911 4 GTS vs. M4

gthal · 07-17-2015, 01:50 PM

There is a Guards Red 911 4 GTS at the local Porsche dealership that I have been lusting after... the most gorgeous car I have seen in some time.

I actually have been considering whether to sell the M4 to pick this up. It's AWD so I would drive it 12 months a year (yes, heresy, I know). I haven't pulled the trigger because it isn't optioned the way I want. If I were to buy one, it would be MT and not PDK simply because the Porsche MT is so damn good.

So, there is only 1 changeable allocation for a GTS still available in the Canada and, if I wanted it, I could probably get it. Something about the last NA 911 with a MT is very appealing. So, to cut to the chase, I took it for a good test drive last night to see if I really, REALLY needed to buy one.

Keep in mind this is a incomplete and inaccurate comparison based on a 30 minute test drive.

Steering is AMAZING. Great feel.
The car sounds epic... epic... makes me dislike the M4 sound.
Seats are perfect and you feel like you are sitting in a proper sports car (cause you are)
PDK isn't as good as M-DCT. The paddle is less responsive (the paddle itself, not the transmission). The car shifts for you sometimes unless you are in sports+ mode. I generally feel BMW did a better job with their DCT than Porsche did with PDK.
The car feels so planted and stable. No body roll. Very controlled movement. Instant turn-in.
LIGHT... feels so damn light! The chassis dynamics are superb.
Power delivery is like the E92 M3... you need to rev it to have power. In the power band it is probably as fast or faster than the M4 but the M4 feels faster.
The ride is more comfortable than the M4 in its soft setting which is surprising. The firmest setting is even firmer than the M4.
Did I mention that AWESOME sound this car makes?

All in all, it is a stellar car as you would expect. Back seat fits my 7 year old (I tested it). The M4 is a better daily car for sure. It also surprised me that the GTS isn't THAT much better on the street. As a pure street car, I don't know if I could justify the $60,000 price difference... I suspect the track is a different story but I can't speak to that... yet

I will say it is good enough that I still really want it

So, I left the test drive loving the GTS, wanting it desperately but not yet ready to sell the M4 for it... maybe I'll get one in a couple of years (a used one) or maybe the new 991.2 with the turbo (the extra torque would be nice). I've pretty much decided I will now own a Porsche in the next 1 to 3 years. For a street car, I'm not sure the price gap is justified unless money is no object... it is definitely a better, more fun, more engaging experience but the M4 is definitely on a comparable level in many ways on the street. I suspect the GTS will leave the M4 in its dust at the track.

nicknaz · 07-17-2015, 01:58 PM

My F80 was $60k before tax, so there is obviously a huge price gap. Pretty cool that a "cheap" car like M3 can compared to a 4 GTS

At this point, I think its pretty obvious it is down to how much you want it and how much you are ok paying for "feel" and experience.

You could get more pace for less $ at the track with a used/modified track car, and you pointed out it is pretty close on the streets

CSanto · 07-17-2015, 02:02 PM

I priced one on porsche USA a few weeks ago. I was at 145k. I was like hmm a bare bones GT3 or an optioned GTS...

dkhm3 · 07-17-2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthal

There is a Guards Red 911 4 GTS at the local Porsche dealership that I have been lusting after... the most gorgeous car I have seen in some time.

I actually have been considering whether to sell the M4 to pick this up. It's AWD so I would drive it 12 months a year (yes, heresy, I know). I haven't pulled the trigger because it isn't optioned the way I want. If I were to buy one, it would be MT and not PDK simply because the Porsche MT is so damn good.

Thanks for the review.

Interesting pdk is not as good as dct?

Yea, the specs of the GTS looks like on paper it is about the same as an M. I'm sure it feels different but for that much more money I would be hesitant like you to pull the trigger!

Too bad I have to wait another 5 years to do so. promised my wife I'd keep the M for 6 years. lol.

In the meantime I will have to live vicariously through you!

ASAP · 07-17-2015, 02:04 PM

It's interesting to hear that the BMW M-DCT is the best... it always seems to be a tossup between M DCT and PDK w most favoring M DCT... The GTR's apprently is close but not nearly as smooth.

AM4ZING · 07-17-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSanto

I priced one on porsche USA a few weeks ago. I was at 145k. I was like hmm a bare bones GT3 or an optioned GTS...

I'd go with the GT3

gthal · 07-17-2015, 02:16 PM

The issue with PDK, for me, was the paddle shifters were clunky and it kept shifting for me even in manual mode. The only time the car acted like the DCT in the M4 was in sport+ mode and, even then, the paddles had a LONG movement and needed a lot of pressure. The DCT just seems more responsive and more immediate and never shifts for you just because the car wants to (in manual mode).

gthal · 07-17-2015, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

I'd go with the GT3

Agreed other than it's harder to live with day-to-day. The GTS is a decent daily car and pretty comfortable.

AM4ZING · 07-17-2015, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthal

Agreed other than it's harder to live with day-to-day. The GTS is a decent daily car and pretty comfortable.

When comparing a decent daily for $140k or a GT3 for maybe a little more, id buy the GT3 and a 99 civic beater for a daily

CSanto · 07-17-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

When comparing a decent daily for $140k or a GT3 for maybe a little more, id buy the GT3 and a 99 civic beater for a daily

GTS is a strange price break for sure. I absolutely love it, but I'm not sure where its supposed to exist.

gthal · 07-17-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSanto

GTS is a strange price break for sure. I absolutely love it, but I'm not sure where its supposed to exist.

In Canada it is priced almost in the middle of an 911s and the GT3. If you option out a C4S you get to pretty much the same price as a 4 GTS. CRAZY expensive nonetheless although I still think they are worth it if someone can swing it and doesn't mind pushing retirement off another year

dkhm3 · 07-17-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSanto

GTS is a strange price break for sure. I absolutely love it, but I'm not sure where its supposed to exist.

I read on rennlist that the gts is discounted pretty heavily (relatively) right now. I see quite a few in inventory across Southern CA.

dkhm3 · 07-17-2015, 02:31 PM

the pdk on the gt3 is programmed differently than on the other 911's right?

gthal · 07-17-2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

When comparing a decent daily for $140k or a GT3 for maybe a little more, id buy the GT3 and a 99 civic beater for a daily

Agreed but for me I hate the idea of a nice car sitting in the garage. Been there and done that and would rather have a great car and drive it every day. Personal preference.

gthal · 07-17-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkhm3

the pdk on the gt3 is programmed differently than on the other 911's right?

Don't know but the sales manager told me the paddles on the GT3 are different and don't have the issue re responsiveness.

dkhm3 · 07-17-2015, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthal

Agreed but for me I hate the idea of a nice car sitting in the garage. Been there and done that and would rather have a great car and drive it every day. Personal preference.

get this then:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t_test_review/

dct- getrag based (same as M)
much faster than the GTS.

similarly priced.

JTO24 · 07-17-2015, 02:36 PM

Even the C2 base and C2S I test drove last summer were incredible! It is my goal to have a Porsche within the next 5 years.. To me, it just felt right as soon as I sat in it.

M3guy3 · 07-17-2015, 03:05 PM

man if you get that 911 you would have owned some epic cars. good for you!

ya that 911 is HOT.

mic_crispy · 07-17-2015, 04:15 PM

I purchased a '15 c2s and just LOVE it.

I mirror all your comments versus the M3/4.

tareemaa · 07-17-2015, 04:25 PM

Solid comparison, I'm sure it's amazing but the price difference though, you can have a used '14 cayman s and keep your m4 for that money, now that would be what I would do if I were in position to get another car.

EfEightyM3 · 07-17-2015, 04:42 PM

Go for it.

I however like PDK better than DCT. More responsive, faster and like the way it engages better.

Most seem to agree PDK is tops.

bimmerj · 07-17-2015, 04:50 PM

As usual a nice, detailed write up. I am a bit surprised about the PDK comment. Never drove the GTS so I cannot comment, but on my Cayman S, it was flawless. In Sport +, it seemed like it was reading your mind.

07-17-2015, 01:50 PM	#1
gthal Major General 1904 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	911 4 GTS vs. M4 There is a Guards Red 911 4 GTS at the local Porsche dealership that I have been lusting after... the most gorgeous car I have seen in some time. I actually have been considering whether to sell the M4 to pick this up. It's AWD so I would drive it 12 months a year (yes, heresy, I know). I haven't pulled the trigger because it isn't optioned the way I want. If I were to buy one, it would be MT and not PDK simply because the Porsche MT is so damn good. So, there is only 1 changeable allocation for a GTS still available in the Canada and, if I wanted it, I could probably get it. Something about the last NA 911 with a MT is very appealing. So, to cut to the chase, I took it for a good test drive last night to see if I really, REALLY needed to buy one. Keep in mind this is a incomplete and inaccurate comparison based on a 30 minute test drive. Steering is AMAZING. Great feel. The car sounds epic... epic... makes me dislike the M4 sound. Seats are perfect and you feel like you are sitting in a proper sports car (cause you are) PDK isn't as good as M-DCT. The paddle is less responsive (the paddle itself, not the transmission). The car shifts for you sometimes unless you are in sports+ mode. I generally feel BMW did a better job with their DCT than Porsche did with PDK. The car feels so planted and stable. No body roll. Very controlled movement. Instant turn-in. LIGHT... feels so damn light! The chassis dynamics are superb. Power delivery is like the E92 M3... you need to rev it to have power. In the power band it is probably as fast or faster than the M4 but the M4 feels faster. The ride is more comfortable than the M4 in its soft setting which is surprising. The firmest setting is even firmer than the M4. Did I mention that AWESOME sound this car makes? All in all, it is a stellar car as you would expect. Back seat fits my 7 year old (I tested it). The M4 is a better daily car for sure. It also surprised me that the GTS isn't THAT much better on the street. As a pure street car, I don't know if I could justify the $60,000 price difference... I suspect the track is a different story but I can't speak to that... yet I will say it is good enough that I still really want it So, I left the test drive loving the GTS, wanting it desperately but not yet ready to sell the M4 for it... maybe I'll get one in a couple of years (a used one) or maybe the new 991.2 with the turbo (the extra torque would be nice). I've pretty much decided I will now own a Porsche in the next 1 to 3 years. For a street car, I'm not sure the price gap is justified unless money is no object... it is definitely a better, more fun, more engaging experience but the M4 is definitely on a comparable level in many ways on the street. I suspect the GTS will leave the M4 in its dust at the track. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3 Last edited by gthal; 07-17-2015 at 02:18 PM..
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07-17-2015, 01:58 PM	#2
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3189 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	My F80 was $60k before tax, so there is obviously a huge price gap. Pretty cool that a "cheap" car like M3 can compared to a 4 GTS At this point, I think its pretty obvious it is down to how much you want it and how much you are ok paying for "feel" and experience. You could get more pace for less $ at the track with a used/modified track car, and you pointed out it is pretty close on the streets
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07-17-2015, 02:02 PM	#3
CSanto Brigadier General 640 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	I priced one on porsche USA a few weeks ago. I was at 145k. I was like hmm a bare bones GT3 or an optioned GTS...
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07-17-2015, 02:04 PM	#5
ASAP Major General 10222 Rep 8,652 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	It's interesting to hear that the BMW M-DCT is the best... it always seems to be a tossup between M DCT and PDK w most favoring M DCT... The GTR's apprently is close but not nearly as smooth. __________________ 2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
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07-17-2015, 02:16 PM	#7
gthal Major General 1904 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	The issue with PDK, for me, was the paddle shifters were clunky and it kept shifting for me even in manual mode. The only time the car acted like the DCT in the M4 was in sport+ mode and, even then, the paddles had a LONG movement and needed a lot of pressure. The DCT just seems more responsive and more immediate and never shifts for you just because the car wants to (in manual mode). __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3
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07-17-2015, 02:31 PM	#13
dkhm3 Brigadier General 1882 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 2020 X3MC Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	the pdk on the gt3 is programmed differently than on the other 911's right? __________________ Currently: 2018 GT3 2020 X3MC Previously: 1999 M3 2002 M3 2005 S4 2008 C63 2015 M3 2016 X5M 2019 911S
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07-17-2015, 02:36 PM	#17
JTO24 never could compete with Lloyd Braun 5276 Rep 5,382 Posts Drives: 2022 G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (7)	Even the C2 base and C2S I test drove last summer were incredible! It is my goal to have a Porsche within the next 5 years.. To me, it just felt right as soon as I sat in it. __________________ 2022 G80 M3 6MT \| Skyscraper Gray \| Kyalami Orange 2018 F87 M2 6MT \| Alpine White (sold) 2016 981 Cayman 6MT \| Jet Black (sold) 2015 F80 M3 DCT \| Tanzanite Blue \| Gold Brown (sold) 2013 E92 M3 6MT \| Mineral White \| Fox Red/Black (sold)
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07-17-2015, 03:05 PM	#18
M3guy3 Captain 131 Rep 690 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	man if you get that 911 you would have owned some epic cars. good for you! ya that 911 is HOT.
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07-17-2015, 04:15 PM	#19
mic_crispy Lieutenant 225 Rep 490 Posts Drives: 2002 \| 964 \| x1 M35 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	I purchased a '15 c2s and just LOVE it. I mirror all your comments versus the M3/4. __________________ 2020 M2C.
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07-17-2015, 04:25 PM	#20
tareemaa Bimmer Fanatic 368 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (7)	Solid comparison, I'm sure it's amazing but the price difference though, you can have a used '14 cayman s and keep your m4 for that money, now that would be what I would do if I were in position to get another car.
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07-17-2015, 04:42 PM	#21
EfEightyM3 Banned 80 Rep 381 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On the way to the dealership iTrader: (2)	Go for it. I however like PDK better than DCT. More responsive, faster and like the way it engages better. Most seem to agree PDK is tops.
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07-17-2015, 04:50 PM	#22
bimmerj Captain 146 Rep 795 Posts Drives: cars Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	As usual a nice, detailed write up. I am a bit surprised about the PDK comment. Never drove the GTS so I cannot comment, but on my Cayman S, it was flawless. In Sport +, it seemed like it was reading your mind. Last edited by bimmerj; 07-17-2015 at 04:58 PM..
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