As a longstanding BMW owner/driver, I'm enjoying the heck out of my new '08 911 Cab FROM A DRIVING STANDPOINT. However, I'm concerned about the paint integrity and the possible integrity of the interior controls. The turn signal stalk feels like it is going to break off in my hand, and the paint on the edge of my door has already chipped from it RESTING against the drywall of the garage. Seriously, not banging, not hitting, just RESTING. My BMW's doors have rested against the drywall for years, multiple cars, multiple models, (from an E36M3 to X3s to E39 and E60 5s, and a 335ic,) and never showed any signs of wear and tear. Am I in for a challenge keeping the 911 looking good long-term?

 

It was not 'resting' - it was most likely 'banging' at the wall as springs in your doors are quite strong and when you open and push door out - it opens quite fast. You could not even notice it or somebody else did it.

I have same problem with door edges.

 

It sounds like the car has been abused bit, my 06 is solid, and I drive it hard.

 

I noticed the exact same things! I came to the 911 in January after driving the BMW 3 series for 6 years. I immediately felt that the turn signal stalk was oddly notchy and that it didn't feel very solid at all. I hated to press it because it felt so lousy.

The solution is not to push the turn signal all the way down. You just use that half-press which causes the signal to flash three or four times. It's great on the highway.

 

I've spent a lot of seat time in both and they are certainly both quality interiors. The BMW controls are certainly more 'chunky' and give a good sturdy thunk when pushing/pulling but the Porsche units are just as reliable (997.1 or .2). The 996/986 interiors don't wear quite as well but even they are far from poor. I've yet to see someone actually break the staulk off from normal use or anything, I just think it'll take you a little time to get used to the different feel. Either way enjoy your new P-car and congrats!

 

The "environmentally friendly" water based paints are more fragile than the old style enamels or lacquers. I noticed this beginning w/ my 99 Boxster. I've owned several BMWs beginning in 93 w/ a 318is, a 95 530i and lastly an 01 330ci. I can't say those interiors were any better than the Porsches I've owned in terms of materials or durability. Maybe BMW has improved since 2001 and surpassed Porsche? Modern car interiors are no longer stitched or screwed together using thick leather, solid wood, and high quality steel or aluminum. They're mostly glued together pieces of plastic w/ thin veneers of higher quality materials. Times we live in.

 

BMW ? I have had 21 BMW's since the 1980's and am currently on my second of the E90 series (an 08 M3) . Now it's true that once upon a time the E46 interior quality was outstanding . So was the the older 5 series (had an E39 M5) . and 7 series too.

UNTIL --They "Bangled" these cars . Then the odd shapes and flimsy interior never could hold a candle to the 997 cars . The 996 was the interior of junk but before taht was the 993 was was one of my favorites off all time . Simple .quirky well made.

The BMW paint is even worse . I have yet to see a BMW which doesn't show its age very quickly . As for doors and dry wall . I never heard of resing a door on dry wall . One either hits the dry wall or does not . Since the edge of the Porsche 911 is sharp the dry wall is not the car's best buddy but in many cases it does wipe away .

 

+1 for my 07 and my 2000 boxster S

 

I totally agree with you mseligson.
I own both 2008 BMW M5 and 2009 C4S. I've owned 2006 C2S and 2004 boxter S.
Although I will never trade my porsche with my wife's M5, as far as build quality( paint, interior noise, sqeaking, fit and finish, wheels fit and finish) goes, BMW is way better. BUT I will still take one porsche over three bimmers.

 

I've had BMWs since '85 until now. The 911 seems every bit as nice as any BMW I have had (including my e39 M5 - ok, well, we'll see - that M5 was a top notch car).

As for drywall on the door - that's basically the same is resting it on sandpaper. Why would you do that? Get some of those rubber wall guards and place where the door opens to prevent that. I had some "white" edges on my bimmer doors too from being careless in the past.

The Porsche doors are long and do open with force, so be careful.

Turn signal - seems fine to me - if it breaks before 4 years, I reckon I get a new one - I'm not planning to coddle it.

 

If used as intended (aka using doors as doors and not sawhorses) I see no problem with the quality of the modern 911.

 

Yes, abused in one week!

 

Only takes 1 second to cause what you have going on there.

 

The turn signal is a bit crappy? That's like breaking up with your supermodel girlfriend because she has a hangnail.
You're right though. The P-car has a lot of retro aspects to it's design and implementation. The doors don't sound particularly germanic when they close, the turn signal doesn't have that 'carved from a block of unobtainium' feel to it'.
But it's Claudia Shiffer, hangnail and all. You'd rather Fraulein Bangle?

 

It really did all go downhill after that!

Loved my E46 M3 and heck even the E36.

Once BMW was Bangled, it seemed BMW went after AMG as a role model. Big heavy and ultimately ugly.