I’m thinking of replacing my ‘13 competition with a higher mileage (~80k) 991. I would use it as my 1 car solution.
Part of my motivation is my warranty is expiring soon (125k miles), and main bearings spooked me a little.

A big draw to this 911 is the reliability, styling, and dynamics. Plus I haven’t owned a 911 yet so it’d be a fun experience.

A potential downside is the engine. The S65 is the highlight and curse of the m3, and the sound with a carbon airbox is very hard to give up. Plus it’s possible I wouldn’t encounter a bearing failure. The m3 is also more practical, a bit more fitting for a 1 car solution.

Curious if anyone made the same switch and regrets it, or if it’s a good move to make. Also are there any common issues to look out for, and is a 991 pretty trouble free outside of warranty?

 

1 car solution? Just preemptively do the main bearings and vanos solenoid on your S65! It’s not too bad of a job.

 

I can't speak to BMW ownership but having owned a 997.1 with the notorious M97/M96 engine (IMS bearing, bore scoring, etc.), I know that it can sometimes cast a dark cloud over owning one.

Both the 991.1 (naturally aspirated) and 991.2 (twin turbo) are generally known to be very reliable cars. Sounds like based on the mileage you're looking at, you're probably focused on 991.1's? The 991.1 has the 9A1 engine that replaced the outgoing M97/M96 engine and addressed virtually all of the issues the M9X engine had: Porsche went to dry sump lubrication for better oiling and eliminating oil starvation in high G corners, completely eliminated the IMS bearing, improved the cylinder liners and piston coatings, went to a closed deck design (vs. open deck on the M9X), better AOS, better water pump, etc.

Very few people have experienced PDK failures but virtually all of those have been due to a sensor that fails within the transmission that Porsche won't fix. In the unlikely event that were to happen to you, there are shops now that will replace those sensors without the need for replacing the entire transmission. The drivetrains on both the 991.1 and 991.2 are very robust.

Outside of that, there are some common issues like delaminating door cars, squeaky fuel tanks, etc. but nothing major. Search around here and you'll learn what to look for, but it wouldn't be anything that would concern me about the 991 platform.

My last data point, which is anecdotal, is that I've met quite a few people that have gone from BWM to Porsche, but not the other way around. At least not with a "one enthusiast car" garage. If you haven't experienced Porsche ownership, I think a well maintained 991 is a great place to start.

Good luck.

 

I had an E92 M3 (ZCP 6MT) as a weekend car before owning a couple of 991's. I loved my e92 and might buy another one someday. The two cars actually have alot of similarities. Both are more grand tourers than hard core canyon carvers. You're obviously a fan of high revving normally aspirated engines.... you'll be very happy with the 991 in that respect. Out of all the cars i've owned, my e92 (with BMW MPE) and 991.1 GTS have been the best sounding cars. I think the only thing you could possibly miss from the e92 is the hydraulic steering and the backseats. It's definitely more of an occasion to drive the 991. Just keep in mind there is alot of performance variation in trim level with 991.1's..... from C2, to C4, base to S to GTS. My 991.1 experienced is limited to a couple of GTS's which have the Porsche's sport exhaust option.... the equivelant of the BMW MPE.

 

To ensure we’re on the same page, I’ve done the “rod bearing” service which isn’t too intensive. Main bearing replacement is less documented. Possible to do with the engine in, but best done engine out. I’ll be checking quotes but it’s decently expensive and on par with a rebuild.

 

Great info, thanks. Yes I’m looking at .1’s. It was the iconic 911 for me growing up, and being N/A is a huge appeal. Technically my first Porsche was a 944, but that barely counts lol. I cross shopped 981 caymans before getting my m3, but the e92 was a bucket list car for me. The Cayman would be an easier pivot now, but a 911 is higher on my list.

 

I greatly prefer the 991.1 to my old 2013 M3 comp (Silverstone Metallic II). I also had a 2009 non comp M3 in Imola Red, a real stunner really. In between them I owned a bunch of other cars, and in my use case, neither was a one car solution, they were always 3rd / 4th cars. The 991.1 is the only car that actually reminds me of these E92 M3 comp in certain respects, but it’s simply better in every way. My take = looks better, much faster, way more stable at higher speeds 130mph +, lighter weight to the tune of 400-500lb or so, interior’s better, engine’s more exciting, and depeding upon transmission we’re talking about, the PDK is sharper than the DCT (both similar vintage).

"Out of all the cars i've owned, my e92 (with BMW MPE) and 991.1 GTS have been the best sounding cars.” -- 110% agree. To add to this , I’d say that the 991.1 S / GTS sounds every bit as good as the E92 high in the rev range with PSE sport exhaust btw with the motor behind you. It’s just as intoxicating in a different way. You won’t miss the E92 sound once you have a good 991.1 with PSE. Different than the intake noise of the E92 M3, but just as good. I get goosebumps every time I get way up into the rev range.

"The two cars actually have alot of similarities.” -- I agree to this as well. However, the big difference. The M3 weighs like 500 pounds more. That is a big deal. The motor is in the front vs the back. That is a big deal too. Takes a minute to get used to it but there’s something about pushing through turns that is so fun. So they have similarities, but -- they are not an apples to apples comparison.

“A potential downside is the engine” which was a comment you made in your original post, when talking about the naturally aspirated 991.1, is something you’ll find to be off base in my opinion. Drive an S 3.8 or higher. It’s a better motor than the BMW’s. The BMW motor is great indeed but the Porsche motor is better. I could write 5 pages of bullet points as to why.

Also, to address a comment on handling... I would somewhat disagree that the 991.1 is not a “hardcore canyon carver” and it’s grand tourer - what spec are you talking about? What is your definition of hardcore? A GT4RS? Or no windows and no AC? I am somewhat shocked someone who owns 2 GTS 991.1 says this. It’s obviously not a completely carbon fiber lightweight race car but -- tell that to my Aerokit 2013 C2S with SPASM, PDCC 5mm spacers which -- is a completely capable canyon carver and can be hardcore. But like a newer M car, the 991.1 has range in the settings. From soft and comfortable to wild beast. The E92 M3 by comparison to the 991.1 does not turn well. It’s fun but ... advantage to 991.1.

Parting thought? Get an S or GTS. 3.8. Find a SPASM (aka PASM Sport, -10mm) and PSE car. I’d get PDCC too if I were you, a polarizing option to some people who argue “there’s a reason why it’s not on the GT cars”, but my experience in street driving it / canyon driving it, PDCC is a very good option. Options and spec make a much bigger difference on 991.1 than they do on E92 M3, which are all basically the same once you make the decision between Comp and non-Comp cars.

 

I actually own both e93 M3 and 991.2. I ended up opting for 991.2 since the e93 is my “NA” car. I love both cars. I did do rod bearings as soon as I purchased the e93 about 3 years ago and don’t regret it one bit.

 

I am reformed BMW fan myself and before a Taycan earlier this year as a DD, my 3 previous DDs were BMWs. I still let my mind wander to getting an E93 M3 for the hardtop 'vert, an E30 325is (or other E30 since I do miss my E30 M3), or an E39 M5 but I digress. It's natural for a BMW fan to gravitate to Porsche and in fact, there seems to be a general opinion that one "graduates" from BMWs to Porsches like it's the natural order of life. There's a lot of good detailed information above but I'll just add that for some people, a Porsche - a 911 in particular, is an aspirational car. A 911 is often something a car enthusiasts yearns for and must have at some point. It's not just the Porsche ownership experience but it's the 911 with all of its 60 years of history, iconic shape, rear engine layout, instant recognition, enthusiast love affair, and just plain cool factor. You sound like you might be in that category. You just might have to have a 911!

 

Depends on your daily lifestyle... open roads for your commute, can park car in personal garage or away from other cars over night, not really needing your backseat.... then 911. If your 1 car solution is like normal people, with traffic and if you live in an apartment.... BMW

 

I’m hybrid, so I’m in office maybe 2x a week. I have a secure garage there and my apartment garage is underground and spacious. Most driving would be track days, cruises, and road trips.

 

I know how you feel brother.. i traded in my f80 for the 991.1 but if i could i would of loved to have both. To be honest i did look at the E92 v8 and high rev but for a little more money i went with the f80. All our bmw's have some known issues but so do the 991's (in this instance):
-door cards, covs, pdk sensors, needing diag tool just to reset oil serv intervals (at minimum), wiper hose breaking are some that come to mind. That being said i have no regrets coming to the Porsche world. I have a little over 7 months now with my base 991.1 it is pdk (would have loved manual, but would need 10-15k more depending on miles). Manuals command a premium for sure.. but i do still own my E83 bmw x3 for bad weather/ grocery getter/ kid destinations

 

I know a lot of people do but I would not want to daily my 991.1 S. I can not imagine someone saying its not a sports car or canyon carver unless you got the version with the smaller motor and even then the statement is suprising. I guess if you had a shelled out race car with no dashboard and harnesses for the canyon carving your perception might change. The BMWs I've owned (not your version) have had dual personalities. Over 6k RPM they spring to life but is everyday driving they are very sedate. I would test drive a 991 before I made that jump.

 

"canyon carver" was a poor choice of words on my part. what I should have said is that neither the e92 M3 or 991.1 GTS are particularly light or tossable cars. I'm not talking about on the track. I'm talking about aggressive street driving on back roads. Both have always felt large and heavy to me, both are prone to understeer. Steering feedback is not great in either one of them. Keep in mind.... these statements are all relative, and I personally make a distinction between "great" and "very good". Both are fantastic cars and extremely rewarding to drive. My baseline for the most tossable fun you can find in a Porsche is the 997 GTS and 997 GT3. In a BMW it's the e36 and e46 M3.

 

TBH I’m not too picky with options. I’d get coilovers headers, and a different exhaust making those options null. I track my M3 so the 911 would get that same treatment. The main engine downside I’m referring to is losing an 8600 rpm v8. Obviously flawed, but it’s the illogical appeal of the car. I’d most likely get a barebones c2, since I’d like to stack up fun miles without much worry.