As the title states, I'm curious if any Cayman S owners here came from a B5 S4. I'm thinking about getting a Cayman S, a V8 S5, or holding out for the supercharged S5. I understand the S5 is a very different ride from the Cayman S, but I am considering both.

I love the togetherness and handling of the Cayman S.
I love the look, relative luxury/comfort of either S5.
I love the intoxicating sound of the V8 in the S5.
And I'm sure I'm interested in a supercharged engine in the S5.

I'm interested in people's impressions coming from a B5 S4. The reason I am 'concerned' is that neither of the 2 current cars give me the same acceleration feel as my stage 2 S4. Granted I don't have a stage 3 monster, but my S4 has amazing torque down low and pulls like a mother. I'm curious what impressions everyone have been coming from a similar ride as mine.

 

i have a stg 3 and a stock s4, both m box 01....you will be happt with a CS....hell buy mine!!
07 white 9K miles...im in AZ, ill bring it over

 

I have a an unmodded 01.5 B5 S4, m box and a 08 Boxster S. No comparison. The 987s are not about acceleration, although it's good. The feel of the road is amazing and is what makes them such great cars. The S5 does not come anywhere close. After driving the Boxster for a while and going to the S4, the suspension feels like jello, especially surprising considering that I used to think the B5 S4 suspension was taut. In the same vein, I used to think that I could keep the B5 S4 for years, especially after going stg 3. Now I can't wait till the spouse gives me the go ahead for replacing it. Unfortunately I was just informed (while I was surreptitiously looking for 08/09 M3's), not until the first Obama administration is in the books am I allowed.

 

Completely different cars. You need both!

Dave

 

Very completely different cars. If I can't have both I chose the S5. To me its just a hotter car. A more appropriate every day driver. Fit 4 adults comfortably. I drove a stock cayman for a week with a 40 mile round trip to the office and back and I have to say the on and off ramps and the back roads to the office were a blast for the first few days but everything rattles inside going over little bumps and the seats weren't all that comfortable after a few days as well.

Fun car to drive but just not everyday for me. Keep the S4 around if your going to get a Cayman.

 

This is just like that thread about M3 and Boxster S... apples and oranges.

 

I understand its an apples to oranges comparison, but that doesn't mean I don't have an interest in both cars for different reasons.

I agree with all points said here. I like the GT cruiser-ness of the S5 and agree its a better DD. I also think its more exotic looking. I know the Cayman S would be more like a go kart (on ramps sound like fun fun fun!), just concerned like Matt said that it might be a bit much for every day. I'm also noticing that Im driving in a more calm manner as I get older (28 years old), but at this point in my life a go kart would be fun and I dont need a back seat, etc.

The other thing to consider: lately I'm finding a few used Cayman S with under 15k miles in the $35-37k range, whereas the S5 comes in at about $60k.

 

I have a 2000 S4 Stage III+ track car.

 

No comparison. The 987 chassis will make a B5 S4 feel like a Buick. Be prepared. You may really enjoy the S4 right now, but if you add a 987 to the stable, it will seriously impact your opinion of the S4.

 

Let me clarify, I'm not looking for a second car or a track car. This car would replace my current S4 as my only car, a daily driver.

You're right Gator, the 987 chassis is amazingly glued together and would make my S4 feel like a boat. I'm pretty confident that any newer car would have a better chassis than my eight year old S4 would. Do you feel that you are 'too connected' with the road at times? Meaning, with the engine right behind your head and a go-kart like ride, does it ever get tiring when your not blasting from apex to apex on a switchback?

 

Absolutely not. I was coming from a MY 2000 B5 Passat, which is a VERY quiet car (2.8L). So I was preparing myself for a lot more road/engine noise. To my surprise, though the car is definitely louder than my B5, it's really not that loud, and all of the noises belong there.

The longest I've spent behind the wheel was about 12 hours, driving from Atlanta to CT. In that time, the noise was never an issue, and I did that trip with my Borla race exhaust on the car (this is one of the most aggressive systems out there). Even with a loud exhaust, on the highway the mechanicals go quiet leaving wind and tire noise behind. But not too much of either, in my opinion.

The most noise I've ever experienced was during a long autobahn journey ranging between 150-165 mph. Up there the wind noise gets a little loud, sort of like you're in a small aircraft, but I suspect this would be the case in any car. In fact, with the Cayman's slippery 0.29 drag coeficient, it's probably quiter than most in this regard.

My Cayman S doesn't get annoying, unless... When equipped with an aggressive exhaust system, one that forces you to avoid the 2,500 RPM range, daily city driving can become less satisfying because you need to continuously work the gears and rev the engine to avoid the drone area (2,200-2,800 RPM). That grows old after a while, at least for me. The Cayman S has some nice meaty torque below 3,000 RPM, torque that makes city driving easy, if you can use it.

 

Something I failed to mention, and is important, is suspension. My Cayman S has PASM. I had the opportunity to drive a Cayman with standard suspension for a week and I have to tell you, the PASM is a much more comfortable setup for daily driving and urban street use. It's much softer than the standard suspension, when in Normal mode. The Standard suspension can get annoying on rough pavement.

I'm not sure what year you are looking at, but I believe the standard suspension on the 2009s is softer. Drive one extensively before deciding.

 

Why would it get tiring? There's tons of people DD their Box/Cayman.

It's not a Lotus where you'll be all cramped up inside if you're over 6'.

 

I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I've never owned a Porsche, let alone a mid engined sports car, so I am curious as to other impressions. While many people use it as their DD, I bet a lot of people on here have multiple cars. I will only have 1 car, so mine has to be my DD. I loved my test drive, but that doesn't tell me how the car's nuances would wear on me over a longer period.

I hear what you're saying about the rattles; they drive me insane! My old GTI VR6 was on H&R coilovers so it transmitted a lot and started to rattle. I was very happy to get into my S4 and have a more comfortable (yet sporty) ride. The 987 chassis is in an entirely different league, but I know the rattles would drive me nuts.

Thanks for the detailed info! I'd think a Borla race exhaust would be brutal to deal with on many occasions. I definitely do NOT want a drone to worry about; I have a Milltek on my S4 and most would never know it wasn't stock. The only exhaust I've seen that seems to remedy the low rpm drone is the Capristo since it has valves that open. Once theyre open, I'd want to hear them sing...but I like that you can close it. I guess thats why you pay $3-4k for the system (ouch!).

Interesting thoughts on the PASM; no one has mentioned that so far. Most people have said that its a waste and not worth the money...but when buying used, that wouldnt matter much on the price. I think I want to avoid driving the 09 CS; I'm afraid I will like it much more than the 06-08 CS and I do not want to have to spend that much on a brand new one.

 

I wouldn't say that it's brutal. In fact, on the highway the system sounds almost stock. But it does get a little boomy inside the car between 2,200-2,800 RPM if you load the engine hard. So, for relaxed daily driving, it may not be the best choice. Rev it up to 4,000, and oh man does it sing a sweet song.

It really is a big difference. It's also worth noting that owners of PASM equipped cars rarely if ever complain of 'trunk clunk'. There is a suspended counter weight mounted in the rear hatch to dampen hatch movements against the seal that would result in subsonic air compressions. Over certain sharp bumps, that damper has been known bottom out, resulting in a loud 'clunk'. I've only heard this complaint coming from folks with standard suspension.