Does The 911 Cabriolet Still RULE In Summer 2008? Or Is The New BMW M3 Cab The NEW King?

By the way if anyone is wondering, the M3 pictured here is finished in Jerez Black with Grey extended Novillo leather and it really has a blue undertone...dark metallic blue on the exterior and light grey/blue leather.

If you're getting one, definitely go for the extended leather...looks and feels great in person.

001

FYI, The M3 top is also operable from the key fob when you order Comfort Access.

I think either car would make a really nice ride.

Aside from the fact that convertibles are for chicks and old farts...............

The M3 in your photo looks like a 328 with a bad aero kit. Why put ultralight weight components on your coupe, and then a retractable hard top (read weight) on your convertible............different customer maybe???

911 wins hands down on looks, but to list AWD as an option is not right.........its an entirely different car.

001,

I saw this EXACT color combo at my local dealership (Scottsdale, AZ) a couple of weekends ago myself! And to answer your question....I do think that the new M3 is king. I just hope to see more of it!!

The M3 isn't king. It's a great car and I've driven one before it's got great feedback and great driving dynamics as advertised. HOWEVER, it's still no Porsche. What car has its engine in the back with less horsepower compared to it's rivals and still does 0-60 times faster at a lower price tag?

The M3 is more generic than a 911. Although their design has never changed. A Porsche is a Porsche like how a Ferrari is a Ferrari. 911 is iconic. And as great as the M3 is it's far from being a legend.

It's simply different class of cars to begin with so to even ask which car is king is being silly.

"A Porsche is a Porsche like Ferrari is a Ferrari"
MMM no I tend to disagree. Porsche is doing everything good and bad to be the most profitable automobile company in the world ala SUV, four door sedan etc. Ferrari is the only car co in the world that has stayed true to its heritage. Race co first. Exclusive street car producer second.

So you're saying the Porsche 911 design is not iconic?. I'd rather have a company own themselves than being thrown around by different parent companies. There's nothing wrong with being profitable at the same time. Ferrari has been fortunate to have maintained their status over the years.

Each car company is more about business than "heritage". If maintaining heritage will cost you your company would you follow that downhill spiral? probably not.

But in this case I was talking about a 911 looking being iconic like how a Ferrari design is. Not about staying true to 'heritage'. Even if I was talking about heritage, the 911 a lot more heritage than the M3.

BLABLABLABLA

Not exactly related to the subject matter. But well done with the photos! You had captured the details far better than the brochure or any car magazines in the U.S. or U.K. (as I pretty much read them all). For whatever reason, car magazines rarely shows the back seats in car reviews. And these are details that matters to potential buyers. To my dismay, most magazines only show a picture of the driver's seat as the only interior pic.

PORSCHE. And again PORSCHE.

Porsche! The M3 is just fugly. Sorry beenie fans.

thats ok viso i personlly think the r8 is ugly..so dont worry about it

the only thing fuglier than this example of the M3 is the 6 series.

i think the porsche just has to do it for me.

something that i really dont like with the 3 series convertibles, is when you are driving behind them and those headrests really stand out and move your eye away from the other nice parts of the car. they're too big, square and ugly...

the presence that the 911 has still makes me want to choose that car...

Neither do it for me! I would go for a Jaguar XKR or Aston Martin Vantage, better all round cars...

Agree on the aston..........

Is this article for serious, really the new BMW M3 is a good car, but no way is it able to supersede the 991 cabriolet as the best drop top sports car. Porsche is the other name for a soul of the sense of driving, whereas BMW is more of a techno gadget display, by now way can sheer sense of performance replace and overtake the magnificent feeling of interaction and flow with motion of a true great car which provokes feelings and inspirations that no mere tool can invoke, for that Porsche has a great love in my heart, and BMW has never been able to do that, even with all their magic performance numbers. Porsches are living creatures, which you can feel as you tackle the road sitting on them, you and the car are one. BMW not so.

If I agree with your point of calling a Porsche a living creature, it also must be pointed out that until you have driven both cars back to back can the true genius of the new M3 be understood.

I owned a '06 Porsche 911s, and it was a spectacular car, but the M3 is faster in everyday driving. I find myself going into corners faster and leaving WAY faster than in my 911. Most of that has to do with balance, and in that regard it takes a whole bunch of computers to keep the 911 from swapping ends in corners. With all that weight hung out back, we all know the 911 just isn't optimal.

I don't think 001 is off base in his comparison, these machines are more similar than you might think. Granted, perhaps it is BMW who has pursued the bar set by Porsche, but the folks at Porsche should be on notice that BMW has caught, and maybe even raised the bar themselves.

For me the bottom line had to come to practicality here, and BMW wins this one simply because although a highly trained Agent, I am also first and foremost a parent, and my 2 year old son can't ride in the back of the 911 whereas his seat fits the M3. Time spent enjoying a great car WITH the family wins out in the end.

Verdict: M3

I haven't driven a 997 Cab, and if it doesn't engage the driver in a completely different way than the M3, then Porsche's transition to more and more luxury at the cost of weight has finally "succeeded."

So how about comparing the M3 to the Boxster RS60, which is a very pure drivers car?

Agent 00j...

I have a 328i cab. Let me tell you, while my kid's booster seat does fit in the back (unlike the Porsche). There is absolutely nothing (save a towel or a laptop computer) that will fit in the trunk with the top down. When we take our's to the beach with the top down, all the beach stuff is crammed in the back seat next to my kid.

Also, the top has these sensors on it and if the wind blows a leaf past the sensor when you are putting the top up or down, the warning light comes on and nothing happens. Then you have to walk around the car and 'trouble shoot' to figure out why the top won't go down. I guess its a safety feature but its a major drag. Also, top won't go up or down if you are parked on an incline.

BMW's convertible is not much more practical than the Porsche IMO. Live with one for a month and it will drive you crazy.

Stick with the Porsche if you have $80K to blow.

why would anyone want to put kid car seats in a 997?? an M3 maybe, but its a sports coupe. Thats like saying I dont want a Ferrari because its not practical....come on agent

The SL..

heads gets Porsche, tails gets M3

I love BMW's but I have to give my nod to the Porsche overall. When you see the Porsche, it just looks special. The BMW, while nice and drives like a bat out of hell, seems too vanilla and too everyday. The BMW may beat it in "the Ring", but come on, when crusing up and down the boulevard, the Porsche will be the one people flock to and look at.

The BMW does not beat it in the ring at all. The M3 is in the same league as ISF, AMG c Class and RS4, as all of us know and have seen it in the latest test(EVO test between M3 and ISF or C&D test between the 4 cars). PLease don't try to make us swallow your opinon saying that the M3 is better than the Porsche.

Verdict: Porsche

Did you not read my comment at all??? I said WHILE I LIKE BMW... THE PORSCHE IS THE ONE TO HAVE OVERALL! |Sheeze...

Sorry ''atomicbri '' my comment was an answer to Agent001.

Kinda feel 001 has been greatly rewarded by BMW PR recently, isn't it?

Where are these tests which show the M3 convertible has beaten a Carrera S on the ring you speak of.

Neither, Jag XKR. The BMW looks like a overgrown cockroach next to the styling master piece of the Jag, and the Porsche is just a beetle with the engine in the wrong place.

As I recall the Beetle had its engine in the exact same place as the Porsche, behind the rear wheels.

Yes of course! I always thought of beetles as the people carrier that mobilized Nazi Germany, but almost forgot about that fact! They're more alike than ever :)

They should stop posting picks of the BMW interiors, it's embarrassing to look at, that mono-piece slab of an interior is not even fitting to go into a entry level Hyundai :)

Sorry Bimmer boys 911 all day long. Wouldn't drive the M3 at all. The BMW's just don't look as good as they used too..even in M3 form. It may be faster for a couple of months until the new 911's come out but thats about it. The 911 is an icon and has been since it first appeared. The M3 is a very fast version german coupe/cabrio that is doing too much. Doesn't know if it wants to be a luxury car, a gt, a racer or a people mover. Make a decision and then lets have this fight.
911 forever.
T

Not sure. It'll be a couple years until I replace the S4, so I'll see then... there will be an updated 911 and the S5 (RS5?) Cabriolet by then.

At the end of the day an M3 convertible is just that - a 3 series, and for the average guy it could be a 320i convertible for all he knows. The Porsche has far more prestige, and holds its value way better.

I agree 100%. I have a 328i cab that I paid $52K + tax for last April (one of the first ones delivered). Its a great car - I didn't like it at first (ordered it sight unseen 6 mos bef it came out) but its really grown on me.

Sure the M3 cab is faster, cooler, perhaps marginally less of a chick car, but $79K for one just stuns me. Sure there are many 'detail' differences between the 328/335 and the M3 but not enough to be really noticable in my opinion.

I have to say Porsche all the way.

The M3 convertible is also very expensive in Britain - can be easily double what the cheapest 3 series convertible costs if you add just a few options. And as we can get the 'M package' on all 3 series models (visual stuff only) a 320i M-Sport (0-62 9.8 seconds in auto format. Woo!) looks nearly identical to the M3 bar the exhausts, power bulge and the side vents. A 3 series, great car as it is (I'm not knocking yours at all) isn't as special as a 911.

Porsche is a nice company but BMW is better. The M3 is the new king. By the way, great pictures.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Really to all those BMW fanboys who don't know their place, Porsche is in a different league than BMW, a much higher league, should i add. Porsche competes with Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and BMW most certainly does not. So even the 911 cabriolet, not the sportiest of Porsche, will inspire much more reverence than a perked up 3 series.

Porsche is a great marque but do me a favor and take Porsche's testicles out of your mouth for a second. When Ferrari or Lamborghini make a $50k car like Porsche does (Cayman, Boxster) or an SUV (Cayenne, also starts in that range) THEN you can say Porsche is an equal to them. Until that day what you have with Porsche and Ferrari/Lambo is a situation where the cheapest car from one manufacturer costs as much or more as the most expensive one from another manufacturer. Sorry, but they're not equals. Porsche is to Ferrari/Lamborghini as BMW is to Porsche.

Wow, bordering on asinine. I haven't had that said to me since telling my wife I was buying a the Porsche knowing she was pregnant and she told me I was asinine.

Now if I could only get her to state that I have brought sunshine back...

Porsche is a great marque but do me a favor and take Porsche's testicles out of your mouth for a second. When Ferrari makes a $50k car like Porsche does (Cayman, Boxster) or an SUV (Cayenne, also starts in that range) THEN you can say Porsche is an equal to Ferrari. Until that day what you have with Porsche and Ferrari is a situation where the cheapest car from one manufacturer costs as much or more as the most expensive one from another manufacturer. Sorry, but they're not equals. If Porsche is to Ferrari as BMW is to Porsche.

and I posted that in the wrong place damn it. That was intended for Farabira.

Porsche, of course. BMW is not even in the same league. On the same note, if I were in the market for a Porsche, I would never cross-shop with a BMW M3 cabriolet, I would be looking at the M6 or 650. Which to me, makes more sense.

Are you for real ? There is no point in comparing a Porsche to Bimmer... Completely different league.

Agreed. Now since there are some color combo discussions on the BMW, what exterior color do you like the most on the 911 S? Is Arctic Silver too boring or iconic?

When compared to the 911 the M3 screams uxoriousness to me. Its the "my wife won't let me have a 911 since we have a kid" compromise car. No thanks.

hahahahahahahaha!!!
(doesnt deserve capitals)

Agent00j - I gather from your comments that you actually drove a 997S cab and the M3 cab back to back. I guess the M3 cab must be a very different car than the M3 coupe I test drove. I found the M3 coupe to feel heavy, with rather numb steering, and a rubbery shifter. Personally my take is that the M3 is a good choice for someone who can't afford a 997S, the latter being a better car in every respect (except the back seat - I'll give you that one).

If a day apart is back to back, I have driven both. It needs to be noted that I drove a 911s Coupe, not a cab, and an M3 sedan, not the convertible.

Truth be told, I am not a big convertible fan, just a personal preference.

I could never justify paying more for a worse looking and performing car. Give me a M3 coupe

or a Targa 4S. That thing is gorgeous.

Obviously you've never driven one, or looked at one.

And you'd be surprised at how far that 355hp flat six can go. A C2S is easily as fast as an E92 M3. When the 997 gets its update (adding 15hp, I believe), both cars will be available with DSG and that will be the real match-up.

I should clarify. When I say worse performing car I meant the cabrio version of the M3 or 911. Both cars are fantastic but I could never justify buying the rag top versions of either.

All the people defending Porsche here give me a warm fuzzy feeling (LOL). I thought everybody on AutoSpies hated the 911 because it "looks like a bug." Whatever.

i'm not sure which one i like better. i'm not really a huge fan of convertibles. that saying, i guess i would pick the M3 over the 911 just because it's a hardtop convertible. i do like the Porsche, however, just more so as a coupe.

Porsche.........

Why even bother posting this articles when most of us agree Porsche is better looking than the BMW Cab.

I disagree, the 911 simply has a nicer shape than the M3 convertible. It always turns my head when I see it. Of course, if I saw an M3 vert I would stare then, too, but most people wouldn't.

911, but love the M3.

M3 is not only ugly, but it is a better car. I wouldn't buy either. There are cars out there w/ a better combination of looks and performance (not just performance, b/c yes, the M3 is a beast). I'll take a Z06.

the M3 convert looks like douche. they dont know wtf they are doing when it comes to hardtop converts.

How about this?

Both cars are great performers.
The M3 is more practical with more seats and a proper boot which caters to the younger consumers who want performance and everyday usability all in one package.

The 911 is also great for everyday driving but focuses more on the raw driving experience. With it's iconic look and superb quality build you can't go wrong with a Porsche.

911 who attracts the older crowd w

show me a "proper boot" when the tops down numnuts

Let's list where the new M3 gives the 911 Cab a beat down...

1. Tests show it BEAT the 911 Carrera S on the ring - what test shows the M3 cab beats the 997S cab on the 'ring?, please give a reference
2. It has fully retractable convertible hardtop - more weight on the top, just where you don't want it
3. DSG tranny is an option - who cares, it's a sports car
4. It has more interior room (especially in the rear seat)- lose some weight, you'll fit in the Porsche just fine (and did you ever try Porsche's adaptive seats? incredible)
5. Satellite radio is a factory option - rather hear the engine wail
6. The stereo actually sounds GOOD - see above comment especially with Porsche sport exhaust
7. Better storage space - another important attribute to sports car driving
8. Bluetooth is also available from the factory (and it's the best bluetooth integration yet from ANYONE)- hooray does that make up for the M3's numb steering?
9. Less expensive (But not much! $79G's for a 6-Speed! Phew!)- gotta pay to get the best
10. 4 year/50k scheduled maintenance included - puhlleeze
11. More horsepower - required because the car is too heavy
12. numb steering
13. rubbery shifter
14. power is robbed by cars weight - doesn't feel particularly quick


Now for the 911 Attributes Over The BMW

1. Better on track heritage - just plain better on the track
2. Iconic design - far better looking
3. Better fuel economy - don't need that hp if you're car is weight conscious
4. Rear engine sound addictive with top down - especially with sport exhaust
5. Top is operable from the key fob (so you can put the top down as you walk toward the car) - whoopee
6. More customization from factory offered - be prepared to pay!!!!
7. AWD is an option - yes, it is and it's not necessary
8. you feel far more connected to the road
9. steering feel is precise and legendary
10. brakes are incredible
11. and if you actually know how to drive a 911, it is a fabulous handling
(But I might be prejudiced having driven Porsches and BMWs for 30 years)

My Conclusion - buy a Porsche if you want a great sports car, buy a BMW if you want a great sedan

I'll take the BMW. I think it looks more modern, has more technology, and has an awesome engine.

http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/convertibles/bmw-considering-soft-top-for-m3-convertible/

too bad Winding road and BMW was wrong

I've driven the Carrera S and own an E46 M3. The E46 M3 is on par with the current Carrera S performance wise. The Carrera S isn't as quick as the E46 M3 off the line but will overtake the E46 at speeds over 130.

Granted, my comment on the E92 M3 versus the Carrera S is an assumption based on tests of the E92 M3 versus the E46 M3 but its clear that the Carrera S needs an update.

"The Carrera S isn't as quick as the E46 M3 off the line but will overtake the E46 at speeds over 130."

?

As it stands, I'm pretty sure the E46's quickest 0-60 time was recorded at 4.8 or 4.7 sec.

The C2S has gotten close to 4 seconds flat.

S4, I'm talking about my factory M3 versus my buddy's factory carrera s. Either the e46 is faster than the carrera s through the low 100's or he wanted to give me $1k.

The new M3 rules the Carrera S. Hell, the E46 M3 could keep up with the Carrera S. The new M3 forces the Porsche lover to opt for the GT3 or Turbo if they want to beat the M3!

I'd love to see an all new Carrera S!

Now there i nothing wrong with BMW's M3, its awesome, but it isn't a 911. There is something about the iconic 911.... its heritage. They have been building the 911 since 1965 and there is no other car like it. All you have to do is drive both and chances are the Porsche will have you trying to mortgage you're house to finance it. I owned a 2004 M3 and 5 different 911's, the last a 2004 C4S, and after a bad day, a quick drive through the gears and all is well with the world!

911

I DROVE THE M3 its Amazing

Yall know my answer....

PORSCHE>BMW nuff said!!!

deboost as you like but its fact sorry bimmer fanbois.

I'd take the M3 cab easily over the Carrera cabriolet, but the decision wouldn't be so easy if it were between the coupe variants.

I've never really been a fan of the topless 911 as it looks to plain IMO, & at least with the M3 cab it retains some of its roof lines. The coupes however are both so beautiful but I'd probably still opt for the M3 because its newer, more capable, & not to mention a lot cheaper too.

Neither car pushes any buttons with me, both cars are a bit bit nerdy for me(car bores only)

I'll also take the M3 cab over the Porsche cab...the Carrera coupe - especially a 4S, now thats a different story. Would have added Turbo, but its really in a different class until the CSL variant comes out on the M3 (we'll see)

I'm personally a benz fan but for these two I must say that the porsche is better looking but for a much more economical use and saftey wise I would put my money on the Mighty M

I prefer the new M3 Cab has softop instead of retractable hardtop. & think it only look good in 2 seat roadster(SLK). But if only these 2 model i can choose ? 911 cab for sure.

s2000

you hit the nail on the head!

The 911, like my Cayman S and other Porsches, is a true sports car you can live with on a daily basis. I've owned several BMWs, no M3 (but have driven several), and they are great sports sedans, soft/hard top or not. They handle well beyond the capabilities of most of their owners and will never see a track day or autocross. Porsches, except perhaps for the Cayenne (which Hurley Haywood says different), are cars that you can take to the track and not worry. Throw in a roll cage, strip out some weight, and it's a competitive race car. And its quality is exceptional... not fancy, no BT, Sat radio, just the essentials for those who love to drive.