Top Gear Magazine: Cayman GTS v M4

[Imola3]

Enjoy

[Black Gold]

what an odd review, but thanks for posting

[MistaVauros]

I'm sorry, the value proposition for the Cayman GTS over the M4 is not there IMO. I guess if you primarily plan to track the car and care about laptimes, then it might make sense to go the Cayman route. I think most of us will be driving on the public roads and the M4 is definitely more practical.

The reviewer/author seems to be ultra critical and maybe even a little biased towards Porsche.

[Jockey]

That's not surprise. I think everyone expects the GTS to be a better track car. It struck me though how no one was overwhelmed with it though, just whelmed.

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by VAUROS

I'm sorry, the value proposition for the Cayman GTS over the M4 is not there IMO. I guess if you primarily plan to track the car and care about laptimes, then it might make sense to go the Cayman route. I think most of us will be driving on the public roads and the M4 is definitely more practical.

The reviewer/author seems to be ultra critical and maybe even a little biased towards Porsche.

Agreed, especially since the M4 has two more seats.

[M3 Esq]

It's not surprising that they say you get less feedback from the M4. A turbo motor is a very different feel than NA on the track. You have to be even more smooth with your inputs to compensate for the added torque. Just ask the F1 drivers this season.

I am excited about where the technology is going though.

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by VAUROS

I'm sorry, the value proposition for the Cayman GTS over the M4 is not there IMO. I guess if you primarily plan to track the car and care about laptimes, then it might make sense to go the Cayman route. I think most of us will be driving on the public roads and the M4 is definitely more practical.

The reviewer/author seems to be ultra critical and maybe even a little biased towards Porsche.

If you cared about laptimes you'd go with the M4. He only says it feels better on the track, not that it was faster. I would bet the M4 is a faster track car.

[MistaVauros]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

If you cared about laptimes you'd go with the M4. He only says it feels better on the track, not that it was faster. I would bet the M4 is a faster track car.

Yea, I agree with that. I just hate how he's making the M4 seem like a docile, no feedback type of experience. All the other articles I've read are praising the M3/M4 for its power, handling, steering feel (albeit for an electric rack), sound (relative), and overall balance.

[rubber_ducky]

No surprise here. The cayman is the better sports car. Which makes the comparison unfair in that it's the only sports car in the shootout.

Caymans give up nothing in terms of daily driving. Their cargo space is awesome too. But if you need more than two seats, you need to look elsewhere.

[Romo]

Both great, I mean GREAT cars, this is German engineering at its very best, no doubts what so ever.

Can`t go wrong with either IMHO, just choose your poison

Its just a matter of personal preference, personal needs, choose, buy, enjoy....and have al lot of driving fun.......

So I did, bought the Cayman GTS, although a have owned am E46 M3, E92 M3 and currently a 1M. My thoughts on buying a GTS instead an M4; Bigger ain`t always better

I`ll keep the 1M, just for the fun, and because it`s a rare, unique and extraordinary car.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

If you cared about laptimes you'd go with the M4. He only says it feels better on the track, not that it was faster. I would bet the M4 is a faster track car.

Well the Cayman GTS 'ring time is 2 secs fater, 7:53, hmmm...

[FogCityM3]

TG magazine has been one of the somewhat negative voices on the M4 (or at least backhanded compliments). Two very different animals, and one having the engine and weight distribution in the perfect spot from an engineering sense is a great place to start. Add in the N/A engine, linear power, small, nimble size, light, extremely responsive handling, better aero, etc and will be tough for any front engine rear drive sedan based car to compete.

What I have found interesting is that the Alpina B3 GTS (based on the 3 series), with Alpina tuning being the "softer side" of performance vs BMW M by emphasizing ride quality and usability actually got faster 'ring and hockenheim times than the M4 and nearly matched the M3 GTS n-ring time (at 7:49) and beat it at Hockenheim. That would be a more interesting apples-to-apples comparison, as well as one with the outgoing E9x.

[visualguy]

If I needed the back seat, I would buy the M3. If not, I would buy the Cayman. Not sure where that leaves the M4...

[damnitBobby]

I actually found the article to be written pretty well. He hit all the major points that I would care for.

Two great cars

[Caelric]

Originally Posted by visualguy

If I needed the back seat, I would buy the M3. If not, I would buy the Cayman. Not sure where that leaves the M4...

Pretty sure the M4 has back seats......

Seriously, between the M3/M4 it's whether you want the extra doors, and which one looks better. They are both so similiar in performance that 95% of drivers couldn't tell the difference (yes, I pulled that stat out of my ass)

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by Caelric

Pretty sure the M4 has back seats......

Yeah, but the access and comfort (head room) kind of suck, which is why I would get the M3 if I was serious about the back seat. Otherwise, I would just get the Cayman.

[serieD]

Subjective opinion,

but the M4, esthetically, looks way more youthful and alive than a Cayman GTS or no GTS


The Porsche just can't get my heart to want it, my brain wants it sure, but the heart just can't love it. It's personality seems dull, but it has so much intelligence it's hard to pass up. Ultimately, I prefer the liveliness of the M4, especially for someone like myself in their 20's. If I can't swing a GT3 when I'm 30, I will probably make the swap into a Cayman GT4, hopefully.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by FTS

Well the Cayman GTS 'ring time is 2 secs fater, 7:53, hmmm...

I think you meant 1 second slower... didn't Sportauto get 7:52 with the M4?

7:53 for the Cayman with Porsche's own test drivers vs. 7:52 for the M4 with Sportauto drivers. And we all know that Porsche test drivers prove to be much faster than almost any others at the 'Ring in a Porsche. Look at the 911S... Sportauto's time was notably slower than Porsche's own time. So, a Cayman GTS in the hands of a Sportauto driver and hmmmm....

[warzilla]

Originally Posted by Romo

Both great, I mean GREAT cars, this is German engineering at its very best, no doubts what so ever.

Can`t go wrong with either IMHO, just choose yIts just a matter of personal preference, personal needs, choose, buy, enjoy....and have al lot of driving fun.......

Amen. How is the GTS so far?

[Romo]

Originally Posted by warzilla

Amen. How is the GTS so far?

It hasn`t been delivered yet

ETA mid August

[warzilla]

Ok. Heading to a Porsche event end of month, and found out they supposedly have a GTS for tracking. Very excited.

Also read on P-forums that early GTS are at the port but Porsche is holding them for some reason. Is your car there you know or still being built?

[FTS]

Yes, yes, you are right; for some reason I thought F8x was 7:55. Still I was expecting/hoping the difference would have been higher.

Originally Posted by gthal

I think you meant 1 second slower... didn't Sportauto get 7:52 with the M4?

7:53 for the Cayman with Porsche's own test drivers vs. 7:52 for the M4 with Sportauto drivers. And we all know that Porsche test drivers prove to be much faster than almost any others at the 'Ring in a Porsche. Look at the 911S... Sportauto's time was notably slower than Porsche's own time. So, a Cayman GTS in the hands of a Sportauto driver and hmmmm....