Compare the2025 Porsche 911VS 2025 BMW M8

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 M8 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 911 and M8 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 M8’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the 911 and the M8 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The M8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 15 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 Turbo S’ standard 3.7 turbo 6-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (640 vs. 617) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 553) than the M8’s 4.4 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 Turbo 3.8 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the BMW M8 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M8 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the M8:

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the M8:

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the M8 (22.1 vs. 20.1 gallons).

The 911 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The M8 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 M8 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 911 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M8:

The 911 stops much shorter than the M8:

For better traction and acceleration, the 911 has larger standard rear tires than the M8 (295/35R20 vs. 285/35R20). The 911 GT3 RS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the M8 (335/30R21 vs. 285/35R20).

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 M8’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 21-inch rear wheels. The M8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 M8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the M8 Competition Coupe’s (34.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1250 pounds less than the BMW M8.

The 911 Turbo/Turbo S is 1 foot, 1.3 inches shorter than the M8 Coupe/Convertible, 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 M8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 911 Coupe has .1 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the M8 Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The M8 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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. Optional Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The M8’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The 911 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The M8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The 911 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 911 will retain 57.8% to 64.01% of its original price after five years, while the M8 only retains 42.81% to 46.57%.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The M8 isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche 911 outsold the BMW 8 Series by over two to one during 2023.