335i coupe VS TTS VS Cayman

[caymanbill]

So I've been looking at these 3 cars and keep being swayed from one to the other. Obviously the cayman only has 2 seats but practically or ride quality isn't my main concern.

I went to see a 335i this week which looked nice but i can't but help worry about the amount of reports concerning reliability problems.

I appreciate that people come on forums mainly to moan so issues can seem disproportionately wide spread, but even so there seems to be a lot of reliability grumbles for both the beamer and the cayman. Although the caymans major issues seem to have been resolved in the gen 2 facelift.

That leaves the TTS, which by the sounds of things seems to be quite well screwed togehter.

I'm interested in PH'ers opinions of the 3 cars. For the record i do 10k miles a year and the car will be my daily driver. budget cira 18k

[JREwing]

335d(mapped)?

[Ecosseven]

I realy like the TTS and it would be my choice for a daily driver with your budget. The cayman is the best sportscar out of your list. The 335i is nice but for me it's a fast 3 series, nothing more.

[caymanbill]

JREwing said:

335d(mapped)?

I did look at those but with my commute only being 14miles each way i ruled diesel out as a false economy.

[stealthgrow]

Porsche is a fanny magnet

335i maps straight to 400 horses pretty much which is pretty epic

TT bit girly.

[JREwing]

caymanbill said:

I did look at those but with my commute only being 14miles each way i ruled diesel out as a false economy.

It was a reference to someone who used to post who did a comparison review of his 335d vs a TTS or TTRS, I think.
In all seriousness, I'd choose the 335i if that were my choice.

[deltashad]

The Audi doesn't stir my interest, a TTRS would though, a friend has one and it's a lovely well made car with plenty of poke.

The BMW is in my opinion getting a bit old now, although the 335i is an incredibly capable car, also out of the three, it's gonna be more ikea friendly.

I've always fancied a Porsche, the cayman is a proper car too. They still look fresh, the road tests for them are always great. I'd go for the Cayman. It's shirley gonna be the most involving drive.
I'd be a proper nob and flash the keyring at the bar.

[billzeebub]

Cayman or Boxster

[M159V8]

Cayman S for me. At the end of the day, a Porsche is a Porsche, but what sets apart your 335i from most 3er's apart from discreet twin-tailpipes and a chrome grille?

[caymanbill]

thanks for the comments so far chaps. I am leaning towards a cayman, the thing is they look great from some angles but st from others! I actually do like how the TTS looks but i've heard a few people say it's a bit girly.

[nickfrog]

M159V8 said:

what sets apart your 335i from most 3er's apart from discreet twin-tailpipes and a chrome grille?

That's what I like about it. ;-)

If you're worried about the BMW's potential reliability issues/cost then don't look into the Cayman IMS and scored bores issues.

Ultimately, you need to extensively drive them to form your own opinion rather than take notice of other people's perception about the image of a car, "girly" (whatever that means for a car) or otherwise. Unless of course image is important to you. I'd rather have a girly good drivers' car than a poor "man's" car.

You also need to find out how much of the driving you want to do. The Audi should take care of finding the traction for you, as will the Porsche to a lesser extent with its mid-engine layout (but it will also give you incredible lateral grip and feedback).

[Bullett]

I'm sure they are all excellent in their own ways. I guess it depend on what you want from the car.

I had a Cayman for 3.5 years as my daily, it was great. Pretty practical (2 boots), not that expensive to run and it's a Porsche!

[JD]

Why would you start such a thread!

I was all set to purchase a 335i once the right one appears, and now I have gone and looked on Auto Trader and seen that Caymans are in the price range.

Now my question is, when buying a Cayman, does a PH’er need to buy an ‘S’ or would a paltry 240bhp 2.7 be just as sweet?

[Mermaid]

JD said:

Now my question is, when buying a Cayman, does a PH’er need to buy an ‘S’ or would a paltry 240bhp 2.7 be just as sweet?

That's easy - Cayman R.

[baz1985]

I would go 335i... 987C.1 is over-rated imo....however 987C.2 R is another level but £38k.

[martin mrt]

OH has recently bought a TTS. As much as i hated her idea of a TT TDi she ignored my opinion about the TT and listened to it over the TDi part

Anyway we have had it for around a month, and i must admit its a far better car than i would have initially given it credit for. They are slated for a dull drive blah blah, i find it perfectly ok and really enjoyed a surefooted hoon down a twisty A road a fortnight ago with it.

Its plent quick enough in standard form, has a very pleasant cabin and i do like the look of it.

2 months ago i would have said BMW all the way, however with the reliability problems the 335is suffer i would certainly give the TT some in deoth though