Porsche vs. BMW comparison

[sterrico]

So this past Saturday I went and test drove a June 2000 build date 996TT. I wanted to share my intial impressions compared to my current vehicle (2006 z4m roadster). First things first:

• Yes I know one is a convertible and the other is a coupe Very big difference

• Yes I know one is 6 years new than the other.

• Yes I know the roadster weights less than the 996TT.

• Yes I know the 996TT has much more HP and Torque than the BMW.

My initial comparison will be about the mechanical aspects of the two vehicles. First of all I was surprised (shocked really) at how much of a difference exists between the two clutches. The BMW takes MUCH more force to engage the clutch. The engagement point is almost to the floor in the BMW. The Porsche’s clutch was nowhere near as hard to engage and seemed much more suited for a daily driver (something numerous people on this board have said). While I was only able to get .4 bar on the readout while driving in Rockville on a Saturday morning I was still happy with the very linear torque curve across much of the RPM range. My BMW needs to be at about 4200 RPM in order for the VANOS (BMW's version of VarioCam Plus) to kick in. The difference between the two vehicles was striking for these two aspects. The particular vehicles that I drove didn’t sound as “throaty” as I remember my parents Porsche being (a 944). My BMW exhaust is more engine sounding and a little throatier. I also was able to get PSM to engage albeit VERY briefly (I did have the salesman with me after all). My BMW seems to have the DTC (BMW version of PSM) engage much sooner. I remember the same thing on my 02 E46 coupe. I would be interested in comments on why that might be.

Now a few comments on the interior. I have no idea why a glove box would not be included (even though it was added in MY02) but I was happy with the amount of interior storage space. The other thing I noticed right away was the steering wheel location. Even with the seat as low as it could go and as far back as I was comfortable with (including reclined) I still has the top of the RPM gauge cut off in the Porsche. Maybe something I just have to live with when I get mine I guess.

Well these are just my humble opinions. Thoughts anyone?