2015 BMW F82 M4 vs. 2014 Porsche 991 Carrera EVO track battle comparison

[Sticky]

We already saw this comparison earlier in the year when Car and Driver compared the F82 M4 to the Porsche 991 Carrera. In that comparison, the M4 came out on top. Let's see what happens when the Brits over at EVO get a hold of both of these cars for a track comparison. This is the big question, does the M4's power and updated chassis allow it to beat the lighter rear engined Porsche 991 Carrera around the track?

EVO does the comparison well showing both cars lapping at the same time. This allows some of the trademark characteristics of the cars to show. Namely that the 911 has less understeer on turn in but this is the area that one traditionally has to be careful with a 911 getting back on the power exiting the apex so that oversteer does not bite you in rear end.

The 911 handling is definitely tighter. The M4's additional mass shows as it tends to push a bit. The 911's lead built in and out of turns is made up by the M4's power. Finesse versus muscle is what we witness. The tighter the course gets, the more it ends up favoring the 991.

Laptimes (for reference a 458 Speciale laps this track in 1:14.2):

Porsche 991 Carrera: 1:17.8
BMW F82 M4: 1:19.2

The 911 in this comparison proves it is the better sports car. To open up a gap like that on the M4 even with a huge power deficit shows how impressive the 991 chassis is. If this was a 911 model with more power, it would not even be a contest.

The M4 is more muscle car and that is the direction BMW M is headed with their street cars. If you want the cheaper car with more power, the choice is the M4. If you want the better driver's car, it's the 911.

[Torgus]

Interesting so 1.4 seconds slower. What does a 911 run on that track?

[bobS]

So what does a e92 m3 run on that track?

[Group.america]

Anglesey is not a power car track, very tough, but the DCT was rated >> PDK

[Group.america]

Pos	Make / Model	Time	Speed (km/h)	Year	Power (hp) / Weight (kg)	Driven by
1.	Ferrari 458 Speciale	1:14.20	121	'13	605 / 1290
2.	Audi R8 V10 plus (2013)	1:16.20	118	'13	550 / 1570	Chris Harris
3.	Lotus 2-Eleven	1:16.40	118	'07	256 / 776
4.	Porsche 911 Turbo S	1:16.90	117	'10	530 / 1585	Chris Harris
5.	BMW M6	1:17.22	116	'12	560 / 1896	Andy Wallace
6.	Caterham R500	1:17.30	116	'08	263 / 506
7.	Ariel Atom 3	1:17.40	116	'08	300 / 456
8.	Porsche 911 Carrera	1:17.80	115	'11	350 / 1400	Marino Franchitti
9.	BMW M5	1:18.58	114	'11	560 / 1870	Andy Wallace
10.	BMW M4	1:19.20	113	'14	437 / 1497	Marino Franchitti

[Torgus]

So what does a e92 m3 run on that track?

Not on the list ;(

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/anglesey_coastal.html

[Group.america]

Not on the list ;(

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/anglesey_coastal.html

M6 was a good time for a supertanker

[Sticky]

What does a 911 run on that track?

Huh?

[SpeedLimit?]

Those times are hard to go by with so many variables. I wish they used one driver like Top Gear...if Andy was behind the wheel of the 458 it most likely would've done sub 1:14, not to dismiss Dick Meaden's talent.

[Torgus]

Huh?

"The 911 in this comparison proves it is the better sports car. To open up a gap like that on the M4 even with a huge power deficit shows how impressive the 991 chassis is. If this was a 911 model with more power, it would not even be a contest."

1st 911 should be 991 right? Just a typo?

You said the 911 model should be faster so I asked how fast is it's record was on that track.

[Sticky]

"The 911 in this comparison proves it is the better sports car. To open up a gap like that on the M4 even with a huge power deficit shows how impressive the 991 chassis is. If this was a 911 model with more power, it would not even be a contest."

1st 911 should be 991 right? Just a typo?

You said the 911 model should be faster so I asked how fast is it's record was on that track.

991 implies the generation of 911 we're discussing. Like E46, E36, etc.

[Torgus]

991 implies the generation of 911 we're discussing. Like E46, E36, etc.

Ah, shows you how much I don't pay attention to Porsche.

[BlackJetE90OC]

^
...oh my.

[gmd2003]

I'm really impressed by that M6 time on a technical track. I'm taking mine to Roebling Road Raceway, a technical momentum track in a couple of weeks so I'll be interested to see how close i can come to my supercharged Z4m track car times. I'm going to run with my tune in place so it will be 'interesting" to see how a 7 sec 60-130 4195 pound car does on track. I'll def post my in car vids .

[leveraged sellout]

Sounds about right, this is about what I would expect. Both cars are fast, obviously the Porsche is lighter and smaller...2+2 sports car with a tiny trunk vs. a 2 door coupe with almost 5 seats and a huge trunk. Not the same type of car, I think given the difference in mission, the M4 does pretty well.

[88irocvert]

I always think you should take price point as a reference. The 991 is over $28,000 more expensive than the M4. If you poured even half that into a brand new M4, it would clearly beat the 991 hands down.

[Sticky]

I always think you should take price point as a reference. The 991 is over $28,000 more expensive than the M4. If you poured even half that into a brand new M4, it would clearly beat the 991 hands down.

A Mustang is cheaper than either and if you poured $30k into it then what?

You can't compare like that. We all know the 911 is more expensive. It should be.

[88irocvert]

A Mustang is cheaper than either and if you poured $30k into it then what?

You can't compare like that. We all know the 911 is more expensive. It should be.

Granted. But then again, the Mustang is not a luxury car so it's not even on the field as far as this comparison is concerned. That being said, I admit I was being a little simplistic and sarcastic in my remark but that doesn't make it invalid. At the end of the day, if you compare two cars, you look at the reasons why one is superior to the other. In my personal evaluation, I then look at what could be done to make them the same. In this case, there so much money left on the table when you buy an M4 over a 991 that it is perfectly reasonable that, if I want to stay in the luxury market, putting some coin into an M4 would make it better on the track. Off the rack, so to speak, it is obvious the 991 is a better track car. It is also obvious the M4 is a much better overall value being much more luxurious and technological and being only slightly inferior at the track. THIS track! A track more suited to more powerful tracks...who knows. You see where I'm going with this? There's WAY too many factors when you compare two cars UNLESS you keep it within a similar price point. This is why my favorite comparisons are when you set a budget and a market (luxury, performance, etc.). These keep the playing field more level in the comparison.

[Sticky]

the Mustang is not a luxury car so it's not even on the field as far as this comparison is concerned.

And the 911 is not a true four seat car. It's not perfect however you look at it.

putting some coin into an M4 would make it better on the track.

True. And how much coin do you put into the M4 to make it lower than the 911, lighter than the 911, and offering the 911's weight distribution? Some things money can't change.

There's WAY too many factors when you compare two cars UNLESS you keep it within a similar price point.

I don't think so at all. You're comparing two stock cars. Once you bring the aftermarket in that is all wildcards. These are the cars off the showroom floor. Additionally, not everyone modifies their cars.

[88irocvert]

And the 911 is not a true four seat car. It's not perfect however you look at it.



True. And how much coin do you put into the M4 to make it lower than the 911, lighter than the 911, and offering the 911's weight distribution? Some things money can't change.



I don't think so at all. You're comparing two stock cars. Once you bring the aftermarket in that is all wildcards. These are the cars off the showroom floor. Additionally, not everyone modifies their cars.

Yours are all good points, some of which apply the other way around. As you say, you can't make the M4 lower, etc., and you can't make the 911 a true four seater. So it really boils down to what the customer wants. However, with the things you CAN change the M4 is much superior.

[Sticky]

As you say, you can't make the M4 lower, etc., and you can't make the 911 a true four seater.

Exactly.

However, with the things you CAN change the M4 is much superior.

Why? Anything you can change on the M4 you can change on the 911 can't you? The 911 is already out-lapping it with less power. Seems more power is all it is missing in the equation as everything else is in its favor from a performance perspective.

[inlineS54B32]

I think he coined the phrase that almost anyone who has driven an M3 hard would say: "The rear end of the car limited the speed it could go". Porsche is odd with it's engine sitting over the rear, but it seems like some guys just love it - and most people can simply squeeze more out.

[88irocvert]

Why? Anything you can change on the M4 you can change on the 911 can't you? The 911 is already out-lapping it with less power. Seems more power is all it is missing in the equation as everything else is in its favor from a performance perspective.

I think you're absolutely right. From a performance perspective, the 911 is superior. But then, again, there's more to life than performance (I can't believe I just wrote that). What I meant was, with the things you can change and stay way under what you spend for the 911.

[Sticky]

But then, again, there's more to life than performance

I always try to explain this to a girl if I've had too much whiskey.

What I meant was, with the things you can change and stay way under what you spend for the 911

No doubt. But the 911 isn't a value and that actually is part of the appeal.

[88irocvert]

I always try to explain this to a girl if I've had too much whiskey.

Wouldn't know...

No doubt. But the 911 isn't a value and that actually is part of the appeal.

Agreed!