Wednesday 4th September 2013

BMW M135i vs Porsche Cayman

Round two in our M135i comparisons and a tougher opponent in the shape of the Cayman 2.7

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Now then, here's a tough one for the M135i. The Porsche Cayman really does seem to have it all like the sporty and intelligent kid at school with the gorgeous girlfriend. It's fast (enough), stylish, wonderful to drive, efficient, practical (for a two-seat car) and even quite good value if you go easy on the options.

Yet again, BMW trumps its rival on stats

In a role reversal from the GT86 comparison, this time it's the Porsche's higher price tag that will have to be justified. Can the mid-engined dynamics, finely-honed powertrain and styling of the Cayman overcome the M135i's numerous talents?

At the wheel
The M135i feels like an X6 after the Porsche. You sit low and snug in the Cayman, cocooned in a real mini-supercar driving environment. The steering wheel is also a revelation; after the chubby thing that greets you in the BMW, to hold a plain and unadorned wheel of normal thickness is great.

The interior's design is a vast step-up from the first Cayman, the rising centre console emphasising the driver-centric layout. But be warned; go light on the options and a plethora of blank switches will greet you, a la Citroen Saxo.

Porsche interior is sparse but stylish

Feelgood factors
The sensation of piloting a junior supercar is heightened when the Cayman is started; there's a flat-six gargle emanating from behind you and a Carrera GT-style gearstick just a few centimetres from the wheel.

But for a real feelgood factor, wait until a perfect heel'n'toe downshift is executed. The pedal weights are spot-on, the gearshift is quick, the noise is magnificent even with the standard exhaust and you'll be longing for more opportunities to slow down. The BMW is hardly disappointing as noise goes, but the Cayman has it licked here.

Bragging rights
Aside from the prestige, the Cayman is similar to the GT86 in that it isn't defined by its numbers. For those after cheap muscle, the 370Z is over £10K less.

'Want one' factor owned by the Cayman

The Cayman does boast some decent stats though, albeit fractionally behind the parsimonious BMW. We averaged 35mpg on a motorway drive, partly due to some lengthy gear ratios (the motorway speed limit is achievable in second!). Though this does dent acceleration, it does give you more time to enjoy the noise...

Finally, shallow observation though it is, a Porsche key is a more desirable one to hold than a BMW one, isn't it?

Meanwhile, in the real world...
Drive a gear lower than normally (or probably two compared with the BMW) and the Cayman is mesmerising.

Yes, the steering wants for some feedback, but the turn-in is stunning and the responses are a world away from the BMW. Both can do the everyday grind well, but it'll be the Porsche that has you out at 5am on a Bank Holiday (well, who wouldn't?) to just drive somewhere. It's an absorbing car that doesn't require any compromise.

Even lightly specced, this Cayman was £45K

Do they compare on price?
With some significant spec differences, yes. Or precisely, by choosing a dealer demonstrator-spec BMW and a pauper-spec Porsche. Then they start becoming equally priced. Sort of.

Do they REALLY compare on price?
With realistic specifications, no. Our test Cayman was without PDK, adaptive dampers or a sports exhaust yet still cost £45K, compared to the £37,000 of the M135i. It's a near-£40K car as standard, and is therefore always going to struggle for parity. We wouldn't want for many options on the Porsche (a manual on 18s with the standard exhaust is just fine, though Bluetooth would be handy) though whether we could leave an OPC with just that is another question... Still that's over £6,000 more than our ideally-specced BMW and we wouldn't fancy selling it again!

Conclusion

Cayman notches up a win for the rivals

Purely from a driving perspective, the Porsche engages to a level the BMW can't with minimal real-world compromise. But then day-in, day-out is where the BMW excels; that torque advantage can't be ignored, stuff can be chucked on the back seat and it can be discreet when a Cayman never can.

But then you'll hop back into the Cayman and none of that will matter. It makes the driver work a bit harder but for greater rewards. The price difference shouldn't be ignored, but the Cayman is a car worth waiting (and saving) for. For those who can make do without the rear seats, the Cayman has to be the victor here

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Further reading...
BMW M135i vs ... the world!
BMW M135i vs Toyota GT86
BMW M135i vs Renaultsport Megane 265
BMW M135i vs Audi S3
BMW M135i vs used Porsche 911 Carrera

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PORSCHE CAYMAN 2.7
Engine: 2,706cc flat-6,
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive (7-speed dual-clutch PDK auto optional)
Power: 275@7,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 214@4,500-6,500rpm
0-62mph: 5.7 sec (PDK 5.6 sec)
Top speed: 165mph
Weight: 1,310kg
MPG: 34.4mpg (36.7 PDK)(NEDC combined)
CO2: 192g/km
Price: £39,694 (before options), £44,991 (as tested inc. 19" Boxster Alloy Wheels £971.00 Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 3.0 including navigation mode £2,141.00 ParkAssist - front and rear £599.00 Telephone module for PCM £526.00 Bi-xenon headlamps with dynamic lighting function £1,060.00)

BMW M135i
Engine: 2,979cc six-cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive (8-speed auto optional)
Power (hp): 320@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@1,300-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 5.1 sec (auto 4.9 sec)
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,500kg
MPG: 35.3 (37.7 auto) (NEDC combined)
CO2: 188g/km (175g/km auto)
Price: £30,525 (before options) £37,680 (as tested inc. £515 for Adaptive M Sport suspension, aluminium trim, complimentary BMW Business Loudspeaker system, £295 for DAB, £360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors, £90 for 'extended storage', £250 for dimming/folding mirrors, full black panel display, high-gloss black finish, £95 for 'internet', £200 for driver/passenger lumbar support, £1,995 for BMW Professional Multimedia, £515 for metallic paint, £235 for front/rear Park Distance Control, £265 for seat heating, £1,600 for Sport auto transmission, £290 for Sun Protection Package, £450 for Visibility Package inc. adaptive xenon lights)

[Wolands Advocate]

Can I have one of each? Please?

[kambites]

A mid-engined sports car is more fun to drive than a hot hatch... who'd have thought it. Surely no-one would buy the BMW if they could live with a two-seater without much luggage space?

[DoubleSix]

Would have doubted editorial sanity had the outcome been any different.

[bencharles]

I think I would rather say I own a Porche than have to say I own a BMW......

[SmartVenom]

DoubleSix said:

Would have doubted editorial sanity had the outcome been any different.

+1

At the start I did wonder if they were going to engineer a victory for the 135 against a car that has received phenomenal acclaim across the board. Don't most now see the cayman as better than a base 911.

[FamilyDub]

kambites said:

Surely no-one would buy the BMW if they could live with a two-seater without much luggage space?

^ Therein lies the rub. Most people looking at either, probably have very different needs/wants in a car. As soon as M135i are under £20k, they'll start to get my attention.

No doubt the Cayman is a fine thing, but I can't see myself in one for another 15-20 years.

Edited by FamilyDub on Wednesday 4th September 13:07

[matsoc]

Interesting comparison, but I think they are too different cars, I can't really think at someone undiced between these two. I mean, the last M135 is a great proposition and it is selling in Italy too despite the uber 250hp progressive road tax, but as the only car. Why should someone buy one as second car? And how many can really live with a Cayman as first only car?
A manual Cayman 2.7 makes some sense manual and with minimal extras only, otherwise I would spend for the bigger engine I guess, I test drove a PDK S and it felt not too fast, just appropriate.

[IAJO]

What is the justification for this comparison? They are worlds apart in both price and function. I thought the gt86 comparison was weak but at least you could argue that people with young families could use both due to the 2+2 layout of the 86.

This is an even more pointless comparison as bmw sell a 2 seater sports car with this engine in z4 guise so z4 vs boxster makes sense if your in the market for a 2 seater sports car.

[Eth2312]

Has anyone read the spec details for the BMW at the bottom and the options fitted to the car tested:

"£360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors" and then further in "£235 for front/rear Park Distance Control" so you pay twice for parking aids??

Don't own a BMW so might be missing a trick here but aren't these the same thing? Anyone know the differences?

[T1berious]

Yup, this was a piece with an outcome that was telegraphed over before the first keyboard tap

Don't get me wrong, M135 is a bargain etc but the Cayman is an object of desire, you get it because you want it, need it, lust for it and have finally got the funds to justify buying it!

I mean, just look at the pics! luggage be damned, give me the Cayman (S please). and I'll get a Shed for luggage lugging duties

[TREMAiNE]

Didn't realise the Cayman was so 'slow' to 60!

Thought it was just behind the 911, hence why everyone was saying better VFM!

[matsoc]

SmartVenom said:

DoubleSix said:

Would have doubted editorial sanity had the outcome been any different.

+1

At the start I did wonder if they were going to engineer a victory for the 135 against a car that has received phenomenal acclaim across the board. Don't most now see the cayman as better than a base 911.

Maybe just for the driving experience it can be true, but as ownership appeal I felt a big difference test driving a 911 and the Cayman S. the 991 really feels a more expensive car, the interior is now more GT than sportscar and personally I love the looks.

[TNH]

Eth2312 said:

Has anyone read the spec details for the BMW at the bottom and the options fitted to the car tested:

"£360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors" and then further in "£235 for front/rear Park Distance Control" so you pay twice for parking aids??

Don't own a BMW so might be missing a trick here but aren't these the same thing? Anyone know the differences?

Fairly sure if you bought front and rear sensors on their own then that would be ~£500 so the option is cheaper with the driver comfort pack

[kambites]

TREMAiNE said:

Didn't realise the Cayman was so 'slow' to 60!

Thought it was just behind the 911, hence why everyone was saying better VFM!

I don't think anyone really compares the 2.7 Cayman to the 911. The S is a fair bit quicker but that would be a thoroughly unfair comparison with the BMW because of the price differential.

[FamilyDub]

Eth2312 said:

Has anyone read the spec details for the BMW at the bottom and the options fitted to the car tested:

"£360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors" and then further in "£235 for front/rear Park Distance Control" so you pay twice for parking aids??

Don't own a BMW so might be missing a trick here but aren't these the same thing? Anyone know the differences?

^ my 1-series booklet (from 2012; base spec & price has since changed, so I may be wrong) says 'Driver Comfort' has rear sensors only. Cruise contol is in this pack and is ~£250 on its own too.

Although, lets be honest, it's not a huge barge. Surely sensors aren't needed to park a 1-series...?!

Edited by FamilyDub on Wednesday 4th September 13:17

[Eth2312]

TNH said:

Eth2312 said:

Has anyone read the spec details for the BMW at the bottom and the options fitted to the car tested:

"£360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors" and then further in "£235 for front/rear Park Distance Control" so you pay twice for parking aids??

Don't own a BMW so might be missing a trick here but aren't these the same thing? Anyone know the differences?

Fairly sure if you bought front and rear sensors on their own then that would be ~£500 so the option is cheaper with the driver comfort pack

Cant believe cars at this value and caliber dont have parking sensors included as standard! only ever bought one BMW in my life (a while back now), 3 series 320i, even the CD player was extra then!

[Mike Roberts]

Owning an M135i and having spent a day at Porsche Silverstone recently battering Caymans and 991s around the track, I completely agree with all of this.

I didn't exactly feel like I hated my car on the long drive home, it's still a fine one and great fun, but I now know more than ever if I didn't have family responsibilities, I'd have a Cayman S in a heartbeat, in manual.

[dandarez]

I find this sort of comparison nauseating. Totally different markets.

What next do you have in line against the M135i? (I do know what it is like, there is one in our household).


Coming up...


Pistonheads pits the M135i against...

[Eth2312]

FamilyDub said:

Eth2312 said:

Has anyone read the spec details for the BMW at the bottom and the options fitted to the car tested:

"£360 for Driver Comfort Package comprising cruise and parking sensors" and then further in "£235 for front/rear Park Distance Control" so you pay twice for parking aids??

Don't own a BMW so might be missing a trick here but aren't these the same thing? Anyone know the differences?

^ my 1-series booklet (from 2012; base spec & price has since changed, so I may be wrong) says 'Driver Comfort' has rear sensors only. Cruise contol is in this pack and is ~£250 on its own too.

Although, lets be honest, it's not a huge barge. Surely sensors aren't needed to park a 1-series...?!

Edited by FamilyDub on Wednesday 4th September 13:17

I asked that exact same question when a friend paid extra for them on their Mini! Seriously!

[Captain Muppet]

I don't buy new cars so I have no experience of this, but if you spec a Porsche without £10k worth of options, is it really worth more than £10k less secondhand? If not surely specing options "to make it easier to sell" is just insane. Is there no depreciation on options? Seems unlikely to me, but then I have no experience.


When are we going to have the M135 vs La Ferrari test?

Although why stop at mis-matched cars?

M135 vs Predator?