Just been reading through alot of posts on here and have found alot of good info.


But I'm in a delimma I absolutely love the E46 M3 Comp Package Interlagos blue or the Cayman in Artic silveror cobalt blue. I moved to colorado 4 years ago and got an S4 instead of the M3 and I've really enjoyed the S4 (my snowmobile with the studded tires). Now at a point of buying a new car and looking at the M3 or the Cayman for the summers. The price really isn't much of a factor because I love both cars.


From what I've read is it safe to assume that the M3 is faster in a straight line just barely. The Cayman S handles better in the turns just barely. Any thoughts of which is the better all in all performer?


I absolutely love the look of both cars ..can't get anymore sexy. I was gonna hold off on buying a car and see how the E90 M3 was gonna look but I'm deeply afraid its not gonna look as good, but should destroy audi's RS4 performance wise. Well maybe not destroy but it should beat it.


I also searched here on the forums and on google, but does anyone have any insight on a Club Version or RS Cayman or even a Turbo Cayman?


I know that I said money wasn't much of a factor but I truly wish that the Cayman put up some better performance numbers for the price. But it being one hell of a handling car keeps me interested.


Man why does porsche have so many options you can easliy turn base 60K to a fully loaded 100k+ car whereas a fully loaded manul M3 right at 60K from a base of 49K.


Anyways, sorry for being so long but I need some insight and any recommendations anyone might have. Especailly any M3 owners 0.02 will be helpful. Should I just wait a bit to see what the E90 Ms will look like and have performance wise. And wait to see if a 911 GT3 like Cayman (RS, Turbo or Club Version) comes out.


Please any help as this is a very important life decision. Man I love cars. Thanks in advance

I fully understand your situation. I never had an M3, but many BMW's all 3 series. I was waiting for the 2006 2dr convertable to come out and then I saw the Cayman. I had no plans on buying one until I started to read about it and fell in love.

I like the fact that I won't see many other Caymans, but M3's are all over the place even here in Hawaii. Both beautiful cars but I needed a change and that is basically why I switched to the Cayman.

I am sure you will get some more technical answers from those here who know a lot more than I do. Whatever you do I wish you the best. And yes I do love cars, most men do some of us go a little further. I was laying in bed last night couldn't sleep thinking about what CD I want to lsiten to first on my new Bose system when I get my Cayman. Certified NUT.

Aloha Russ

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Awesome glad I'm not the only one. I almost pulled the trigger on an 06 M3 and I too thought about what would be the first song I would listen too.

Interested in a Porsche but 0-60 is a high prioirty?



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<td class="Caption">The 911 Turbo Cabriolet was recently spied testing. (Photo by Hans G. Lehmann/Hidden Image)</td>
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<h2 class="Headline">Porsche Juices the 911: Rapid new Turbo set for 2006 Geneva show debut</h2>
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<div class="Byline">GREG KABLE </div>
<div class="Date"><span class="FieldLabel">Published Date: [/quote]11/7/05</div>
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No one can accuse Porsche of failing to make the most of the 911.


Though the latest iteration of the iconic German supercar, the 997 as it is known internally, has been with us only a year, already there are eight different models to tempt customers: Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Cabriolet, to name them all. It seems every time you turn around, a different version of the 911 pops up on the new-car radar screen.
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<td class="smallinks3" bgcolor="#cccccc">Note the roofline difference and C-pillar on the 997 Turbo Cabriolet. (Photo by Hans G. Lehmann/Hidden Image)</td>
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Not that we’re complaining. It’s just that with so many variants, and with such high production numbers these days, the 911 appears to be in danger of losing its allure.


But Porsche is not deterred. With at least four more variants of the 911 scheduled to bow in 2006, including the heavy-hitting Turbo captured here testing with only minimal disguise, Porsche is forging ahead like never before.


Traditionally the most eagerly anticipated of all 911 models, the new Turbo is scheduled to make its first public outing at the Geneva motor show in March, with North American sales likely to begin next June.


As our pictures reveal, the Turbo once again sports more aggressive styling than lesser versions of the 911. The new look is partly revealed on the Carrera 4S, which receives the Turbo’s widened bodywork.
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<td class="smallinks3" bgcolor="#cccccc">The current ’05 996 Turbo Coupe and Cabrio look tough, but the new 997 cars appear more menacing.</td>
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Other distinguishing features include a deeper front bumper with large ducts directing air to a trio of front-mounted radiators, chunkier sills underneath the doors, cooling ducts in the leading edge of the rear fenders, a reworked rear bumper with ducts at the corners to direct hot air out of the engine bay, and tailpipes that poke out of the lower valance cover.


To provide even greater levels of downforce, Porsche also modifies the outgoing model’s biplane rear spoiler.


A set of standard 19-inch wheels and lowered ride height complete the visual makeover, giving the new car an appealing, hunkered-down stance highly reminiscent of today’s model.


The recent popularity of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, brought back in the previous generation after a lengthy hiatus, convinced Porsche to retain it the next time around, though the Cabriolet is not expected to join the lineup until 2007, according to AutoWeek sources.
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<td class="smallinks3" bgcolor="#cccccc">Though cammoed spy pics of the 997 Turbo Coupe have been around since July, Porsche is getting bolder in on-road tests. The cars, above, were captured near Weissach, Germany. Note front intake grilles: Is it subterfuge, or will they be in place at launch?</td>
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Powering next year’s range-topping 911 is a reworked version of the outgoing model’s devastatingly effective 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Porsche drew on its engine-building experience to crank up the output of the horizontally opposed unit with an enhanced management system, twin variable vane turbochargers, improved exhaust routing with reduced back-pressure, and the latest evolution of its electrohydraulic VarioCam Plus system, which continuously varies valve lift and timing.


The exact output is still under wraps, but the German carmaker’s long history of evolutionary improvements suggests peak power will not rise dramatically beyond the outgoing 911 Turbo’s 420 hp.


Insiders hint at a gain of 30 hp, taking the new model up to around 450 hp. That is about the same as today’s 911 Turbo S (444 hp), but our sources say the power curve is flattened out, with added clout below 2500 rpm and improved breathing efficiency giving it a more determined character above 6000 rpm.


While the new car’s curb weight creeps above 3520 pounds, the subtle increase in power should be sufficient to endow it with a power-to-weight ratio beyond its predecessor’s 253 hp per ton. Torque is also expected to rise by at least 30 lb-ft, to around 457 lb-ft.


These numbers point to even sharper standing-start acceleration for the car and, in combination with improved aerodynamics, an incremental increase in top speed.


Though nothing is official, a 0-to-60-mph time under 4.0 seconds and an all-out 200-mph appear to be reality, creating what should be a fascinating three-way tussle for supercar supremacy with the heavily lauded 4.3-liter 490-hp V8-powered Ferrari F430 and the 5.0-liter 500-hp V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo.
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<td class="smallinks3" bgcolor="#cccccc">The car above was snapped by intrepid AW reader Jonathan Souza, who found it in high-altitude tests in Colorado. (Photo by Jonathan Souza)</td>
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As with the past two generations of the 911 Turbo, power is delivered permanently to all wheels via a closely stacked six-speed manual gearbox. Porsche also intends to offer a new double-clutch unit, though it remains to be seen whether it will be ready in time for the car’s debut early next year.
Together with the new Turbo, Porsche’s other 911 debuts for 2006 include the GT3, Targa and GT2&mdash;the latter sharing the new Turbo’s driveline but channeling its reserves through the rear wheels.</div>

I am moving from an E46 M3 convertible. It is a great car in either coupe or convertible form. It is fast and fun and practical, but it is not a sports car in my opinion. I test drove a new 987 Boxster S. The boxster is a whole lot more sporting fun. It feels quicker, handles much tighter, and sounds dramatically better. The M3 felt like a truck after driving the Boxster. Granted I have the convertible, which is not as stiff as the coupe, but I suspect the difference will be that much more dramatic with the Cayman S. I believe the 0 to 60 time (as tested) is 4.8 for both the Cayman S and the E46 M3 coupe, but I guarrantee you the Cayman will feel faster (and sound much better). Not to mention, the handling won't be close.

If you value the back seats, then no contest, go with the M3. Otherwise, if you are looking for a fun, rigid, fast, amazing handling sports car, go with the Cayman S. Of course, it will cost more and of course I have never driven one.

Just my two cents.

Buying an M3 is in the same line of thought as you owning your S4... they are sports sedans. The cayman S is a sports car: definitely looks like one and drives like one. The new M3's performance numbers will be awesome, however, it is still what it is: a sedan. It is based on the 3-series platform, just with better side mirrors, engine, and suspension parts. The cayman S is based on the boxster, and both are derived from Porsche's sports car DNA (don't include the Cayenne). For me, I like to own a sports car and a daily driver. Right now I have a Boxster S 2002 (which may have to be sold soon...), a 2006 911 Carrera S, and a Lexus RX330. I drive the SUV on rainy days and when I drive to work and drink my coffee. When I'm in the mood to go fast and drive hard, I drive the Carrera S or Boxster S.


If you already have an S4 and plan to keepit, I would definitely get the Cayman S! It'll be different and will have a totally different character. Choosing between an M3 and S4 for a sporty drive will be like picking between two apples as opposed to choosing from a Cayman S and an S4 (apple and orange). I think we know which one you'd pick for a fun day of driving through windy roads.

Welcome to the forum but I want to dispell one rumor right now and that is that the E46 M3 is faster than the Cayman S straight line. My current 2005 Boxster S is faster than the M3 straight line, I've seen this not only in magazine tests but on the track as well. The difference isn't much but it is there, add to that the Cayman S is faster than the Boxster S I don't think you'll be losing stop light wars to E46 M3's. Which brings us to track wars, the Boxster S and by extension the Cayman S is significantly faster through the turns and overall on the track again as witnessed by magazines/Top Gear and of course my own track time. I believe a more detailed comparison has already been discussed here in the past you might want to search the forums for those details. BTW, I'm not slighting the M3 in any way, I think they are fine cars, but if you plan to track your car the Cayman S is going to be much more rewarding IMHO. If you need a back seat, well I can't help you there... [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/tounge_smile.gif[/img]

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K-Man S

K-man S...the forum is absolutely awesome. I did see the post on the M3, but it was more of a number arguement. In which i wasn't really after was more after some experience and opinions.


Appreciate your opinions though.

I have owned a number of BMWs and this will be my first P-car. I wanted a 911, and went for a test drive, to find that because of my height ( or should we say long legs ), and with the lack of tilt on the steering column of 911, I could not find a good driving position. I started to read about the Cayman, and after seeing the first pics I loved it. On the flip side, I wanted to wait for E92 M3 with reported 415HP, but 2007 is way too long, and add to that, there are oh sooooooo many 3 series BMWs and M3 not looking that much different, Cayman was a quick decision. When I moved from E36 to E46, the car got bigger - for me way too big. I like smaller cars ( like E36 ) - test drive a Boxter, and the whole feel of a sports car vs sports sedan will be clear

My E46 M3 coupe was one of my favorite cars. While I didn't drive them back to back, my M3 felt noticeably faster than the 987 Boxster Ss I have driven. When the M3 came out Road and Track tested it and brought along a 911 and Corvette to compare. They considered the M3 to be a sports car.


I personally prefer the styling, better steering and shiftfeel, and better handling of the Cayman S. If you need a useable back seat or want more power, the E46 M3 is a great car and the new one should be even better.

As a prior owner of 3 E46 M3, 2 with SMG, I say get the Cayman. While I did love my M3, they are getting dated. They will stop making the current M3 this summer. The new E90 M3will not be out for at least another 2 years. Base on BMW's prior M3/M5 performance figures, I wouldn't count on the next M3 to perform better than the current M5 which is not to shabby, but putsthe E90 M3 performanceslightly better than the E46 M3, but not by much. The E90 will most likely be heavier; the current M3is almost 3500lbs, add a V8 and more electronics and you get the picture.


As a prior owner of Porsche 993 and after test driving the 987S, the M3 is nowhere close in handling to P-cars. After I test dove the 987S and got back into my M3, it felt soft, lots of lean and sway, less precision with steering, and very big and heavy. Since the Cayman S is 987S based with slightly better handling, you should test drive a 987S and see what I'm talking about.


I went from a 993 to M3 because I wanted more of a GT car, a more of a relax drive. In noway did I think the M3 wasmore sporting thana P-Car.


Hope this helps.