Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 Porsche 911 VS 2009 BMW M3 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche 911 Coupe are height adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M3 doesn’t offer height adjustable seat belts.

The 911 offers all wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The M3 doesn’t offer all wheel drive.

Both the 911 and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The 911 S’ standard 3.8 DOHC 6 cyl. produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 295) than the M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8. The 911 GT3’s standard 3.6 GT3 6 cyl. produces 1 more horsepower (415 vs. 414) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (300 vs. 295) than the M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8. The 911 Turbo’s standard 3.6 turbo 6 cyl. produces 66 more horsepower (480 vs. 414) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 295) than the M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8. The 911 GT2 Coupe’s standard 3.6 turbo 6 cyl. produces 116 more horsepower (530 vs. 414) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 295) than the M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8.

As tested in Road & Track the Porsche 911 is faster than the BMW M3 (manual transmissions tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe Carrera 4 was clocked 1.5 seconds faster than the BMW M3 Coupe (87.8 sec. vs. 89.3 sec.) at an average lap speed .3 MPH faster (59 MPH vs. 58.7 MPH).

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the 911’s engines produce their peak horsepower at lower RPM’s than the M3:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M3 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 GT2 gets better fuel mileage than the M3 Manual (16 city/23 hwy vs. 14 city/20 hwy).

The 911 GT2’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the M3 (23.8 vs. 16.6 gallons).

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo/GT3/GT2’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M3:

The 911 Turbo/GT3/GT2’s brakes have 7% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the M3 (740 vs. 694 square inches).

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The M3 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops much shorter than the M3:

The 911’s optional 235/35R19 front and 295/30R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the M3’s 40 series tires.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.05 G’s, while the M3 Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 911 GT2 Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 4.8 MPH faster than the M3 Coupe (75.9 vs. 71.1 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the 911’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the M3’s (36 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 650 pounds less than the BMW M3.

The 911 is shorter than the M3, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

As tested by AutoWeek while cruising at 60 MPH, the interior of the 911 Turbo Coupe Carrera 4 is quieter than the M3 Coupe (67 vs. 69 dB).

The 911 Coupe has a larger trunk than the M3 Coupe (11.7 vs. 11.1 cubic feet).

The 911 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk than the M3 Convertible with its top down (9.9 vs. 7.4 cubic feet).

The 911’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The M3 Convertible doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The 911’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M3 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 offers an optional rear wiper. The M3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The 911’s optional air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The M3 doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.