Compare the2022 Porsche 911VS 2021 BMW M2

The 911 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The M2 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The M2 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 911 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The M2 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 911’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The M2 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 911’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The M2 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the 911 and the M2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The 911 S’ standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (443 vs. 405) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The 911 GTS’ standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (473 vs. 405) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (420 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The 911 GT3’s standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 97 more horsepower (502 vs. 405) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The 911 Turbo S’ standard 3.7 turbo 6-cylinder produces 235 more horsepower (640 vs. 405) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 S 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the BMW M2 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 911 is faster than the BMW M2 (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 GT3 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the M2 Competition (automatics tested):

In a Road and Track race course test, the Porsche 911 S Coupe was clocked 3.83 seconds faster than the BMW M2 Competition (83.08 sec. vs. 86.91 sec.).

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M2 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the M2:

The 911’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (16.9 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 911’s optional fuel tank has 10 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (23.7 vs. 13.7 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Porsche 911 higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW M2 (3). This means the 911 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M2 every 15,000 miles.

The Porsche 911 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M2.

A seven-speed manual is available on the Porsche 911, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a 6-speed manual is available for the M2.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche 911, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the M2.

All wheel drive, available in the 911, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The BMW M2 is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the M2:

The 911 stops much shorter than the M2:

For better traction, the 911 Turbo S/GT3’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the M2 (F:255/35R20 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:265/35R19).

The 911’s optional 305/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M2’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 20-inch rear wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the M2. The 911 offers optional 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The M2 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The M2’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.15 G’s, while the M2 CS pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 GT3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the M2 (22.3 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the M2’s (34.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the M2’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the BMW M2.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 911 Manual (except PDK) has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The M2 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the 911 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The M2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the 911 S Coupe is quieter than the M2 Competition (69 vs. 70 dB).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

The 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 911’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The M2 has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The M2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The 911’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The M2’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 911 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The M2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The 911 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The M2 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 911 (except Manual) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The M2 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The M2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Porsche 911 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW M2 isn’t available as a convertible.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2019 issue and they ranked the Porsche 911 S Coupe first. They ranked the BMW M2 Competition third.