Help me choose: M3 Comp/CS vs Macan GTS

[mile2424]

I know kinda biased on this forum, but wanted to see some people's thoughts and feedback.*I currently have a 2011 Boxster Spyder, and I thinking of getting something with more space. Have a 7 month old boy now, and would be nice to still have a fun car that we can take out on the weekends or go to dinner in with the family. I have driven the GTS, and of course it feels like a natural sports car with the extra space and 4 doors. Of course having the room for a convertible baby seat is needed in the back. I have driven both a manual and auto "regular" F80 M3, but not the comp or CS. Love the overall looks of the CS, but the color options are somewhat limited, and I don't know if the CS compromises anything that I would need for convertible baby seats or anything in the rear? I would think these things are standard and a US requirement, but wasn't sure on a model like this with the weight savings.

What do you guys think from an overall value/performance aspect of the Macan GTS vs a BMW M3 in the competition package or even CS trim?*

[Jaymax85]

I have both.
Macan is small, trunk is pretty useless. Awd is nice. It's pretty heavy and slow in the straights. Feels ok in corners. Macan sounds nice.

M3 is next level. You really can't even compare the two.

[drgmt]

The CS was great to drive but those door pulls would annoy the crap out of me overtime.

[RickFLM4]

Have you considered splitting the difference and waiting a bit for an X3M?

[instarand]

Originally Posted by mile2424

I know kinda biased on this forum, but wanted to see some people's thoughts and feedback.*I currently have a 2011 Boxster Spyder, and I thinking of getting something with more space. Have a 7 month old boy now, and would be nice to still have a fun car that we can take out on the weekends or go to dinner in with the family. I have driven the GTS, and of course it feels like a natural sports car with the extra space and 4 doors. Of course having the room for a convertible baby seat is needed in the back. I have driven both a manual and auto "regular" F80 M3, but not the comp or CS. Love the overall looks of the CS, but the color options are somewhat limited, and I don't know if the CS compromises anything that I would need for convertible baby seats or anything in the rear? I would think these things are standard and a US requirement, but wasn't sure on a model like this with the weight savings.

What do you guys think from an overall value/performance aspect of the Macan GTS vs a BMW M3 in the competition package or even CS trim?*

Go with an F80 manual transmission and call it a day! :-)

I sold my 911 because i couldnt fit the car seat in the back and the wife in the front at the same time - the 911 was going to end up a garage queen and i won't stand for that. I have a new F80 scheduled to hit my dealership in a week or so.

Personally, my thoughts prior to choosing F80:

I needed to choose sports sedan or true SUV. The idea of a crossover was sort of no-mans land... like make up your mind, i kept telling myself. I considered a CPO Cayenne Turbo, CPO X5M, perhaps leasing a new Cayenne S. I test drove the Macan GTS and Turbo. I love the car. But for me, the choice was: get a large and cool suv, or get a stick shift sports sedan. the macan does both okay... but neither really well.

Also, the Macan turbo was the only one i'd consider - the GTS was fancy but didnt have the performance to back the price tag. CPO Macan Turbo's can be had for cheap!!

That's my rambling on the topic. My vote: MT F80 M3!!

[mile2424]

Originally Posted by instarand

Go with an F80 manual transmission and call it a day! :-)

I sold my 911 because i couldnt fit the car seat in the back and the wife in the front at the same time - the 911 was going to end up a garage queen and i won't stand for that. I have a new F80 scheduled to hit my dealership in a week or so.

Personally, my thoughts prior to choosing F80:

I needed to choose sports sedan or true SUV. The idea of a crossover was sort of no-mans land... like make up your mind, i kept telling myself. I considered a CPO Cayenne Turbo, CPO X5M, perhaps leasing a new Cayenne S. I test drove the Macan GTS and Turbo. I love the car. But for me, the choice was: get a large and cool suv, or get a stick shift sports sedan. the macan does both okay... but neither really well.

Also, the Macan turbo was the only one i'd consider - the GTS was fancy but didnt have the performance to back the price tag. CPO Macan Turbo's can be had for cheap!!

That's my rambling on the topic. My vote: MT F80 M3!!

I haven't driven a Macan Turbo, but how do you think the performance felt compared to the GTS?

I do like the option for a manual M3. How does the kiddo's fit in the back with the car seat? Enough room?

[Nikolas]

The Macan Turbo definitely feels a lot faster than the GTS.

Although I personally like the GTS better. I felt the same way with the Cayenne and own a Cayenne GTS. Love that car and the utility.

[instarand]

Originally Posted by mile2424

I haven't driven a Macan Turbo, but how do you think the performance felt compared to the GTS?

I do like the option for a manual M3. How does the kiddo's fit in the back with the car seat? Enough room?

Turbo feels significantly faster.

I brought a rear facing car seat to the bmw dealer before buying. It fit with room to spare. It’s a Chico key fit 30. Including the wife in the front seat where she positioned the seat how she would anyway. Quick Car and Driver search:

M3 rear leg room: 35.1 inches
M3 cargo space: 12 cubic feet

Macan rear leg room: 35.6 inches
Macan cargo space: 17.7 cubic feet

So, it seems the space in the rear seat for the child seat is negligible between the two (half inch difference). Where the Macan will be slightly more practical is cargo space for strollers, etc.

But then again, do you want an SUV or do you want a fun sports sedan?

[Darth One]

I have the Turbo. As entertaining as it is to watch journos test it against M2's and M3's and have it do much better than any SUV has any right to, it still is what it is - the most sports car like, best performing SUV on the market, IMO. At least until i see what the stelvio is all about.

So get the Macan if you're going to get an SUV no matter what, but want to compromise as little as possible. You won't be giving up much.

The M3 will outperform it, is lighter, and is available in a manual. And will beat the Macan in a drag race if that's your thing.

Personally, for me it's really close. Just decide whether you want a car or SUV and the choice will follow. Like I said, you aren't giving up much to the M3 in performance if you go Macan Turbo. The GTS is slower, but the Turbo can be specced to the cost of a well equipped M3. Just make sure you get sport chrono, air suspension and PASM

[mile2424]

On the Macan, I know the GTS comes with a more tuned or sports suspension compared to the Turbo. Seems the consensus is that the Turbo is faster in a straight line but the GTS might handle better. Not like I will be tracking it, but still nice to have on the backroads or twisties. I don't know if the Macan Turbo can be spec'd with the same suspension as the GTS, I don't think so. I know they also now have the Turbo w/performance package which I think is even faster although with a cost.

Ya pretty torn. For the Macan, definitely seems like more of the family car you can take on road trips and be comfortable and enjoy. I would want to get paint to sample if I could to make it more unique.

For the M3, seems like a more fun, aggressive car when you want it to be with the option for a manual trans. I was hoping to spec an individual order but seems the F80 timing is running out and getting harder to find allocations.

Little more background, I had to E36 M3's which I loved, then had an older Boxster S and now the Spyder. Kinda partial to both brands so tough to choose.

[Darth One]

So get both then

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by Darth One

So get both then

If you do that, I'd get the Cayenne GTS. Much more utility.

[Darth One]

Just be aware that the Cayenne doesn't really feel like it has more passenger capacity. But certainly more cargo capacity in the rear. But it's not as good a performance "car".

Another thing I forgot is that BMW's lease MUCH better than Porsches. So if OP is leasing the BMW wins in value by a mile.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by drgmt

The CS was great to drive but those door pulls would annoy the crap out of me overtime.

The M3CS has "regular" door pull handles. Only the M4CS gets the annoying pull straps.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The M3CS has "regular" door pull handles. Only the M4CS gets the annoying pull straps.

Ah nice.

Thanks for that info.

[jafza412]

I have a 2.5 year old and bought my F80 as a family sedan to replace my e92 335i. Got it just as we took her out of the bucket but it would have been fine back there. Had a Recaro ProRide rear-facing and now front facing and it has been awesome. Trunk is big enough to fit an Uppa Cruz and umbrella strollers. My wife is 5'3" and has no problems with leg room with the seat position. I've sat in the pass seat and it has been fine as well (I am 5'11").

I would say that unless you REALLLLLYYYYY need that extra bit of cargo, to sacrifice what is the ultimate family sedan , you will be very pleasantly surprised with the M3.

Also, my daughter frequently now says "daddy can we go fast???". A brief tap on the throttle goes a long way for a smile and giggle.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by mile2424

I haven't driven a Macan Turbo, but how do you think the performance felt compared to the GTS?

I do like the option for a manual M3. How does the kiddo's fit in the back with the car seat? Enough room?

I got DCT F80 and it is love and hate. Hate b/c I long to drive manual again, love because it is a great tranny, very fast to act, good software, and is comfortable for DD purpose. I have 2 kids in child seats and the wife in the front. Plenty of space in the car. Stroller in the back no problem.

Before getting my M I tried Macan, Macan Turbo, and MB C63S, and none of them felt better than the M. All, except for the M, were quite uneventful when just driving around. When gunning it, MB felt like uncontrollable boat, MACAN felt like it was still driving 30mi/hr, but the M felt ok.

P.s. if you are looking for comfortable ride with guts, get 550 or X5/6 with v8. My brother got CPO x5 v8 with m package and loves it a lot. He likes my M3 but he prefers comfort over sporty feeling. So the X is a good compromise for him.

[CarbonFiberCo]

The M3 blows away the Macan when it comes to fun factor. The Macan obviously has more room than the M3, but it's relatively small considering the fact that it's an SUV.

[KevinM]

You are correct, this is a biased forum.

With that out of the way, a MT M3 ZCP is the ultimate mid-size family sport sedan. I wonder how much longer such a car will be available. CS is DCT only and (IMO) not worth the extra $ over a ZCP.

[m3welt]

I have a Macan S and an F80 M3. I enjoy both for very different reasons. Macan is obviously more comfortable especially on bumpy roads and feels more luxurious. I test drove the GTS and while it sounded better it didn't seem that much faster.

The M3 is next level enjoyment though. It's really comparing apples to oranges. The M3 is so much more raw and aggressive. The sound grows on you, especially with exhaust, and the handling is world class.

I will keep my M3 forever but the Macan is just a very nice daily.

[nicknaz]

Get Cayenne OP. Macan' cargo space is limited and I think you'll get annoyed when the strollers come into the picture.

[saveywil1]

I looked long and hard at the GTS, it is an incredibly nice place to be in. Very comfortable, plus it did feel like a hot hatch. A couple of things dissuaded me from going that route, probably very personal ones. 1 It doesn't feel any bigger on the inside that my Golf R. 2 No manual. Plus the day that I do decide to go for my first Porsche I would like the engine behind me.

So.. Went and ordered a M3 CP with a manual, now the wait!