Vs Top Gear: BMW Z4 M Coupe vs. Porsche Cayman S

[Matt]

A great read that really articulates what each car is about.

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/08/stories/06/1.html

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

Classic photo. A BMw going sideways

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

I actually have this issue. I was kind of confused, they say the M Coupe is more fun to drive but the Cayman the better drivers car??? A very odd dichotomy.

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

I actually have this issue. I was kind of confused, they say the M Coupe is more fun to drive but the Cayman the better drivers car??? A very odd dichotomy.

Cayman is easier to control around a track. Z4 is the bad boy, hard to control.

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

Cayman is easier to control around a track. Z4 is the bad boy, hard to control.

Hmm, that makes sense. I guess it's all how you define the "fun" factor behind the wheel. I drove yet another M car today, check in another thread to read more.

 

[EnI]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

You will, ultimately, be faster in the more nimble Cayman S. It's a better performance car. But you will have more fun in the Z4 because it's the more exciting driver's car. Head says Porsche, heart says Z4 M Coupe. Wallet says neither.

BMW more fun to drive, and more driver's car than a Porsche?

Now you know why BMW engineers were so joyful at Z4 Coupe birth.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

BMW more fun to drive, and more driver's car than a Porsche?

Now you know why BMW engineers were so joyful at Z4 Coupe birth.

Well that's hiting Porsche's weak spot.
Many traditional Porsche fans I've talked to on several forums are complaining about the lack of fun and involvement that plagues the latest Porsches. Almost every curent Porsche, minus the GT2 & GT3 versions, is (almost) boring compared to its (more) enganging/thrilling predecesors.
Yes Porsche can tune a chassi, probably like no one else, but they seem to be losing (big time) on the fun factor front to Ferrari, BMW, Corvette.

 

[Centurion]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

Hmm, that makes sense. I guess it's all how you define the "fun" factor behind the wheel.

That's ture. Some people would love the rawness of the M coupe while others gets blown away by the perfection of the Cayman and it's very balanced chassi, engine location and the whole package that it offers.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

Cayman is easier to control around a track. Z4 is the bad boy, hard to control.

Yeah, but for the people targeted this is just right.
Once upon of time sport cars were THE cars that made the diference between an average/mediocre driver and a high skilled one/elite. Such people took great pride that they were the only ones capable of controling/driving the sport cars.
Cars such the Cobra or Porsche 930 were considered (sort of) poseur proof since they (almost) killed you at the first (high speed) corner.

 

[martinbo]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

My take:

Z4 M Coupe: way better engine, more adjustable and hence the more interactive experience.

Cayman S: better chassis and layout makes for a more precise and useable point to point machine.

I'd have either.

 

[Matt]

According to the majority of articles ive read they seem to be equal in their own unique ways. However for me I'd choose the Z4 based on looks and price.
I thought it was really well written, however it would have been nice to see some track times.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Re: Top Gear: BMW M coupe vs. Porsche Caymen S

My take:

Z4 M Coupe: way better engine, more adjustable and hence the more interactive experience.

Cayman S: better chassis and layout makes for a more precise and useable point to point machine.

I'd have either.

Carefully martimbo, the M Coupe ain't for the faint hearted, it's more in the nature of the CSL.

I thought it was really well written, however it would have been nice to see some track times.

True, but we do have Cayman S and M roadster times. I wonder how the M Coupe would do.

 

[Matt]

Yea thats right, the M roadster was faster around the Top Gear track then the Caymen, however the M coupe seems to be pulling slower times than the roadster so it would probably be pretty close.