[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

I drove back to back a base 911 and my M3. I preferred my car.

But I would prefer a manual 991.2 GTS or a cayman gts4.0 to the M3 at >$106k price point.

Agree. And that’s the point. The M3 is, within the BMW and 3 series lineup, more similar to the GTS in the Porsche and 911 lineup. But they are at very different price points. A prospective M3/M4 buyer who is spending $100k+ thinks they can stretch to a 911 but they are getting the entry point to the 911 lineup and while still a great car, it doesn’t deliver the driver enjoyment that a GTS (maybe an S or T equipped certain ways) provides.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Agree. And that’s the point. The M3 is, within the BMW and 3 series lineup, more similar to the GTS in the Porsche and 911 lineup. But they are at very different price points. A prospective M3/M4 buyer who is spending $100k+ thinks they can stretch to a 911 but they are getting the entry point to the 911 lineup and while still a great car, it doesn’t deliver the driver enjoyment that a GTS (maybe an S or T equipped certain ways) provides.

Right so here was my circular logic that kept resulting in me abandoning my Porsche aspiration: I’ll get a 911 T with no options. Oh wait I definitely need sport design, and Bose… wait and also a $3k paint option, and RWS, and leather, and another $10k in random options, oh what the heck let’s do the GTS… oh that’ll be a 2 or 3 year wait? Cool, I’m patient…. After a few months, screw it I’m not patient and why am I spending $165k on a car again?! Which results in sticking with BMW.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Right so here was my circular logic that kept resulting in me abandoning my Porsche aspiration: I’ll get a 911 T with no options. Oh wait I definitely need sport design, and Bose… wait and also a $3k paint option, and RWS, and leather, and another $10k in random options, oh what the heck let’s do the GTS… oh that’ll be a 2 or 3 year wait? Cool, I’m patient…. After a few months, screw it I’m not patient and why am I spending $165k on a car again?! Which results in sticking with BMW.

Haha. I totally get it. That’s why I bought a new 981 GT4 (mid 90’s at the time) and have had a 997.1 GT3 for the past 4.5 years (neither which were daily drivers).

[wazzza]

To conclude the original topic/question — OP decided to go with the 911 and I bought the M3Cx he backed out of. We are both very pleased lol

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by utsavized

To conclude the original topic/question — OP decided to go with the 911 and I bought the M3Cx he backed out of. We are both very pleased lol

What we can’t continue to debate the merits of each and second guess your decisions?

[wazzza]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

What we can’t continue to debate the merits of each and second guess your decisions?

Of course

[itrocks4u]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Pretty much everything has been covered in this thread…But…

I assume this is your daily and your wife drives the van. As such, having a 911 for a daily would work. But while all 911’s are great cars, a base 911 (not talking about cosmetic options) is not the enthusiasts choice. I would even drive/compare a Macan GTS to a base 911.

$100k plus starts to get crazy for an M3/M4. Maybe it’s just because I’ve had 4 of the 5 previous generations of M3 (just missing the e36 and waiting for a G80) but when costs are exceeding $100k, there are just better options/ways to spend money. M3/M4s just don’t seem that special to spend that much on, but neither are base 911’s.

Agreed. 100K+ to me felt like a high price point and base 911 starts at $106K. T started at $116K with a few more options and you're looking at about $20K difference.

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

I drove back to back a base 911 and my M3. I preferred my car.

But I would prefer a manual 991.2 GTS or a cayman gts4.0 to the M3 at >$106k price point.

Curious how long of a test drive did you have? I drove base 911 only twice and it wasn't enough to convince me to fall in love with it. So I ended up ordering one LOL to test drive properly.

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Agree. And that’s the point. The M3 is, within the BMW and 3 series lineup, more similar to the GTS in the Porsche and 911 lineup. But they are at very different price points. A prospective M3/M4 buyer who is spending $100k+ thinks they can stretch to a 911 but they are getting the entry point to the 911 lineup and while still a great car, it doesn’t deliver the driver enjoyment that a GTS (maybe an S or T equipped certain ways) provides.

T is really just a base carrera with more sportier options. Except for limited slip differential + lower suspension. If you're thinking manual, then yes that's not available in base.

S and GTS has quite a bit more power so agreed fast makes it more fun!

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Right so here was my circular logic that kept resulting in me abandoning my Porsche aspiration: I’ll get a 911 T with no options. Oh wait I definitely need sport design, and Bose… wait and also a $3k paint option, and RWS, and leather, and another $10k in random options, oh what the heck let’s do the GTS… oh that’ll be a 2 or 3 year wait? Cool, I’m patient…. After a few months, screw it I’m not patient and why am I spending $165k on a car again?! Which results in sticking with BMW.

Yes you have to pick and choose. Porsche is smart that way. All options are priced at the right price point. A few more $1,000s and I can get that option. For difference between a decent specd 911T and 911S was about $12 to $15K.

If you're interested in GTS, perhaps add your name to a few waitlists and enjoy the M until then. Once your name comes up just decide then.

[itrocks4u]

I also wanted to say a bunch of reviews do praise a base carrera. Some also do say either go for Base or GT3. Forget the inbetween.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Right so here was my circular logic that kept resulting in me abandoning my Porsche aspiration: I’ll get a 911 T with no options. Oh wait I definitely need sport design, and Bose… wait and also a $3k paint option, and RWS, and leather, and another $10k in random options, oh what the heck let’s do the GTS… oh that’ll be a 2 or 3 year wait? Cool, I’m patient…. After a few months, screw it I’m not patient and why am I spending $165k on a car again?! Which results in sticking with BMW.

Reality.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

I also wanted to say a bunch of reviews do praise a base carrera. Some also do say either go for Base or GT3. Forget the inbetween.

Yes, but super difficult to get a GT3 unless you are willing to pay over, buy a bunch of Porsches or have been waiting for a while (potentially a long wait - I’m hoping for a 992.2 from my local dealer…).

[JM322]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Yes, but super difficult to get a GT3 unless you are willing to pay over, buy a bunch of Porsches or have been waiting for a while (potentially a long wait - I’m hoping for a 992.2 from my local dealer…).

Maybe I’m minority here but I’ve never quite gotten the gt3. Prefer a c4s or turbo. At highway / road driving the gt3 just doesn’t do it for me.

[Juanero]

^ I was, too. I only drove a 911turbo on short stints for pleasure. With the same driving, the gt3 did the same, with a NA engine and a lot of noise. That's all i need in those moments. For longer trips, more in and out of the car driving for daily life needs, c4s and turbo are the way to go. My older 911turbo, I had to factor in time to warm up and cool down the turbos and that kind of made me pick the NA car for most of those shorter trips.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by JM322

Maybe I’m minority here but I’ve never quite gotten the gt3. Prefer a c4s or turbo. At highway / road driving the gt3 just doesn’t do it for me.

No maybe about it.

Really just different mission and cars.

[ChiTownM]

How are you enjoying your 911….asking for a friend

[itrocks4u]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

How are you enjoying your 911….asking for a friend

Actually just picked it up yesterday LOL. Still figuring it out. Needless to say, I don't miss G80 but I did miss F82 CS immediately.

[ChiTownM]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

Actually just picked it up yesterday LOL. Still figuring it out. Needless to say, I don't miss G80 but I did miss F82 CS immediately.

I have a M2 CS that I may trade in for a new 911 T, your comment doesn’t help now…..

[itrocks4u]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I have a M2 CS that I may trade in for a new 911 T, your comment doesn’t help now…..

Some initial observations:

1. They weren't kidding when they say the 911 does not have enough space in the back for kids. M4 immediately felt more spacious in the back. However, with your M2, that should not be an issue. You can spec T with or without rear seats.

2. The 911 is equipped with 4-way seats, not 14-way or 18-way. 100% would recommend you get 14-way or 18-way unless you don't care about accessing rear seat at all.

3. The standard wheel is VERY THIN especially coming from Alcantara M4 CS steering. Highly recommend selecting GT Steering wheel.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

Some initial observations:

1. They weren't kidding when they say the 911 does not have enough space in the back for kids. M4 immediately felt more spacious in the back. However, with your M2, that should not be an issue. You can spec T with or without rear seats.

2. The 911 is equipped with 4-way seats, not 14-way or 18-way. 100% would recommend you get 14-way or 18-way unless you don't care about accessing rear seat at all.

3. The standard wheel is VERY THIN especially coming from Alcantara M4 CS steering. Highly recommend selecting GT Steering wheel.

1. I've fit my son in the back of my 997 coupe up to the point where was like 5'9", sitting behind my 5'10" wife.

2. 4 ways should be easier to access the rear given that it's a manual seat. Just slide it on forward.

[itrocks4u]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

1. I've fit my son in the back of my 997 coupe up to the point where was like 5'9", sitting behind my 5'10" wife.

2. 4 ways should be easier to access the rear given that it's a manual seat. Just slide it on forward.

The problem with 4-way seat is the level to pull back and forth is towards the inside of the vehicle. That means I have to find it and push it forward while being outside of the car. It was really awkward first time I did it LOL.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

After owning 4 911's I now see why most people dont daily drive them and mostly use them for a weekend car. Its because they are just not practical for anything but pure driving enjoyment. I now wish I had stayed with BMW between 2017-2020 and just NOW got a GT3 RS to weekend. I would have saved a lot of money doing this! I bought all of mine too soon!

This really hits.
Porsches are more fun, but they are not a good only car for a guy with a family.

If you can have both, awesome.
If only 1?

BMW all the way.

[NorCalAthlete]

So far, in my M4, the most I've loaded it up was for a guys golf trip for a weekend. I managed to fit:

- 2 sets of golf clubs
- 2 carryon sized pieces of luggage
- 2 backpacks with random stuff like laptops
- drink cooler

and still had plenty of room left.

Definitely would have had to go with a roof rack to try that with a 911.

[Mamba]

You guys are lucky in the states that the two cars are at least in the same price range. In Australia a base 911 with no options is over $300k about $120-130K more than a decent speccd M3. And there is no way I’ll swap my M3 for a base 911, it has to be GTS at minumum and that’s north of $400K. Anyway, it’s totally irrelevant but I had to rant. 😃