[NewSong]

Originally Posted by User Name

I test drove the Cayman S before buying the 335i. The decision for me was based on the moddability of the turbo engine plus more cargo room. The Porsche was a great car and a great ride it just wasn't practical enough for my purposes.

Yeah, I thought about upgrading to a 335i E92, I'm giving up a 328i. But the 335i is so common now days it doesn't really give me much excitement. I mean in my neighborhood alone, my 3 immediate neighbors (front, right, and left) all have an E90 or E92 335i. It's getting to be very vanilla here in Orange County. That being said the 335i is an awesome car which is why so many people own it.

[gshb]

i suggest looking into used 996 models. i found some early models for 30k flat and late models going up to the mid 40s. in terms of performance, yes, even an early model 996 will perform better in everything than a late model cayman S. plus its bigger, has back seats. maintenance is probably a bit more. its worth a look.

[wrickem]

I've owned various Porsche models for the past 10 years, all of them have been reliable and also good as daily drivers. Every 2 years (or 20K) expect to shell out some $ to do routine maintenance, but you'll do that on a BMW too after the free maintenance is up. From my experience, they are not any more costly than a BMW to maintain (when the free maintenance period is up, of course). Tires are a little more than a non-m car but everything else is about on par.

[NewSong]

Porsche offers the same 4 year/50,000 maintenance period that BMW does I believe. I can't wait to test drive today.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by NewSong

Porsche offers the same 4 year/50,000 maintenance period that BMW does I believe. I can't wait to test drive today.

warranty yes...free maint no

[Nikolas]

Cayman is a great car & hats off to you for doing something so nice for your parents.

My 17 year old Porsche has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have had it for 10 years and while some things are expensive, the car has never broken down on me and still puts a huge grin on my face every time I drive it - 1991 Carrera 4 Cabriolet.

[NewSong]

I'm in love. The Cayman S is probably one of the best balanced cars I've ever driven. I drove it pretty rough down the PCH, and back up Jamboree. I think the SA felt a little worried, but I was under control. The weight and balance is really hard to explain. I felt that I could throw the steering wheel any which way, and that the car would have no problem performing my commands. It was surreal. I guess that's why these cars are considered exotics.

All I know is, I'm now officially a fan of Porsches.

[footie]

A Cayman is a great drivers car, better than an M3 and a 997 in my opinion. Ownership costs are higher than a BMW, that is for sure, for one it's a Porsche and second it's mid-engined which makes working on it a lot more expensive. One example of costs is a gearbox, approx £9K according to a bloke who bought a hit one for repair.

So servicing will be dearer than most others but it's got it's pluses, it's economical for the performance on hand, it's easy on tyres, it does hold it's money well, being the cheaper more basic model in the range and being mid-engined it's balance both in the wet and dry is very predictable for a sports, though you do need to be on your toes if the tail does go.

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by NewSong

I'm in love. The Cayman S is probably one of the best balanced cars I've ever driven. I drove it pretty rough down the PCH, and back up Jamboree. I think the SA felt a little worried, but I was under control. The weight and balance is really hard to explain. I felt that I could throw the steering wheel any which way, and that the car would have no problem performing my commands. It was surreal. I guess that's why these cars are considered exotics.

All I know is, I'm now officially a fan of Porsches.

All you need:

[rzm3]

In that price range, have you considered the M3? Doesn't hurt to do a test drive. M3 gives you two more seats and more performance for the same amount of money. I've also heard good finance rates (0.9%) from BMW.

To me, the Cayman is a car designed to be not good enough to fill a gap, but the M3 is the best BMW can offer. Of course, being an M owner, I am biased.

My advice is, look at all options before you pull the trigger.

[NewSong]

You're right, the M3 E92 is right in the same price range and has more HP, but I'm not really concerned about overall horse power or else I'd just get a Z06 Corvette. What really makes me love the Porsche Cayman S is just the unbelievable balance of the car. Maybe because it's a mid-engine car, I don't know, but it feels like this car is literally on rails and it gives me tingles thinking about the experience.

I may test drive an M3 though next week if I have time. Maybe the E92 M3 will give me the same feeling and more. I'll try to keep an open mind.

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

All you need:

Thank you for that.

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by NewSong

You're right, the M3 E92 is right in the same price range and has more HP, but I'm not really concerned about overall horse power or else I'd just get a Z06 Corvette. What really makes me love the Porsche Cayman S is just the unbelievable balance of the car. Maybe because it's a mid-engine car, I don't know, but it feels like this car is literally on rails and it gives me tingles thinking about the experience.

I may test drive an M3 though next week if I have time. Maybe the E92 M3 will give me the same feeling and more. I'll try to keep an open mind.

The reason why the M3 has been the king in its class for so many years is precisely because it is a balanced car. It doesn't have the most HP or the most exotic brakes or loudest exhaust, but it connects the driver to the road with its high-revving engine, neutral steering, and balanced chassis. And at the same time, it offers everyday useability.

The M3 is constantly compared to cars that are better in every way on paper such as the 911 Turbo or GTR or R8 and some times even rise above the challenges because it is a fun car to drive.

The M3 is a car that you can take your kids to school, buy groceries, and have fun at the track with minimal modifications. It is probably the best all-around sports car money can buy (in addition to the GT3). And with M-DCT, "you can drive and eat a burger at the same time."

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

The reason why the M3 has been the king in its class for so many years is precisely because it is a balanced car. It doesn't have the most HP or the most exotic brakes or loudest exhaust, but it connects the driver to the road with its high-revving engine, neutral steering, and balanced chassis. And at the same time, it offers everyday useability.

The M3 is constantly compared to cars that are better in every way on paper such as the 911 Turbo or GTR or R8 and some times even rise above the challenges because it is a fun car to drive.

The M3 is a car that you can take your kids to school, buy groceries, and have fun at the track with minimal modifications. It is probably the best all-around sports car money can buy (in addition to the GT3). And with M-DCT, "you can drive and eat a burger at the same time."

Hmm, you're a big fan of the M3, that's good. I may actually go down to Irvine BMW to schedule a test drive as I've never really spoken to anyone who owned one before. I noticed you owned a 335i before. Can you describe the differences you noticed between the 335i E92 and M3 E92?


Thanks for the breakdown on the M3 btw.

[ejazbmw]

cayman S > M3 IMO, I'm not a fan on the current M3 the V8 makes it feel slower compare to the 335i the only reason why i know is because i got to drive a E92 M3 at a driving event at my dealership. Don't get me wrong it's fast but it didn't make me giggle like i a cayman did although my cousin had the a non S type so god knows how that feels the cayman is just quicker on its feet since its light i guess.

I'm talking from a non bias point of view, no offense to rldzhao but he just sounds like a m3 fanboy from the way he talks about the M3 lol if i had to pick the cayman would be in my garage right now but i can't afford it haha

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

cayman S > M3 IMO, I'm not a fan on the current M3 the V8 makes it feel slower compare to the 335i the only reason why i know is because i got to drive a E92 M3 at a driving event at my dealership. Don't get me wrong it's fast but it didn't make me giggle like i a cayman did although my cousin had the a non S type so god knows how that feels the cayman is just quicker on its feet since its light i guess.

I'm talking from a non bias point of view, no offense to rldzhao but he just sounds like a m3 fanboy from the way he talks about the M3 lol if i had to pick the cayman would be in my garage right now but i can't afford it haha

M3 is lightyears ahead of the CaymanS, man.

Maybe it is more pure. But its got over 100 more hp. Better materials inside and out (leather, Carbon roof, etc.) I love the cayman, but not for how much money they want for it. I was considering one hard, but just couldn't do it because you get so little for your money. To each their own.

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by NewSong

Hmm, you're a big fan of the M3, that's good. I may actually go down to Irvine BMW to schedule a test drive as I've never really spoken to anyone who owned one before. I noticed you owned a 335i before. Can you describe the differences you noticed between the 335i E92 and M3 E92?


Thanks for the breakdown on the M3 btw.

Here's something I wrote a while back.

Originally Posted by rldzhao

The 335 is a fast GT for the steet; the M3 is a true sports car. The M3 is much more connected to the road, while the 335 tries to shield you from the disturbances and lets you ride comfortably.

Many people think that by modding a 335 (Chip, intake, coilovers, brakes, exhaust, LSD...), you can get a car that is as good as the M3 in terms of handling and performance. WRONG! 80% of the parts on the M3 is different, and there are many components that one can never easily modify (i.e. clutch, steering, COMPLETELY redesigned aluminium suspension-not just springs and shocks). You can never get a regular 3 to be exactly the same as an M.

Many car companies create their sports cars by TUNING their street cars. BMW M creates sports cars by REDESIGNING its street cars.

If 335 is smoked salmon, then M3 is salmon sashimi -- you can taste every bit of what it's like to drive.

No I am no fanboy of the M3 (thre are plenty of faults with the M3), but between the Cayman and M3, I would pick the M3. Performance wise the M3 can compete with the Carrera, and I just can't stand not having the best car a company can offer.

Again, test drive lots of cars. There are many many options out there besides the Cayman and M3...

[E82tt6]

I couldn't disagree more in terms of material quality, but that's purely subjective.

I don't think anyone will deny that the Cayman S handles rings around the M3 and is really a much more direct and fun car to drive. It's the same reason a lot of M3 guys chose an M3 even though a 335i with $1500 bucks of mods is a faster car.

I think if he wanted more bang for his buck, the C6 would be a much better choice than the M3. It blows both the Cayman and the M3 clear out of the water in terms of performance, and costs much less than either.

I guess I just couldn't see cross shopping the Cayman and the M3. One is a small, light, midengined sportscar, and the other big, heavy, sportscoupe/GT. They're trying to accomplish completely different things, and I think both do it quite well.

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

M3 is lightyears ahead of the CaymanS, man.

Maybe it is more pure. But its got over 100 more hp. Better materials inside and out (leather, Carbon roof, etc.) I love the cayman, but not for how much money they want for it. I was considering one hard, but just couldn't do it because you get so little for your money. To each their own.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by NewSong

So I may be giving my 328i to my parents who pretty much need a reliable car (their cars are over 10+ years old). Although it pains me to do so, I know it's the right thing to do because I know they can't afford a new car (mine is a 2008).

I was thinking of my potential replacements based on my budget. I was looking at the Cayman S. I really like the look, and I want to test drive it when I get time off this weekend.

However, anyone have real world experience owning a Porsche? Mechanical problems, cost to maintain, other weird funky stuff?

If you are concerned with maintenance expensive, akward issues and potential HIGH dollar problems they can indeed arise in a Porsche. For example, the 996 911 (99-05 I believe) had an issue with the rear main seal... fluids would mix and end up in a catastrophic failure of the engine. Even after this was addressed, or even before the motor was affected the RMS issue can come back. The preventive fix is about $1,000... a new motor is easily $15-20,000. The 986 Boxsters also had a factory design flaw which ultimately lead to catastrophic failure of the engine with nothing to prevent it... you basically new it was coming. IMO there are better cars for the money especially if quirky or expensive potential problems are not what you want to deal with.

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

M3 is lightyears ahead of the CaymanS, man.

Maybe it is more pure. But its got over 100 more hp. Better materials inside and out (leather, Carbon roof, etc.) I love the cayman, but not for how much money they want for it. I was considering one hard, but just couldn't do it because you get so little for your money. To each their own.

thats why i like the cayman better it doesn't have all of this computer crap like the m3 has i don't know i guess it comes down to personal preference, I have nothing against the m3 btw i think its a great car

[NewSong]

Very interesting discussion.

I'm actually tempted to test drive a E92 M3 sometime next week (probably Wednesday). But just from reading the specs, the car is a lot heavier, although very balanced itself. I'm just not sure it will be as fun to drive as the Cayman S based on how much heavier it is. But we'll see next week.

I also can't bring myself to buy a C6. For some reason the car conjures images of middle-aged white guys when I think about it.

As for the interior of the Cayman S, I thought it was downright luxurious compared to the E92 335i my friend has. The 3-Series as a whole doesn't really strike me as having really great interiors, but I still love BMWs cars. Maybe the M3 is different, we'll see.

[NewSong]

Okay so I have a test drive scheduled at Irvine BMW for an E92 M3 on Wednesday.

We'll see how good this car truly is after a good roughing up on the 405.