F82 & 991 Review and Comparisons

[dds007]

Since the typical move of an F82 owner is to go to a 911, I've decided to give my unsolicited 2 cents. Here is my breakdown.

Seat comfort and drive position: I'm giving this to the 911. I'm 6' and 200 lbs and yes, I am better suited for an SUV, but that is not always the fun option to drive. I have had smaller friends and my wife tell me that they feel like they "fit" perfectly into the bucket seats of the F82. I have never gotten that feeling. Also, my spiked up hair always touched the ceiling of the f82. Yes, I can put the seat further down to the floor but I'm most comfortable when I can see over the hood of the car.

Visibility: 911 hands down is just easier to see through the windshield. Could be due to the "Frunk" and having the engine in the rear of the car.

Tech: F82. Everything in the BMW just works like it is supposed to. Bluetooth, NAV, SAT, speaker quality, it's just better in the BMW. In the 911, the seat moves back when you shut the car off and open the door, then when you start it, the chair moves forward.--This does not always work. Along with an array of other things I feel are inferior to the BMW.

"Fun" Buttons: This is a tie. In the F82, I really really like the m1 and m2 buttons on the steering wheel of the BMW vs. the Sport and Sport Plus buttons of the 911 on the lower console. The M1/M2 buttons just feel more intuitive. In the 911, I have the retractable front and rear spoilers, which just makes the car seem "cool".

Drive: 911. It just instantly inspires more confidence of control over the car and makes the F82 feel like a 3 series.

Edit:
Transmission: PDK is much much smoother than the DCT. And that's with engine warm up, in traffic, and overall power delivery when stomping in the gas pedal.

That being said they both have that "it" factor when you see one on the road, people just instantly take notice.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

[M4RAUDR]

Originally Posted by dds007

Since the typical move of an F82 owner is to go to a 911, I've decided to give my unsolicited 2 cents. Here is my breakdown.

Seat comfort and drive position: I'm giving this to the 911. I'm 6' and 200 lbs and yes, I am better suited for an SUV, but that is not always the fun option to drive. I have had smaller friends and my wife tell me that they feel like they "fit" perfectly into the bucket seats of the F82. I have never gotten that feeling. Also, my spiked up hair always touched the ceiling of the f82. Yes, I can put the seat further down to the floor but I'm most comfortable when I can see over the hood of the car.

Visibility: 911 hands down is just easier to see through the windshield. Could be due to the "Frunk" and having the engine in the rear of the car.

Tech: F82. Everything in the BMW just works like it is supposed to. Bluetooth, NAV, SAT, speaker quality, it's just better in the BMW. In the 911, the seat moves back when you shut the car off and open the door, then when you start it, the chair moves forward.--This does not always work. Along with an array of other things I feel are inferior to the BMW.

"Fun" Buttons: This is a tie. In the F82, I really really like the m1 and m2 buttons on the steering wheel of the BMW vs. the Sport and Sport Plus buttons of the 911 on the lower console. The M1/M2 buttons just feel more intuitive. In the 911, I have the retractable front and rear spoilers, which just makes the car seem "cool".

Drive: 911. It just instantly inspires more confidence of control over the car and makes the F82 feel like a 3 series.

That being said they both have that "it" factor when you see one on the road, people just instantly take notice.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

Thanks for the review - very helpful. I've had 911 fever lately and I think you are right - M owners usually either get another M, or they step up to 911. I'm just over the dual-practicality of the F82 (mostly a great car) and I want something more performance-oriented that can still function as an occasional daily... GT3 or GT3RS... If I had the option, I'd have both.






/

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by M4RAUDR

Thanks for the review - very helpful. I've had 911 fever lately and I think you are right - M owners usually either get another M, or they step up to 911. I'm just over the dual-practicality of the F82 (mostly a great car) and I want something more performance-oriented that can still function as an occasional daily... GT3 or GT3RS... If I had the option, I'd have both.






/

GT3 or RS as a DD is difficult. Clearance alone, even with the lift, requires lots of care and planning. Also if you get buckets, it takes a little contortion and arm strength to get out. Some transitions and speed bumps are simply impossible. A C4S or CS would be the better option.

[Carl L]

Thanks for the writeup and hopefully many happy and safe miles ahead for you.

Ten years ago I made the opposite move, from 911 to M....and no it wasn't a personal financial crisis! I just prefer to have true four seaters- weird as it sounds- and have had three Ms in a row since.

That said, congrats on the 911 - they are wonderful cars and definitely offer even more "sport" than an M3. If I could get a 991.2 GT3 w/manual up my current driveway I'd be in like a flash for one. My opinion is it's the best all-round sports car ever made.

[dds007]

Thank you all. I forgot to mention:

Transmission: PDK is much much smoother than the DCT. And that's with engine warm up, in traffic, and overall power delivery when stomping in the gas pedal.

Thoughts from others with experience in both cars?

I just know, it's going to be hard to decide which to get rid of when the time comes?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by dds007

I just know, it's going to be hard to decide which to get rid of when the time comes?

My guess is you will get rid of one based on the # of seats you need and what else is in your garage.

Also is the 991 a base .1? I think non zero chance you'd want more power if that's the version you current have (not that I'm trying to say it's an "underpowered" car, it's because MOAR power!!!)

[Gstone]

I've always enjoyed reading M4 vs 911 threads. My M4 is my first M and I like it. I'm starting to think about what's next and a 911 is appealing, except for the value. If I wanted to stay on the $70K range I would need to buy a 997. My neighbor has a 2006 base 911 and I'm not wow'd by it. I'd love to have a GT3 but not to spend $150K.
Not sure what I'll do next.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Gstone

If I wanted to stay on the $70K range I would need to buy a 997. My neighbor has a 2006 base 911 and I'm not wow'd by it. I'd love to have a GT3 but not to spend $150K.
Not sure what I'll do next.

Not really, I got a '13 C2S CPO, loaded for $75k a year ago.

[Gstone]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

Not really, I got a '13 C2S CPO, loaded for $75k a year ago.

$75K for a 4 year old car seems a lot to me.
I guess I should test drive one first to see if a 991 is that much better.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by Gstone

$75K for a 4 year old car seems a lot to me.
I guess I should test drive one first to see if a 991 is that much better.

Not when it was $129k MSRP

[quattr0]

Originally Posted by Carl L

If I could get a 991.2 GT3 w/manual up my current driveway I'd be in like a flash for one. My opinion is it's the best all-round sports car ever made.

If I could get a 991.2 base w/manual and SpeedTech exhaust up my current driveway...it's the best sport car ever made

There fixed it for ya! Seriously, most folks tend to overlook the base but IMHO, that's all one needs.

OP, which one did you get? Agree on the visibility and driving feel. I used to own F82 also.

I'm in Katy so let's meet up sometime if you're up for it.

[THEROK]

I chose to get a fully loaded new ZCP over a certified Carrera S. I would've chosen a 991 GTS or greater over the M4 no question if the budget allowed.

To me, a 911 must not be the narrow body (i.e. Carrera variant), and ideally, it's a GT3. GTS would be a stop-gap. PDK-S is the salient upgrade to the M4's DCT. M4 has a better looking arse end than all 991 911s except the Turbo/RS to my trained eyes.

[Motorsportenterprise]

Originally Posted by quattr0

If I could get a 991.2 base w/manual and SpeedTech exhaust up my current driveway...it's the best sport car ever made

There fixed it for ya! Seriously, most folks tend to overlook the base but IMHO, that's all one needs.

OP, which one did you get? Agree on the visibility and driving feel. I used to own F82 also.

I'm in Katy so let's meet up sometime if you're up for it.

Agreed. If people are happy with the performance of the M4 Competition, they should be more than happy with a base 911 given it is as fast if not faster in a straight and spanks one on track...and the kicker, they can be bought for only a few thousand more than what most M4 Competitions cost.

Then again, cars like the S, GTS, and Targa just offer even more and add to what is still one of the best looking and sexiest cars on the car. I never get sick of looking at my 991S, and love it even more when I hear that flat 6 start up.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by quattr0

If I could get a 991.2 base w/manual and SpeedTech exhaust up my current driveway...it's the best sport car ever made

There fixed it for ya! Seriously, most folks tend to overlook the base but IMHO, that's all one needs..

For me that's because before the 991.2 the base 911 was way too slow for the price

[Ben Overlake]

I’d much rather have a new, best of breed ‘18 comp over anything below a 991.2 gts. Ideally, a jump into the real 911s or gt class vehicle.

LCI 2.0 M4 looks better than a non mid to widebody body 991 in my eyes. I don’t want the non Motorsport derived 991.1 gt3 either.

All these reasons why I picked up a loaded zcp ‘18 M car. Awesome.

[Throttleblip]

This is an interesting comparison also...

[Motorsportenterprise]

Originally Posted by Ben Overlake

I’d much rather have a new, best of breed ‘18 comp over anything below a 991.2 gts. Ideally, a jump into the real 911s or gt class vehicle.

LCI 2.0 M4 looks better than a non mid to widebody body 991 in my eyes. I don’t want the non Motorsport derived 991.1 gt3 either.

All these reasons why I picked up a loaded zcp ‘18 M car. Awesome.

Not a lot of that makes sense to me.

You do realize there is NOTHING motorsport derived from M cars these days right? At all. If you think there is nothing Motorsport about a GT3 you’ve got it very very wrong and sounds like you’ve never driven one.

I personally think my 911S looks far better than my M4.

BTW even a 991.2S flat out embarrasses an M4 GTS despite being down 80 hp and on summer tires and not cups. A base 991.2 is as fast as and M4 Competition in a straight line despite 80 less hp and is much faster on track...

[ixse]

Originally Posted by Ben Overlake

I’d much rather have a new, best of breed ‘18 comp over anything below a 991.2 gts. Ideally, a jump into the real 911s or gt class vehicle.

LCI 2.0 M4 looks better than a non mid to widebody body 991 in my eyes. I don’t want the non Motorsport derived 991.1 gt3 either.

All these reasons why I picked up a loaded zcp ‘18 M car. Awesome.

You cant be serious.. theres more “motorsports” derived design on regular 911 then m3. Even 991s would eat up m3 at the track. Not to metion chassis feedback you get from 911 is leaps and bounds above m3.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by Throttleblip

This is an interesting comparison also...

Hmmm, isn't that video more of an indication that the driver can't accelerate a manual 991.2 C4S very well?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Ben Overlake

I’d much rather have a new, best of breed ‘18 comp over anything below a 991.2 gts. Ideally, a jump into the real 911s or gt class vehicle.

LCI 2.0 M4 looks better than a non mid to widebody body 991 in my eyes. I don’t want the non Motorsport derived 991.1 gt3 either.

All these reasons why I picked up a loaded zcp ‘18 M car. Awesome.

Im with you on "gt or bust". The "turbo" (confusing they are all turbo now) is worth a look too

Not with you on loaded '18 m3 zcp. You could get a lot of nice pure sports cars for that much. (Full disclosure: my '15 f80 was stripped down to keep separation high between p car and m car pricing)

[dds007]

I like white...

[quattr0]

Congrats OP! Both beautiful cars! still stock exhaust on the 911?