fishskis

I have a 2015 M4 Convertible. I love it. I have had multiple Ms and 6-series' over the past several years; but now I am seriously considering getting a 2018 911 Carrera (991.2) cabriolet. Probably looking at the Base model, but considering an "S" as well. With the new turbo engine, I feel like the Base model is as quick (or even a little quicker) than the old "S".

While I strongly believe the M3 is a better value, and a much more practical car, I have no kids, no wife, and while I am not completely price insensitive, I can afford the incremental difference in price. Fortunately, I am getting a good deal (9% off msrp), and the dealer is going to let me take home a demo for a few days next week (dealer is a friend of a close friend).

I drove both a Base and an "S" on short test drives, and I thought both were beautiful. I slightly preferred the "S", but with the new engines, the difference is minimal compared to the previous non-turbo engines. The PDK transmission, in particular, blew me away. I was also surprised at how nice the interior is, as well as the new electronics/nav etc.

I'm curious what you guys think about the two cars compared to each other. If anyone has experience with both, I'd love to hear your thoughts. This will be my daily driver.

Thank you.

(Incidentally, I am a previous 911 owner. I had three of them, all cabrios. But it has been a long time. I can't seem to get the thought of having one again out of my head.).

P-car fan

I daily drive my 991.2 CS and LOVE this car! The M3/M4 is nice and does well with what it's suppose to do, but the 911 is a true Sports Car and there's really no comparison in my opinion. If you're wanting the change and the increase in money isn't a factor, I would definitely get the 911!

R_Rated

You'll get the expected replies... BMW has lost their way and Porsche is in a whole other league in every way. Engineering and construction aren't even close.

Needsdecaf

When I bought my 991.1 S, the other two cars at the top of my list were an M3 and a C63. I am a hard core Bimmerphile. Or I was.

Too me,. BMW has honestly lost the plot. When they resorted to the fake sound, that was there last straw for me. Honestly, the M3/M4 are super capable, but too aloof. Great looking cars, but just not 100% resolved. Suspension is quite stiff and not great at putting the power down, especially in the wet. I really wanted to live this car but in the end I couldn't pull the trigger.

Drifting

This-----exactly.

Go for the 911.

rk-d

I'd bet that most people here are former BMW owners. There are a large number of former m3 owners. The 911 is the natural stepping stone after the m3.

The m3/4 are well engineered cars and require no apologies. But, as a former m3 owner, I have to say that they are still just 3 series cars. Capable and fast, but, in too many ways, the same car as the base $35k 3-series. The 911 is going to feel more "special".

It's not fair to expect an M3 to compete with that - BMW never intended it to. The 911 is much more expensive. The question is whether it's worth it. In my mind -- no question. No other sports car in the world is as capable as a daily driver and usable for someone with a family as a 911.

ipse dixit

Of course the 991.2 911 is a better car than the F82 M4.

It's nearly 2x more expensive (esp. if you're considering a 911S Cab).

The question isn't whether one car is better than the other; rather, the question should be whether you think ponying up an additional 50-60k is worth it to you to switch to a 911S Cab.

No one here can really answer that question for you. Too many personal variable, from the size of your personal bank account to your preference for saving money versus enjoying it in the here-and-now.

mikex25

I was a former M3 owner had an F80 and E92. I feel BMW the brand itself is too watered down with way too many models ala Mercedes, that it lost most of it luster. These days when someone says he drives a BMW you don't think much of it since one can be had for 33k+ now.

My F80 M3 is a tank compared to a 991 and it's next to impossible to put the power down. You floor it and you instantly light em up. While a 911 is build as a sports car from the ground up. It feels like a proper sports car instead of a very fast tourer.

Drifting

No disrepect ipse, but the OP said he was mainly thinking about a base 991 cabriolet, not an S, because the base is so powerful now that carreras are turbo. I agree with him in that you really needed the S with the 997s or 991.1, as the base 911 NA engine was too weak, but now you still get plenty of power with the base 991.2 carrea engine.

So if we compared the MSRP of a M4 convertible ($74,900) to a base 911 convertible ($103,400), we find that the 911 is not twice the cost of the M4, but is actually just $28,500 more, and even less of difference if the OP is getting the 9% discount he quoted.

So the way is clear for the OP.....get the 911 cabriolet.

J.Ho

I came most recently from a 2016 M4 with Dinan Stage 2 "Signature Package". It packed over 500 HP and Torque. Yaz Blue. It's just a different beast all together. The M4 is a brute, Germany's version of a Shelby mustang if you will (way more refined of course)... but it's a bad boy. The 911 is a serious instrument. Precision like a knife. It's more like an F-22 raptor while the M4 is a A-10 warthog.

I liked my M4 but I love my 911. I've had two M3, one M4, and eight 911's. I always come back to the 911. It's just such an incredible machine. BMW's are a dime a dozen to me. Porsches are special

There ya go! A non-scientific comparison from a previous M4 owner.

fishskis

Thanks for all of the replies.

Yes, the M4 vert as I would build it would be about $90k msrp, the base carrera cab I am planning on buying is about $122k msrp. About a $25k difference on actual purchase price. There is a good chance I will lease it; the difference is still around 30%, plus or minus. So while the 911 is more, it it is not nearly double. The "S" is a different story, an additional $12k, and it does not lease as well, generally.

I am strongly leaning towards doing it; thanks for all of the replies.

R_Rated

Have you guys seen the ludicrous prices on new BMWs? It's not that far off from Porsche and there is an overlap on a base 911 or 718 with a loaded M3/4.... is crazy.

The E46 was a great car and one could play the value/price card but that just isn't the case anymore. New Ms compete more in terms of performance with Hellcats and muscle cars than they do with sports cars like Porsche IMO. Marketing is more concerned with 0-60 times. Plus you're still just getting a hopped up hairdresser car....

john weires

The 991.1 cabriolets redesigned top with magnesium panels get the latest 911 near coupe territory for rigidity, appearance and quiet. A major improvement over the older 911 cabriolets you owned.
I agree that the base 991.2's are the better value compared to the 991.2S. A flip flop from earlier generations.

96redLT4

I have a 2015 M4 DCT as my daily driver and a 991.1 GTS 7spd as my weekend 'fun' car. Porsche is the better, higher quality car but the M4 is pretty darn good. You get a lot for your money. I think the delta on my cars was 55K. And 4 years of free service with the Bimmer. Porsche is more engaging to drive. P car feels faster in a straight line but I'm pretty sure the M4 is faster.

Jim

Ed911.2

I come from the BMW camp (still have one as a DD) and they are excellent cars but i8 excluded, they are compromised by starting life as a general purpose vehicle rather than a dedicated sports car. A 911 is designed and built from the ground up with this goal in mind and it shows - a base 911 is very different from a base 3- or 5-Series, which actually makes what BMW manage to do more impressive.