Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 BMW M3 VS 2013 Porsche 911 Near Phoenix, AZ

The M3 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 911 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

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

The M3’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 911’s (12 vs. 10 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Porsche doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 911.

There are over 74 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M3’s warranty.

The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 64 more horsepower (414 vs. 350) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 287) than the 911’s standard 3.4 DOHC 6 cyl. The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 14 more horsepower (414 vs. 400) than the 911 S’ standard 3.8 DOHC 6 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M3 is faster than the Porsche 911 (base engine) (manual transmissions tested):

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 911:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M3’s wheelbase is 12.2 inches longer than on the 911 (108.7 inches vs. 96.5 inches).

The M3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.2% to 48.8%) than the 911’s (38.2% to 61.8%). This gives the M3 more stable handling and braking.

The M3 Convertible’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The 911 doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

As tested by AutoWeek, the interior of the M3 Coupe is quieter than the 911 S Coupe:

The M3 Coupe has .4 inches more front headroom, 6.6 inches more front shoulder room, 5.8 inches more rear headroom, 8.7 inches more rear legroom and 6.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 911 Coupe.

The M3 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the 911 Coupe with its rear seat up (11.1 vs. 4.76 cubic feet).

The M3 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the 911 Cabriolet (7.4 vs. 5.47 cubic feet). The M3 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top up than the 911 Cabriolet (12.4 vs. 5.47 cubic feet).

With its coupe or convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M3 offers cargo security. The 911’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M3’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the 911.

The M3’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 911’s standard power windows.

If the windows are left down on the M3 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder; on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the 911 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the M3 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 911 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the M3 Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 911 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The M3 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The 911 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the M3 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 911 doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the M3 offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The 911 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Optional BMW Apps for the M3 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, following twitter accounts and other online activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The 911 doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.