From the French website Caradisiac:
http://www.caradisiac.com/comparatif...nce-111264.htm
Translated into English by yours truly. What's interesting about this comparison, done by former race driver Soheil Ayari (F3000 and Le Mans racer) is that the main criteria is driving pleasure...
Comparison - BMW M2 vs Porsche Cayman S: the race to excellence
By Olivier Pagès and Soheil Ayari.
When looking for a sports car with power close to 350 hp, the choice clearly goes with Porsche and BMW. Without going to their more extreme models, how do the smaller models of these two brands compare? The answer lies in this video comparison between the BMW M2 and Porsche Cayman S.
BMW and Porsche share many common features beyond their nationality. Both are synonymous with sportiness and handling and are therefore a dream for many motorists. If they have acquired such a reputation, it is not only because of the performance of their models but also their commitment to competition (F1, endurance, etc.), where they have demonstrated an undeniable know-how which also involves technical choices. Indeed, both have based their heritage on their 6 cylinders: flat for Porsche and inline for BMW. But the pollution standards have arrived and that has changed everything or almost at Porsche.
Thus, the Stuttgart-based brand has abandoned, on its entry-level models (Cayman and Boxster), its mythical flat 6, and replaced it with a four-cylinder, fortunately still flat. A real betrayal in the eyes of Porsche purists. They can console themselves in the fact that the turbocharged 4-cylinder is more powerful than the previous normally-aspirated 6. At BMW, it is the same case, but fortunately not for their most sporty models, which remain true to the inline 6. So, on the one hand we have 350 hp for the Cayman S and 370 hp for the M2. Performance is up to expectations with 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in respectively in 4.6 and 4.2 s.
If their engines are no longer comparable in their number of cylinders, it is nevertheless obvious that we are dealing with two race beasts. The most impressive looking is without doubt the M2, with its flared fenders, wide bumpers and four exhaust outlets. The car seems to be coming out of a weight room. On the other corner, the Cayman has a sleeker design, much less spectacular, but more Porsche traditional. In profile, the affiliation with the 911 is so obvious that people can sometimes confuse the 2. Anyway, hard not to fall for one of the two, provided of course one have the means.
Once this detail is taken care of, you are sure to have an amazing time on the track. But which one to choose to have the most fun? The answer lies with our race driver, Soheil Ayari, on the Ferté Gaucher circuit.
BMW M2 Porsche Cayman S
Power 370 hp 350 hp
Couple 500 Nm 420 Nm
Weight 1,595 kg 1,430 kg
Tires: Michelin Pilot Super Sport Pirelli PZero
Price (excluding options) 65 800 € 66,710 €
As tested price 68,500 € 108 584 €
We therefore asked our house pilot to judge these 2 models according to these 4 predefined criteria:
engine, braking, handling and driving pleasure.
Engine
The first contact with the Porsche is a big disappointment. The legendary sound of the boxer 6 has disappeared to the dismay of the lovers of the brand, which includes our driver Soheil Ayari. The sound of the 4 cylinder is nice but it is very far from that of its predecessor. Some will even find similarities with the engine of some Subaru (logical because it is the same architecture). Nothing to say about the M2, it's just mesmerizing, even more when the tested model is equipped with the optional M Performance exhaust with Bluetooth control to open the valves. A pure pleasure. Even If one sets aside this criteria, however essential on a sports car, it is the engine of the M2 which ultimately proves to be the most pleasant thanks to its power (370 hp) and its higher torque (500 Nm against 420 Nm ). The Porsche engine just can't compete.
Ranking :
1st: BMW M2
2nd: Porsche Cayman S
Braking
The two cars simply have incredible brakes, mixing perfect power and endurance. A slight advantage to the Porsche because our test model was equipped with the optional carbon ceramic system (costing 7,380 €). Even without this option, Porsche's reputation in this domain is well established. So, the Cayman wins.
Ranking :
1st: Porsche Cayman S
2nd: BMW M2
Handling
These two rivals exhibit very distinct behaviors. Without electronic aids, the M2 proves to be particularly lively, agile, precise and rotates in a pocket handkerchief. There is a distinct difference with the M4 that is much less reactive. On the other hand, this demands attention from the driver because you have to be alert at the wheel. Once you have understood how it behaves, it's pure pleasure. As it is often the case with Porsche, and because of the fact that the engine is in a rear central position favorizing mass distribution, the balance of the Cayman S is simply perfect. This is reflected not only in its driving, where everything seems simple behind the wheel - much more than in the BMW - but also with lap times. The Cayman S is ahead in terms of dynamics, with a lap time of 1'55''22 while the M2 has to "be satisfied" with a 1'57''10, an excellent time but not as good as the Cayman's. However, everything is not perfect with the Porsche with its soft damping, making it more comfortable but therefore less radical than with the M2. The sensations are completely different: the M2 is firm and extremely well held in roll while the body movements are more marked in the Porsche.
BMW M2 Porsche Cayman S
Best lap time 1'57''10 1'55''29
0 to 100 km/h 4.3 s 4.6 s
Ranking :
1st: BMW M2
2nd: Porsche Cayman S
Driving pleasure
In this field, for Soheil Ayari: "there is no photo". Large victory for the M2. The Porsche, because of its design, is extremely efficient but lacks fun. A bias probably due to the fact that the manufacturer wanted it accessible to everyone, hence a slight understeer setup. It's a shame, especially for this sporty S version, which should be more radical. Maybe a future GT4 is in the books?
Ranking :
1st: BMW M2
2nd: Porsche Cayman S
CONCLUSION:
Even though these two cars are extremely powerful and seductive, the win goes to the BMW M2 because of its more playful and lively character but also of its more mesmerizing soundtrack. At a time when many manufacturers are abandoning their historical mechanics, we can only welcome the effort of the Munich firm to remain faithful to its inline 6. The last Cayman S is an extraordinary car but the leaving out the boxer 6 too much handling rigor makes it lose this duel.
Video Here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x54...-cayman-s_auto