a bit more expensive.

I’d also wager that factoring in depreciation, it would likely be cheaper to own despite the larger upfront cost of the vehicle.

That said - in the e9x case in particular, I think the the S65 is/feels more special and exotic than the 3.8L in the GT4. Everything around the motor in the GT4 feels more special. The M3 makes a better street car and feels more exciting on the road. The GT4 is too buttoned up and is kinda boring just cruising around since there really isn’t much drama. It really shines on track.

Okay, now do a non 'budget' type Porsche like a 991.2 instead of a 981. I think the O.P's thread title is a wider topic than parts and/or consumables (e.g. tires) i.e. total cost of ownership which includes the vehicle purchase price, maintenance, taxes, and insurance etc.

[chicagob5]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Okay, now do a non 'budget' type Porsche like a 991.2 instead of a 981. I think the O.P's thread title is a wider topic than parts and/or consumables (e.g. tires) i.e. total cost of ownership which includes the vehicle purchase price, maintenance, taxes, and insurance etc.

I was just providing a anecdotal example based on experience specific to what you said.

In terms of the OP, we can all agree that there are a lot of reasons someone may prefer BMW to Porsche based on what they value from a vehicle. The opposite is also true for folks who prefer Porsche. It’s all subjective and I’m interested to hear what other folks prefer about BMW having a foot in both camps.

[drwankel]

If I lived in California and basically had to keep the car stock, a manual GT3 would probably be on my short list.

That being said, there's a lot of reasons I chose the e9x m3 over a porche:

• The layout of the 911 always drove me nuts. For god sakes porche, make a mid engined 911. I know theres the cayman, but it is slotted below the 911, and porche will never let it be as good
• Porches seem like an absolute nightmare to work on. For example, to change the spark plugs on a 911 turbo, you have to remove the turbos from the engine? What the hell man.
• I simply prefer a high revving v8 over porche 6 pot
• Porche parts prices are next level crazy.

[darren p.]

Originally Posted by kolosy

there's also very little diy support that i could find. it's there, but not as abundant as for bimmers.

This can not be understated. I haven't thought that far ahead but I keep telling myself I will be keeping my future GT3 stock and not tinkering with it...

[danylo]

Definitely a class seperation in cost 😁. I just picked up my e92 M3 but ideally have trading to a 718 GT4 in mind in a few years as the next upgrade, well see where my career and economic situation is.

[F4rmost]

My bank account mostly.
If it isn't a turbo or a GT3/RS I really am not interested and I absolutely cannot afford any of those.

[amrazM]

gt cars are too much on the street lets be honest, unless you are doing social media you're not packing up a gt3 and driving from new york to florida in a gt3 with buckets. the m3 can literally sit at illegal speeds for hours with 2 passengers and a car full of stuff. I love my e90, while i can afford, I say this loosely, a 997 turbo I still wouldnt buy one as I rather have a collection of 10-20year old bmws littered throughout the driveway and yard and each one tells a story. my next purchase will probably be an e63 m6 to covert to manual.

[darren p.]

Originally Posted by amrazM

I rather have a collection of 10-20year old bmws littered throughout the driveway and yard and each one tells a story. my next purchase will probably be an e63 m6 to covert to manual.

I disagree they are too much for the street, carbon buckets or not but I'm not driving to Florida either way! Obviously they shine on the track.

I do love the idea of a collection of older german cars but for me, the crown jewel of my collection will always be a GT3, just a matter of time...self-belief!

I had a similar thought for an M6, the S85 is just marvelous but E60/63 is HEAVY, S85 in an E9x would be the better swap!

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by darren p.

I disagree they are too much for the street, carbon buckets or not but I'm not driving to Florida either way! Obviously they shine on the track.

I do love the idea of a collection of older german cars but for me, the crown jewel of my collection will always be a GT3, just a matter of time...self-belief!

I had a similar thought for an M6, the S85 is just marvelous but E60/63 is HEAVY, S85 in an E9x would be the better swap!

the weight of the e60/63 fades away with the way the s85 sails from 140-180mph or 200mph really

[darren p.]

Originally Posted by amrazM

the weight of the e60/63 fades away with the way the s85 sails from 140-180mph or 200mph really

Haha, for sure but that final drive in the rear really needs to be a 3.85 at minimum, we are doing that swap in my buddy's E60 once I swap to the 4.10 rear into my E90.

[nycplumber]

For every Porsche I like there's another car out there that's better from an emotional standpoint, in my opinion. For me it's not really a Porsche vs BMW thing. It's Porsche vs Everyone else; and for the money Porsche loses everytime.

[UPSROD]

I haven't!

[Honda]

This is BMW forum and obviously you will get a biased opinion. I for one would prefer Porsche on any BMW any day. Especially if the BMW will be used as a sports car. The reason I would keep owning a BMW is because I cannot afford a Porsche

[spazzyfry123]

I have an affinity to the S65.

As much as I want a 997.2 GT3, it's better suited for the track. It's not to say that I won't have a GT car one day, but as it sits right now, I already have more vehicles than I have garage stalls. The E90 checks more boxes for my use case than the P car of my choosing.

But this may just be because I want the wrong P car. There is a P car that will do what I want out of this garage stall, but I don't see why I would give up my M to do so.

[neilum]

Yes, the X5 absolutely holds up to the Cayenne, because it looks better, and the performance is darn close enough in that type of car the bigger, more practical, better tech BMW would be my choice. BMW makes amazing SUV's these days, they are almost perfect for what they are built to do. Reliable, powerful, I6 smooth, well built, comfortable. Perfect. I will have a hard time not replacing my E90 with one down the road.


But outside of that if we are talking about a sports car you would need to be very biased to choose BMW over a proper porsche.

Anyway, outside of an SUV type of car no, I don't know anyone who went to a proper Porsche back to a BMW, it just wouldn't happen unless the Porsche was just too expensive or you got in over your head financially or the BMW was a daily driver type of car situation.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Two reasons:

1) Money
2) BMW aesthetics are more pleasing to me…though I may just tell myself this because of #1.