Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 BMW 2 Series VS 2015 Porsche 911 Near Phoenix, AZ

The 2 Series’ optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 911 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 2 Series 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 2 Series and the 911 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 2 Series its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2014, a rating granted to only 46 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 911 has not been tested, yet.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required 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 2 Series’ warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the 911 Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Convertible gets better fuel mileage than the 911 Cabriolet:

Regardless of its engine, the 2 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The 911 GT3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 2 Series stops shorter than the 911:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The 911 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the 911 (105.9 inches vs. 96.5 inches). The 2 Series’ wheelbase is 9.2 inches longer than on the 911 GT3 Coupe (105.9 feet vs. 96.7 inches).

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.9% to 50.1%) than the 911’s (39.3% to 60.7%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the 2 Series Coupe is rated a Compact car by the EPA, while the 911 Coupe is rated a Minicompact. The 2 Series Convertible is rated a Subcompact car by the EPA, while the 911 Cabriolet is rated a Minicompact.

The 2 Series Coupe has 20 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 911 Coupe (90 vs. 70). The 2 Series Convertible has 14 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 911 Cabriolet (82 vs. 68).

The 2 Series Coupe has 2 inches more front headroom, 5.7 inches more front shoulder room, 5.5 inches more rear headroom, 8 inches more rear legroom and 6.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 911 Coupe.

The 2 Series Convertible has 2.5 inches more front headroom and 6 inches more rear headroom than the 911 Cabriolet.

The 2 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the 911 Coupe with its rear seat up (10 vs. 5.1 cubic feet). The 2 Series has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the 911 Coupe with its rear seat folded (10 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

The 2 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk than the 911 Cabriolet (10 vs. 4.8 cubic feet).

With its coupe or convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The 911’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

If the front windows are left down on the 2 Series with Comfort Access the driver can raise them using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the 911 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 2 Series offers an optional remote convertible top which can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. The 911 doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 2 Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 911 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The 2 Series 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 2 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 911 doesn’t offer rear vents.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 911 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The M235i was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2015. The 911 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 2 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The 911 hasn’t been picked since 2009.