New car dilemma...

[Shosholoza]

Do I get a
2012 Porsche Cayman R, Peridot green, 6spd, plus radio and aircon, OR

2011 BMW M3, White, competition package, DCT, fully loaded Convenience package, Premium package, BMW Apps, etc.

I loved my Cayman, so did my wife - great handling, fun track days, excellent dealer service, PCA club, the Porsche exclusivity factor. BUT my 06 CS engine blew at the track with 55K miles on it and the CPO warranty was not honored. Out of 11 track days it was trailered home 3 time due to breakdowns.
This CR is bare bones, A PDK is not available until next year. The gen 2 engines are supposedly more reliable.

I used to own and track a 04 BMW 330i ZHP - we also loved it, did 145K miles. Tracked it 15 times with no problems. Also a lot of fun, but not in the same league as the Cayman S. Dealer service was average, no club or social activity, no "P" factor.
This M3 is in a different performance league! It has DCT (which my wife wants this time), and is loaded with all the creature comforts.

I will be doing a 36 month lease, and the M3 will end up costing $5K less than the CR over that period. Also there will be no maintenance costs for the M3.

Convince me why I should come back to BMW...
How track reliable is DCT?

[AngelinIsRich08]

The DCT is meant for the track, seriously.

[Totti]

Originally Posted by AngelinIsRich08

The DCT is meant for the track, seriously.

+1

[duk]

M3 for sure

[CAPSGOD]

Cayman for track, M3 for daily. But I really hate that green!

[immiketoo]

The Cayman R is sexy. Tough Choice.

[Shosholoza]

I have to choose one

[e1000]

Originally Posted by Shosholoza

Do I get a
2012 Porsche Cayman R, Peridot green, 6spd, plus radio and aircon, OR

2011 BMW M3, White, competition package, DCT, fully loaded Convenience package, Premium package, BMW Apps, etc.

I loved my Cayman, so did my wife - great handling, fun track days, excellent dealer service, PCA club, the Porsche exclusivity factor. BUT my 06 CS engine blew at the track with 55K miles on it and the CPO warranty was not honored. Out of 11 track days it was trailered home 3 time due to breakdowns.
This CR is bare bones, A PDK is not available until next year. The gen 2 engines are supposedly more reliable.

I used to own and track a 04 BMW 330i ZHP - we also loved it, did 145K miles. Tracked it 15 times with no problems. Also a lot of fun, but not in the same league as the Cayman S. Dealer service was average, no club or social activity, no "P" factor.
This M3 is in a different performance league! It has DCT (which my wife wants this time), and is loaded with all the creature comforts.

I will be doing a 36 month lease, and the M3 will end up costing $5K less than the CR over that period. Also there will be no maintenance costs for the M3.

Convince me why I should come back to BMW...
How track reliable is DCT?

[Kiemyster]

BMW M FTW

[bmwm3redblack]

go for ///M3 you won't be dissappointed anyway, i promise!!!

[sameh]

Originally Posted by Shosholoza

I have to choose one

Have you driven M3 DCT? cause if not, I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised and impressed.

[Pointerman]

With the issues you had with your Porsche I am surprised you would even consider another purchase. If I had that kind of reliability and warranty support from a premium brand they would be dead to me.

[FVM3]

Not because of this is bmw forum but i will say M3.

[JCtx]

My understanding is '06 CS had oil starvation issues, rear main seal failures, etc., so I wouldn't consider that a problem in a newer car. I'd be worried about direct injection with the new one, but I assume you did your homework on that already. With 3 years of production, there should be cars with 50K miles or so, to judge long-term reliability. But with the spartan interior changing (finally!) in '12, I honestly wouldn't buy a new one right now.

If you want PDK, get a CS man, especially if you want A/C and radio. You're paying extra for a minimal performance advantage and ugly colors . Plus it's not going to ride as harsh, especially with PASM. Good luck.

[Shosholoza]

Thanks Folks
I am leaning strongly towards the M3...

[PKL]

The Cayman R is expensive and if you are adding radio and AC what's the point?

M3 FTW!

Here is a Cayman R I saw in Sherman Oaks today, it did look great. (sorry for the crazy photo app I used haha)

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

If you can swing a Cayman R, this isn't even really a question.

[Shosholoza]

I can swing the Cayman, but one of my sons raised the following:

should I go for the car that is everything it can be, or for the one that is nowhere near what it should be?

The M3 is everything it can be, but the Cayman is purposefully held back to be less than the 911

I am leaning heavily towards the M3...

[fuzzybam]

I thought about this same question for about 5 minutes because of what Shosholoza just posted.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by Shosholoza

I can swing the Cayman, but one of my sons raised the following:

should I go for the car that is everything it can be, or for the one that is nowhere near what it should be?

The M3 is everything it can be, but the Cayman is purposefully held back to be less than the 911

I am leaning heavily towards the M3...

Cayman R is faster than a Carrera & even with a GTS. They are not offering a GT3 or Turbo, but if this is what's in your price range then it wouldn't have made a difference

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso..._cayman_r.html

[JoLo]

I think the caymans are sick for track use, but absolutely horrid looking and almost feminine.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

My understanding is '06 CS had oil starvation issues, rear main seal failures, etc., so I wouldn't consider that a problem in a newer car. I'd be worried about direct injection with the new one, but I assume you did your homework on that already. With 3 years of production, there should be cars with 50K miles or so, to judge long-term reliability. But with the spartan interior changing (finally!) in '12, I honestly wouldn't buy a new one right now.

If you want PDK, get a CS man, especially if you want A/C and radio. You're paying extra for a minimal performance advantage and ugly colors . Plus it's not going to ride as harsh, especially with PASM. Good luck.

The ims and rms have been designed out of the engine on 09+ models, so you are good if you buy a cayman r. No worries.

But that green is UG-LAY! This is coming from a guy who loves PRG and malachite.