With my bmw dealer trying to make buying an m3 incessantly difficult, I am getting fed up.

I went to the nearby porsche dealership and test drove a cayman S.

needless to say, the zcp m3 and cayman s are both incredible, but very different driving experiences and cars.

if you were to choose from a fully-optioned zcp interlagos blue m3 or a solidly-optioned black cayman S, which would you choose?

I know that the two cars are different in terms of practicality, I guess I am just asking for why you bought an m3 over a cayman.

Also, how have you cayman owners who drive it everyday dealt with the smaller size?

(feel free to insert cayman bias here, i have a similar thread posted on m3forums)

I know this question has been asked many times, I appreciate any input.

 

I am not a Cayman owner but I ve had 2 E46 M3s in the past. It is an amazing car but it has it's pros and cons.

It has a great engine. Addictive sound, great throttle response and enough power.

THe LSD is nice, allows you to control the tail properly and the car is quite predictable unless you do something stupid.

Interior quality is great, the navi is very nice but the sound system sucks. Leather quality isn't up to what porsche offers and the seats are slippery and not very supportive. Back seat is comfortable for two and allows installation of a baby seat (I have twins)

Looks are objective but I think the m3 looks better. It has classic lines, it is one of the last good BMWs when it comes to design. The Cayman is growing in me but I still haven't got used to the back of the car which reminds me of a frog.

Now the cons.

Breaks aren't that great. They are responsive and offer good control but if you track the car once you will find them inadequate. They tend to fade easily and they have quite a lot of car to stop since the m3 is much heavier.

Suspension isn't great either. THere is some understeer you have to overcome with agressive throttle control and a Ground Control suspension is a must for this car. Negative camber at the front proves very benefitial as well.

Steering wheel is quite light. ANd not as informative as I would like it to be. The quick fix for this is a set of underdrive pullies to underdrive the hydaulic pump and make steering a little heavier.


Now driving the car. I believe that the M3 requires more skill to drive fast. It is less balanced and doesn't corner as well. The M3 will require more corrections with the steering wheel and more attention paid to the throttle. The cayman on the otherside is much more relaxing, it is more predictable lacking the LSD but not as easy to powerslide/drift if you are into that kind of things. The Cayman is better at following an accurate line with less drama and due to its lower weight it allows better control.

I had an E36 and 2 E46M3s and spent quite a lot of effort, time and money on them and I can say that it is a great car offering performance with practicality in an unmatched combo with the least compromises. Stock for stock the cayman is more fun to drive but the M3 is almost there for less money. I sold my last M3 to get a used Boxster and modify it since my wife was pregnant and I couldn't afford both the m3 and M5 at that time.

 

Cayman would be a fun 2nd car. If this will be your only car, the M3 is way more practical. Don't let a dealer mess with your decision. I walked away from a new '06 ZCP I ordered at a discount, pm me if you want it with zero hassles.
I would seriously consider the MCoupe as an alternative to the Cayman as well. 10k less, more power and limited slip differential.

 

I was driving my ZCP M3 when I test drove the Cayman and 987 Boxster. I liked the Boxster better than the Cayman, handling was nearly identical on the street and having a Roadster was a lot more appealing and throw in the fact that it was a lot cheaper. That said, jumping back into the M3 was like jumping on a fat chick. I was really surprised at how lethargic it felt after driving the two Porsches. The M3 feels and probably is faster in terms of acceleration but it is left holding the bag in the handling department.

If you don't need any practicality get a Porsche. If you want some functionality the M3 is near impossible to beat.

 

Driving experience wise, you're comparing a sports car to a gt coupe. Of course the caveman will win out.

in terms of looks, i do like the E46 M3 more. i actually think the E46 M3 will become the 993C2S/C4S of the 911 lineup. the muscle haunches and the boxy shape will outlast the new body E92 M3 shape.

tough call. i'd go for the M3. 911 only for me in porsche land.

 

the m3 is nice. between my brother and I, we have had 5 m3s and I can say they are solid cars. The cayman would be great second car. If one car has to do the dance and the dinner then it's m3. otherwise cayman.

raja

 

I would say get the Cayman S. One reason is that the new M3 is right around the corner and its going to make the current M3 look very dated when its released. The Cayman S is completely new and unique.

 

Caleb, you're breaking my heart. For reference, I test drove both and it was an easy decision for me - BMW M3 ZCP (CS / competition package, whatever you want to call it) The good news it, you can't go wrong either way.

 

I'd go for the black horse everytime...looks amazing and sounds incredible...the M3 is a bit less original but anyway pretty good car to drive...
Go for the P IMO

 

Thanks for all the input. Just to give you an update, I testdrove an m3 and cayman s sidebyside, and after that, it really was a no-brainer. Having a supercharged 328Ci as my daily driver, it just didn't make sense to pick up another e46. I thought the cayman S would be a good weekend car for me, but it is so balanced and so much fun to drive that I drive it every single day.

Thanks again, I couldn't be happier with my cayman S. It is the well-rounded performing car I have been looking for.

 

Very happy for your decision...be proud of your panzer!

 

Cayman is the better choice, IMO. Congrats on the purchase. I had an E46 M3 and I was not overly impressed.

 

I would have gotten the upcoming 3.4L 987S. Top down is where it's at since I don't track. The look of Cayman isn't my favorite. Otherwise, it's a great car if you don't need back seats.

 

Post pics of it when you can!