Cayman S vs Z4 M Coupe
Discussion
Guys, probably not that likley but i was hoping for some unbiased opionins 
......
I have been at the garages today testing the Cayman S and the Z4 M Coupe (in white...v. hot) and i must say i am torn. Anyway, both seem so similar and i really cant decide - my only worry ios that the Z4 has been out sometime and i hear they may be replacing it shortly! Ayone care to share their thoughts?
Cheers
MR
......I have been at the garages today testing the Cayman S and the Z4 M Coupe (in white...v. hot) and i must say i am torn. Anyway, both seem so similar and i really cant decide - my only worry ios that the Z4 has been out sometime and i hear they may be replacing it shortly! Ayone care to share their thoughts?
Cheers
MR
I would say the Cayman s will have a much more special feel, I run a csl at the min.
Mainly due to needing 4 seats, had a 996 turbo / 996 c4 before.
I know they are not Caymans, but my point is the Porsche always felt special compared to the bemmer,
I think correct me if I am wrong folks the Cayman s will be quicker (I can hear the guns loading already)
Cayman s in white yes please
Ps I tested a white zm4 coupe for a day and was a little disappointed with the steering feel, but did love the look of the car.
You could buy a good csl for the money and I feel you wouldn’t lose as much dosh!
Good hunting!
Mainly due to needing 4 seats, had a 996 turbo / 996 c4 before.
I know they are not Caymans, but my point is the Porsche always felt special compared to the bemmer,
I think correct me if I am wrong folks the Cayman s will be quicker (I can hear the guns loading already)
Cayman s in white yes please
Ps I tested a white zm4 coupe for a day and was a little disappointed with the steering feel, but did love the look of the car.
You could buy a good csl for the money and I feel you wouldn’t lose as much dosh!
Good hunting!
Totally disagree with Simon. CSL is too harcore for day to day, and all new cars lose money so you're stuffed anyway.
After owning several new style Boxsters and other Porsches I wanted a new coupe 2 seater.
My choice was between the Cayman S and the Z4M Coupe.
I test rode the Cayman S for my second time and felt no connection at all. It's a good car but quite bland in my opinion and as it's been marketing led as opposed to driver designer (fitting in between the Boxster and 997) it's short on power and the styling is just a Boxster with a stuck on roof!
The Z4 M Coupe on the other hand was the first car I've driven in years that just felt absolutely right. TWo test drives later I bought one, a brand new car for the same price as a two year old Cayman S and fully loaded.
It's without doubt he best sportscar I have owned this side of the GT3 Mk2 and is the car you would buy with your head. It strongly reminds me of a week and 700 miles in a 997 C2 I was lucky enough to experience.
If image is important to you or a car which behaves impeccably with little character or playfulness, in my opinion the Cayman is the one to go for. The Z4M on the other hand is everything I have ever looked for in a car: plenty of power, great sound, fantastic chassis, great steering feel and a handful on the limit. It reminds you who is boss every so often - a more reliable TVR if you may!
Also a benefit is there are so few on the roads due to a smaller supply that you'll hardly ever see one - Caymans are like belly buttons these days, everybody has one
Feel free to read my first impressions on my blog - http://www.justhypemedia.com/jhm/Blog/Entries/2008... which I wrote this week.
All my humble opinion
After owning several new style Boxsters and other Porsches I wanted a new coupe 2 seater.
My choice was between the Cayman S and the Z4M Coupe.
I test rode the Cayman S for my second time and felt no connection at all. It's a good car but quite bland in my opinion and as it's been marketing led as opposed to driver designer (fitting in between the Boxster and 997) it's short on power and the styling is just a Boxster with a stuck on roof!
The Z4 M Coupe on the other hand was the first car I've driven in years that just felt absolutely right. TWo test drives later I bought one, a brand new car for the same price as a two year old Cayman S and fully loaded.
It's without doubt he best sportscar I have owned this side of the GT3 Mk2 and is the car you would buy with your head. It strongly reminds me of a week and 700 miles in a 997 C2 I was lucky enough to experience.
If image is important to you or a car which behaves impeccably with little character or playfulness, in my opinion the Cayman is the one to go for. The Z4M on the other hand is everything I have ever looked for in a car: plenty of power, great sound, fantastic chassis, great steering feel and a handful on the limit. It reminds you who is boss every so often - a more reliable TVR if you may!
Also a benefit is there are so few on the roads due to a smaller supply that you'll hardly ever see one - Caymans are like belly buttons these days, everybody has one
Feel free to read my first impressions on my blog - http://www.justhypemedia.com/jhm/Blog/Entries/2008... which I wrote this week.
All my humble opinion
Edited by scotia_steve74 on Saturday 8th March 22:13
Steve is correct with regards to the rarity aspect of the Z4MC at least, I have seen only 1 other in SIX months! Caymens on the other hand are indeed to be seen at every other street corner. This is no reason to buy one but does make the car feel a little more exclusive as a result.
As far as driving the two cars back to back, this is something that I can not comment on as after seeing the Z4MC at its launch I decided that I would like one in its entirety and never had to make any choice against another marque.
The two are obviously very compatible and I feel that if production of the Z4MC does come to an end soon, it can only bolster and possibly inflate residuals in the future.
Whichever choice you end up making, good luck, and hopefully we will see you back here with the correct car
As far as driving the two cars back to back, this is something that I can not comment on as after seeing the Z4MC at its launch I decided that I would like one in its entirety and never had to make any choice against another marque.
The two are obviously very compatible and I feel that if production of the Z4MC does come to an end soon, it can only bolster and possibly inflate residuals in the future.
Whichever choice you end up making, good luck, and hopefully we will see you back here with the correct car
I considered a Cayman though didn't get to test drive one 
from my research there are for and against for both cars, performance differences (assuming the S)both on road and track seems neglegable... the big think for me was value, were as new theres not alot in the price the second hand market is a completely different ball game! i got a 3 month old z4 for about 15k less than the equivelant Cayman!
from my research there are for and against for both cars, performance differences (assuming the S)both on road and track seems neglegable... the big think for me was value, were as new theres not alot in the price the second hand market is a completely different ball game! i got a 3 month old z4 for about 15k less than the equivelant Cayman!Just been back at the bmw garage and i do like the z4m, quite like the soft top as well
So is there a facelift out soon, really wouldnt want an old shaped car - i know its been out for some time and thats one of the big ticks for the Cayman (found both equally as fun to drive so for me its down to aesthetics)....
So is there a facelift out soon, really wouldnt want an old shaped car - i know its been out for some time and thats one of the big ticks for the Cayman (found both equally as fun to drive so for me its down to aesthetics)....
markizok said:
Just been back at the bmw garage and i do like the z4m, quite like the soft top as well
So is there a facelift out soon, really wouldnt want an old shaped car - i know its been out for some time and thats one of the big ticks for the Cayman (found both equally as fun to drive so for me its down to aesthetics)....
Boxster is due a major facelift this September! I would expect the Cayman the same. Z4 Coupe has only been out since late 2006.So is there a facelift out soon, really wouldnt want an old shaped car - i know its been out for some time and thats one of the big ticks for the Cayman (found both equally as fun to drive so for me its down to aesthetics)....
Evo preferred the Z4M over Cayman in their BMW Z4M Coupe / Porsche Cayman S / TVR Sagaris test.
This one split them identically
http://motoring.iafrica.com/carsinaction/shootout/...
Me, I bought the Z4M roadster... They Cayman is good, but to go top down you have to go for a boxster, and I just couldn't bring myself to own one of them.....
J
This one split them identically
http://motoring.iafrica.com/carsinaction/shootout/...
Me, I bought the Z4M roadster... They Cayman is good, but to go top down you have to go for a boxster, and I just couldn't bring myself to own one of them.....
J
Weakest thing on the Z4M = steering feel.
Weakest thing on Cayman = no lsd.
Take money out of the equation and I reckon the choice boils down to those two ingredients.
Do you want a pure drive or a fun drive? (Both are brill but very different - all that assuming you are a car nut and not a poser!)
Weakest thing on Cayman = no lsd.
Take money out of the equation and I reckon the choice boils down to those two ingredients.
Do you want a pure drive or a fun drive? (Both are brill but very different - all that assuming you are a car nut and not a poser!)
I think that's a good point - pure or maybe in my opinion, mental
Today in the wet while "making progress" away from the near side lane, the back end came out a bit on my Z4M couple resulting in an involuntary powerslide away from the lights. Last time that happened it was in a GT3 Mk2. Put such a smile on my face!! I'll remember to be more gentle with the throttle next time
Today in the wet while "making progress" away from the near side lane, the back end came out a bit on my Z4M couple resulting in an involuntary powerslide away from the lights. Last time that happened it was in a GT3 Mk2. Put such a smile on my face!! I'll remember to be more gentle with the throttle next time
R1_NUR said:
Weakest thing on the Z4M = steering feel.
That problem is pretty much solved by pressing the sport button (says he that also has a Noble M400.....)The only downside is that the sport button makes slow stop-start driving a pain, but as the button is right next to the gear change it's no problem to put it on/take it off as needed.
J
Pretty good comparison test here:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/20...
I did just short of 300miles in a Cayman S the other week, and much as I wanted to I just couldn't bring myself to love it, it just felt a bit clinical and less indulgent than the Z4. I think it depends a little on what kind of driver you are - if you like a slightly old school hairy arsed sideways machine then the Z4 is the one, if pure clinical speed is your thing then the Cayman is the obvious choice. I dont buy the whole 'Porsche feels more special' thing at all, there really isn't much to choose between the respective interiors, and the driving experience is pretty special in both (relative to normal cars).
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/20...
I did just short of 300miles in a Cayman S the other week, and much as I wanted to I just couldn't bring myself to love it, it just felt a bit clinical and less indulgent than the Z4. I think it depends a little on what kind of driver you are - if you like a slightly old school hairy arsed sideways machine then the Z4 is the one, if pure clinical speed is your thing then the Cayman is the obvious choice. I dont buy the whole 'Porsche feels more special' thing at all, there really isn't much to choose between the respective interiors, and the driving experience is pretty special in both (relative to normal cars).
joust said:
R1_NUR said:
Weakest thing on the Z4M = steering feel.
That problem is pretty much solved by pressing the sport button (says he that also has a Noble M400.....)How bizare. I could swear it makes a difference on my roadster as it feels more "direct" and has less assistance.
But I take your point if it's not actually changing anything. Oh dear!
However, are you sure, as this article says it weighs up the steering further...
http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-doc... and the writer seems to have 30 years experience (http://cars.uk.msn.com/aboutus/article.aspx?cp-documentid=7411466)
I'm very
!
J
But I take your point if it's not actually changing anything. Oh dear!
However, are you sure, as this article says it weighs up the steering further...
http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-doc... and the writer seems to have 30 years experience (http://cars.uk.msn.com/aboutus/article.aspx?cp-documentid=7411466)
I'm very
!J
Edited by joust on Tuesday 11th March 08:44
carl_w said:
joust said:
R1_NUR said:
Weakest thing on the Z4M = steering feel.
That problem is pretty much solved by pressing the sport button (says he that also has a Noble M400.....)
trackdemon said:
Thanks - entertaining read, sums it up well I think. Haven't driven a Cayman S but didn't need to, I bought the Z4M for its entertainment value. However the onboard computer tells me I've averaged 28.8 mpg over the first 1500 miles - must try harder.This is a head versus heart decision and one I went through myself but went for the Z4M largely due to the anaemic engine in the Boxster. The Porker is better in the handling department but let down in the straight line area, plus I found the whole experience slightly bland but nonetheless and excellent car but the 'flaws' of the Beemer persuaded me down this route. Good luck with either car.
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