Cayman S vs. '08 BMW M3 - Page 7

**Bodhii** · #**121** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:18 AM

BMW M3 racing version -- roll-out

**samwY** · #**122** (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 01:47 PM

looks stupid imo
too long, unbalanced.

AlexMcNabb · #**123** (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 03:53 PM

I come from a family of BMW owners, and I've had TONS of seat time in various models. If asked, I recommend a 3 series sedan as the all-round car of choice for personal transportation. (Ever see how many awards they've stacked up over the years?) BMW represents performance, luxury, refinement, and quality. It's not as soft as the typical Mercedes, but still comes with all the requisite gadgets to keep you entertained. (Can't say that about Porsche, who's behind GM in that department) However, BMW has a problem: They've gotten VERY heavy over the years. You can sort of hide the weight with that German suspension tune, but you won't be able to conceal it in all situations, particularly in the fuel economy department. As for the M3 versus Cayman S, the matter should in all honesty be Z4 M Roadster/Hardtop versus Cayman S. Very similar cars, and I can tell you from my experience that they're extremely special machines, better interior than the Cayman, more sensitive brakes too. (Never thought I'd say that about a Bimmer)
The new M3 is kind of a toss up. On one hand, it's an M3 with a V8! The Holy Grail of horse power! But then it also weighs more than the Lusitania. I'd really have a hard time picking it over the old S54/E46 car, honestly. Matter of fact, I'd find myself staring REALLY hard at the Cadillac CTS-V if I wanted a V8 powered sports sedan. (I know, blasphemy) I've seen them running the Speed World Challenge, where they've been placing 1-2 finishes for quite some time now.
I'll conclude with this though: The Cayman S never fails to impress me. Every single time I get behind the wheel and cruise off down the road, I realize why there is no substitute for a Porsche. NOTHING drives like a well engineered mid-engine Porsche, even after nearly a year in the cockpit it still puts a smile on my face. I have not driven another vehicle that could do that.

**consolidated** · #**124** (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexMcNabb

The new M3 is kind of a toss up. On one hand, it's an M3 with a V8! The Holy Grail of horse power! But then it also weighs more than the Lusitania. I'd really have a hard time picking it over the old S54/E46 car, honestly. Matter of fact, I'd find myself staring REALLY hard at the Cadillac CTS-V if I wanted a V8 powered sports sedan. (I know, blasphemy) I've seen them running the Speed World Challenge, where they've been placing 1-2 finishes for quite some time now.

FYI, the E92 M3 has confirmed weight-ins at 3490 pounds with typical options, 1/2 tank of fuel and no sunroof. They're not lightweights by sportscar standards but still severely undercut their competitors, the M-B C63, RS4, IS-F in weight. The CTS-V is over 4000 pounds and more M5 class than M3 to me, though pricing would say otherwise. The Caddy lapped the Nurburgring at 7:59, impressive for a big sedan, American or not.

Starting off with a marketable 3-series sedan has it's compromises, but then even the 997 Turbo or the GTR are porkers.

I was on the track this weekend with S2000 Club Racer and a couple of spec racer MX-5, I wish my CS had as much apex speed, I think I need HooHoos.

F430GT · #**125** (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:34 PM

I weighed my M3, 3,615 lbs with a full tank. Coupe, carbon roof, DCT.

With an empty fuel tank and the manual transmission it should be at 3,450 lbs. A Cayman S with no options and no fuel is 500 lbs lighter.

I have driven 4 different Cayman S and 1 Cayman, I just had a Cayman S as a loaner car while the M3 was in service this past weekend. The Cayman is such a superior car handling and brakes wise, the M3 feels extremely heavy compared to the Cayman S, the Cayman S inspires confidence. But the Cayman S needs another 50 Hp to feel right, I felt the car was not powerful at all, but it makes great sounds.

Between these two cars I choose the Cayman S all day long. It is a fun car to drive.

blue_eyes · #**126** (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad4che

Hello ladies and gents. I've been eyeing this message board for over a year now and think it's excellent. I posted a review of my first Cayman S test drive many months ago. I gave an honest opinion of the car at the time..... basically in summary I thought it was good, not great // Fun to drive but overpriced. I was disappointed because I went to the dealership with the intention of being blown away and ready to slap down a deposit. So, I put my new car desires on hold; until today.....

I've owned 2 different M3's (1999, 2003) and I currently have a 325 daily driver and a Honda s2000. My wife drives a BMW x3. So, the guys at BMW know me pretty well. The general manager called yesterday and said they just got a new m3 in and that I could drive it... he's probably thinking "easy sale." Anyways, my wife and I went to take it for a spin and I thought it was pretty impressive. Typical modern-day ///M car.... power blended with luxury. More refined (possibly "softer") than the last generation. Very solid feel to the car. I would consider owning this car.

Despite my "disappointing" test drive of the Cayman S several months ago, I never stopped loving the Cayman. I think it's the best looking car for sale on the market (some ultra exotics excluded). So, since the Porsche dealer is only 2 miles away from BMW, I thought what a perfect time to re-test the Cayman S. Long story short, I drove it again and felt much more impressed with the overall package. It wasn't as fast as the m3 but certainly very quick...faster than I remember. The engine sounds really great when pushed hard (above 5000 rpms). It seemed to have a bit of a whine when just cruising and not accelerating hard...??... The disappointment to me this time was not in the performance but the overall fit and finish of the car. The m3 felt much as though it was much more solid. I don't know if that makes sense. The interior of the Porsche felt cheap in comparison. There were a couple squeaks and rattles here and there in the Porsche and the feel of the interior was not on par with BMW. For a car that costs much more (when optioned out) this was a disheartening. I enjoyed driving the Porsche more than the M for the 20 minutes or so that I was testing them. No doubt it's a blast to fly through the bends and wind the car out on the straights. But, I don't think I could live with the cayman as a daily driver. The shifting in the Porsche was superior to BMW. I took both cars in excess of 100 mph and the BMW felt more planted to the road, less wind noise, etc.

I'm just a bit torn as to my decision. I want to make a change to my car lineup and if I get the M3, it will be my only car. If I were to get the Cayman S, I would trade in the s2000 and keep the 325 as my daily driver. The M is more solid and more practical; faster on the straights. The Cayman is a true sports car, much lower to the ground and more fun to drive, you can tell that it is a much, much lighter car. Unfortunately, seems "cheap" on the inside (not what you'd expect for 65 grand) and I still say is "over priced." Funny though, I felt like I was driving a van when I got back in my 325 after driving the porsche.

My wife is pushing me to get the M mainly because she likes the thought of me only having one car. She says I'll never drive the Cayman just like I never drive the S2000 (only has 14000 miles in 8 years). I totally disagree with that statement because the cayman is much more user friendly and practical than the s2000... not to mention a much better car.

Sorry guys for rambling. I'm just don't know what to do.

Check out a full leather pkg optioned CS. And if you are going to order one, order the XPA steering wheel and the leather sun visors, you are set, you will not look behind. I was dissapointed with the E92 335s driving when I tested it. It is perhaps too refined to the extent that you are removed from the intimacy of driving it. It is nice but just not intimate enough. It is like eating a hamburger with leather gloves on.

In my opinion, the more hp the car has the faster you get to the ticket zone without even feeling how fast you are going. So the thrill is not there, or last as much. On the other hand having a smaller engine that allows you go thru the gears any enjoy the ride and once in a while desiring to obtain more hp, is more rewarding and enjoyable.

You can't go wrong with either choices.

PorscheC4 · #**127** (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

FYI, the E92 M3 has confirmed weight-ins at 3490 pounds with typical options, 1/2 tank of fuel and no sunroof. They're not lightweights by sportscar standards but still severely undercut their competitors, the M-B C63, RS4, IS-F in weight. The CTS-V is over 4000 pounds and more M5 class than M3 to me, though pricing would say otherwise. The Caddy lapped the Nurburgring at 7:59, impressive for a big sedan, American or not.

Starting off with a marketable 3-series sedan has it's compromises, but then even the 997 Turbo or the GTR are porkers.

I was on the track this weekend with S2000 Club Racer and a couple of spec racer MX-5, I wish my CS had as much apex speed, I think I need HooHoos.

the caddy ctsv has recently beaten the m3 on a C&D test. not bad for a 4000+ lbs sedan. also, the m3 is 3600+ lbs with a full tank of gas, there was a thread on m3forum about it. the cayman S on the other hand is in the 29XX range without loading up on full leather, nav, and power seats, and the other heavy weight options.
and the 997TT isnt really that heavy. considering that it has a more luxurious interior than anything bmw has, and AWD, it still weighs in at ~3500 lbs...less than the m3 by ~100 lbs, and much less than the m5/m6 and only about 100 lbs heavier than the 135 (which is one of bmws lightest cars).