Fifth Gear 135i vs. Cayman

[asa7]

watching those videos was like watching the superbowl. i have to reconsider the 135i now. THERES SO MANY BMWS TO CHOOSE FROM! I CANT PICK ONLY ONE!!!

[ScullyD]

It is just me, or do they both look like they barely fit in those sport seat side bolsters.

[SapphireBlackG01]

Okay, someone might want to clarify a bit for me here...

I understand some people might be disappointed with the fact that the 135i makes it a bit difficult to induce oversteer. But the reality is, 95%+ of 1er owners are not going to drive the car in any sort of situation where oversteer would be desireable. And those who WOULD drive the car in such a manner, probably have the funds and the means to fix the ONE dynamic shortcoming of the vehicle... it's not very hard at all.

Secondly, since when is understeer equated with "handling shortcomings"? Do we live on the same planet? Understeer is quite simply the opposite of oversteer. It isn't any better or worse. It might be less fun sometimes, yes, but it's also inherently safer.

I mean, the Audi RS4 understeers like a fucking pig, and while I can't personally stand the car, everyone else in the known universe would apparently give up a lifetime of sex to own one, and all the reviews consistently praise the Audi for it's brilliant handling, so... understeer must not be the huge "dynamic flaw" some of you are making it out to be.



As for the excessive body roll comment... are you serious? Have you compared the height/weight/size/seating capacity/cargo capacity/ride quality of these two cars at all?



And the drift test... what a joke that was.

[mateo]

Nice to see the video. Thanks.

[gemini330zhp]

Guys dont worry all you need to do is put a DINAN Flash and you get a whopping 384 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 421 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm. Good By Cayman S and other cars.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

I thnk Plato is worth a half a second a lap over Tiff, so I say the cars are probably tied. 135 is looked very impressive, though. Pretty exciting!

Not sure about that. Plato's lap was horrible, he missed multiple apexes.

Originally Posted by WAY

I enjoyed that. Thanks guys/gals.
What I took out of that:
- 135i could do with a stiffer suspension setup. Did you guys see the body roll compared to the Cayman?
- dailing out the understeer will help the 135i go around the track a bit faster
- 135i is really good value. Over here, 135i is $71.4k while Cayman is $118k.
- I can't wait to get mine!

Yep it will benefit very well from some coilovers, but I thought is looked like less body roll than a 335i around a track. And yes it beat a car that is $15,000 more in the US, pretty damn good. The 135i is an awesome platform for modding.

Originally Posted by ZE4EMCE

im waiting for the REAL test- the family fight as it were- the 135 vs the 335

Me too, someone will eventually do the comparo.

[soolman32]

This make it even harder to wait for a chance to drive the car. Great clips and thanks for sharing.

Gemini06M3_ I ll probably never need the extra power and probably should focus on becoming one with the 1, but how would you get a hold of that Dinan Flash and how much does it cost?

[roadburn]

My Sparkling Graphite 135i will be asked get me to work & to the Piggly Wiggly and back. I think this video clearly establishes that I shall arrive home before the frozen peas defrost.

Also, may I note, if a driver can hold his water through the esses, the Coral Red Boston Leather interior looks really great.

[roadburn]

Who gives an eff[delete]ceekay about a drifting competition with "judges" holding up numbers? In every test with a stopwatch involved, the 135i does better.

My favorite part? If I can get my passengers shouting, "Animal! Animal!" like that, I'll be pleased....

[moff]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

I thnk Plato is worth a half a second a lap over Tiff, so I say the cars are probably tied. 135 is looked very impressive, though. Pretty exciting!

I think both drivers were pretty even in this test.

It was hardly a worthwhile comparison since they were both sliding around and not taking it very seriously.

Honestly, it was a complete waste of time.

At least Top Gear do a serious lap to prove the car's worth on the Top Gear test track with a laptime that can be compared with other metal.

It was the worst comparison / review that I have ever seen.

[pumaknight]

Originally Posted by edge350

Did you guys try a reverse hyperlink to the lateral pole of the original configuration file? If that doesn't work, you can re-upload the matrix to the backup primary servers and reduce the re-feed rates. The images are just as crisp, though the audio maybe a bit punchy.

Come again ????? :biggrin:

[clived]

Originally Posted by murellus

i think the real test here is the 135 against the cayman s

But you could buy a stripped out track toy easily for the price difference.... not really a like for like test, surely? The test for a Cayman S is a M3.

[imported_Dodgy]

Agree it was a relatively useless comparison, but atleast the car I have never seen, never driven, came out in front.

Some what reassuring, don't you think?:drinking:

[pumaknight]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Agree it was a relatively useless comparison, but atleast the car I have never seen, never driven, came out in front.

Some what reassuring, don't you think?:drinking:

Totally agree - I think it sounds and handles great and it made them smile and they drive some serious hardware!!

Who cares if it is compared to a sedan, be honest, it is a sedan!! But a sedan with a bloody big engine:headbang:

[edge350]

Originally Posted by pumaknight

Come again ????? :biggrin:

It was complete gibberish. I was just trying to get a rise out of these guys while they were trying upload the video. Had to pass the time. "If you can't help them, confuse them"....no, that's not it...
That's enough from me...Don't want to interfere with the serious discussion talking place on this thread...

[larryn]

Awesome episode. I expected that outcome, but boy those guys were throwing lots of seconds away by late apexing, 2 wheels in the grass, etc. If they were only 1 second apart (by a stopwatch no less - margin of error is >1second between 2 different people), I think it could be a toss up.

I'd like to see clean runs and actual timers.

Thanks for putting these up!!

[WAY]

On that particular track, I think a clean run will see the 135i even further ahead. But if it was a tighter track, the Cayman will have a big advantage.

[ChrisK]

The whole thing made me droooollll!!!

[amdmaxx]

Yes, I am surprised Tiff said BMW has LSD..

For porsche to be VERY popular and betetr than BMW they need:
- Cayman S with 3.6 and Direct Injection
- Keep the pricing about the same, maybe little lower
- Give regular Cayman 3.2 with DI

But they will never do it unless new 911 comes out with 4.0 engine.. (thats the rumor)

Originally Posted by Italteen3

I prefer the Stig to these two guys but for now I will take that! Appreciate you putting that up. Did well in the slalom and 1.8 seconds better in one lap is pretty decent. Good video, great car, and wow I cant wait for this car. What I dont understand is how a tv show can get it wrong that this car does not have a LSD?!?

Anyone else annoyed at the facial expressions of the blonde woman, especially her mouth?

[imported_Dodgy]

Why do we persist with throwing the Cayman S into the comparison discussion. In Aus, it is near enough TWICE THE PRICE of the 135. Pointless if you ask me.

I know we are enthusiasts, but surely most of the 135's will be sold to guys like me... Have to get to and from various work locations on a day to day basis, with the occasional weekend splurge, not to mention the game of golf and being able to carry two mates and golf clubs. Do that in a Porsche, and for more money?

This is going to be a belter of a day to day car, one I will look forward to driving every day (hopefully).

[moff]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

Plato is a better driver than the Stig. He's won several championships.

How do you know what 'the stig' has won or not won?

[MrRoboto]

The fact that the 135 beat the Cayman is great but what I really want to see is 135 vs STI vs EVO.

The video tells us that Porsche has to bring a 'sports' car twice the value to beat the 135. With a few inexpensive mods the 135 will be an animal on the track.