M3- after 1200 mile service

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motortrend

motortrend

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motortrend
Now I know the first thing you're gonna think is that they are two different cars and I agree they are, but they are on the same price range. My dad is looking to buy one of the two and I think he prefers the M3 since it has more comfort. He test drove both and said the Cayman felt like something was stopping it, as if it had the emergency brake on (it didn't), and did not feel anything that made him go "wow" about the car and felt good when he drove the M3. He has no problems with having a car with only two seats as he already has this:
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and is not planning to sell it. Also, he want to own a BMW since a long time ago, which may be another factor, and is quite certain the next car will be a Carrera. So, tell me about what you think about each car, which would you choose and why, if you have driven one, owned one or know someone who owns one. BTW: sorry about the crappy pics, were taken a while a go, it's pretty dark.
 
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Oh forgot to put that in, he would get it in Completely manual tranny, drove both with the dual clutch trannies but doesn't feel they are worth the extra money.
 
M3, as it is God'd Chariot, a gift to mankind.

Also, Porsche owners get more crap than BMW owners for well, being them. And it is a better car to live with in the real world, regardless of the seat count. And likely cheaper maintenance costs in the long run. Plus BMW interiors just feel worlds more thought out than Porsche interiors.
 
This is one tough dilemna!

LOL :lol: Azuremen for saying M3 = God's Chariot ! 👍

BMW : sure bet, safe choice, satisfaction guaranteed ;)
Porsche : crazy wild "once" a lifetime experience (once and forever ?) :sly:



Well of course, i have zero experience on those two specific cars, but my family and i, we have owned BMWs (especially 3 series since the early nineties up until now...) I would guess neither cars would be a bad choice at all... Personnally, and surprisingly, i would get the Cayman S. (i guess because i have never had a Porsche before).


PS: M/T 👍👍👍 nothing beats the feeling of working for it! The best experience in driving. Especially BMW's stick!! so creamy smooth and with the right about of engagement. (That's what's getting me to come back everytime to the bavarian transmission)


PS2: what you dad should also consider is the 335d ;) the engine sound wont be as nice as the M3 engine, but the performance is such as mind-boggling, for a fuel usage that is extraordinary for that level of excitement.
 
Azuremen
M3, as it is God'd Chariot, a gift to mankind.
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Lies.

We all know God drives an E30.


@OP: If you can only have one car, then the M3.

If you already have a nice daily driver, then Cayman S. Or for the price of a brand new Cayman S, I recommend a well kept 996 GT3.


M
 
CTznOfTime
PS: M/T 👍👍👍 nothing beats the feeling of working for it! The best experience in driving. Especially BMW's stick!! so creamy smooth and with the right about of engagement. (That's what's getting me to come back everytime to the bavarian transmission)
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Normally, I would agree but the current BMW dual clutch transmission is smoother than any person will be & definitely knows when & when not to engage. It & the PDK are up to the point where they can provide much more performance.
 
Any idea on the kind of price window we're looking at? There can be a massive difference between them just by checking a few option boxes, and the bigger you get, the deeper you move into some pretty serious, competitive territory. Between the two I would be more likely to spend my own money on the M3 based mainly around the fact that it is an everyday car with the devil inside. I like the look, feel and performance of the car, as it just is what it is... A midsize coupe with a balls-awesome V8, amazing (balanced) performance, making zero apologies about it. It isn't the fastest, it isn't the best-looking, and you can arguably spend your money in a lot of other places and get something that is completely different - But you're not getting an M3.

Thing is, I like the Cayman, but I have the same problem that a lot of people do... Its not a 911. Considering that I'm only a couple thousand dollars from grabbing one, yeah, I'd be more likely to do that despite the small performance decrease that you get. The 911 is still the standard of the world, and you're not likely to find many cars (aside from the M3) that contain the same level of civility with the ability to awaken the dark lord within when necessary. A standard 911 is still a pretty special place to be, and if you have the means, its not a bad way to go either.


Or, I could just do my typical thing where I suggest cars that aren't even being considered. Things like:
  • 2011 Ford Mustang GT - I call it "The Poor Man's M3" now that they've added the 411 BHP V8 and addressed many of the handling issues that have plagued it through the years. For $33K, you're not likely to find a better performing car until you add $20K or more to the sticker. Say what you will about it being a Detroit-built American performance relic, but Ford means business with the car.
  • 2011 Chevrolet Corvette GS - For the money, you're getting a lot of performance. Problem is, you're stuck with the shoddy interior and seats that are a bit too flat. But, yeah. Drop the hammer, and things go BOOM.
  • 2012 Lotus Evora - Its a little more expensive than the Cayman S, not quite as fast, but I'll be damned if it isn't a good-look car, something completely different from anything else your friends/neighbors would have, and admittedly a personal favorite.
  • 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe - Take that hammer from the Corvette, make it a little bigger, and hit more things with it. Plus, DAT ASS.


TL;DR - Go for the M3, but check out some of the other options too.
 
The Porsche Cayman S of course. Sure BMW is fast too, but Porsche is Porsche, no other car in the world drives like it
 
///M-Spec
We all know God drives paddock bashes an E30.
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Fixed. :D *hides from the BMW owners!*


To be honest, the E92 M3 is the better car than the Cayman as that 4.0L V8 is one of the most glorious engines to listen to, the Cayman is a boxster with a roof. Also, do you really want a car that's "not quite a 911"??
 
My uncle had to choose between these two cars last year, also! He said the same thing. He wasn't really "wow'd" by the Cayman, but he loved the M3. He chose the M3 and has tracked it a couple of times. He tells me he totally does not regret buying this car.

2009-bmw-m3-coupe-1-588x441.jpg
 
I like the Porsche, but only in 911 trim. The M3 is ok, but between the two grab the M3. Hurray for practicality!
 
Maybe he needed to turn off the traction control to get a real feel of the Cayman. Although if you really are comparing a V8 M3 there is going to be a big difference when it comes to torque, you will just get that instant response from the V8.
 
Radracing
Although if you really are comparing a V8 M3 there is going to be a big difference when it comes to torque, you will just get that instant response from the V8.
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Yes yes, because the M3 has soooooooooooo much torque...

M3
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 4 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 414 hp
Max Horsepower: 8300 rpm
Torque: 295 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3900 rpm
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 38.4 ft.
Curb Weight: 3704 lbs.
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Cayman
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 2.9 liters
Base Engine Type: Horizontally Opposed
Horsepower: 265 hp
Max Horsepower: 7200 rpm
Torque: 221 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4400 rpm
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 36.4 ft.
Curb Weight: 2932 lbs.
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The M3 would only win for me based upon overall cost and practicality. Everything else I'd prefer the Porsche. And actually the Cayman costs about as much as an M3 so really it's the extra space in the back and the boot that would sway me. I'd have to drive them both to make my final decision...and I get the feeling the Porsche might win and I'd say screw practicality. :D But this isn't for me so bleh...
 
mafia_boy
Fixed. :D *hides from the BMW owners!*


To be honest, the E92 M3 is the better car than the Cayman as that 4.0L V8 is one of the most glorious engines to listen to, the Cayman is a boxster with a roof. Also, do you really want a car that's "not quite a 911"??
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Actually, the correct term would be a car that surpasses the 911. Porsche is the only thing holding the Cayman S back from being the best Porsche sports car ever built.
 
In my opinion, take the BMW. Well it might sound a bit biased, as I'm a BMW fanatic itself. But the thing that made me chose the M3 is that it has more space, better price, has more torque, more revs, obviously more power but a bit heavier. The V8, known as the best sounding new school V8 is actually the world's most advanced V8 ever made(apart from the F1 car V8 of course :p). You won't regret, this car is a complete package...

The Porsche is owned by VW anyway :p

EDIT: Also, the M3 comes with a lot of options, do check them out in the BMW website ;)👍 The CF roof comes as standard...
 
I'd reckon it's easily one of the most advanced V8s, but overall, I think the new 458's V8 is quite more advanced by now.
 
YSSMAN
2011 Ford Mustang GT - I call it "The Poor Man's M3" now that they've added the 411 BHP V8 and addressed many of the handling issues that have plagued it through the years. For $33K, you're not likely to find a better performing car until you add $20K or more to the sticker. Say what you will about it being a Detroit-built American performance relic, but Ford means business with the car.
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Omnis
How about a Mustang GT? :lol:
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^^... As stated there :lol:

;)

EDIT: Owh yeah, I totally forgot the Ferrari 458. Hands down, I think they've just made the new world's most advanced V8 :)
 
///M-Spec
Lies.

We all know God drives an E30.


@OP: If you can only have one car, then the M3.

If you already have a nice daily driver, then Cayman S. Or for the price of a brand new Cayman S, I recommend a well kept 996 GT3.


M
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:lol:

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I rather like the screaming revs of the M3 V8... while the new Mustang has more revs than before... it doesn't have as much as the M3.
 
niky
:lol:

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I rather like the screaming revs of the M3 V8... while the new Mustang has more revs than before... it doesn't have as much as the M3.
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Well screamers are more fun in general...
 
-> I'd go with the M3 Sedan, it is like the new E39 M5 (w/ more gadgets); and make sure get with the 6 M/T. Sure Cayman's are definitely nice and superb sports car. But I for one like balance, rarity, and practicality of the M3-S. M3-CP is everywhere now, and the M3-CV is to flexy. Plus the BMW Maintenance Plan is a perk here, and parts are cheaper too! :)
 

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