Porsche 911 Carrera S 3.8 PDK Review: A clash of titans

What we like:

The 911 no longer murders less experienced drivers. The M3 is beautifully balanced on the edge.

What we dislike:

911: Optional sports exhaust can get weary after a full day of driving. Even with the valves in normal mode. M3: Could do with better brakes.

Of the two, the 911 shows greater track potential out of the box and is better equipped to handle the constant pounding from apex to apex. One feature that trackies will particularly enjoy is the tire pressure monitor that reports exact PSI figures of all four tires in real time. Useful feature to have on a track where elevated tire temperatures can cause tires to go ‘BOOM’ if not monitored.

We’re not saying the M3 isn’t track competent. As sublime as the handling is, the beemer would require some tweaking to the brakes which is why they’re always the first items tossed out by enthusiastic owners.

From a performance driving standpoint, the 911 would offer a more enriching experience in driver development as it doesn’t coddle you as much as the M3 would. Without PASM and traction control, the 911 can still be a handful and will take patience and keen sensitivity to fully enjoy the benefits of a rear wheel drive rear engine configuration.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline