Porsche 911 Carrera: Comparison test against BMW M3

Interesting comparison test here of the Porsche 911 Carrera against the BMW M3. Enjoy!

Slow in, fast out. That old saw should be engraved on the dash of every 911, especially since the rear weight bias and big stoppers make for fabulous braking. When the M3’s brakes softened after a few hard laps, the 911’s were still shutting it down, lap after lap, with authority.

Thumbs nestle comfortably onto the ergonomically shaped buttons on the steering-wheel spokes. A mere squeeze shifts the transmission: forward for upshifts, back for downshifts. In auto mode, the PDK operates with fuel economy in mind and an almost seamless efficiency.

The 911 has statistical appeal: It’s lighter than the M3 by 380 pounds without using Millennium Falcon materials, and it keeps the pace with an identical 4.1-second 0-to-60-mph sprint despite being down two cylinders, 385 cubic centimeters, and 69 horsepower. Midrange torque even feels stronger than that of the cammy, not-much-below-4000-rpm V-8 in the M3.

This 911 lacks options but never feels economy-class inside, the black-leather manually sliding buckets still welcoming after all-day sits. We’d recommend adding only the $1320 Sport Chrono pack to give the PDK “sport” and “sport plus” modes for faster shifts when you want them, plus launch control.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche 911 Carrera

Source: Car and Driver

Porsche 911 Carrera: Comparison test against BMW M3

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