I've been noticing that a lot of people have either sold or traded their M3s for Caymans. I think only a few including myself have kept their M3s. And I know a a fair number of current M3 owners are considering a Cayman as evidence by the amount of private messages I've recieved on the M3 forum regarding my experience with my Cayman. I'd like to hear from these people. What's keeping some of you on the fence? Maybe I can help? [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/img] Considering I have both I am willing to offer my expertise on the matter. Consider me the ambassador. Whatever I can do to get you to drive off in a Cayman! [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif[/img]

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Mike
2006 Midnight Blue Cayman S

I loved my M3. Had it almost 3 trouble free years, running up 55K miles on it. I decided to sell it mostly because I could still get a decent return. In fact, I sold it for about 69% of what I paid for it, an excellent residual for a 3 year old car with that many miles. The upcoming V8 M3 kind of leaves me cold so far. The inline 6 is as much a part of BMW lore as Porsche's boxer engines. I did test drive a M roadster a few days ago, enjoyable and if I wanted a vert I think I would take it over a Boxster. A new Z4M coupe is still kind of in the running, but I think the Cayman would be a completely different ride, while the Mcoupe would be more like a smaller M3. My favorite part of the M3 was its engine, its sound is intoxicating much as the Cayman's is. The M is also pretty practical, can carry four people semi-comfortably, even got decent gas mileage in my commute. We live in a golden age for cool cars, I have no illusion that the Cayman will be the car I keep forever, but I'm looking forward to owning one soon.

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Scott
2006 Cayman S
2008 MINI S

I have a 1996 E36 5-speed modified with a Dinan chip and intake. It has 99,000 miles and still drives like a dream. It has been my only car - meaning that I have to drive it all year long. Since I live in Chicago, that means our winters. I have a spare set of wheels with winter tires mounted on them and I have been driving it with no problems even during the heavy snowfalls that we get. I have just ordered a 2007 Cayman S with Tip (I have a knee due for total replacement next spring), sport chrono +, PCM 2.1, PASM and 19" Carrera S wheels.

I think each is a lovely ride wih its own value. The M3 is still rock solid on the road and it is particularly strong in twisting and winding roads. It always amuses me that I see guys with new Corvettes, Cadillacs, Mustangs and Camaros tailgate me on the expressway only to see them jam on their brakes when we get to an expressway interchange when I step on it. There they are - on my tail as we approach the ramp and there they are - far away in the rear view mirror as we exit the ramp. It has been a great ride and easy to maintain (I change the oil religiously every 3500 miles) over 10 years - summer and winter. I do not plan to sell this baby - it is still as wonderful to drive as it was in June 1996 when I drove it off the dealer's lot.

I have not yet taken delivery of my CS. I expect it will be every bit as wonderful a drive as the E36 - different in its own way, but wonderful nevertheless. Anyone who says that one is better than the other is being less than candid. I owned a Porsche some time ago before switching to the M3. I now hope to have both and enjoy both.

I do not think it has to be a choice between the two (unless you have to trade one for the other). If you are fortunate to be able to keep the M3 while buying a new CS, you are as lucky as I am. Do that and enjoy each in its own way. When I was younger I used to think that these were mutually exclusive choices. Now I am 64 years old, still love to drive hard and fast and I think it does not have to be a choice. I think the E36 is one of the great cars and I expect the CS will be too.

When you think of your older M3, just think about the pleasure it gives you vs. the trade in value. I understand that everyone may not be able to retain both. But, at least in my case, I thought about how much fun I have driving it and evaluated if I could get anything like that for anywhere near what the trade would be worth. Yes, the CS will be a great car. But the M3 is still a great car and it will permit me to take my two grandchildren for a ride out into the woods. I cannot do that with the CS. Each is stable in its own way on the twisties and each will play its role in my driving pleasures.

Is a C4S better than the CS or vice versa ? You are talking about a mid-engine vs. a rear engine. And, in the M3 you are talking about a front engine. But look at the weight differential between the front and the back. They are all close to 50-50. That is why each is a balanced beauty that is great in the straights and in the twisties. They are all stable in their own way. The M3 does lean a little - when I first got it, I was used to the planted stance of a Porsche and was confused by the M3. But I started to understand later (as I drove the M3 hard and long) that the M3 was no less stable than the Porsche I had. It was just different the way it maintained its stability.

I do not know much about what the 0-60 times and skidpad ratings mean. I never drive it the way they do for the tests. I can tell you this much. On the normal roads where we all drive these cars most of the time, they are all wonderful pieces of engineering and fit and finish and reliability. And they are all cars to enjoy.

Hope you all have the good fortune to enjoy each of these cars and hope you will learn to appreciate each in its own way.

Just my two cents.

I had a 2001 M3- it was a lot of fun, but had a ton of problems (kept stalling, connecting rods had to be replaced, etc.) and eventually sold it because I was worried about additional problems. It was a lot of fun and I would probably still be driving it, if it had been reliable. Brought a 2003 s2000 as a replacement and loved it, but sold it for a 07 cayman s.

I also have a e36 M3 (99 5pd Alp Wht 2dr). Ever since college, back in 94, hearing all the rant and raves about how awesome the M3 was, I always wanted one. I liked how it was a compact car, seats 4 but can hold its own even among sports cars. I bought it used in 2003 from the dealer after one test drive ... I can still remember the smooth accelaration straight past 80mph in 3rd gear .. that inline six is so sweet..

I didn't consider the e46 m3 since it was way out of my price range but later on when I test drove it, I knew I had to get one. I had my eyes set on a 2006 M3 Interlagos Blue and was about to get it when I figured I might as well test drive some other cars, just for the heck of it... which led me to the Cayman S.



This was the first late model p car I drove, also the first mid-engine car. A good friend of mine told me that it was 'the' car to get so I set my expectations fairly high ... i have to admit, the acceleration was good but the handling was unbelievable. Night and day difference with a BMW. Obviously, they are in a different class, but the feel of the cayman S, i knew history was in the making (again). Granted BMW has a strong lineup with the upcoming v8 m3 and 335 twin turbo, touting formidable 0-60 and hp figures, sounds like a great package. For me, I decided to go for the pure, specialty car where numbers do no justice to the driving experience and pleasure.



Add to that the JD Power Initial Quality award, 28 mpg, relatively long maintenance intervals, no back seats (aka lack of junk in the trunk passengers) and the exclusivity of driving a Porsche, its a clear choice.



My CS will be on order as soon as I can get the right price ....



As for my m3, I swore I'd keep the car for at least 10 years ... plus, it makes an awesome daily driver.

A good friend of mine just picked up an E36 M3 (1999) black/black with just over 50K miles. Any suggestions for him on what to do to is car first for more performance?

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K-Man S

I went from a 2001 Honda S2000 to a 2002 M3 (purchased used in 2005) to the 2007 Cayman S.



The S2000 was my favorite car for a while - it was just too much fun to drive. Some lifestyle changes made me believe the M3 was going to suit my needs better - I needed a larger car, but didn't want to give up all the fun. Driving the M3 for a year, I realized that it wasn't the fun car I envisioned it to be. It did everything well, but because it didn't excell in any particular area I couldn't push it like the S2000. I think the M3 is the absolute best daily driver for someone like me in Virginia Beach, but I think I'm going to be happier with the Cayman. The Cayman S is a combination of all the best points from the M3 and the S2000 with a multiplier!

Tell him to go hang out at bimmerforums.com; lots of money sucking ideas there.


By far, the best performance enhancement is a cam kit; there are several. They the power up to 300HP. Worth every penny

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97 Turbo | 06 Boxster S | 06 Cayman S (sold)

Everyone seemed to wonder why bring out a Cayman as no one knew who would buy a car slap in the middle of the Boxster and 911, but it seems Porsche have pulled a coup getting all you M3's to ditch the brand.


G

Everyone seemed to wonder why bring out a Cayman as no one knew who would buy a car slap in the middle of the Boxster and 911, but it seems Porsche have pulled a coup getting all you M3's to ditch the brand.


G

Poindexter, I totally aggree, the cayman s really is a perfect blend of the s2000 and M3. It's got the balance and razor sharp reflexes of the s2000, but also has the high speed stability and luxury of the M3...