[ikonn]

Newish article out of Canada. This almost exactly represents my feelings. I would be harsher about the somewhat ordinary interior, the weak exhaust sound (and fake ASD), and too dull exterior styling, but I would have given higher marks for the back seat (including utility/storage), value over 911s, and relative rarity. Just about everything else he gives high marks to, I agree with.

https://www.toronto.com/life/wheels/...9b77fbcaf.html

[KONG991TT]

I have both (my 8 is a cabrio and my 911 is a Turbo). These are 2 different cars. 100% that the 8 encompasses the best of BMW (especially true given how BMW's lost it's old ways) but the best of BMW does not compare to the best of Porsche. The 8 is a sporty car, the 911 is a true sports car. Both with their own merits but completely different. I've owned many BMW's over the years and think the 8 is a return to form but none of them compare to the 911.

[ikonn]

Pretty much agree to all of that. Have been in the Porsche family for almost 10 years and have driven 911s, Panameras and Taycans. Couple of months ago was in a GT3 on a track (passenger seat only lol). Bottom line, the 911 is basically the best non-exotic (near exotic?) sports car out there.

I would say that the M850 is more than “just” sporty though. Not 911 level, but more than just sporty. Plus it’s a true grand tourer, has back seats, can carry luggage, is more affordable and, dare I say, more rare?

Maybe I’m just cheap.

[KONG991TT]

Agreed. The 911 is immensly more engaging to drive whereas the BMW simply feels numb. The numbness is precisely what makes those long drives great, it takes the road noise, and fatigue out of it. The big V8 means it never has to rev beyond 3,000 RPM which is perfect for low end passing power. The long hood, high doorsills and soft suspension tuning makes it a fantastic car to cross continents comfortably in. It's too heavy to be considered a real sports car irrespective of how much power you stuff under the hood.

The 911 on the other hand is a completely different car. There's feedback, noise, traction and agility. The car's tendency to follow every dip in the road, the (albeit electric) steering that still gives you feedback and the weight distribution allows you to pin the car's nose down with the brakes to the apex power out with the traction from the weight behind the car. If I needed to cross continents quickly, my Turbo is the one I'd choose.

Case and point - I drive the M850 to the track and drive the 911 on the track. First world problems.

[Dr Thrillride]

Originally Posted by KONG991TT

Agreed. The 911 is immensly more engaging to drive whereas the BMW simply feels numb. The numbness is precisely what makes those long drives great, it takes the road noise, and fatigue out of it. The big V8 means it never has to rev beyond 3,000 RPM which is perfect for low end passing power. The long hood, high doorsills and soft suspension tuning makes it a fantastic car to cross continents comfortably in. It's too heavy to be considered a real sports car irrespective of how much power you stuff under the hood.

The 911 on the other hand is a completely different car. There's feedback, noise, traction and agility. The car's tendency to follow every dip in the road, the (albeit electric) steering that still gives you feedback and the weight distribution allows you to pin the car's nose down with the brakes to the apex power out with the traction from the weight behind the car. If I needed to cross continents quickly, my Turbo is the one I'd choose.

Case and point - I drive the M850 to the track and drive the 911 on the track. First world problems.
Attachment 3297310

Any onboard video of the 911?

[Gus06]

own a 992 911 GTS and a M8 comp gran coupe
both amazing cars but would sell the M8 for another 911 any day haha

ive taken the 911 on the track a couple of times and it belongs there
the way it takes the turns and comes out under control is next level
just getting into the car feels like an event to me

m8 on the other hand is an animal and has the sound track to go with it
v8 M cars are just a must
car is made to eat highway driving without notice

but yet still i end up road tripping the 911 over it

both amazing cars just serve different things in life
follow my instagram bl4ckdreams_
always posting M8 and 911 content

[fmzip]

I planned to get a 911 until I drove one....

I always had wanted a 911 and thought that if I got a 4s I could use at as my daily driver here in CT. One test drive was all I needed....

Car wasn't for me. Why? Roads in CT are terrible. The short wheel base did not absorb anything, nor could my 57 year old body.

While I was at the Porsche dealer I test drove Panamera 4S which I loved. However, they bubble butt and price tag for a higher mileage used Porsche versus an extremly low mileage M850i, I went and test drove the M850i and was sold.

That being said, the ride of that Panamera sticks in my head along with the roominess of the cabin. I wish the M850i had another mode for ride comfort. Did I mentionth roads in CT SUCK??

[bloozemanAZ]

I'm still errant on checking out/driving a 911 (which apparently I can fit in now at 6'6") on my next ICE replacement but if I read this article in 2019 it would have pushed me further over the ledge into my 2020 M850i. Granted back then it was an Audi RS5 (waiting on the soon to be released RS7), a Maserati Quattroporte and a Lexus LC500 on the short list. All failed in comparison to the 2019 M850i my BMW dealer loaned me for the weekend.

This is my favorite quote from the article:

I fully understood the M850i on the open road. From its cosseting seats and an endless reserve of torque at your right foot, to the symphonic delights delivered by the $4900 Bower and Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system, few cars deliver a grand touring experience this complete without shelling out nearly twice as much on a Bentley or Rolls-Royce.

Not sure about the Rolls Royce but even the guys from hot laps gave the heads up to the M850i over a Bentley Continental GT. That said my experience with the M850i is indeed endless reserve torque at my right foot. Just did that again for the trip to Flagstaff last month with the wife. There was a fellow driver in a WRX also carving up the road and could keep up on the plateaus of the 7K foot climb but hit the inclines and it was an easy 10 to 20 car gap as V8 torque rules.

I've posted likely a 100 times that the B&W audio is pure gold. All that state it has no bass are just absolutely clueless on how to calibrate it. I can walk away from the car and still hear the bass until the comfort access locks the car and turns off iD7.

[fmzip]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

I'm still errant on checking out/driving a 911 (which apparently I can fit in now at 6'6") on my next ICE replacement but if I read this article in 2019 it would have pushed me further over the ledge into my 2020 M850i. Granted back then it was an Audi RS5 (waiting on the soon to be released RS7), a Maserati Quattroporte and a Lexus LC500 on the short list. All failed in comparison to the 2019 M850i my BMW dealer loaned me for the weekend.

This is my favorite quote from the article:



Not sure about the Rolls Royce but even the guys from hot laps gave the heads up to the M850i over a Bentley Continental GT. That said my experience with the M850i is indeed endless reserve torque at my right foot. Just did that again for the trip to Flagstaff last month with the wife. There was a fellow driver in a WRX also carving up the road and could keep up on the plateaus of the 7K foot climb but hit the inclines and it was an easy 10 to 20 car gap as V8 torque rules.

I've posted likely a 100 times that the B&W audio is pure gold. All that state it has no bass are just absolutely clueless on how to calibrate it. I can walk away from the car and still hear the bass until the comfort access locks the car and turns off iD7.

Agreed...B&W is fantasic! Have 803's in the house as well!

[m3_08]

One more point:
if new 911s were available to purchase as easy as 8 series many people would buy 911 instead of 8.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by fmzip

Agreed...B&W is fantasic! Have 803's in the house as well!

As mentioned, I had 801 D2s for about 2 years as my mains in the home audio/theater setup. I swap audio gear like most in the forum swap cars. 😜 That said it gave me a leg up on calibrating the B&W in the M850i as shared components. My only complaint to this day is give me an option to defeat the DSP sound profiles completely. Pure gold with my 5.1 FLAC sources but at least with the concert profile they are not butchered to hell and back. 👍

[Tom C]

Originally Posted by KONG991TT

Agreed. The 911 is immensly more engaging to drive whereas the BMW simply feels numb. The numbness is precisely what makes those long drives great, it takes the road noise, and fatigue out of it. The big V8 means it never has to rev beyond 3,000 RPM which is perfect for low end passing power. The long hood, high doorsills and soft suspension tuning makes it a fantastic car to cross continents comfortably in. It's too heavy to be considered a real sports car irrespective of how much power you stuff under the hood.

The 911 on the other hand is a completely different car. There's feedback, noise, traction and agility. The car's tendency to follow every dip in the road, the (albeit electric) steering that still gives you feedback and the weight distribution allows you to pin the car's nose down with the brakes to the apex power out with the traction from the weight behind the car. If I needed to cross continents quickly, my Turbo is the one I'd choose.

Case and point - I drive the M850 to the track and drive the 911 on the track. First world problems.
Attachment 3297310

Curious about the wheels you are running on the 911, which brand/style? Looks good!

[Camissa]

After 18 years of 911s I switched to a M850i few years ago.

It is two very different cars. When I had my 911s, I wanted the process of me "driving", it was like taming the dragon. With the M850i, it is the car driving, I am merely giving instructions by means of steering wheel and pedals.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Camissa

After 18 years of 911s I switched to a M850i few years ago.

It is two very different cars. When I had my 911s, I wanted the process of me "driving", it was like taming the dragon. With the M850i, it is the car driving, I am merely giving instructions by means of steering wheel and pedals.

I like this

I often say with my 911's that I am IN the seat vs other cars where Im ON the seat.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by KONG991TT

I have both (my 8 is a cabrio and my 911 is a Turbo). These are 2 different cars. 100% that the 8 encompasses the best of BMW (especially true given how BMW's lost it's old ways) but the best of BMW does not compare to the best of Porsche. The 8 is a sporty car, the 911 is a true sports car. Both with their own merits but completely different. I've owned many BMW's over the years and think the 8 is a return to form but none of them compare to the 911.

I've heard this sentiment from many people. I'm on the list for a 992.2 and am curious to find out first hand.