What Would You Buy? 2009 Carrera S Or BMW M3?

This is a pointless question. People who love the 911, will always crave the Carrera over the M3, even when the M3 was "improved". One buys a Porsche not because of pure performance, but for the complete package that includes the feel and character of a rear engined car and the heritage that beats within the engine. This is not an apples to apples comparison, like one would compare a Camry to an Accord, where "value" takes priority in the decisionmaking. Choosing a 911 has nothing to do with value and less to do with performance, and more to do with the love of the car.

I've driven the new M3 and the 08 911, and despite 95% of my driving being urban commute, I love driving the 911 more than the M3. So even though I was unable to push either car to even 70% of their limits (which is where you'd notice the performance improvements), I enjoyed driving the 911 more. Of course if you gave me a budget, then the M3 is the affordable buy, but as your question did not include price into the equation, I prefer the 911.

I would too. M3 and Carrera is completely different. Enough said. Both are great cars and I have much respect to both !.

the question was which would you buy, not any of what you just said......hence again the question which would YOU buy, not why do people buy either car.......seeing as Im not a Porsche fanatic I would rather buy an M3 the M3 has certainly improved dynamic wise throughout the years, but it has never been a car that Ive been in love with, value aside I could never wrap my wallet around a car that cost 90grand is basically a sporty GT but lacks basic features like power driver/passenger seats, full leather seats, a monotone interior treatment like the old GM cars,an identical interior as the 2 much cheaper porsches with no real benefit other than it being a 911 to buy it over the cayman and the options are to the point of insanity that it would have to be a purely emotional decision to warrant buying one at all. So for my money I would go with the M3, as I like to have logic in a purchase especially a vehicle, as Im not bound my emotions.....

Im a hardcore BMW fan, but I would most definitely take the Porsche.

It's timeless, a classic. It's a car you can keep in your garage forever.

Precisely. Well said. I love the Bimmer but I recognize a classic when I see one.

Tough question, but with the recent facelifts and the new rear LEDs, the 911 has the edge..

Owner of 08 M3 Coupe DCT and looking at the 2009 C2S i think trade in time sometime next year.
What i like about M:great engine,screaming redline,suspension has beautiful transition when taking corners at hyperspeeds.
Dislikes:Transmission is being replaced after 1700 miles,slight lag when accelerating with DCT,too much fiddling with i-drive settings when some ricer decides he wants to race you at stoplight,interior looks cheap for $80,000 paid.Biggest complaint BMW service department is run by monkeys on crack.

Wow, you laid down 80large and get that kind of service? that's terrible, and what's with all the M3 tranny problems.

Why don't you just program your performance preferences to the M button so when the ricers show up you just tap the button on the wheel? Fiddling with iDrive at that time means you are not using it right. If you are calling the men in the service department "monkeys" you are probably getting just what you deserve.

You're an idiot. Porsche is one of the most reliable cars around. You wouldn't know that, having never purhcased an automobile of that cailber.

aww, did a 911 owner beat your camaro?

seems like the rednecks finally got broadband.

I'm not surprised if a big block motor in a Camaro can beat a Carrera S or an M3 but when you get to the twisty your 'Maro will have so much body-roll you'll be trying so hard to get back in proper driving position that you'll just hit a wall.

Anyways, the Camaro is a low quality piece of tin compared to a Porsche or BMW plain and simple. It's all about quality, luxury, speed, & finesse. Almost all of those traits a Camaro won't have. The only Chevy that's worth mentioning is the Corvette.

Really tough question 009 because both cars are legends. I would probably go for the M3 since that V8 is an amazing engine and I don't think you can beat its balance. However, if the Porsche was a Carrera 4S, then I would go with that since I prefer the AWD set up on the rear engined cars.

Never mind a 911, ANY Porsche would be a better buy above the BMW. Why would you buy an M3 when you could buy a Boxter or a Cayman for the same money? Way better experience in a Porsche, even if it is slower!

BMW is to Porsche what Chrysler is to Audi. With the same money why would there be a question!

a Boxster? Seriously? Over a new M3? The 911 I can understand. But a Boxster?

Have you driven a Boxster? despite its bad reputation it's quite fun to drive. But I would take a Cayman S over an M3 because of it's more precise steering and plus the mid-rear engine layout can't beat hearing the engine behind you pushing you along. The M3 is more practical though in all ways compared to the Cayman.

The new Carrera S engine is superior to the M3 engine.

Hummm... RS6 (both current and last version) beat the M5, how 'bout them apples???

This is a hell of a question. Matching the price, I'd have to go with the Porsche. Both companies will always have a special place in my heart, but Porsche, like the first post said, has more than just the car itself, coming with the name. It's not about pretense or status, Porsche takes the high end performance market to a whole new level...though that M3 is, without a doubt, second on the list.

Porsche baby...all day. I was at the dealership on Saturday....somebody loan me a hundred grand...please!!!!
T

any other options??

Porsche and BMW are two different beasts in my opinion. It's like Saab, you either love them or hate them. Saab has such a loyal ownership that many current owners are previous owners generations of the cars back. I'm not a big Porsche fan, I respect the brand, like the cars, but if I could choose I would take an M3. For me and at least in my area, people who drive Porsches seem to have their noses stuck way up in the air that they have to duck in there seats when going under traffic signal poles. Guy in a Boxster looks like he owns a Ferrari. Please. I'm for the M3 on this because Porsche just doesn't do it for me. Would I be happy or turn down one or the other if given to me, no. But I would be more apt to turn around and sell the Porsche.

Both great, but I'd take the Porsche.

Definitely the Porsche. Even though it is much more expensive and you have to deal with all the crazy mark-ups on additional equipment Porsche charges just to make it a palatable ride.

I really like the M3 and have owned one in the past. If the BMW had a Mercedes-AMG engine with all that grunt, then I would choose the BMW.

I'd get Porsche because there's a limit to FR. No matter how you set up, it's very hard not to feel a bit of push from the engine's polar mass, especially in sharp corner. You can increase front tire size but then you'll slow down in straight and it hurts front/back balance. Maybe I should use different tires front & back?......

Also, hard to beat Porsche's brand image, which is in different level totally.

Though GT-R is MORE..... than enough for me.

don't be sad just because you lost to a 911. you'll find other ways than bashing out of jealousy.

You hate what you don't know. You envy what you can't have. I know it must suck driving around in your dinky little Honda Civic with a huge bodykit and pointless wing.

Let's see my ownership history, BMW m3, Porsche 911, BMW 550s , Porsche 997, I can't make up my mind.

Umm...this is an easy one, definitely the Porsche Carrera S

Both are great cars in their respective price range. If money are no object Porsche wins without question.

I bought a brand new M3 in 2005 but if i had to do it again. I go for the Porsche Cayman S or the Boxter S !!
For me its all about the FUN Factor of driving and not just which one is faster.

You are a man of taste and understanding!

If you are short on money, take the M3.
If you really wants to make yourself feel really really good, and have no money problem, take the Porsche.

GT-R hands down :) cause I can spank both Porsche/BMW.

If speed is all that interests you a tuned EVO can beat those cars for less money. Some people prefer real drivers cars like M3 or Porsche 911 over tin cans boy racer cars like GT-R or Evo.

Your welcome to your opinion but instead of seeing EVO as a tin can, why not appreciate, as a true car enthusiast, its very high performance limits in a practical package for a fantastic price, why the hate? Tin can? People with money might buy a Carrera S for everyday and race a highly tuned EVO on weekends so.......

I'd take the M3. It looks more athletic and Im very tired of the 50+ years old look of the porsche. But for the long term I would take the Porsche as I know the changes for the next model will be minor.

LIKE MOST HERE I HAVEN'T DRIVEN EITHER SO THIS WOULD BE A DECISION BASED ON MANY FACTORS BUT NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. DRIVING IS THE REASON YOU BUY THESE CARS EXCEPT FOR THE POSERS. MY HEART LIES WITH THE BMW AS A DAILY DRIVER, BUT THE PORSCHE CERTAINLY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE DAILY DRIVER SPORTS CAR ALSO. THEY ARE BOTH GREAT CARS WITH GREAT HERITAGE. I LOVE V8'S AND WOULD PICK THE BMW JUST BASED ON THE TWO ADDED CYLINDERS.

PLEASE STOP TYPING IN ALL CAPS

Porsche.

Porsche.

Porsche.

The Porsche is timeless. And if it made strides in the performance category compared to the M3 I'd go with it. Part of the love of the Porsche racing heritage is being able to beat any car in its class and price range. Once you lose that, you lose the cache. Ask any 06-08 Carrera S owner (that actually drives the car like it was made to be driven) that has lost the 70-120mph race to an M3 on the way to the Hamptons and they'll tell you, "I wish Porsche would do something about the M3. Its annoying to not beat it."

Neither do it for me, Porsche just looks like a VW Beetle and the BMW looks like a junior managers motor. Hardly makes them anything to get excited about!!!

How old are you?

Is that why your name starts w/ crap?

I'd buy neither.... Anyone seen my Pinto?

I'd take a 4 door M3. Unless you are talking coupes, then the 911 no question.

BMW M3

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

i think "quizz" anwsers it best. Both cars are discretionary purchases (aka trinkets) that arent aimed for the working stiff who needs transportation that is effective/safe/affordable/economical. Hence there is no comparison as those who like BMW's advertised image will sign up for the M3 and those who like Porsche heritage/image will do the same for the 911.

furthermore unless you like taking your expensive toys to the local SCAA or track days... I dont think anybody is really going to touch any part of the performance potential on the road unless you have devoted a trust fund to paying off traffic tickets.
Hence all blog discussion about lateral G's/skid pad numbers are purely that ... academic discussion.

Me .. give me a Miata . Its fun/ affordable and will leave you smiling on your daily commute...

+1, +1000 If I could. High five for the Miata!

It's a tough decision. Their different markets though. A Carrera S buyer likes the precision and the iconic look top grade build quality with awesome power-to-weight ratio, a car that could be used everyday and still packs some punch to have fun even in city streets & highways. The M3 buyer enjoys the high revving motor and the sounds of a potent V8 under the bonnet and enjoys the M badge and it's M heritage as well as comfort, refinement, and handling.

I think I would have to pick a Carrera S, not because it's a Porsche but I've always liked the look of it. The BMW I could always get later on anyways since their designs aren't timeless and new and better products will always come out.

I think the E46 M3 is going to be a classic.

Both of em will be.

if im going to get an cheap Porsche, it would be an Cayamn S Design other then that, ill go with the M3

Not a fair comparision,the 911 will cost more, that said if money is no object, I'm going with a loaded 911S. I love some of the new options Porsche is offering, especially the new double clutch transmission. Don't get me wrong, Iv'e driven the new M3 and the car is almost perfect, in fact I came very close to trading my 07 550i for one. But I have always wanted to own a 911, maybe my time is close.

I had owned 993 turbo and 996 gt3 and both are really good cars in their time but I had never had the chance to own an M car until recently so its M3