Compare the2024 Porsche 911VS 2024 BMW M4

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 M4 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 911 and M4 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 M4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the 911 and the M4 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 M4 isn’t in the top three 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 M4:

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 S 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the BMW M4 3.0 (manual transmissions tested):

In a Road and Track race course test, the Porsche 911 GT3 was clocked 3.73 seconds faster than the BMW M4 Competition Coupe xDrive (81.69 sec. vs. 85.42 sec.).

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the M4 Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the M4 Convertible:

The 911’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the M4 (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 M4 (23.7 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The Porsche 911 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M4.

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 M4.

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 M4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the M4:

The 911 stops much shorter than the M4:

For better traction and acceleration, the 911 has larger standard rear tires than the M4 (295/35R20 vs. 285/35R19). The 911 GT3 RS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the M4 (335/30R21 vs. 285/35R19).

The 911 GT3 RS’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M4’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels are standard on the M4. The 911’s optional 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels optional on the M4.

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 M4 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 GT3 RS handles at 1.18 G’s, while the M4 CSL pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 GT3 RS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the M4 CSL (21.9 seconds @ .97 average G’s vs. 23.7 seconds @ .9 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the M4’s (34.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the M4’s (36.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the BMW M4.

The 911 is 11.2 inches shorter than the M4, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 M4 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 M4 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 911’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The M4 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 M4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The M4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 M4 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 M4’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Road and Track performed a comparison test in its February 2022 issue and they ranked the Porsche 911 GT3 first. They ranked the BMW M4 Competition Coupe xDrive third.

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 M4 isn’t in the top three.