[Merc for hire]

I take the stripper Cayman over M240i any day. The 2 series depreciates like a sinking Titanic. Properly equipped Porsche sports cars don't typically depreciate pass 50% of its original value from what I see on Autotrader.

[RoundelM3]

Porsche Cayman is mid-engine and can out-handle nearly any stock street car. A lot of weight difference between it and the 240i, and overall gearing may also be a factor. But like others have said, it's apples-to-oranges. No similarity in any way between the two cars.

[raysspl]

In this comparo, I'm also taking the 718 Cayman

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by vladberca

M240i is a sporty but also practical coupe. Nothing in common with the Cayman.

My thoughts, exactly. Pretty silly "comparison", as they're different pedigrees altogether.

Mid engine 2 seat sports car stripper with very little practicality in the real world

vs

Front engine sports coupe with back seats, a trunk, and lots, I mean lots of sound reduction material.

Two different purposes, two different cars altogether.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

My thoughts, exactly. Pretty silly "comparison", as they're different pedigrees altogether.

Mid engine 2 seat sports car stripper with very little practicality in the real world

vs

Front engine sports coupe with back seats, a trunk, and lots, I mean lots of sound reduction material.

Two different purposes, two different cars altogether.

+1! The Cayman should be compared with the M2 as they almost cost the same. Then you factor the extra cost of getting the standard equipment of the M2 in the cayman and everything is changing. The cayman will be a good second car but as daily I'm not sure.

[Deutsche-Broke]

Who really gives a shit?

If you want a Porsche, go spend the money.... It's worth it if you have the scratch...

[msej449]

What is it with this Cayman comparison? Not only are they two completely different types of car, the price gap is immense. I kept seeing this Cayman comparison when I was considering my M235i and so I started to configure a Cayman to match and quickly gave up when the price gap got to £20K - and I hadn't even got to spec' parity.

The pricing may be different in the US, but in the UK they're just not in the same space. And if I had a Cayman budget, the equivalent here would be a Lotus Evora, which would be an interesting decision.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Deutsche-Broke

Who really gives a shit?

If you want a Porsche, go spend the money.... It's worth it if you have the scratch...

I want one & I have the "scratch", but where do I put the 2 grandkids?

[chattanooga240]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

I want one & I have the "scratch", but where do I put the 2 grandkids?

Trunk?

Roof rack?

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

I want one & I have the "scratch", but where do I put the 2 grandkids?

The frunk is much bigger than you'd think.

And the car is more practical than I thought going into the experience - I've moved my girlfriend's entire wardrobe with my 981 - seriously, everything.

It's just not practical if you need space for more than one human (besides yourself) at a time - but I don't, so it works well for me.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

The frunk is much bigger than you'd think.

And the car is more practical than I thought going into the experience - I've moved my girlfriend's entire wardrobe with my 981 - seriously, everything.

It's just not practical if you need space for more than one human (besides yourself) at a time - but I don't, so it works well for me.

Your GF must be exceptional. I'd need a pair of semi-trailers to move my wife's crap.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Your GF must be exceptional. I'd need a pair of semi-trailers to move my wife's crap.

I was shocked - she has a TON of shit - shirts, sweaters, dresses, jeans and shoes...good lord all the shoes.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by nvmaddog

Trunk?

Roof rack?

For some reason Chevy Chase and National Lampoons "Vacation" came to mind......

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

The frunk is much bigger than you'd think.

And the car is more practical than I thought going into the experience - I've moved my girlfriend's entire wardrobe with my 981 - seriously, everything.

It's just not practical if you need space for more than one human (besides yourself) at a time - but I don't, so it works well for me.

Does she have a sister?

I love the porsche

Have a hard time spending the money

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by jpnh

Does she have a sister?

I love the porsche

Have a hard time spending the money

She does, but she's taken. I am a lucky man.

You know, I had 5 BMWs before my 981. I had always liked the way P cars looked, but they felt unobtainable (and were for me at the time)...but I also knew better than to go and drive one. Because once that happened, and I saw what all the fuss was about, I figured I wasn't going to be able to resist doing whatever I needed to do in order to have one.

And that's exactly how it happened in reality. I bought my 981 two days after first test driving one...I literally went to the dealership for two straight nights and stared at the thing. It was just THAT different to me. I am guessing that's a similar feeling to anyone that loves their car or bike or whatever...

I am also believer in having things or interests that make our work lives "worth it" if that makes sense. I'm not married and don't have kids (my woman is truly unique, in a good way), so I can spend more disposable income on things like cars or my Ducati. I can't spend like that in ALL aspects of my life, but in some. That helps make the hard work worth it, at least to me...so I don't mind as much when I make the payment each month.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

She does, but she's taken. I am a lucky man.

You know, I had 5 BMWs before my 981. I had always liked the way P cars looked, but they felt unobtainable (and were for me at the time)...but I also knew better than to go and drive one. Because once that happened, and I saw what all the fuss was about, I figured I wasn't going to be able to resist doing whatever I needed to do in order to have one.

And that's exactly how it happened in reality. I bought my 981 two days after first test driving one...I literally went to the dealership for two straight nights and stared at the thing. It was just THAT different to me. I am guessing that's a similar feeling to anyone that loves their car or bike or whatever...

I am also believer in having things or interests that make our work lives "worth it" if that makes sense. I'm not married and don't have kids (my woman is truly unique, in a good way), so I can spend more disposable income on things like cars or my Ducati. I can't spend like that in ALL aspects of my life, but in some. That helps make the hard work worth it, at least to me...so I don't mind as much when I make the payment each month.

You are a very lucky man

My recent ex took almost an 18 wheeler to evict.....and it was all clothes and shoes...and she wondered why she could never pay her bills...or could afford a nicer car.....or even consider helping with the expenses

I wont go anywhere near a P-car dealership for exactly that reason......

[Kyosho]

The Cayman is a great car. It may at first seem really impractical to DD, but the frunk and trunk are deceivingly spacious.
If it's just you and your wife, it's an amazing choice. But not so good if you have kids or a larger family to consider.

I don't have any kids presently, so the wife drives the Cayman and I just picked up a 991.2. (Double Income No Kids FTW) We take one car to Costco once every two weeks and never had any trouble fitting all of our shopping in one trip.

Don't write the Cayman off just because everyone says it's impractical.

Sure, Porsches are more expensive than the BMW, but go for an extended drive in one, even a base model. There's just something about the driving experience.

[VIDoug]

Interesting thread. I just traded my 228i M-Sport, Track Pack, 8 speed auto in on a base Cayman 718. Just 4-5 months wait until it's built and delivered.

As many comments noted, the 2-Series and the 718 are very very different cars. My 218i had the adjustable shocks and in Comfort was a very comfortable ride. My 718 will have the non-active, stock suspension and it is really rough on anything but smooth roads. I considered a new M2 which was about $6K less expensive and better equipped than the 718 that I configured. Since neither car would be my daily driver, I opted for the sportier car, probably better track car, over the more practical one.

I was very surprised when as part of my research I found that the 300 hp base car and the M2 were very close in acceleration -- Car & Driver had the M2 at 4.0 0-60 and 12.5/113 in the quarter. For the base 718 they reported 3.9 0-60 and 12.4/113 quarter. Both cars were 7 speed DCTs, so driver shifting skill not important.

Different horses for different courses.

[USA-RET]

Jesus, and that's a base Cayman too.

I seriously thought the S would be a closer comparison to the M240i.

Giving the devil his due, Porsche builds some fantastic cars.

As an aside, for the average driver the 0-60, 1/4 mile times and rolling acceleration is where they are likely to playing. Most of us don't have the twisty canyon roads talked about in magazines. Generally its straight strip of asphalt from one point to another. Pressing the accelerator down and seeing how fast the car accelerates.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Mark

I guess 4-cylinder Porsches are still something to contend with...

Good grief, talking about splitting hairs...

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Anderw

This being an cayman S , makes the base $21,800 difference $66,300-$44,500 and that's if you want a manual if not add another $3k which is free auto in the m240i

That was not a Cayman S in the video. That's a base Cayman. How do you tell? Black brake calipers.

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

The Cayman will be a good second car but as daily I'm not sure.

It's a fantastic daily car if you understand -- and can live with -- what its limitations are. How do I know? I have one ... and still have a 228i M Sport.

Originally Posted by msej449

What is it with this Cayman comparison? Not only are they two completely different types of car, the price gap is immense.

Because the 2 Series is a 'gateway car' to the Cayman. How do I know? It was for me and at least six other 718 owners I know of.

Oh, by the way: Guess what other car is a 'gateway car' to the 718? The Mazda Miata. Now THAT's a price jump ...

Originally Posted by Kyosho

The Cayman is a great car. It may at first seem really impractical to DD, but the frunk and trunk are deceivingly spacious ... Don't write the Cayman off just because everyone says it's impractical ... Sure, Porsches are more expensive than the BMW, but go for an extended drive in one, even a base model. There's just something about the driving experience.

Hear, hear. This man knows.

Originally Posted by VIDoug

Interesting thread. I just traded my 228i M-Sport, Track Pack, 8 speed auto in on a base Cayman 718. Just 4-5 months wait until it's built and delivered.

Ohhh just you wait. It's excruciating, but sooo worth it in the end.

Folks, there is really no comparison between the 2 Series and the Cayman driving-wise. That said, I have not driven an M2 and can't comment on that -- however, I know folks who have, and they basically say the same thing.

If you can live with the 718's limitations, it is a far, far superior car in every respect and worth the 'premium'.

[nike001]

I traded my 2017 M4 ZCP for a Cayman and just yesterday I was saying "holy freaking shit" as I was holding onto my 718 Cayman mid-corner thinking that A:"My M4 could never do this" and B:"No car should be able to do this"

The 718 is a freaking cornering machine. You turn the car in with the steering wheel and make minute line adjustments via the throttle. Perfect balance and just goes where you point it; doesn't make a thing of it either.. My M4 seemed to always like to remind me of how good it was doing through corners and always hinted at being able to easily kick the rear out. It was a big powerful brute that liked to goof around whereas the Cayman just gets to business. Clearly I'm missing out on power (300 vs 444 rated), but I throw my Cayman through the same corners at the same speed, if not higher. I definitely drive it faster.. and to think I got this thinking I'd be in something a little less likely to get me in trouble lol

I wish it still had the flat-6 layout, but the boxer 4 pumping 1 foot behind you sounds great.

Since my Cayman beats out my M4 ZCP, I'd never think of matching it up against an M235/40i or even the M2. (Romped an M2 the other day and was severely unimpressed.. I don't understand the hype at all)


If anyone where knows how to fully disable PCM feel free to shoot me a PM. This is my daily driver and I'd like to be able to have traction control off in case I get in any sticky situations this winter where I'd need to use brute force.