Compare the2024 Porsche 911VS 2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible

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 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 911 and 4 Series Convertible offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the 911 with Rear Cross Traffic Alert also has Rear Cross Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Convertible’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the 911 and the 4 Series Convertible 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 all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The 4 Series Convertible was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The 911 has more powerful engines than the 4 Series Convertible:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The 911’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Convertible (16.9 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 911’s optional fuel tank has 8.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Convertible (23.7 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The 911 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 911 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Convertible:

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the 911 has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Convertible (F:235/40R19 & R:295/35R20 vs. 225/45R18). The 911 GT3 RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Convertible (F:275/30R20 & R:335/30R21 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The 911 Dakar’s standard 295/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 430i’s standard 45 series tires. The 911 GT3 RS’ optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the 4 Series Convertible’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 430i. The 911’s optional 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 4 Series Convertible.

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 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 5.3 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible’s (34.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 700 pounds less than the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

The 911 is 10 inches shorter than the 430i, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 911 has .4 inches more front legroom and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4 Series Convertible.

The 911’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 4 Series Convertible’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

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 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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. Garage Pilot will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 4 Series Convertible’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 4 Series Convertible isn’t in the top three in its category.