Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2010 Porsche 911 VS 2010 BMW 3 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 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the 911 and the 3 Series Coupe 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2009 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

The 911 has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Coupe:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 911 is faster than the 335i Coupe (manual transmissions tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 AWD gets better fuel mileage than the 3 Series Coupe AWD:

The 911 GT2’s standard fuel tank has 7.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Coupe (23.8 vs. 16.1 gallons).

For better stopping power the 911’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Coupe:

The 911’s standard brakes have 37% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the 328i Coupe (634 vs. 464 square inches), so the 911 has more braking power available. The 911 Turbo/GT3/GT2’s brakes have 59% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the 335i Coupe (740 vs. 464 square inches), so the 911 Turbo/GT3/GT2 has more braking power available.

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 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops much shorter than the 3 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the 911 has larger standard tires than the 3 Series Coupe (F:235/40R18 & R:265/40R18 vs. 225/45R17). The 911 Carrera 4 Turbo/GT3’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Coupe (F:235/35R19 & R:305/30R19 vs. F:225/40R18 & R:255/35R18).

The 911’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 328i Coupe’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 18 inch wheels. Smaller 17 inch wheels are standard on the 328i Coupe.

The 911 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The 3 Series Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 911 GT2 Coupe handles at 1.10 G’s, while the 335i Coupe pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 GT2 Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 9.5 MPH faster than the 335i Coupe (75.9 vs. 66.4 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the 911’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the 3 Series Coupe’s (36 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the 3 Series Coupe xDrive’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the BMW 3 Series Coupe.

The 911 is 5.5 inches shorter than the 3 Series Coupe, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The 911 is 5.5 inches shorter than the 3 Series Coupe.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 911 Sport Chrono has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The 3 Series Coupe uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 911 Coupe has a larger trunk than the 3 Series Coupe (11.7 vs. 11.1 cubic feet).

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 3 Series Coupe 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 3 Series Coupe 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 3 Series Coupe doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

The 911 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that the 911 will retain 47.65% to 55.74% of its original price after five years, while the 3 Series Coupe only retains 44.17% to 45.67%.