What we’re looking for Quality and
equipment count but the one that makes us grin more is likely to win
Both cars offer similar rear passenger
space, with slightly limited headroom, although there's usefully more legroom
in the BMW. However, the Porsche's taller hatchback boot is much better suited
to carrying bulky items.
Both
cars offer similar rear passenger space, with slightly limited headroom,
although there's usefully more legroom in the BMW.
·
Steering wheel
It's a new design for M cars. Slimmer rim is a big improvement
·
Cabin Doesn't
feel special enough, even if you opt for $665 carbon fibre finish
·
Quality The
Macan's cabin feels luxurious: the many buttons are well-damped
·
Bluetooth Porsche
charges $456. It's standard on many much cheaper hatchbacks
·
Rear seats offer more legroom than the Macan’s,
heated front seats are supportive, comfortable and electronically adjustable
·
The Macan has the most rear headroom; the cabin
is wider than the M3’s up front but there’s a fair bit less head- and legroom
on offer
What will they cost?
Let’s be honest here lots. The Macan and M3
may be the product of a new era of efficient sports cars, but with all costs of
private ownership accounted for –including fuel for 12,000 miles a year,
depreciation, tyres, servicing and insurance - they are both predicted to cost
just over $67,364 all-in if you sell on after three years.
However, given that most buyers will
want to add at least metallic paint ($1,022), cruise control ($586) and
Bluetooth ($456) to the Macan, all of which come as standard on the BMW, which
is also slightly more economical according to our True MPG economy figures, it
is the cheaper of these two cars to own by a narrow margin. The BMW is also
cheaper than the Porsche to lease, at around $1,650 to the Porsche’s $1,730.
Our verdict
Physics wins. The BMW feels like a
standalone sports car that's far advanced over other 3 Series models and still
easy to live with, even though it's the more tiring of the two over long
distances.
The BMW feels like a standalone sports car that's far advanced over
other 3 Series models and still easy to live with, even though it's the more
tiring of the two over long distances.
Extraordinary is a good word to describe
the Macan but its bigger mass and higher centre of gravity mean that it isn't
quite as thrilling as the M3. It’s fast, fun and refined, but it feds
more like a derivative of other equally sublime and better-value Macan models.
It’s also a shame that you have to pay extra for some equipment that should
come as standard.
Extraordinary
is a good word to describe the Macan but its bigger mass and higher centre of
gravity mean that it isn't quite as thrilling as the M3.
BMW M3 DCT
·
For Blistering
pace; masses of grip
·
Against Road
noise; synthesised exhaust note
·
Verdict Not
flawless, but the best fast four-door sports car at this price
Porsche Macan Turbo
·
For Pace; grippy
handling; very refined
·
Against Not as
fun as the M3, nor as well equipped
·
Verdict Thrilling,
fast and easy to live with, but falls short of the M3’s handling
