Autobild Overall Verdict: BMW 1M Beats Porsche Cayman R

[EmmDrei]

Originally Posted by crackberry

that is because the R stands for racing. it is not meant to be a practical everyday DD. it is meant to be solely tracked, which is why AC and the radio are added options.

and true, performance numbers arent everything, but i would also point out that the cayman handles much better than the m3 and most variants of big brother (except the gt3rs). that thing truly is a scapel. the m3 is precise, and i would assume that the 1m is too, but the cayman s and cayman r are a whole nother level. to compare the 1m to the cayman r is just funny.

And this infinite wisdom is based on exactly what? Your own, extensive Porsche collection you regularly track? BTW, good to know, that a cayman R handles better than a GT3 and that only the RS (are you sure the RS is enough, shouldn't it be the RSR) will outhandle it. Ah ha.

Whatever you smoke... the stuff is really bad for you!

[Pitkis]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

@skyphab: 95% of all Porsche owners never use more than 80% of their cars potential. And once they try getting close to the last 20%, they make utter fools of themselves.

This same thing comes again and again to the frame. How do you define "potential" that user have to take out? Just laptime? But we speak about ordinary roadcars now that are designed to road, not track. I take potential of my M3 100% out when go to work every day. Just feel and hear it, having revs and so on. Taking "full potential" has nothing to do with laptimes or speeds you drive in your registered roadcar. It's completely different thing.

[pyrat]

Originally Posted by crackberry

to compare the 1m to the cayman r is just funny.

To laugh at the comparison without even driving the 1M is even funnier.

and much more credibility reducing.

[EmmDrei]

Originally Posted by Pitkis

How do you define "potential" that user have to take out?

I don't define potential, physics do. There is a physical limit for a car and you are either capable of driving close to that limit or not. If a driver has the ability to do so, then he will drive a corner differently on his way to work, than a driver that has no idea what his car can do, how to get it to its limit AND (most important) how to bring it back in one piece. And a driver that cannot get near that limit can simply not judge the car. Because in the end he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. You can buy the bicycle of last years Tour de France winner. Will it make you win the Tour de France? No. You'll need more. But if you start blaming it on the bike, that you didn't win, then you have the typical situation in most car forums. The engineers build 100%. Their testers can drive that and then Joe "limited capability" Bloe comes along and decides, that he will judge their product. Great. Rather... not. If you ever get the chance to sit next to a professional racer, then you'll understand what I mean. Those guys are the benchmark. And if we talk about cars that push the limits of physics, then you either have a trained and capable driver or not. If you need a DSC to survive, then your car is better than you and then you're not using the full potential of your car. Quite simple.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by rs_philly

The sport auto times tend to be the most credible ones. Wikipedia has the entire list including those by Horst Von sauma of sport auto.

Good to know!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by BForbes

There is one thing on my mind: DCT.

This is a 6MT 1M pitted against an already fantastic car equipped with God's transmission. Its so easy that my Grandmother could use it. Personally, I did not think the 1M would match/beat the Cayman S' numbers. This is incredible. I can't wait to see it go against the BOSS 302, and the M3.

I've always wanted a Cayman S. Practicality is a non-issue for me at this stage in life. I would have to drive both on the same day. I know which one my wallet would appreciate though. :-D

2009 CS is starting to dip into low 50s now. I want to pick one up next year, driving the Lexus is killing me. Seven level of hell I am probably at level 2 right now.

[providence]

I for one was a few days away from purchasing a boxster spyder (I know... but it really is the same concept as the cayman R), when I stumbled onto the first teaser shots of the 1M last fall. I made an about-turn and visited my trusted BMW dealer... made the deposit then and then thought I'd make a more informed decission as info became available on the 1M. the more I learned the more confident I bacame of the 1M's fit to my needs.
My point is that; although these two cars are not necessarily in the same class, they are quite frequently cross-shopped and I see the merit in the comparison. The results are obviously pleasing to me... but I can see how subjective this whole thing is. The take home point that I walked away with is that I spent 35K less and achieved hair-splitting difference in performance but potentially par on driving fun/ involvement. I win. I certainly respect the other guy that sees this otherwise.... my 2 cents.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

We all know a rear-engined setup is inherently wrong. Why are all of the top level racecars mid-engined? Why isn't the engine place directly over the rear axle, or up front instead? They're in the middle, because it's the best place to put the engine. End of. Bullshit my ass. A 37/63 split like the 997's creates massive initial understeer, followed by pendulum-like oversteer. Of course this can be tamed through staggered wheel setups and trick differential work, but its potential will always be limited by its inherent weaknesses. I think the only benefits to such an extreme rear bias would be straight line acceleration and breaking. Extra traction over the rear wheels makes the first an obvious advantage, and during breaking the car's balance is nearly neutral as the front tires load up under deceleration.

Well you are definitely correct on the 997... Man.. I've driven those on track and it's like the car is schizophrenic... Enter a corner and it pushes like hell.. then go to exit the corner and add power after the apex and the back tries to lead the front. Awful. you definitely have to LEARN to drive a 911.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by pyrat

To laugh at the comparison without even driving the 1M is even funnier.

and much more credibility reducing.

ZING!

[WAY]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

@skyphab: 95% of all Porsche owners never use more than 80% of their cars potential. And once they try getting close to the last 20%, they make utter fools of themselves. Ask Advevo here. He has a GT3 and he can actually drive it. Ask him how many Porsche owners he knows that can do likewise. It's still the guy behind the wheel. So yes, you're right... figures alone aren't worth diddlysquat. As far as that goes, a 330d is enough to blow most Boxsters and Caymans to oblivion. Not because the cars suck, mind you. And no, I'm not saying BMW drivers in general are any better. But there are people that will take a car to the max. Any car. Track or road makes no difference. Maybe not politically correct, but that's the way life is. You enjoy your Porsche and I'll have plenty of fun with my 1M and we'll both be happy. In the end life is really simple.

@ gs/e60/1m: Danke und gern geschehen!

Perfect time to post Advevo's balls of steel Ring video. (please don't try this at home, Advevo is a racing driver).

[pixelblue]

as good as both these cars are I think this was an unfair comparison. however, the R designation for this cayman is a bit over the top and somewhat a disingenuous marketing ploy by porsche. this car only has 9 more hp than the S and weight in at 100 lbs less. so overall not that much of an improvement over the S and certainly not worthy of the R moniker. having said that, the cayman S is a fabulous driving machine but I think a 1M would definitely keep pace around the track. now factor in the cost and I think what this article concluded is not that far fetched. I just wish they had compared it to an S rather to an R, even though this R is really not a genuine R.

[Future M1 owner]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

the R designation for this cayman is a bit over the top and somewhat a disingenuous marketing ploy by porsche. this car only has 9 more hp than the S and weight in at 100 lbs less. so overall not that much of an improvement over the S and certainly not worthy of the R moniker. ...I just wish they had compared it to an S rather to an R, even though this R is really not a genuine R.

Ironically, a not too dissimilar argument has been made against the 1M.....

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by WAY

Perfect time to post Advevo's balls of steel Ring video. (please don't try this at home, Advevo is a racing driver).

Watched the vid. Quite awesome driving skills, quite awesome car, taking over everyone on the track.
Then what happens in the last 30 secs? The Porsche is taken over by an M3

[pixelblue]

Originally Posted by Future M1 owner

Ironically, a not too dissimilar argument has been made against the 1M.....

can't argue with that! obviously the corp bean counters had more to say about the development of both cars than the engineers. sorry state of the current corp marketing schemes

[XC]

Different tools for different jobs. BMW can well be a daily driver. The Porsche too, if you where single and you don't have to pay for tuitions and mortgages. My point is that an M car is the perfect practical sporty car. For a more dedicated, more expensive and showy car look you need to look somewhere else.

[Dackelone]

Here is the full article...

[rmani]

Originally Posted by YVES1M

Price guys! Price!!!!, a ferrari out performs the 1 m, but it,s moreeeeeeeee money!!!

if it were all about price, you can probably buy a mustang gt that will run rings around a 1m, but that doesn't make it the better car.

i like the 1m, and i'm glad the reviews are good, but to call it the clear cut winner here it very biased.

[l888apex]

thanks for the scan...love the black 1M. the Cayman does have nice seats

[MDivPower]

great driving, and that CSL that showed at the end is perfect!!

[Panchio]

Man! U are killing us... without the pictures...

[sq86]

Originally Posted by l888apex

thanks for the scan...love the black 1M. the Cayman does have nice seats

+1 I'd love to have those in the 1M.

[TK-421]

This review reminds me of the Z06 vs 997TT comparos - if you're even considering the Cayman R, you most likely wouldn't even give the 1M a second glance.