m4 vs cayman s
Discussion
If practicality doesn't come into it I'd have the Cayman every time.
You're doing 20 miles a day, in all weathers the Cayman will be the better car to drive and give you more smiles. It's a sports car, the M4 (whilst highly effective and good at what it does) is a mass produced coupe.
You're doing 20 miles a day, in all weathers the Cayman will be the better car to drive and give you more smiles. It's a sports car, the M4 (whilst highly effective and good at what it does) is a mass produced coupe.
Darlo74 said:
If practicality doesn't come into it I'd have the Cayman every time.
You're doing 20 miles a day, in all weathers the Cayman will be the better car to drive and give you more smiles. It's a sports car, the M4 (whilst highly effective and good at what it does) is a mass produced coupe.
So are you saying the Cayman S is a niche limited production run sports car? I think not I'm afraid.You're doing 20 miles a day, in all weathers the Cayman will be the better car to drive and give you more smiles. It's a sports car, the M4 (whilst highly effective and good at what it does) is a mass produced coupe.
OP, I do not have a Cayman S or M4, however, I have had every M3 made apart from the latest F80 and I do currently have a M2. The Cayman S is a great car and I had the same questions albeit against a M2 and ended up with a M2. To me the Cayman S wasn't special enough and my budget couldn't stretch to a Cayman GTS. For reference I bought the M2 in March 2017 when there were no discounts and a long waiting list, so at the time the price of the M2 and Cayman S was comparable.
Have you driven either? I think the Cayman S would pip the M4 dynamically but the M4 is quite quick, I would suggest trying to drive both if you haven't already.
Sorry I couldn't help any more.
Edited by Andy OH on Friday 23 November 09:08
Andy OH said:
Have you driven either? I think the Cayman S would pip the M4 dynamically but the M4 is quite quick, I would suggest trying to drive both if you haven't already.
I have driven both yes. The M4 was ridiculously fast but quite skittish and heavy. I honestly think i would crash it with that power. But i'm not used to RWD.The CaymanS felt more planted (maybe due to engine/weight being in the back) and although both have flat 6 engines, the porsche's sounded 5x better.
I think i've answered my own question here, but an M3/4 is an every day car with super car performance. A Cayman is a sports car.
Crispystork said:
I have driven both yes. The M4 was ridiculously fast but quite skittish and heavy. I honestly think i would crash it with that power. But i'm not used to RWD.
The CaymanS felt more planted (maybe due to engine/weight being in the back) and although both have flat 6 engines, the porsche's sounded 5x better.
I think i've answered my own question here, but an M3/4 is an every day car with super car performance. A Cayman is a sports car.
Just for balance as someone that used to own a Boxster Spyder and now own a M3 CP.The CaymanS felt more planted (maybe due to engine/weight being in the back) and although both have flat 6 engines, the porsche's sounded 5x better.
I think i've answered my own question here, but an M3/4 is an every day car with super car performance. A Cayman is a sports car.
The Cayman is a superior 'Sports' car in the way that it handles, turns and stops.
The M3/M4 is a better GT Car, is faster and has much more mid-range punch - it also has far superior infotainment and on-board technology.
Not to mention the much better practicality and space.
The only Cayman I would swap my M3 CP would be a GT4 or possibly a superbly specified GTS but it would have to be specified perfectly to my tastes.
I would not swap it for any of the 4-cylinder variety Caymans even though I know they are an even better drive then the older flat-6 engine Caymans but they sound horrid.
Oh and the M3/M4 does not have a flat-6 Engine it has a sublime straight -6 and it is a superb powerplant.
Crispystork said:
Andy OH said:
Have you driven either? I think the Cayman S would pip the M4 dynamically but the M4 is quite quick, I would suggest trying to drive both if you haven't already.
I have driven both yes. The M4 was ridiculously fast but quite skittish and heavy. I honestly think i would crash it with that power. But i'm not used to RWD.The CaymanS felt more planted (maybe due to engine/weight being in the back) and although both have flat 6 engines, the porsche's sounded 5x better.
I think i've answered my own question here, but an M3/4 is an every day car with super car performance. A Cayman is a sports car.
Andy OH said:
As you're looking at the flat 6 cylinder Cayman S, then I would agree it's a better car for your purpose as it is a true sports car. Can you stretch to a GTS?
Yes i'm 100% looking at the 981 S. Don't want any 4 pot s
t. My budget is max £40k so no 
the cheapest GTS is around 46k
Crispystork said:
Andy OH said:
As you're looking at the flat 6 cylinder Cayman S, then I would agree it's a better car for your purpose as it is a true sports car. Can you stretch to a GTS?
Yes i'm 100% looking at the 981 S. Don't want any 4 pot st. My budget is max £40k so no the cheapest GTS is around 46kI also drove the M4 for 2 hours on a country road, where as a BMW fan it just confused me. I then drove on a track with the same car...the track behaviour was exactly the same...just confusing.
Kawasicki said:
I drove the 6 cylinder Cayman S...on an empty country road for about 2 hours....by the end my cheeks were sore from grinning!
I also drove the M4 for 2 hours on a country road, where as a BMW fan it just confused me. I then drove on a track with the same car...the track behaviour was exactly the same...just confusing.
Same; I did quite a few drives in an F80 M3 but it never became fun. Bought an E90 M3 in the end.I also drove the M4 for 2 hours on a country road, where as a BMW fan it just confused me. I then drove on a track with the same car...the track behaviour was exactly the same...just confusing.
Kawasicki said:
I drove the 6 cylinder Cayman S...on an empty country road for about 2 hours....by the end my cheeks were sore from grinning!
I also drove the M4 for 2 hours on a country road, where as a BMW fan it just confused me. I then drove on a track with the same car...the track behaviour was exactly the same...just confusing.
I've test driven 3 caymans now. Each time it just cements in my mind that I want one and i leave the dealer with a grinI also drove the M4 for 2 hours on a country road, where as a BMW fan it just confused me. I then drove on a track with the same car...the track behaviour was exactly the same...just confusing.
I'm testing driving an M4 and a Cayman S one after another tomorrow. This is the final decision.
Edited by Crispystork on Friday 23 November 14:22
Much as I love M-cars I'd take a 981 Cayman S over an M4 any day of the week; a precision tool compared to a sledgehammer IMO!
Also, while I appreciate cost won't be the deciding factor, a 981 S will depreciate far less than an M4 and a well looked after example with low or modest mileage could even appreciate. I reckon there will always be strong demand for the last of the normally aspirated 6-pots Caymans and I can see some derivatives - such as the S with a manual gearbox - being quite sought after....
Also, while I appreciate cost won't be the deciding factor, a 981 S will depreciate far less than an M4 and a well looked after example with low or modest mileage could even appreciate. I reckon there will always be strong demand for the last of the normally aspirated 6-pots Caymans and I can see some derivatives - such as the S with a manual gearbox - being quite sought after....
Love m cars but the Porsche trumps the current m cars imo. M4s too big, love the M2 and M2C. Both of those feel nimble enough to hoon about in. Was seriously tempted by M2C but couldn't wait so bought Cayman gts to replace my 911. Superb handling and sound. Go Cayman if you can. I do,own an e36 M3 that id be very reluctant to ever part with so not totally biased.
I love M-cars too, especially M5s which are just so special. I once had an M4 as a courtesy car and couldn’t believe how poor it was, although I know the suspension was subsequently refined.
The M3/M4 CPs are excellent performance cars, but these Caymans are on a different level altogether. They look great, handle superbly and are always an event to drive. The Cayman GTS is a stupendous sports car for the road. And I’ve yet to see another one out on the road.
The M3/M4 CPs are excellent performance cars, but these Caymans are on a different level altogether. They look great, handle superbly and are always an event to drive. The Cayman GTS is a stupendous sports car for the road. And I’ve yet to see another one out on the road.
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