WhipE350

I have a buddy that has owned many BMWs with competition’packages’. He keeps talking about getting an M car. He would love a 911 but like you his budget doesn’t get him into a well equipped 991.1 S. The problem is each time he goes to sell his BMWs he gets peanuts for them. We’ve talked about him just biting the bullet once and spending that extra money he keeps losing anyway.
The problem is when he compares a 997.2 car like my girlfriends which she paid 51k for it he can’t justify it compare to a modern BMW. So the cycle continues. And again like others have said very different cars. Do what is right for your budget and driving needs.

BMS

To be honest, the M4 is probably the best all around car when comparing to c63 and Carrera.

I have an M4 as a daily 6MT, love it. With simple JB4 tune, this thing is very fast.

I personally also have a 700whp 335i, 700whp F10 M5, and a 991.1 TTS.

-Payam

raidersfan

He should look at a base 991.1 for under $50k. It is a far better car than the M4; just look at that track comparison video. The 991 is 500lbs lighter and it has a much better chassis and suspension setup.

We had an M4 before, and it was a nice car, but the damn car just kept depreciating straight-line, even after 3 years. I joked that at that rate, in 4 more years, we would be paying someone to take it off our hands. Still, though, in terms of driving dynamics, there is no contest. If he doesn't need rear seats, tell him to save some money and get a 981 Cayman S. Put sport headers and a tune on there and prepare to be blown away for under $50k.

raidersfan

If you really want an M4, I would just get the older car and put the money you saved into coilovers. That stock suspension is horrible. My wife tried autocrossing her M4 and thought the damn front bumper was going to touch in the corners. It handled horribly compared to the Cayman we had at the time.

raidersfan

Reading this, I would aim for a 2012-2014 Base 911. It is still a much more fun car, having owned both that and a 2015 M4. The engine is more special, it handles so much better, and feels much more sorted. The M4 isn't bad, but try autocrossing it next to a 911. It makes sense; in the EVO comparison video, it was noted that one starts out as a $30,000 chassis and gets souped up, and the other is a base $80,000 chassis. There is a lot more performance built into the 911. Plus, Porsche power is at the wheels if I am not mistaken, whereas the M4 is at the crank. M4 weighs a good 500lbs more. Sure, if both are tuned, the M4 will be quicker, as it can make a lot more, whereas a 3.4L won't do much over 370HP, but the chassis of the 911 can take all of the power one throws at it, whereas the M4 does not put power down well.

As a generic daily driver, the M4 has more useable seats and looks great. It is very muscle-car-ish. The 911 is a 911; either you like it or you don't. I personally feel that the 911 is soft for the street, but that is me.

dkhm3

I keep my cars 6 years, on average.
my 2015 M3 was 83,500.00 new out the door- 6 years old in a few months with approx 56k miles it will be worth about 32k-33k based on the market values I am seeing approximately 38% of the value of the car when I bought new.
If you look at a 6 year old 2015 991.1 c2s with approx same miles, the value of that car is about 60k, with the car approximately 130k out the door new- you're looking at about 46% of the value of the car new.

IMO if the OP is going to use this car as a daily driver and rack on mileage the 911 will depreciate closer and closer to the M, whereas a low mileage M car keeps little value above a normally driven M.

Obviously, it really depends on the length of ownership for the OP, the 911 value will flat line at a higher amount, but maintenance costs will be higher than the M by a significant margin.

Really, just drive these cars, know what you're getting into, but they are not meant to be sitting in a garage.

Infectionitus

I will start test driving some 911's and m4's. I can't find many 911's around where I live. I live in Oregon and there are not many 911's available around here in my price range, and I'd feel kind of like a dick test driving a car im not interested in buying. I don't know if test driving a car I'm not interested in buying is a dick move or not. Maybe I could test drive a 911 and then tell the dealership to keep their eyes open for a 911 991 under 65k with under 30,000 miles on it with a clean carfax.

Bob Z.

I have been a dick all my life since I have driven tons of cars with no intention of buying them! But I have had a lot of cars as well and by test driving cars and since I was a dick I never bought a car I did not like.

mrpat3l

My brother owns a f80 m3 CS, I own a base 991.2, the 911 is a more comfortable ride especially once you dial in the tire pressure, it also handles better then the m3. The bmw is firm and terrible on ****ty roads like the ones in NYC, we swap cars when driving to events, he will flat out admit that driving the 911 is a much more enjoyable experience. If you absolutely need back seats that fit adults then the bmw is a better option, if not you won’t be disappointed owning a 911, you should test drive both..

97supratt

I owned a f80 m3 and the 911 is light years ahead. C63s is great for torque and the grunt but that’s about it.

infinitest

I was looking at M4s and competition M2's recently. Ended up buying a 991.2 C4 GTS and have absolutely zero regrets. Cost was much higher than what an M4 would have been, but the car looks, feels, and drives more special.

fuddman

Based on your criteria, your selection of cars will, in a very short time, leave you disappointed.

Here's what your criteria says you should do.

Lexus

Lexus


Lexus

97supratt

The only setback about the 911 is the size. But who the fu*k cares right? You're sitting in a Porsche. Enjoy it!! The 911 has great traction and control. The steering feels amazing and the balance is top notch. BMW's are tail happy, very fun but not when you want a fast controlled vehicle. Then you go stage 2 tune adding 100hp.. Keep spare rear tires in your garage. haha

911.

based on what I am reading if you get into a 50k+ car its a stretch, financially. I would not even look at 911's purely from that aspect of it. I honestly would not even be looking into any of the cars that you are thinking of buying.

If I had to get one of the three, it would likely be an F80M3, non comp and heres why. I really dont think the 911 is financially the best move for you, the Merc will depreciate the most and so that is ruled out. The F80 wasnt a full production run car, just like the E90M there will be less of them on the road. Pending the options/color (think stripper model) these cars will be desirable in the future. You also can easily mod these cars to make up for the things the non comp F80M doesnt have. And out of pocket should be the least.

Thinc2

I agree with 911. It sounds like you are really stretching your budget to get into an older, expensive car. That's never a great long term combination if you are planning to use the car regularly.

That said, although I bought new, my experience with the Porsche dealership in Beaverton has been great. If you are upfront with them, I suspect they would have no problem taking you on one or more test drives in their current used 911's - knowing that some day you will come back and buy one from them. Test drives of used inventory on the lot is no big deal. Just be upfront and I bet they work with you. (maybe don't go during peak hours on weekends)