|
|
07-06-2013, 12:25 AM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
Cayman S Review (Short Version)
Did an extended test drive this week with the new Cayman S. Stock suspension (no PASM), PDK, no Sport Chrono. A few quick impressions.
1. Very beautiful 2. Great fit and finish 3. More trunk space than I thought 4. Excellent driving position 5. Brake and throttle pedals too far apart for proper heel-toe, unless they are closer together in the 6MT, which would be unlikely, right? 6. Engine not even close to M3 in sound, eagerness to rev or flexibility 7. Electric power steering really is as bad as the reviews state. More on-center play than in M3, and less feel and feedback. Certainly way worse than the previous Porsche HPS system. A real shame. 8. The car is slow. If you think the M3 has "no torque," which is debatable anyway, you will hate the Cayman S. 9. Fantastic cornering, no brake dive, super high limits. BUT you have do drive through the weird filtered steering software which spoils it for me. 10. OK brakes 11. Really don't care for the PDK. Buttons on the wheel are strangely set up. There is a button at 3 o'clock and at 9 o'clock, but they both function identically, for drivers who are right handed or left handed. Push with your thumb to upshift, and push from BEHIND the wheel with your index to downshift. Not a great design. Give me a real column mounted paddle shifter. 12. The PDK seems to be designed to coast when you lift off, even in full manual mode in a low gear. I lifted in 2nd and 3rd, and instead of the expected "engine braking" the car just coasted. Not normal. 13. I'll take the 6 spd, but if you get Sport Chrono, I believe you cannot de-activate the automatic rev-matching on downshifts. Not good if you like to double-clutch, like I do. 14. When I got back into my E90 with Dinan mods: intake, exhaust, diff, pulley, Stg III suspension, software, strut brace, toe links and monoballs, it was clear I had a superior car for me. I expected to fall in love with the Cayman before the test drive. Afterward, the M3 sounded way better, the engine is a killer, the HPS was better, and the 6MT was better than the PDK, although not better of course than a manual Porsche. Also significantly more power and torque. 15. Oh yeah, the ride in the Cayman is choppy with its short wheelbase compared to the M3, and can't match the suppleness of the stock M3 suspension. And it certainly can't match the combination of cornering and smoothness of the Dinan Stg III. 16. But it's a light lighter and of course will do better on the track. 17. The M3 is overall more versatile, in that it will do almost as well on the track and better as a DD. 18. If you want a Cayman S, get a used earlier version with the HPS and 6MT |
07-06-2013, 07:42 AM | #2 |
Brigadier General
1975
Rep 4,220
Posts |
Thanks for the review. Porsche offers a sports steering wheel with conventional paddles and it isn't very expensive. That is the one to get with pdk.
The left is standard. The middle is the multifunction and the right is the sport steering wheel with the better paddle shifters. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 08:51 AM | #4 | |
Colonel
131
Rep 2,408
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 10:00 AM | #5 | |
Colonel
154
Rep 2,736
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
‘23 RRS First Edition
'22 X7 M50i '18 R8 V10+ http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=133578&d=1204654487[/IMG] |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 11:11 AM | #6 | |
DHS
203
Rep 4,007
Posts
Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Disneyland
|
Quote:
I like the newer updated Cayman look and could live with less power in a lighter vehicle. You are comparing a modded M3 to a stock Cayman. Thats apples to oranges, no?
__________________
2020 Land Rover Velar Autobiography
2023 BMW M4 2016 X3 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 11:51 AM | #7 |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
A couple of things re the above posts:
I'm comparing the stock Cayman S to my modded M3 because so many people on this forum have modded vehicles--many even more hard-core than mine. I agree a stock to stock comparison is different of course. I agree the look of the Cayman is terrific. The engine, although sweet, simply doesn't have the outrageous mechanical sounds of the M3 at 8k. The button shifters are terrible, so MT really should be better. My main reason for the 987 choice is really the HPS, which simply has more feel and feedback than the new EPS. To me, that's the soul of any car--how well can you feel what's going on through the wheel. I didn't mention price, which may not matter to many people. I paid a bit more than 60K for a new 09 E90, and then had fun with mods. Do I really want to pay close to 90K for a new Cayman S? |
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 12:47 PM | #9 |
Major
198
Rep 1,406
Posts |
Cayman S: PDK with sport plus & sports exhaust is all you really need! the car equipped this way felt honestly better then my M3, and i am not saying this just to be that "guy" but the truth is the truth it's a fantastic car. yes i am a huge porsche fan as well as a bmw m fan. i own a GTS SUV 13" & Bmw m3 13" love them both, but the next car i am going for is that cayman and putting the lime rock on the lift and using it on the weekends! Cayman will be a lease and a DD car and my favorite car in the world the cayenne gts will be only for special occasions in the winter. The summer will be the Mtrezzz! if i had a budget id go for the M3, if i didn't id go for the Cayman S.
Electric steering is gonna end up in every car, so deal with it!!! |
Appreciate
0
|
07-06-2013, 02:15 PM | #10 | |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-07-2013, 10:26 AM | #11 |
Major General
592
Rep 5,396
Posts |
You really are missing out with no pasm and sports exhaust. Pasm is a massive difference.
I drove a manual with those options and it was fantastic. I'd say the power was slightly less than the m3, but the handling and steering was far superior as was ride quality. Plus the interior materials were superior. Interesting review. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 01:38 PM | #12 | |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
Quote:
Yesterday I drove the Cayman S with manual, PASM, Sport Chrono, 20 inch Pirelli P Zeros, and Sport exhaust. Outrageous fly yellow color. Impressions to be added to my post above, which was the Cayman S, PDK, no PASM, no Sport Chrono, and no Sport Exhaust. I don't instruct, but I do multiple track days per year in my E90 M3 as well as a full race-ready Spec Miata. 1. Even more beautiful in Yellow. 2. PASM doesn't do jack at legal speeds on the road. 3. Sport Chrono is BS, as I double clutch normally, and don't "need no stinkin' computer" to rev-match for me. 4. Electric power steering still sucks--there are INCHES of play in the wheel until you are at 75 to 80 mph, and the computer has removed all the important feedback and feel. Not fun. 5. The pedal placement SUCKS. The throttle is too far to the right, as well as too low, so heel-toe double clutching is almost impossible. My foot kept sliding off the brake. In the M3, it's much much easier to get the side of the right foot (not the heel, as "heel-toe is a misnomer, but you all know that) to blip the gas. 6. The clutch effort is stupid heavy, especially compared to the M3, which is probably too light. But the Cayman's clutch effort is too high for my 500 miles a week of DD. 7. No way this engine sounds or revs like the S65. No way. 8. Over $83,000 for this new Cayman. You decide. Now, after we got back to the dealer lot, there was a 911 Carrera 4 GTS sitting there. 2012 model, new, and with Hydraulic steering of course. Also with PASM. So I asked the dealer for a test ride in that baby, thinking that I would be really impressed. Nope. 1. Lighter clutch than the Cayman. Better clutch takeup than M3 2. 408 HP, so it ain't slow. 3. Love the AWD. 4. Hydraulic steering has the wheel vibrating in your hands, but still too light for my tastes. I was expecting go-kart or Lotus. No way. Not even close to my EVO VIII MR. Sorry all P car guys. 5. $105,000. You decide. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 03:29 PM | #14 |
Lieutenant Colonel
767
Rep 1,683
Posts |
Test drove the new Cayman S as well, the M3 is much better car for the same amount of money.
After 45 minutes of test drive I got off the Cayman tired. you really need to wring its neck to make it moving. Car is very noisy, and it's an exhaust noise not engine noise. It's cramped, very stiff, but didn't feel more nimble than the M3 around some high speed roundabouts. Not impressed. I test drove a Panamera GTS as well. Now that's an impressive car...the V8 sound track is godly, steering on par with the M3 and incredible planted on high speed roundabouts...very playful car...despite the AWD, I could make the rear step out a bit The price though is the deal breaker
__________________
22 M4 Competition xdrive
19 M5 Competition sold 16 F-Type S AWD sold 11 Audi RS5 Misano Red--sold 08 E92 M3 Jerez Black 6MT--sold 08 E92 335i 6MT traded in for M3 |
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 03:47 PM | #15 | |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
Quote:
I have never driven a Panamera, but I do agree with you about the noise from the Cayman vs the M3. The beauty of the M3 are the fabulous mechanical noises that come from the engine right in front of your face. Exhaust noises in cars are fine ( I have the rather modest Dinan ), but really are not as satisfying as the engine itself. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 05:25 PM | #16 |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
Well I might be a bit harsh, but I was just not that impressed, regardless of price. When you figure in the cost--forget it. I'm certainly interested in other driving impressions of course.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 07:07 PM | #17 |
*_*
808
Rep 3,160
Posts |
On the other hand, this review makes me feel better I have the M3 and not the new Cayman S, or at least further provides reason why I'd need both in my garage
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 07:51 PM | #19 | |
Lieutenant General
7485
Rep 12,307
Posts |
Quote:
1) I'd never replace my M3 with it 2) I built one online and mine came out to $78k. Way too much money IMHO. They don't hold their value that well (unlike the 911) IMHO, I think it's the perfect car to compliment the M3. I'd love an E90 M3 and Cayman S combo. But the numbers ($$$) just don't work. Def worth a test drive though. Absolutely love that car.
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 08:27 PM | #20 |
Second Lieutenant
31
Rep 242
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 09:42 PM | #21 |
Brigadier General
97
Rep 3,246
Posts |
Nice review and some interesting points. Your car is modded similarly to mine so I find your impressions particularly relevant. Thanks for the write up
__________________
mods: track ready stuff
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2013, 10:24 PM | #22 | |
First Lieutenant
24
Rep 368
Posts
Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: League City, Texas
|
Quote:
Not if the modded M3 cost the same as the stock Porsche..... just sayin IMHO |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|