I have an older BMW M3. I decided not to wait on the not yet out 2008 M3 because I was so impressed by the Cayman S. I realize that the Cayman S is a 2 seater mid engined sport car with very limited storage capacity, whereas the M3 is a front engined sport coupe (2 door) with back seats and much greater storage capacity. I recently drove the BMW 335i and was very imprssed, especially by the awsome 300 hp twin turbo engine. However, I really did not like the steering. I am interested in opinions of the newer M3s versus the Cayman S (or Cayman), especially given by owners, at one time, of both the newer M3s and the CaymanS (or Cayman). I believe that the 2008 M3 will be an 8 cyclinder car producing somewhere in the range of 417 hp. Insight into how the new 2008 M3 might handle and drive,compared to the Cayman S, would also be welcomed.

Thanks.


Doobydarby

Doooby,
I have to ask if you searched on this one??? There are multiple prior conversation threads where the Cayman is compared to different generation M3's by current and prior owners. I'm sure Santa Fe can help you locate some of the key topic threads if your searches are not successful.

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K-Man S

I did do a search previously but didn't really find too much. More on the 335i, M coupe,...

If you prefer my post not being here, please just delete it. I do realize that you, understandibly so, suggest for posters to do a search first.


Doobydarby

I don't know how many had a chance to drive the new M3 (too new). But I need to point out one thing in your original post. The Cayman, while a 2-seater, actually has amazing luggage room. I don't know how important that is to you.

Back to the M3. I think they are putting the V-8 from the E39 M5 in the new M3. They tweeked that to produce even more HP/Tq than the M5. I had an M5 for 4 years, and I can safely say that it will blow the Cayman S away in the torque department. The luxury of the M5-engine tq is that you could apply throttle in any gear, virtually any RPM, and you have blistering acceleration. In the Cayman S, you have good results between 4,500 and 6,500 RPM, so you have to be more judicious with gear selections.

On the M3, it is quite a bit heavier than the Cayman S, so it will feel ponderous in the corners. I had Ground Control coil overs and adjustable camber plates in my M5, and it is still nowhere close to my Porsches in cornering confidence. So the short answer is Cayman wins in the cornering department, M3 probably wins in high-speed highway runs (4th gear on up). Personally I do not like M3s, but that's just me.

Good luck in choosing.

CP

if you want a wife, M3
if you like mistresses, cayman s
if you dont understand the analogy, you really shouldn't be driving either one.

I showed my wife what you wrote and asked her what she thought. She told me to go buy a Yugo!


Doobydarby

My E46 M3 never let you forget you were driving a sports cars (albeit a large one). The effort required for steering, shift and clutch is much greater than on my Cayman S and the Porsche makes a better road car since you will arrive at your destination more refreshed. I have read similar comments about the new M cars based on the Z4 and would expect the new E90 M3 to exhibit the same basic personality. While the Porsche may be more comfortable on a long trip, it also handles better on tight back road driving. It has a wider range of talents than my old M3.

I loved my E46 M3 and my E90 330xi (daily driver) but for pure driving pleasure the Cayman S has them both beat. Small touches, like the optional full leather interior, also make the Porsche a bit more special than any BMW. They also make a Porsche more expensive. I am sure the new M3 will be an awesome car and you have to decide if you want a large sporting coupe with a back seat or a more traditional two seat sports car with mid-engine dynamics that are hard to beat for twice the price.

Alan

The new M3, with eight cylinders, due to be officially introduced in its final form at the Frankfurt Auto Show, will definitely pose serious competition to Porsche because there are plenty of potential buyers out there who will prefer practicality if the basic sports handling features are met.

Only two days ago BMW finally released details of the heart of this new car -- the engine. The 4 liter V8 has 420 horsepower (same as the Audi RS4) and is 33 lighter than the highly acclaimed six cylinder 3.2 liter engine still available on current M3 models. Here is the link to the first of four pages with technical details pertaining to the engine:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...gine-in-detail

Unlike the BMW 3 liter turbo six cylinder gasoline engine (which also generates a peak torque of 400 Nm), the new eight cylinder engine for the future M3 has a bore/stroke ratio >1 (just like Porsche engines) and therefore can go up to 8300 rpm! Also, like Porsche engines, it doesn't feature the new direct injection technology.

If I were prepared to buy in this price league, I would definitely wait for the introduction and subsequent test reviews and comparisons, including Nürburg Ring north loop times.

Sex_Zylinder

The new 3 series is somewhat larger and heavier than the outgoing model,I am sure it (M3) will be a phenomanal car,I loved my E46 M3 and thought it to be the greatest car in the world until...... There truly is no substitute I love the wife mistress analogy because i use my CS on weekends and when i can slip away for some hot laps not as a daily driver.Do what feels right to you. I certainly couldnt wait for the release of the new M3 and drove both the Z4 M Coupe and CS and after driving the CS was not even a little interested in the Z. It is all personal preference,if its about money do what feels right to your wallet if money isnt an issue do what feels right to your driving style and pleasure.

Since we are performance enthusiasts, our initial focus will be on acceleration and handling, but of course another factor will be styling. The E46 M3, although an outstanding performance car for the money, looks very bland to me, especially when compared to a CS or 997. A coworker has a blue '05 M3 and it just blends in with the rest of the cars on the lot, as opposed to a CS which will stand out. Personally, I like owning cars that look distinctive ,and hence the CS is one of my favorites

So I would wait for the E92 M3 to arrive at Dealerships which I understand will be early 2008. If you like the way it looks, I'm confident that it will have outstanding performance, and if the $55K base price is true, a relatively good value. The styling of some BMWs is so bizzare that I wouldn't own them regardless of their performance.

Mooty has inspired my muse. According to Homer (not Simpson), the Trojan wars were fought because Helen had the face that launched a thousand ships.... not her bust or her rump. That is to say passion is not easily quanitified by purely linear measurements. The new M3 despite it's stellar credentials does not present the face to the world that the Cayman does. Cayman as wife and mistress! In the final analysis you've got to turn the lights on and go eat breakfast face to face............that is Homer Simpson....

I thought the E46 Coupe/M design was one of the classiest and most timeless designs within the industry. The styling of the new E90/92 series is what pushed me away from BMW.

I have yet to see a BMW better than this imho.

Hmmm... Let's see.

I do agree that since the E39 5-series ended, BMW styling has totally gone to the dogs.

CP

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