Someone asked me recently, which is a better used buy - a Porsche 911 (997 gen) and BMW M3 (E92). Here is my answer to that first world problem :-). First of all, both of them are amazing vehicles - cars that will make your every drive special. I have been lucky enough to have owned 2007 models of BMW M3 E92 (pre-facelift) and 997.1 GT3. I have driven several of the face-lifted BMW and 997.2 (S and non-S models), including track driving. For nostalgic reasons, here are pics of my two babies.
Let us start with basic stats of the vehicles you are considering:
BMW M3 E92 Coupe, Automatic (DCT)
Layout: front-engined, real-wheel-drive
Wheelbase: 2761 mm
Weight: 1675 kg
Engine: 4.0 litre, V8 (90deg), DOHC, 309 kW (420 PS) @ 8300 rpm, 400 Nm
Power to weight: 250.6 PS/ton
0-100 km/h: 4.6s
V-max: 250 km/h, limited (although the limiter kicks in at ca 275 km/h indicated); ca 300 km/h true speed without limiter
Brakes: 360 mm/ 350 mm
Tyres: 245/40 ZR 18 / 265/40 ZR 18
Porsche 911 (997.2) S Coupe, Automatic (PDK)
Layout: rear-engined, real-wheel-drive (4WD as an option)
Wheelbase: 2350 mm
Weight: 1455 kg
Engine: 3.8 litre, Flat-6, DOHC, 283 kW (385 PS) @ 6500 rpm, 420 Nm
Power to weight: 264.8 PS/ton
0-100 km/h: 4.5s
V-max: 300 km/h
Brakes: 330 mm/ 330 mm
Tyres: 235/35 ZR 19 / 295/30 ZR 19
Presence and looks: hard to choose between them on this
Both of these car are motoring icons, future classics and will turn heads and make you feel special. Driving them is an honor, a privilege and most importantly a great fun. If all else would be equal, I would always go for the Porsche. It has always made for a better bedroom poster and I feel it is more special. I am saying that although I have owned more BMWs in my life and am planning to buy more of them still. But 911 is the 911 - probably the most iconic sports-car ever produced.
Handling: Porsche is faster and more fun to drive on the track
As I have done a bit of track driving, I can attest to the amazing handling capabilities of the rear-engine concept. The BMW does handle exceptionally well - in a traditional RWD sense, but you do feel that you have a the weight all around you. It fortunately is not nose-heavy though, thanks to tedious efforts to achieve 50:50 weight distribution.
Porsche handling concept is defined by the low-center-of-gravity boxer engine mounted faaar behind you. And that makes a world of difference. Every time you turn, you will know it is there and if you are brave (and skilled) enough and learn how to break late into the corners, you will be rewarded by amazing pendulum effect helping you turn the vehicle. Probably the best feeling I have had outside of a bedroom. Steering in the Porsche is also lot more communicative - you feel the texture of the road and every intention of the car little bit better. Thanks to the engine mounted at the back, you also get significantly more traction (this is why the 911 is quicker even when you match power 2 weight ratio).
The 911 (even non-GT3) belongs to the track more, that the M3 does - in my view.
This brings us to the biggest problem of the E92 M3. It actually is HEAVY. Very heavy. It weighs 1675 kg with auto vs. 1455 kg of the Porsche. 220 kg difference. Repeat: 220 kg difference. Engine manages to wipe that out in a straight line, but in the corners, no matter what you do, you will be sent an email informing you, that there is way over 1600 kg of metal, that also need to make it around the bend. I used to own E36 and driven several of E46 BMW and the generational increase in weight is insane. The electronic damper control does help a bit, but when you turn that wheel, you know. It is a great shame. (At least they have fixed this with the M4.)
OK, it’s nowhere near this bad, but it spoils your day a bit.
Engine: the V8 in the BMW is one of the best engines ever made
Both cars have amazing power train, don’t get me wrong. I did use to like the non-direct injected Porsche engines a lot, especially the racy Mezger engine in the 997 GT3s. The newer Porsche engines (incl. 997.2) are powerful, have great torque curve, great response to throttle and sound good - but they are not as exciting as they used to be.
BMW S65 motor, with the power figure at 309 kW (420PS) and 400 Nm of torgue, on the other hand, is a masterpiece. It revs very freely, responds to your every little input with immediacy and sounds EPIC (note: especially with good aftermarket rear - like Eisenmann I had).
Just listen to it (with my wife revving the car, albeit in low revs):
Transmission - Porsche’s Double-Clutch is better than BMW’s
Both cars are available with 7-speed double-clutch and 6 speed manual. As a purist, I would go for the manual as both of these boxes are precise, short(-ish)-throw and a lot of fun to operate. Having said that, the autos are great too and faster. I find Porsche’s PDK to be a lot smoother and hence more comfortable and chilled for every-day driving. At the same time, it is just as fast, if not faster, as the BMW, when your trousers are on fire. BMW’s DCT suffers from occasional low-speed jerk (SMGs of E36 and E46 used to as well) and there is a big kick-in-the-kidney when you are in a hurry. I do not enjoy this. Nibble: I also dont like the way M3’s gear leaver looks - small and fiddly (and they kept it for M4 :-//).
BMW M3 DCT Gear Leaver
Practicality and running costs: hands down the BMW - by a huge margin
If you want to live with either of those every day, I think you need to have the BMW. It is easier to get in and out, has more space around you, more comfortable seats, you can fit two people in the back seats if you really really need to, it has a pretty big boot and you can fold the back seats to transport long objects (I have moved a 1-person mattress from IKEA in my M3).
Here in Europe the BMW is also cheaper to buy, MUCH cheaper to insure and will be cheaper to run in maintenance costs (I found Porsche parts and hourly rates 30–50% higher). On the another hand, the Porsche is more economical. I managed 19 liters / 100 km with the BMW, while I believe it is possible to do around 12-15 l/100 km in the standard 911. My GT3 was sitting at 30 liters / 100 km, but that was not it’s fault :-)). For those long drives, the BMW will also be more capable and pleasant mile(km)-eater - also thanks to it’s significantly longer wheelbase 2761 vs. 2350 mm).
So there you have it.
- If you will have it as your primary car, I would go for the BMW M3, because it is cheaper and lot more practical. I have done this twice in the past.
- If you can afford to have it only as a fun+track car, I would go for Audi A6 and the Porsche 911.
- If you can afford to have it only as a fun car, I would go for Audi A6, Porsche 911 and a Lotus Exige Cup for the track.
There is no one car to do it all in my view. :) But in either case - which ever of the two you choose, I am sure you will be very happy. They are both a much greater wholes than the sum of their parts. Good luck with the purchase and see you in the motoring Nirvana :-).