Cayman vs Cayman S vs Z4M Coupe

[evenflow]

As per title really, I'm looking at one of these three as my next car.

Has anyone driven all three, or made the swap from one t'other?

What are the differences between standard Cayman and S? Noticeable performance difference?

Thanks all.

[pilchardthecat]

Haven't driven the Cayman but i had Boxster S/Cayman S and Z4MR/Z4MC on my shortlist about 3 years ago.

They are very very different cars, and for once i actually agree with some of the TV reviews (eg Top Gear Boxster vs Z4MR). The Pork is more refined, flatters the driver and is very easy to drive fast and you have it all figured out after 10 minutes. I found it a bit sterile. The M is lairy, needs to be grabbed by the balls and muscled about but is a much more raw and in my opinion exciting experience. There is more to it too - you are still figuring it out and getting to know it 6 months down the line. Once you do it's faster than the Porsche. Some people call it the German TVR, which seems appropriate (apart from the fact that after 40000 miles and 3 years it's the most reliable car i've ever had)

In the end my decision was between the MC and MR - I hadnt even considered the roadster to begin with as the coupe does look better, but I couldnt get another test drive in a coupe and took a roadster out on a sunny day.... top came down, heard the noise.... sold.

Caveat - different people want different things, and depending on what you want you might prefer the Cayman. They are very nice, and in absolute terms probably a "better" car.... but they aren't nearly as much fun

[zed4]

Try these. I have them bookmarked for such a thread!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Might give you an idea. The Cayman/Boxster vs. Z4M question comes up a lot.

[Ozzie Osmond]

My experience,

• Boxster/Cayman is a car of rare balance and driveability. Takes time to fully understand.
• They are not high power cars, so the extra bhp and increased torque of the S is well worth having.
• Z4M is lairy, although just another BMW.

[evenflow]

Thanks so far. I did do a search (honest!) but I'll have a read through all of those links.

[Marc p]

I will say one thing about the Z4, it does have electric steering which numbed it down too far for me, a great car otherwise though.

[zed4]

Marc p said:

I will say one thing about the Z4, it does have electric steering which numbed it down too far for me, a great car otherwise though.

No electric steering on the M, only the regular Z4. I thought the Z4M felt fantastic, much better than my 3.0 Z4.

[Marc p]

zed4 said:

Marc p said:

I will say one thing about the Z4, it does have electric steering which numbed it down too far for me, a great car otherwise though.

No electric steering on the M, only the regular Z4. I thought the Z4M felt fantastic, much better than my 3.0 Z4.

Whoops, in that case ignore my previous comment, I just assumed the M would have it aswell.

My advice would now be to go for a Z4M

[pilchardthecat]

Ozzie Osmond said:

My experience,

• Boxster/Cayman is a car of rare balance and driveability. Takes time to fully understand.

Interesting - i agree with the first bit, but the second part i felt exactly the opposite. They are so easy to drive i had it all worked out in half an hour, hence not an appealing long term ownership proposition

Just goes to show - different stroke for different folks etc

Bottom line is they are both brilliant cars but for very different reasons - pick the one that suits you best

[zed4]

Marc p said:

zed4 said:

Marc p said:

I will say one thing about the Z4, it does have electric steering which numbed it down too far for me, a great car otherwise though.

No electric steering on the M, only the regular Z4. I thought the Z4M felt fantastic, much better than my 3.0 Z4.

Whoops, in that case ignore my previous comment, I just assumed the M would have it aswell.

My advice would now be to go for a Z4M

Mine too, in fact I did, loved my Z4M. I think you get a better car for your money (mileage, age and condition) when you buy the BMW over the Porsche. I chose the Z4M as I got a pristine, as new, high spec 2006 car with 30k miles for the same price as a high-ish mileage Boxster.

[evenflow]

Went for the Z4M in the end. Picked it up yesterday

[lewisf182]

evenflow said:

Went for the Z4M in the end. Picked it up yesterday

Congrats! tough decision to make between the Cayman S and Z4M.