[ihc95]

All said in done the Cayman is probably the better car but the Z4M is MUCH more special. Your choice.

[Roberto Cervezas]

Originally Posted by iBoost

Lmao I don't see one true statement in all of this BS you wrote.

On the other hand I test drove a Cayman S a while back and that mid-engine feel and sound is just second to none. That car is amazing! I would definitely go for the Cayman.

No doubt. Porsche's are going for stupid money at the auctions right now, yet they have horrible resale value...

[edirtaynine]

Originally Posted by chronos6

Cayman S is a poor man's Porsche. Plus the resale value of Porsche's is shit. Now add that to the fact that the Cayman S is one of their cheaper models, pass on it. He obviously wants the Z4m for a reason. Keep your bimmer, its a lot better than the Porsche and worth alot more used in the same condition. Keep the BIMMER!!!!!

what? LOL. ok sure.

[derrick603]

If I had neither car, I would choose the Cayman S. If I already had the Z4M, I'd keep it, the Cayman S would not be enough of an upgrade for me to take the risk.

As for the Cayman S being a "poor man's Porsche", a new Cayman S cost more in 2006 than a new Z4M did in 2008, so what does that make a Z4M, a poor man's Cayman S?

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

Unless it's a 911, I would stick with the M.

Mid engine > rear engine

[paddy335]

Porsche every time from a 'which is the better car' perspective, though your reasons for keeping the BMW are fairly sensible.

[KiX1911]

I just typed into google "2006 cayman s" and the first thing that popped up was "2006 cayman s problems" ... that's very concerning to me

Problem is, your asking on a BMW forum. You need to head over tot he dark side and ask their and do a tooon, of search because there could be normal problems that could prevent you from enjoying your ride.

B

[Yvette]

Originally Posted by Killerx

I just typed into google "2006 cayman s" and the first thing that popped up was "2006 cayman s problems" ... that's very concerning to me

Problem is, your asking on a BMW forum. You need to head over tot he dark side and ask their and do a tooon, of search because there could be normal problems that could prevent you from enjoying your ride.

B

to be honest, I was actually waiting for biassed answer because I want to keep my z4m
However, like some others mentioned, if I had to choose from the start and I wasn't M guy, I would have chosen cayman S. I spent 1 day with the cayman, oh man this thing well balanced, enough power but didn't feel faster than mine, handling is just as well as mine, heavy clutch, smooth shifting, definitely eye catcher but there is something about my car.

edit: also one of the reasons keeping me away is this first generation cayman S's common engine problems.

[curiouz_g]

S54 > M97

The motor has so much more "soul" in the BM than the Porsche has. Plus, if it's for a track car, the S54 has a semi dry sump system in it. The oil still sits in the pan but we have a scavenging pump that basically gives us no oil starvation issues

[DC_Oldboy]

Tough decision.. I would have to sleep on it for a week lol.

[Kolyan2k]

I wonder what was behind Porsche engineers when they designed M96 and M97. Porsche should = track car. When you go to P-forums, many owners are afraid to drive the car hard even on the street. The issues are anywhere from oil starvation, to RMS oil leaks, to IMS, to cylinder scoring...

S54 is without a doubt a better engine, chassis would have to go to Cayman, looks are subjective

[Ubersmooth]

Just me going on a crazy thought, why not trade the cayman s for a 996? Total bargain these days.. They go sub $20k all day

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by Amer328i

Just me going on a crazy thought, why not trade the cayman s for a 996? Total bargain these days.. They go sub $20k all day

Or if you want a current classic with sustained and gently appreciating value and a magnificent involving beautifully balanced drive, get a 968 ClubSport.

Not that I am biased or anything

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Amer328i

Just me going on a crazy thought, why not trade the cayman s for a 996? Total bargain these days.. They go sub $20k all day

wasnt 966 the worst of them all ? due to huge cost-cutting by Porsche ? thats why they are total bargain.........

[BEAR-AvHistory]

My daughter picked up her new Cayenne weekend before last & I had a chance to drive 2 Boxer S’s a PDK & a 6MT.The PDK was a sport+ kind of like the 335is to the 335i & the 6MT was a regular S. The PDK S+ has no trouble knocking out 4.2/4.3 0-60 all day long. The 6MT is a few tenths slower.

In simple terms either would run away & hide from Z4 of any option package. In Car & Drivers Lightning Laps at the 4.1 mile VIR the Boxer S is 38th & Cayman is 39th fastest of all time the best Z4, the current 35is, is 78th on the list:

#38 3:03.8 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER LL3 2/11
#39 3:03.9 PORSCHE CAYMAN R LL3 2/12

Best BMW finish ever

#47 3:04.7 BMW M6 LL3 2/13

Top Z4’s

#78 3:10.4 BMW Z4 sDRIVE35is LL3 2/12
#85 3:11.7 BMW Z4 M COUPE LL2 8/07

I have had 4 BMW’s 330Ci ZHP 6MT 335is 135is X3, still have two of them, but am not a Kool Aid drinker. If you want a track day car that is fun on the street a Boxer or Cayman is a hot ticket. I would, actually might, buy the Boxer over the Cayman & fit a roll bar. Z4 is a very nice street car but is not at the level of a lot of other cars that are available for track days.

When you think about an older M version of the Z4 for the track think about it sitting behind an SUV on the list.

#84 3:11.1 BMW X5 M LLT 2/12

[Antetokounmpo]

S54 all day! That straight 6 sound is un4gettable..

[Ubersmooth]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

wasnt 966 the worst of them all ? due to huge cost-cutting by Porsche ? thats why they are total bargain.........

Get a 2001+ and you'll be fine. People assume they were all bad, just the early ones. Pick up a 2001 turbo and you'll be happy and most likely won't be complaining

[nadans]

Z4M forsure! There are much more cayman's than the z4m

[Parth317]

Z4 M! There aren't too many on the road and I love the sound and looks of it!

[DML]

Neither....911 please

[BEAR-AvHistory]

He said he wants to track it. Why go for looks, a matter of opinion anyway, but slower?

[bvanlieu]

Originally Posted by Amer328i

Just me going on a crazy thought, why not trade the cayman s for a 996? Total bargain these days.. They go sub $20k all day

Because the Cayman is a better drivers car. 996's did have a bit cheaper feel compared to the 993 but it still was a design improvement on the track. The turbo used a different engine, so the IMS bearing issue on 996's and Boxsters does not apply. This is the most often spread failure of this generation car even implied in this thread incorrectly to the Cayman (987 caymans use the second gen IMS which has a near zero failure rate with the 987.2 units having the redesigned engine without one)

Much of the 911 mystique is not unlike the /// brand here at times: people think its better because it says 911, often not having driven one at all, nor do they know the difference between a 2, an S, 4S etc...

The cars drive quite differently. Both are P cars but the rotation of the mid engine Cayman can't be duplicated: no different then the how planted a 911 is when laying power down. Two very different and enjoyable dynamics.

The Z coupe is a lovely car no doubt. I drove a friends M a few times and it was smooth. I suggest driving a Cayman before deciding. Also drive both models if you can an S and non S. You may find the lower power of the non S allows you to rip through the gears and have more fun on the street. I did...and wend with a lightly optioned 2007. I could have gotten an P car up to 50K I just thought this was one of the better overall values and stuck with it. We passed on a Coupe as the wife didn't like the styling.

I have yet to drive a car with better steering feel then the Cayman, just MHO. Cars that should approach or beat it are not that street friendly to me (Elise/Exige) so I have not driven them.

Spend time on Planet-9 and other places researching and getting a better sampling of owners stories, complaints, and real running costs. In the end, you have a great 2 seater no matter what you decide

- b