Porsche Cayman S v BMW M235i?
Discussion
Only driven the Cayman S and M135i. The Cayman just drives better IMO, almost perfect balance, maybe too good. The BMW is a bloody great car but it isn't anywhere near the Porsche in terms of driver satisfaction- all IMO.
I'd happily own either though, if I could justify it these days
I'd happily own either though, if I could justify it these days
For me, the fantastic torquey engine in the BMW and superb 8-speed auto make it the quicker car in everyday use, but the Porsche has the name, the looks, the sound, the balance.
The M235i is probably better than the M4 in the UK, or in the vast majority of it, but will depreciate faster than the Cayman S whilst costing less to run.
Overall tie for me.
The M235i is probably better than the M4 in the UK, or in the vast majority of it, but will depreciate faster than the Cayman S whilst costing less to run.
Overall tie for me.
cerb4.5lee said:
I would like to own either and I am a big fan of the M235i, most who have driven the Cayman S always seem to say it needs more power but as a handling benchmark I don't think much betters it.
I suspect that rather depends what you're comparing it to. The Cayman S has more power and considerably less weight than the M235i. ETA: Ah just noticed the OP is talking about the previous generation Cayman. I think it still has a better power to weight ratio than the BMW, though.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 12th July 20:48
We had a 2012 Cayman in the family and currently have a 235i, both PDK/Auto.
Firstly, BMW is noticeably quicker, pulls so much stronger, especially lower down in the rev range. Clearly this difference would be less with the Cayman S, but still a way off due to less torque. You can't escape the superior steering of the Porsche but unless you're at 10/10ths, the difference is much less obvious. And the BM's is still good for the class.
The interior of the 235i is definitely better, especially with the pro nav. Looks great (ours is red leather).
Noise wise, pretty even Stephens to be honest. Both good in their own right and a joy to wind round to the red line. You really wouldn't know the BMW is turbocharged most of the time.
Both have been great cars, however there is a couple of key advantages for me that make the 235 better.
1. Over 2 years the Cayman was in the garage for a total of 8 weeks due to constant rattles and squeaks coming from the engine bay. So inconvenient and we didn't receive the best service while the car was being seen to either.
2. Beemer has 4 seats. We recently went up North to the Lake District 4 up for a wedding. I sat in the back (6ft 1) and was fine the whole way. Obviously Cayman can't compare here.
Finally, we averaged 31mpg from the Porsche and the 235i is returning 33mpg 13000 miles in. Not much to choose in terms of running costs in my experience at least.
Any other questions, let me know.
My personal opinion is BMW. Fantastic all rounder. Both great cars though.
Firstly, BMW is noticeably quicker, pulls so much stronger, especially lower down in the rev range. Clearly this difference would be less with the Cayman S, but still a way off due to less torque. You can't escape the superior steering of the Porsche but unless you're at 10/10ths, the difference is much less obvious. And the BM's is still good for the class.
The interior of the 235i is definitely better, especially with the pro nav. Looks great (ours is red leather).
Noise wise, pretty even Stephens to be honest. Both good in their own right and a joy to wind round to the red line. You really wouldn't know the BMW is turbocharged most of the time.
Both have been great cars, however there is a couple of key advantages for me that make the 235 better.
1. Over 2 years the Cayman was in the garage for a total of 8 weeks due to constant rattles and squeaks coming from the engine bay. So inconvenient and we didn't receive the best service while the car was being seen to either.
2. Beemer has 4 seats. We recently went up North to the Lake District 4 up for a wedding. I sat in the back (6ft 1) and was fine the whole way. Obviously Cayman can't compare here.
Finally, we averaged 31mpg from the Porsche and the 235i is returning 33mpg 13000 miles in. Not much to choose in terms of running costs in my experience at least.
Any other questions, let me know.
My personal opinion is BMW. Fantastic all rounder. Both great cars though.
kambites said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I would like to own either and I am a big fan of the M235i, most who have driven the Cayman S always seem to say it needs more power but as a handling benchmark I don't think much betters it.
I suspect that rather depends what you're comparing it to. The Cayman S has more power and considerably less weight than the M235i. The way this place harps on about Caymans you'd think it would be some eureka experience, but it's just a mass produced German car.
True but it doesn't really pretend to be anything other than a mainstream mass produced car. It's never going to drive like a Caterham or even an Elise but on the other hand you can cover 300 miles in one in a day and still be able to stand up and hear.
I agree that the Cayman/Boxster is over-hyped but that doesn't change the fact that it's really very good at what it does.
I agree that the Cayman/Boxster is over-hyped but that doesn't change the fact that it's really very good at what it does.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 12th July 20:53
kambites said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I would like to own either and I am a big fan of the M235i, most who have driven the Cayman S always seem to say it needs more power but as a handling benchmark I don't think much betters it.
I suspect that rather depends what you're comparing it to. The Cayman S has more power and considerably less weight than the M235i. ETA: Ah just noticed the OP is talking about the previous generation Cayman. I think it still has a better power to weight ratio than the BMW, though.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 12th July 20:48
cerb4.5lee said:
The motoring press often mention it could do with more power though hence why the GT4 model has been made, I respect the Cayman S as it always gets great reviews for handling, I haven't driven one and other than the way they look I really like them.
I was perfectly happy with the power in the standard Cayman let alone the S. Oddly, the things that put me off the 987 Cayman most were the things the press tend to praise most - the steering and the chassis calibration. Both are vastly better than the BMW though, which is not really a criticism of the BMW since it isn't meant to be a sports car. Both good cars though and probably both the best cars in their respective classes.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 12th July 21:11
kambites said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The motoring press often mention it could do with more power though hence why the GT4 model has been made, I respect the Cayman S as it always gets great reviews for handling, I haven't driven one and other than the way they look I really like them.
I was perfectly happy with the power in the standard Cayman let alone the S. Oddly, the things that put me off the 987 Cayman most were the things the press tend to praise most - the steering and the chassis calibration. Both are vastly better than the BMW though, which is not really a criticism of the BMW since it isn't meant to be a sports car. Both good cars though and probably both the best cars in their respective classes.
Edited by kambites on Sunday 12th July 21:11
I had a Gen 1 Cayman S, sold it as it had a few too many miles on for my liking, so I got an M135i (i know it's not the m235i but they basically the same!)
I miss the Cayman everyday, it was such a better drivers car, yes the interior and pro nav in the Beemer are far better than the Porsche, but the Cayman is in a different league IMHO.
The BMW is a big standard car with a large (and fabulous) engine, the Porsche is a lot more special, again IMO
I miss the Cayman everyday, it was such a better drivers car, yes the interior and pro nav in the Beemer are far better than the Porsche, but the Cayman is in a different league IMHO.
The BMW is a big standard car with a large (and fabulous) engine, the Porsche is a lot more special, again IMO
I have owned and tracked a 987 for several years. Now own a M135i (ie a M235i hatch).
987 is a better driver's car, no question, but it needs to be, given it has all the fundamentals right, low pmoi, cog, great steering, balance, brakes etc.. and that new it was twice the price after discounts.
The gap between performance road cars when driven at 10/10ths on track (none of these 2 can be driven at anywhere near 10/10ths on the road) is generally quite small but it's surprisingly modest between these particular cars, which is testament to how good the M135i is.
Shopping car ? Really ? 50/50 weight dist, RWD (albeit open diff), most of the engine behind the front axle and turned the right way, really sophisticated aluminium suspension kinematics, brembo 4-pots on 340mm 2-piece dics, Supersports, no oversized wheels, etc etc - all this for £25k new.
The M235i is really a superb all-rounder that will NOT do all the jobs that the Porker does as well but will do many more tasks.
987 is a better driver's car, no question, but it needs to be, given it has all the fundamentals right, low pmoi, cog, great steering, balance, brakes etc.. and that new it was twice the price after discounts.
The gap between performance road cars when driven at 10/10ths on track (none of these 2 can be driven at anywhere near 10/10ths on the road) is generally quite small but it's surprisingly modest between these particular cars, which is testament to how good the M135i is.
Shopping car ? Really ? 50/50 weight dist, RWD (albeit open diff), most of the engine behind the front axle and turned the right way, really sophisticated aluminium suspension kinematics, brembo 4-pots on 340mm 2-piece dics, Supersports, no oversized wheels, etc etc - all this for £25k new.
The M235i is really a superb all-rounder that will NOT do all the jobs that the Porker does as well but will do many more tasks.
Edited by nickfrog on Monday 13th July 00:11
Pesty said:
Nice looking car the Lotus but just HOW did they manage to get less power from a modern 3.5 litre V6 engine in an out and out sports car than most 2 litre hot hatches kick out?CorvetteConvert said:
Nice looking car the Lotus but just HOW did they manage to get less power from a modern 3.5 litre V6 engine in an out and out sports car than most 2 litre hot hatches kick out?
I don't think most 2.0 hot hatches have 280bhp, although we do seem to be heading that way. 
The naturally aspirated Evora certainly isn't going to set the world on fire in a straight line, but that's hardly the point of it really. The supercharged car is reasonably quick, if rather more expensive and extremely thirsty.
Edited by kambites on Monday 13th July 12:18
CorvetteConvert said:
Nice looking car the Lotus but just HOW did they manage to get less power from a modern 3.5 litre V6 engine in an out and out sports car than most 2 litre hot hatches kick out?
280 in a light car is plenty imo. As kabites said above power isn't the whole story. Approximately what my car has. That lotus will probably handle better and be a lot of fun. Arguably a better all round car than the two mentioned in the op. I imagine a not too stressed Japanese ( I think) sourced V6 will be very reliable not too thirsty and possibly have a nice power delivery being in not too high state of tune.
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