Consolidating the autos

[mkiv808]

Right now, I have a Cayman S and an E90 325i. Both serve a purpose and are great cars. The Cayman S is exceptional, one of the best cars I've ever owned (and I've had a few).

However, I've been a homeowner now for a little over a year, and I seem to be trading modding cars for modding my house. It wouldn't hurt to have a little extra money.

Other than the Nissan GTR - which disappoints me only for the lack of a manual and the still-high price on the used market - the E92 M3 seems to be the only car that can even closely fill the gap left by the Cayman/E90 combo.

Just curious if anyone here has made the switch from P-Car to M3? I'm going to test drive one on Friday to see what it's all about. Very curious to see how drastically different it is from my E90, and how exciting it is to drive in comparison. I know it won't be the same, but maybe good enough that the cost savings are worth it.

My only concern is awful gas mileage. I'm getting about 19-20 on average with the CS, and about 23-24 on the E90.

[Kiemyster]

well your coming from a cayman.... thats nothing special compared to the m3. M3 is sooo much more practical than the cayman. If you were coming from a 911 then i'd say it may be rough, but damn you will be just fine making the switch. I'm sure you will be happy with the M3's performance and handling. MANY many many people here have come from a cayman so its only a matter of time before they chime in. Your mileage will either be the same or less by 3-4 mpg but its well worth the smiles.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

well your coming from a cayman.... thats nothing special compared to the m3. M3 is sooo much more practical than the cayman. If you were coming from a 911 then i'd say it may be rough, but damn you will be just fine making the switch. I'm sure you will be happy with the M3's performance and handling. MANY many many people here have come from a cayman so its only a matter of time before they chime in. Your mileage will either be the same or less by 3-4 mpg but its well worth the smiles.

Really? Sorry, but I can't take that kind of advice seriously. Have you ever even driven a Cayman? I've had plenty of seat time in 911's, both modded and stock - on the track, and on the street... and they still don't compare to the feel and handling of the CS. I'm sure a GT3 or Turbo would be a different story, but the Cayman is an exceptional driver's car. One of the best. It's also a full 600 pounds lighter than the M3...

I don't anticipate the M3 to be a better driver's car, but hopefully it comes close to as fun.

[saeyedoc]

I have a 335i, Cayman S on order. I test drove an M3 when looking for my next car. I liked the M3 much more than my 335i, but not as much as the Cayman S. Compared to your 325i, the M3 is much more exciting. I don't need the rear seats or storage, so I had different requirements than you.
If you're looking for a sporty sedan with rear seats and trunk space, the M3 may be the best fit. Other cars to consider would be C63, CTS-V, S4. The S4 may be worth looking at, AWD could come in handy in CT, would get much better gas mileage than the M3, but not as fast, probably doesn't handle as well due to AWD.
Do you need rear seats for kids? Could also consider Carrera if they are small.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by saeyedoc

I have a 335i, Cayman S on order. I test drove an M3 when looking for my next car. I liked the M3 much more than my 335i, but not as much as the Cayman S. I don't need the rear seats or storage, so I had different requirements than you.
If you're looking for a sporty sedan with rear seats and trunk space, the M3 may be the best fit. Other cars to consider would be C63, CTS-V, S4. The S4 may be worth looking at, AWD could come in handy in CT, would get much better gas mileage than the M3, but not as fast, probably doesn't handle as well due to AWD.
Do you need rear seats for kids? Could also consider Carrera if they are small.

Don't need rear seats, but could be handy for going places with friends. No kids and that won't change anytime soon. Could use a trunk and more storage space, being a homeowner means lots of Ikea and Lowes runs. Also handy to hang a trunk strap bike rack out for mountain biking days. Kinda tough on a Carrera, and I think I would want a 997CS4 or CS2, which could get pricey. I've definitely considered it though. Although I think - ironically - the Cayman has more cargo space.

How different is the M3 from the 335i? I know it's more powerful, but curious how handling and steering feel differ? I have plenty of seat time in a friend's 335i and that definitely wouldn't satisfy the gap left by losing the Cayman.

If I lived in a warmer climate, I would consider just having the Cayman. Somehow, I can't bring myself to drive it in winter. I think I could stomach driving an E92 M3 on winter tires though...

[Seattle S65B40]

Have you driven an E92 M3 with ZCP yet? Like for more than just 20 minutes with a CA? If yes, and you're still all about the Cayman, then this is probably not the car for you and you will always feel an emptiness that only your cayman could fill...

If not, give it a nice hard drive and see what you think. Only you can really decide this question.


BTW, there is no comparison between a [stock] 335 and an M3. Thanks.

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Have you driven an E92 M3 with ZCP yet? Like for more than just 20 minutes with a CA? If yes, and you're still all about the Cayman, then this is probably not the car for you and you will always feel an emptiness that only your cayman could fill...

If not, give it a nice hard drive and see what you think. Only you can really decide this question.


BTW, there is no comparison between a [stock] 335 and an M3. Thanks.

I didn't realize there was a ZCP option on the M3?

Again, I haven't driven one yet - this Friday I'm test driving one. Not sure if it has ZCP? You're right - it should be very revealing.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Don't need rear seats, but could be handy for going places with friends. No kids and that won't change anytime soon. Could use a trunk and more storage space, being a homeowner means lots of Ikea and Lowes runs. Also handy to hang a trunk strap bike rack out for mountain biking days. Kinda tough on a Carrera, and I think I would want a 997CS4 or CS2, which could get pricey. I've definitely considered it though. Although I think - ironically - the Cayman has more cargo space.

How different is the M3 from the 335i? I know it's more powerful, but curious how handling and steering feel differ? I have plenty of seat time in a friend's 335i and that definitely wouldn't satisfy the gap left by losing the Cayman.

If I lived in a warmer climate, I would consider just having the Cayman. Somehow, I can't bring myself to drive it in winter. I think I could stomach driving an E92 M3 on winter tires though...

The M3 is much different than the 335. Better engine, handling, steering, you name it. If you don't need the space, just get snow tires for the Cayman and keep it. You've already got one of the best handling cars on the planet.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Really? Sorry, but I can't take that kind of advice seriously. Have you ever even driven a Cayman? I've had plenty of seat time in 911's, both modded and stock - on the track, and on the street... and they still don't compare to the feel and handling of the CS. I'm sure a GT3 or Turbo would be a different story, but the Cayman is an exceptional driver's car. One of the best. It's also a full 600 pounds lighter than the M3...

I don't anticipate the M3 to be a better driver's car, but hopefully it comes close to as fun.

what can i say? to each his own. IMHO, M3>cayman>boxer. But that just my opinion.

- a biased BMW fanboy

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the M3 when you drive it. If not then just stay with your Porsche. There was a thread almost identical to this one last week or so.

[MMMorish]

Keep your Cayman and your 325i, modding homes is way more fun than modding cars. I have two words for you; "Home Automation". Your home will never be the same.

[Kiemyster]

obviously the cayman s has such handling to put the m3 to shame. but once i start to add the other aspects of it - looks, interior space, trunk space/practicality, quality, resale value, etc the m3 wins. But yes, you will miss your laser sharp handling ever so dearly.

[Blk07335i]

As Jeremy Clarkson says it's a Coxster when all is said and done. Ugly as well!

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by shift@red

Please dont listen to a word this guy says. Nothing special...you have a lot to learn. The cayman S may not have the engine the M3 has, but its far better in every other way. We all appreciate the feel of the m3, well the cayman has it in spades over any bmw or M car.
Having owned a cayman S and Z4m coupe, the m3s handling was a huge let down from the cayman s, and even the z4m in some ways. it took a bit of getting used to. It will NEVER handle, feel, or be as precise as the cayman S is no matter what.



I think if you go into it realizing you are downgrading the handling of the cayman S significantly compared to the cayman, but picking up the practicality and usefulness in only one car you will be fine.
Nothing BMW makes is going to give you the handling the CS does or be nearly as good a driver's car...in fact nothing short of a 911/GT3 or Ferrari Scud will, so no matter what, its going to be a downgrade.

Seeing as youre in CT...give me a shout.

Even with your obvious bias to P-cars you must admit the bolded portion is false. The Cayman may handle better, feel more nimble and probably brake better than an M3, as it should given the weight difference, but when you consider all else, the scale tips to the M3.

[008]

Went to the M3 from a Cayman S last year. If you want a comfortable street car then the M3 is great. The engine is amazing and the technology is also impressive. That said I miss driving the cayman. I got rid of mine as it had about 6 months or so of warranty left and had been tracked quite a bit. If you want a sporty sedan/coupe it's hard to beat the M3 but you'll miss being in a sports car if you enjoy your Porsche.

[xrayos]

Cayman is a nice car, but it should not be compared to an m3. You should compare it to other 2 seaters.

M3 has practically written all over it

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by xrayos

Cayman is a nice car, but it should not be compared to an m3. You should compare it to other 2 seaters.

M3 has practically written all over it

This

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Even with your obvious bias to P-cars you must admit the bolded portion is false. The Cayman may handle better, feel more nimble and probably brake better than an M3, as it should given the weight difference, but when you consider all else, the scale tips to the M3.

This is exactly what I was implying.... And I admitted my bias instantly so i aint fronting.

Originally Posted by Blk07335i

As Jeremy Clarkson says it's a Coxster when all is said and done. Ugly as well!

ahh, i see backup has arrived

[persian54]

get the M3 and keep the Cayman S

[Werkz12]

M3>cayman

I went from a 997.2 S to the M3.
I like the M better!
GT3 or Turbo over the M3

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Even with your obvious bias to P-cars you must admit the bolded portion is false. The Cayman may handle better, feel more nimble and probably brake better than an M3, as it should given the weight difference, but when you consider all else, the scale tips to the M3.

If he was referring to the cayman being better in performance, then he was correct...

[mkiv808]

Just curious, but there's some nagging things in my 2006 E90 that I hope were fixed in the later years. And hopefully in the M3.

Interior rattles and creaks. Lots of them. Doors creaking over every bump. Hopefully that was resolved in later updates? I must say my Cayman S feels like a bank vault compared to the 325i.

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by persian54

If he was referring to the cayman being better in performance, then he was correct...

Even "performance" wise it is not much better. I think it is just seat of the pants feel that might make it seem worlds better than an M3. See below:

Nurburgring times:

E90/E92 M3 - 8:05
Cayman S - 8:04 (by Walter Röhrl)
Cayman S - 8:16 (Sport Auto)
335i E92 Coupe - 8:26 (included by me just for OP's edification).

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464652

Not clear if that M3 time is with DCT or 6MT. Also, i don't know who Walter Rohrl is, but I bet he could beat that 8:05 time in an M3 DCT...

Originally Posted by mkiv808

Just curious, but there's some nagging things in my 2006 E90 that I hope were fixed in the later years. And hopefully in the M3.

Interior rattles and creaks. Lots of them. Doors creaking over every bump. Hopefully that was resolved in later updates? I must say my Cayman S feels like a bank vault compared to the 325i.

Sorry, but rattles are still abound in some 2011s as far as I've seen on here. My interior rattles a bit, but not overbearingly so.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512372

[Quattro98]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Not clear if that M3 time is with DCT or 6MT. Also, i don't know who Walter Rohrl is, but I bet he could beat that 8:05 time in an M3 DCT...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Röhrl