This has probably been discussed before, but I have some specific questions. I am new to Porsche, so I apologize if some of the questions seem obvious.

I have an E90 M3 and am thinking to move to a 997.2 C2s and have a few concerns which I am hoping someone who has experience with both cars can answer for me.

1) My wife and I travel on roads trips quite often. She is very picky. How will comfort for her differ in the 911 vs my M3? (I have test driven the car but it's wasn't long enough to get a real good idea. Similarly, I have driven the 3.6 997 Turbo around for about 100 miles. Comfort wise, how does the Turbo compare?)

2) I live in CO and this car is my DD. How does the 911 do for everyday? What about in the snow (compared to the M3 of, course -- obviously not expecting too much here).

3) Related to #3, I have considered a C4s. Will this be dramatically better in the winter?

4) Related to #1, can one fit a decent size suitcase in the boot or in the back with the rear folded down?

5) On paper, the c2s and m3 seem to perform similarly with a slight edge going possibly to the Porsche. What can I expect in the real world? i.e. passing, back-road fun, rolling starts, etc.

7) Can anyone comment on the sound system?

8) I am currently looking at a 2010, is there any reason to get a 2011 over the '10 or even wait for a '12?

Having driven the 911, I am absolutely in love with it and now would be a good time for me to pull the trigger. The aforementioned concerns leave me a bit hesitant though, so I turn to you.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have both cars (an 08 M3 and an 09 997.2 S) . I also have a Turbo .
So you will get my opinion but i don't know if you will have the same view if you had all three to compare. But here goes.

1) The M3 is the most comfortable of the group for a passenger . The Porsche is extremely comfortable for its size . The Turbo does offer a bit more luxury . It's heavier and more quiet as a stock Turbo .
None of these cars are uncomfortable .

2) No snow in Florida but i will say that as a daily car the M3 is ideal . It's more practical in many ways . The trunk in the rear is more suited fopr supermarkets and the lack of curved fenders gives less ding exposure risk (in my opinion). A Turbo does have a low front lip which can scrape on inclines . the 997S does have more clerance.

3) C4S is ideal for winter . it's actually the car Porsche uses at winter driving school .

4)Soft luggage works best . The M3 has more space.

5) The Turbo will cream the M3 and the 997S. The 997S will beat it .
But in the "real world " the m3 is very sufficient for daily use . It will not beat the other cars though.

6) You did not include a number 6.

7) M3 premium system is great compared to the Porsche .

8) time is always on your side if you wait but it really boils down to the specifics of finding the right car at the right price . the 2012 car has not been driven yet to give an an opinion but if you do wait it will add another car into the mix .

Lastly and most important --The M3 does win on most of your questions .
However --I would pick a Porsche 997tt or a 997S over an M3 because even though the BMW is a fine car , and is cheap to maintain (free maintenance) --The Porsche has qualities which make it an automotive icon. -- and until you own and drive a porsche daily you won't ever miss what you never had . But the day you do own a Porsche 911 you will never forget the car and how significant it's presence stirs the joy of driving.

That's my final opinion.

 

Listen to Larry but go drive both cars and make your decesion. I will say that if you plan on driving in the snow to get a C4S instead of the 2S. You will need the AWD in the snow.

 

I would not say the 911 is comfortable by any means unless you drive on smooth roads, the M is much more comfortable. That said, if your wife does not like the ride, you can always take her car on road trips.

 

Thanks for the responses. From a practical point of view it seems the M is hard to beat. But obviously that's not the whole equation. As far as the different seats offered in a 911 -- I've read differing opinions -- can you say which is more comfortable?

It's also clear the C4S will be the best in the snow, but will there be any noticeable difference between the M and a C2S?

 

Although not an M3 owner, I use my 997.2 S as a daily driver here in NY. Having previously owned a 545i and E63 (both larger than M3) i can give some feedback. The 911 is certainly better suited for a weekend car. Although it certainly can be driven everyday day, space is surely an issue with me. Or lack of space. Car rides lower than the M3 , the low profile tires are a bit much for the ny/nj roads. Already had the rims cosmetically repaired twice in the first 12 months.
Winter tires are an absolute must for everyday commuting. I need to drive my 911 rain/snow or shine and it would be impossible in the northeast without snow tires. Ironically i don't find the comfort seats very comfortable. However, I do thoroughly enjoy the car but every so often need to take a break and drive the wife's SUV. Must admit though I really miss the E63.

 

yeah, listen to Larry.

btw, if u have a picky wife, have her sit in the passenger seat on the test drive so she can determine if the ride is a-ok.. from the driver side, u won't notice things like ride comfort.

 

1) The ride quality is substantially better if you run 18" wheels.

2) My 4S with winter tires has never been stuck in the snow. The car does feel very cramped if you're wearing clothes and boots appropriate for snowy weather.

 

More rich food and wine for the wife, she gains a tad bit of her own luxury padding and voila, everyone wins.

 

I come to the defense of the venerable 2S when this comment gets brought up. But, I WILDLY disagree (sort of).

The 2S is extremely capable with snow tires. Not even Blizzaks, which would punish you in the dry, but some Alpines/ 3D/ Sottozeros.

I completely stand behind this (except maybe if you live in Colorado).

 

I never found my BMW seats, on any of my several cars, to be as comfortable on a long trip as the 911 is - early BMWs were just uncomfortable on long drives - no matter how much I futzed with them. I really thought the comfort seats in the 550i were pretty great and was worried to give them up, but I prefer the 911 hands down.

It is a bumpy ride compared to BMW - I test drove with 19's and had them changed to 18's - can't say that they made any big difference in smoothness. In fact, if you think that is going to be an issue, maybe a 911 is not the right car. I like a *firm* ride - and now I have it!

The 911 is small - minimal luggage space. My wife and I have done a few weekend trips and we can carry most of what we need/want, so it works, but with the M3, you could pack without being any bit conservative.

Way better gas mileage than BMW though - my last long trip, I got 28 MPG - not poking along either.

Sound system is decent but drowned out by the car at highway speeds most often. Sounds good in the garage and at stop lights. BMW Logic7 is mostly better and a BMW is almost always quiet enough to enjoy it. If music is your priority, maybe not a 911 either. On the highway, I just don't think good music sound can happen - not matter what you try to do to it.

The 911 is a car for driving. The M3 is a more practical car and still fun.

If your second car can be your practical car, then add a 911 for driving and use it when you can.

 

1) I bounced the passenger comfort question off the mind of my girlfriend to obtain a second opinion . Usually I am not the passenger . I was surprised by her reply (I had guessed that she's pick the M3) . She felt that the Porsche was more comfortable than the M3 --even on a long trip. She felt that the seats and amount of legroom was the best she had ever seen in a car of this nature.

2) snow -- See this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFo0...eature=related

 

Thanks again for the replies everyone, this helps much more than merely perusing Porsche's 911 booklet a nth time.

Larry -- Thanks again for all the info/ links and thanks for asking your girlfriend about comfort. Since you have both cars, could you comment on highway noise. Stevepow mentioned it difficult to enjoy the music at highway speeds -- is it that much louder than the M3? I drove a Turbo around Tokyo this summer and it didn't seem that loud, but speeds usually were at or below 70. It certainly won't make a conversation difficult, will it?

I mean sure, if you are looking for a hi-fidelity experience, a car isn't going to be the first choice ever.

Stevepow -- Thank you for the reply. I have significant experience with BMW's and I have to say the M3 seats are awesome. Even better than the 20 way adjustable, for me. As far as firmness and all that -- my concern lies not with my comfort but rather my wife's during longer trips.

07speed -- Thank you. Being an everyday car for you, if you had to do it over again would you have gone with a C4 or different seats?

 

Since both of my Porsches are modified i will reflect on the interior sound when they were stock .

The turbo (stock) is actually the most quiet sports coupe I have ever owned . It received a lot of criticism on the Turbo forum for being too quiet in fact . Most owners in that section had to modify the exhaust out of sheer boredom . By far it is more quiet than the 997S and M3. It's really a luxury power car in stock form . it acn also be a 10 second car in modified form so it's really up to the owner . The ride is quiet and there is no outside ambient noise.

The 997S has a little more growl . The normally aspirated engine lacks the Turbo (which acts luike an impeller and homogenizes the sound) and adds a bite of flavor . It's still fairly quiet . However the rear engine configuratin places sound in a different location than the front engine --but it's not a big deal at all.

the M3 has a V8 . That actually makes quite a nice roar except the M3 with the bump on the hood and V8 kinda reminds me of a sophisticated Mustang . Don't get me wrong --i like the car --it just lacks some of the finesse of the porsche even in the sound as one drives along in daily commuting or trips.

The tire noise is a tie . outside noise is not an issue in any of them.

 

Hard to imagine a BMW with as much road (tire) noise as the 911. Maybe it is an e90 thing? Concrete highways are the worst - asphalt is much better. Seriously - what sounds like a good listening volume on the on-ramp, is completely inaudible by 70mph. Can't imagine either why a Turbo would be more quiet - do they "plush" them up with sound damping material? Maybe the PS2s? I liked PS2s on my M cars, as well - never had a drowned out stereo moment that I can recall.