cja

On a previous post, I had put in a video with a car producing 75 hp tracking against a stock 987s. This is rare but a stock black boxster S and the guy looks like he was trying hard to overtake him but he couldn't although he had 75 hp over him... making him around the 350 range... commensurate to a M3. I wonder how a M3 would run against a 987 s but M3 has the SMG which is touted to be one of the best sequential pioneers.

Alternatively, another car which I would definitely be interested to watch a video on chasing around a boxster s or other way around a 987s chasing around a M3 and or SLK 55 AMG. The 55 AMG for sure is like way ahead of a 987s with a 5.5 L V8 churning out 300+ hp but that was what I drove for a while before. I don't think I will ever miss it but the 55 AMG still feels very much like a softie but it can definitely win in a drag race but running around the hills or curves, I don't think it will have too much of an advantage over the 987s. There was a video comparison made by Top Gear between boxster s and SLK 55 but the 987s definitely handles better. I am sure 987s would have no problem doing a few rounds on the R171 slk 350 but it would be fun to watch it head to head against some muscle cars like M3 or 55 AMG. What do you guys think?

cja

Just found this: here are some times around Hockenheim track by German Sport Auto mag :

Mercedes SLK55AMG 1.17,1min
Porsche Boxster(240hp,PASM,18") 1.17,4min
Porsche Cayman S(295hp,PASM,18")1.15,5min
1:15.7 --- 123.646 km/h - Porsche Boxster S (2005), 280hp/1406kg (sport auto 12/04)

Tahoe M3

I have both and I'd say the M3 is a tick faster in a straight line (987S still not fully broken in yet though). The handling of the 987S is obviously much better, even with the wider tires I have on the M3.

racer

In a track environment its not always about horsepower, but rather vehicle balance and driver skill. I am sure that Hurley Haywood in a 987S could lap a track (maybe even a high speed track like Sebring) and certainly on a technical track like Road Atlanta or Mid-Ohio faster than a beginner in a 996TT.

I am sure your question in comparison to the MB and BMW would be performed by like skilled drivers. As such I think the 987S would stand a great chance of being faster, in part because of the cars natural balance, great brakes and lighter weight.

Palting

I have not done a head to head with an M3 on the 987S, but have had several on the C4S. At DE, in Mid-Ohio and BeaveRun, over a range of run groups, against pre-'02 and post-'02 M3s. The C4S definitely outclasses the M3's (stock) by a long mile. By extending personal experience with the 987S to that history, I'm certain the 987S will outclass the M3 as well on a road course.

Interesting stats, cja. I can't believe the 987S beats the SL55 monster!

Norsk

Before I bought mine, I was able to drive a 987S and SLK55 back-to-back. The roads were very poor due to tons of sand left from winter maintenance. Drove them both hard and the Porsche was clearly superior (IMO) because the damn electrical nannies (traction/stability control) on the MB intervened way too early. I could take the same corner at a much higher speed with the 987. Even straight line from a standing stop the MB (where it should kick butt) is heavy handed in overruling the driver. Porsche engineers clearly expect their cars to be driven closer to the limit and have set the PSM accordingly.