Article Comments - Sports Coupe Shoot-Out

21 messages, Last post on May 30, 2007 at 10:03 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW M3, Porsche Cayman, Coupe, Convertible

Article comments for 2006 Sport Coupe Shootout: BMW M Coupe vs. Porsche Cayman S - In stark contrast to the BMW's cerebral design is the Porsche's corporeal inspiration. Perhaps it's because the Porsche "bathtub" shape has been around for decades, and thus it's so familiar. (more)

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#1 of 21 Article Comments: Sports Coupe Shoot-Out by KarenS HOST Oct 10, 2006 (9:04 am)
Which one wins? The BMW or Porshe? Read the comparison and post your comments. 2006 Sport Coupe Shootout: BMW M Coupe vs. Porsche Cayman S
#2 of 21 Just wrong... by mpowerf1 Oct 10, 2006 (12:06 pm)
Like all Porsches now, the Cayman S is too clinical to be fun. The M Coupe, on the other hand, may perform worse on a track (barely...) but is a lot more fun to drive. You are more involved. Plus, 15 grand is just too much to pay for something that has less power than a Mustang. Replies to this message: ambientflier (Oct 12, 2006 8:20 pm) blsjr (Oct 28, 2006 6:42 am) perunest (Nov 10, 2006 4:56 am)
#3 of 21 Hellwig's Second Opinion is such BS by decodog2 Oct 11, 2006 (3:45 am)
I have been reading auto mags and the edmunds site for many years and Mr. Hellwig's second opinion on this comparison is the biggest load of BS that I have read yet. All reviews of the Porche Cayman S have been consistent about this being a true driver's car. Mr. Hellwig is going to choose the BMW M roadster because it is harder to drive fast and because it looks odd. It would have been more believable if he had just said because its cheaper. If Mr. Hellwig had to choose one as his only car for the next 10 years, I know he would choose the Cayman.
#4 of 21 Come on Mr. Hellwig by sandydeb Oct 11, 2006 (1:00 pm)
When you tear up a back road, you actually feel like you had something to do with it. With the Cayman, it was all the car's doing. So if Porsche designs a car which just natural handles better than the M, you need to penalize them for it? I thought experienced auto journalists would evaluate cars on the basis of how they line up in teh hands of the same driver. If we have an expert driver driving both cars, would he ultimately end up extracting more out of the Cayman than out of the M? I think this shootout provides the answer and then answer is yes. And I dont think the 'real' hardcore drivers of the sort Mr. Hellwig seems to refer to would (or should) even care about these cars. They should rather get an evo or wrx and soup it up to deliver more gut wrenches at half the price! I think the target segment for these cars is very well defined. And in every respect, the Porsche wins. Leaving everything else aside, I think even from the exclusivity perspective Porsche flogs BMW. Due to the proliferation of their lower end models (3 series has almost become the quivalent of accords / camries in my office parking lot) I dont think BMW has retained as much exclusivity. Porsche is the better car and has more exclusivity appeal, both desirable for the intended market. Sigh, too bad that I am not yet in their crosshairs. Someday......
#5 of 21 The truth... by barrosja Oct 12, 2006 (8:42 am)
From an owner of a 06 M Roadster i can tell you this dude is way off. Granted i have not driven a Cockster (top gear anyone?) But ive had this car for 7 months and each drive is better than the next. Its ride is NOT harsh at all contrary to many reviews stating that. I used to own a G35 and and that ride was much worse, 350Z? EVEN more harsh. The BMW handles so fluidly, you know exactly where its going to go around a corner and the ride is EXCELLENT for such a "on rail" handling sports car. Dont believe the lies, its heaven! Replies to this message: charlesb (Oct 12, 2006 2:52 pm)
#6 of 21 Re: The truth... [barrosja] by charlesb Oct 12, 2006 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: barrosja (Oct 12, 2006 8:42 am) The M-coupe rides harsher than the M-Roadster so unless you have test driven one on the same roads as the Edmund's tester your saying the remarks are "way off" must be considered in that light. Several published reviews have mentioned that BMW might have gone too far in stiffening up the suspension to take advantage of the more rigid coupes inherent capabilities.
#7 of 21 Re: Just wrong... [mpowerf1] by ambientflier Oct 12, 2006 (8:20 pm)
Replying to: mpowerf1 (Oct 10, 2006 12:06 pm) The lotus elise has WAYYY less power than a mustang too, yet that doesn't stop it from beating the hell out of the FROD. That's called power-to-weight ratio. The porsche has 5hp less and 500lbs less than a mustang gt. Light weight ain't cheap.
#8 of 21 Price to Fun ratio by m3guy Oct 16, 2006 (3:54 pm)
I can understand why cayman S won over the m coupe but come on now, we're comparing a 70k car to a 54.5k car! lets try to keep it within 10k range at least. im sure if BMW spent more money in research in developing a lighter chassis/materials, use a new engine (instead of the 2001 s54 engine)....and charge the car for like 65k then i bet the BMW M coupe will win Replies to this message: jmaroun (Oct 16, 2006 9:21 pm) m3guy (Oct 17, 2006 2:58 pm)
#10 of 21 power-to-weight ratio by stromile Oct 16, 2006 (4:01 pm)
ambientflier is right on the money. Check out the November Car & Driver and read the article that they are calling their new performance benchmark. It's interesting to see how well the Cayman S performed against cars with much more horsepower. They say that they will begin testing all of their performance oriented cars with this method which should make for some interesting discussions.