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Cayman ComparisonsThis sub forum is for messages specifically about comparing the Cayman to other cars. For example how the Cayman compares to the 350Z or S2000 or SLK, etc.
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I currently drive a 1998 BMW E36 M3 sedan, 5 speed (estoril blue), but have a yearning for something else. My "motorsports" hobby is the M3 as well as Aprilia (Italian) motorcycles. My interest in the bikes is waning, so began looking for something as performance intense as the bikes are, while also a well rounded performer as the M3 (to be replaced), as well as a high quality product like both are. Not sure this is possible. Can't afford two newer high end German cars. Drove the BMW 335i, Mercedes SLK350 (6 speed), Cayman and CS. Yet to drive the Audi S5. I loved all of them, but for entirely different reasons. Hmmm..., now what? I don't need 4 doors anymore, so 2 or 4 door works for me.
I want something I am passionate about, and the Caymans did that for me. Just not sure how they compare on a day to day basis with an E36 M3. I'd love to hear from previous E36 M3 owners. Frankly, while feeling a bit slower, I rather liked the Cayman 2.7. But with the same price as an Audi S5... That comparison illustrates my conflicting desires, and puzzlement on what car best suits me.
I'm vise-versa. I purchased my CS first before buying my used Estoril E36 99 M3. I bought the M3 for my daily driving and driving my CS on weekends. At first I thought the M3 will be just another car, but I am really surprise how great this car is even it is close to its tenth year. Now I also feel bad for using the M3 as a daily driver. I love them both and although they are both performance cars, they still have different personalities. I think no matter what car you replace your E36 with you will miss it. So if you can... keep the E36 and go get the CS.
Lucky me I get to move from one car to the other, so for now they are both my daily driver and weekend cars.
I have also had both. I had a '99 M3 and loved the cars balance. In fact, I enjoyed the E36 M3 more than my E46 M3 at the track which was surprising (to me) considering the E46's 90HP increase, but the E36 was just so balanced that it was a joy to drive. This is also what really attracted me to the CS the first time I drove one. For me, straight line performance means next to nothing as I enjoy going fast at the track. Enjoy!
I had a '95 E36 M3 LTW. Was a fantastic road car. When the E46 M3 came out I was enthralled by the extra power so I got it. Later I regretted it. It did not have the same feel as the E36. More power , yes, more bells and whistiles, yes. In fact there were bells and whistles I didn't even know about when I sold it. The LTW was the last pure and simple drivers car I have owned.
I thought I would never get the feel of driving that E36 back. Until I got the CS. Great feel and more power. I am very happy with this car. I still miss the LTW but a drive in the CS makes me forget easily.
The CS is a great upgrade from the M3, but nowhere near as performance intensive as your Aprilia (assuming it's a Mille or Tuono, at least). For true sportbike-like performance, you'd be better served w/ a Z06 in that price range.
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'07 Guards Red Cayman S
'08 Honda Ridgeline RTL
'99 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition
'07 KTM Super Duke 990
'07 KTM 300 XC-W / '06 KTM 450 XC
If you're really going to use it as a daily driver, I might suggest you get PASM.
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
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The CS is a great upgrade from the M3, but nowhere near as performance intensive as your Aprilia (assuming it's a Mille or Tuono, at least). For true sportbike-like performance, you'd be better served w/ a Z06 in that price range.
While my Tuono's huge power is fun and addictive, I also enjoy cornering, riding well, the feel and sound of the engine, shifting, sense of quality, engineering, etc. when I ride or drive (the Tuono or M3). I sat in the Corvette, and I don't like the feeling of bigness, the quality, and the electronic gimmickry. My question is if the Cayman does anything worse than the M3, other than the obvious, such as 4 doors and interior room, when driven around town, highway, commuting, and infrequent 2 - 3 hour trips. I am in the San Francisco bay area, and our roads are horrible, so worry about the ride. The M3 pummels me at times. PASM?
Thanks. - Phil
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
I also have a '98 M3 sedan sitting next to the CS in the garage. I was also into bikes before falling so deep into Porsches 20 years ago. I'm not sure that the CS is the perfect car for you just because it works for me, however. In terms of acceleration, the base Cayman is very similar to the E36 M3 (the CS has noticably more), but the Cayman shines brighter when the curves come up. In fact, my CS reminds me somewhat of the joy of bikes (also mid-engined) in the curves, in that it feels so well balanced in the transitions; except I don't have to shift my weight, and I've never run out of room coming out of a turn.
I too am in the Bay Area. I am afraid that if a stock M3 pummels you, than the Cayman will also. To me it seems like more "road feel" but I have 19", no PASM, 18's and PSM would likely soften things up considerably. It has never bothered me.
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
PSM - Porsche Stability Management
While it can’t overcome the laws of physics, the revolutionary Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system does lend an added degree of balance and control to the Cayman’s mid-engine driving dynamics, inspiring surefooted confidence in corners and extreme situations.
A standard feature on the Cayman and Cayman S, PSM continuously monitors steering input, road speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration to calculate the actual direction of travel. If the car begins to steer off line, PSM instantly intervenes with precision brake inputs on individual wheels to help bring the car back onto the driver’s intended path.
If braking alone isn’t enough to correct the vehicle’s cornering line, PSM then calls on the Cayman’s engine management system, adjusting engine output as needed to help stabilize handling. PSM can also compensate in an instant for mid-corner changes in load resulting from deceleration or braking. When Sport mode is selected with the optional Sport Chrono Package, PSM’s threshold for intervention is raised, allowing for greater driver involvement. If you prefer driving without automatic PSM assistance, the system can be set to standby at any time. In this case, it will only intervene under heavy braking, where both front wheels exceed the ABS threshold.
For all of its technical ability, PSM goes virtually unnoticed in everyday driving situations, preserving the Cayman’s natural agility.
I too am in the Bay Area. I am afraid that if a stock M3 pummels you, than the Cayman will also. To me it seems like more "road feel" but I have 19", no PASM, 18's and PSM would likely soften things up considerably. It has never bothered me.
I should have said some roads in the bay area are awful, and it seems I end up on these too often. Highway 238 is a great example. That said, it seems 18s and PASM will be a requirement, as you said.
PASM - Porsche Active Suspension Management
This active damping system offers continuous adjustment of individual damping forces based on current road conditions and driving style.
The driver can choose from two setup modes, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, using a separate ‘damper’ button on the center console. ‘Normal’ mode is designed for general road driving and circuits with uneven tarmac. ‘Sport’ mode is intended for smoother track surfaces, where the harder settings help eliminate pitch and roll.
In either mode, PASM continuously evaluates the current conditions while automatically selecting the corresponding damper rates from the respective set of mapped values.
A range of sensors are used to monitor the movement of the body under acceleration, braking and cornering maneuvers, as well as on poor road surfaces. The PASM control unit then evaluates this data and modifies the damping force on each individual wheel in accordance with the selected mode. The result is a significant reduction in body movement as well as a better grip on the road.
For example: if ‘Sport’ mode is selected, the suspension is automatically set to a harder damper rating. If the quality of the track surface falls below a certain threshold, the system immediately changes to a softer rating within the ‘Sport’ setup range. When the quality of the tarmac improves once more, PASM automatically returns to the original, harder rating.
Need more information about PASM? Click this link: FAQ for PASM
I've had each of the M3s to date, and almost put an order in for the newest one coming..but after driving the cayman s I just found that it was soooo satisfying, i kept my daily driver SUV and got the Cayman S.
I do miss the E36 M3 more than the others, it was the most balanced. The E30 M3 was a maintenance nightmare and the E46 just too soft. And having just come from a Lotus Elise, you realize how different a mid engine car feels no matter how much they even out a front engine car weight distribution.
So I can't really compare, the E36 M3 is a great dual duty car but the Cayman is just fun fun fun
