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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

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RedUn
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by RedUn » Wed Mar 21, 2018 12:43 am

No I don't regret it at all, as a second car the Cayman didn't feel special enough for me. It was a very very good car and technically brilliant but it was too refined, the gear ratios too long and the handling was quite plain...
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by pokeybritches » Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:59 pm

I currently own a Z4 3.0i and two Z4M’s, and for the last year I’ve been daily driving a 987.2 Cayman S.

The Cayman does a better job coping with large bumps. You can do things in the Cayman you simply cannot do in the Z... primarily because it’s so predictable that you can place it EXACTLY where you want, to the millimeter. You will not beat the handling of a mid-engined Porsche with a flat engine, especially when comparing it to the Z4’s beefed up E46-based chassis. The Cayman does feel special, ironically even more so with PDK. It’s almost like a mini Ferrari, banging through the gears and wailing near redline. After purchasing it, I’ve found I like the design more than I expected. ALL CAYMAN OWNERS NEED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE ENGINE COVER OFF AT LEAST ONCE. The 9A1 engine is more reliable and lower maintenance than the S54. The suspension won’t wear out as quickly. Porsche brakes are better.

The Z4 was my first love, which hasn’t faded. The Z4M has better steering feel and an engine capable of making serious power (both my M’s are supercharged). There is more legroom in the Z4 than 987.2, but the 981 has about the same amount of legroom as the Z4. The Cayman feels like a more capable and better non-M Z4, while the Z4M feels like a beefed up Z4 where everything is heavy duty. The Z4 is easier to work on, although it’s not so much easier that it would affect my purchase desicision.

Stock for stock, I’d take the Cayman over a Z4M (but barely). Of my current cars, I’d take a supercharged Z4M first and the Cayman S second. A modded Z4M is immensely capable and even more fun than a modded Cayman. FWIW, my Cayman S PDK runs 12.5 in the 1/4 mile with mods, and my ESS Z4M ran an 11.7 before I added another 50 horsepower.

While the Cayman is the better handling car with a great wailing engine, it will never be a 550 hp 8k rpm monster.
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Beedub » Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:05 pm

pokeybritches wrote: Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:59 pm I currently own a Z4 3.0i and two Z4M’s, and for the last year I’ve been daily driving a 987.2 Cayman S.

The Cayman does a better job coping with large bumps. You can do things in the Cayman you simply cannot do in the Z... primarily because it’s so predictable that you can place it EXACTLY where you want, to the millimeter. You will not beat the handling of a mid-engined Porsche with a flat engine, especially when comparing it to the Z4’s beefed up E46-based chassis. The Cayman does feel special, ironically even more so with PDK. It’s almost like a mini Ferrari, banging through the gears and wailing near redline. After purchasing it, I’ve found I like the design more than I expected. ALL CAYMAN OWNERS NEED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE ENGINE COVER OFF AT LEAST ONCE. The 9A1 engine is more reliable and lower maintenance than the S54. The suspension won’t wear out as quickly. Porsche brakes are better.

The Z4 was my first love, which hasn’t faded. The Z4M has better steering feel and an engine capable of making serious power (both my M’s are supercharged). There is more legroom in the Z4 than 987.2, but the 981 has about the same amount of legroom as the Z4. The Cayman feels like a more capable and better non-M Z4, while the Z4M feels like a beefed up Z4 where everything is heavy duty. The Z4 is easier to work on, although it’s not so much easier that it would affect my purchase desicision.

Stock for stock, I’d take the Cayman over a Z4M (but barely). Of my current cars, I’d take a supercharged Z4M first and the Cayman S second. A modded Z4M is immensely capable and even more fun than a modded Cayman. FWIW, my Cayman S PDK runs 12.5 in the 1/4 mile with mods, and my ESS Z4M ran an 11.7 before I added another 50 horsepower.

While the Cayman is the better handling car with a great wailing engine, it will never be a 550 hp 8k rpm monster.
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Lower » Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:01 pm

I also now have an M2 and a Z4M Coupe (which will shortly be for sale).

Much as i like the Z4M it was starting to feel a bit too long in the tooth for me. I'd had it for 7 years and it was time for a change.

Speed wise, there is not a huge difference between the two. The main difference is that the M2 has a lot more torque lower down so you feel the shove in the back from any revs as opposed to the feeling of the power building and then peaking as the revs rise in the Z4M. From a handling perspective the M2 is a lot more stable on the road. The suspension is still firm and a bit bumpy, but it absorbs the undulations on the road rather than being thrown around by the them which is how the Z4M always feels to me. You have to proactively steer the Z4 to keep it in a straight line when the road is bumpy and you're pushing on whereas the M2 tracks in a straight line better without so much input from the driver. Both sound great. The Z4M sounds great when the revs rise and that metallic note to the engine that people talk about comes into play. The M2 is actually noisier, exhaust noise is apparently replayed in the car through the stereo which you can't turn off and there is much more noise from the tyres. But the engine still sounds good and when you change down and the ecu blips the throttle to rev match for you it sounds great, fake or not!

Internally, the M2 is a nicer place to be, mainly because it just newer and the tech is easier to use.

I really like the M2. Its performance is amazing, the road tax is lower, fuel economy is better and as mine came with a 5 year service pack running costs will be lower as well. If you ignore the depreciation i'll no doubt suffer with the M2, i've actually economised by buying the M2 :D

However, when i first sat in the car i'd bought and drove away from the dealer i felt slightly disappointed. That feeling soon wore off, but ultimately its a just a very fast and capable saloon car. You sit higher in the M2 than the Z4M and the car feels much bigger around you, whereas the Z4M coupe always felt more special to me.

That being said, i've had my Z4m for 7 years and its time for a change. I have a habit of keeping cars i like for a while. I had 2 honda S2000's which i kept for a total of 7 years before the Z4m. I'll enjoy the M2 for a while, but at this point i can't see me keeping the M2 for anything like that long. That being said, i bought the M2 because its the only thing available for around £40k that i liked so lets see what comes on to the market in the next couple of years.
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Franzino » Tue Mar 27, 2018 11:32 pm

Lower wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:01 pm I also now have an M2 and a Z4M Coupe (which will shortly be for sale).

Much as i like the Z4M it was starting to feel a bit too long in the tooth for me. I'd had it for 7 years and it was time for a change.
I have my Z4M 8 years and my M2 15 months.
Lower wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:01 pm Speed wise, there is not a huge difference between the two. The main difference is that the M2 has a lot more torque lower down so you feel the shove in the back from any revs as opposed to the feeling of the power building and then peaking as the revs rise in the Z4M. From a handling perspective the M2 is a lot more stable on the road. The suspension is still firm and a bit bumpy, but it absorbs the undulations on the road rather than being thrown around by the them which is how the Z4M always feels to me. You have to proactively steer the Z4 to keep it in a straight line when the road is bumpy and you're pushing on whereas the M2 tracks in a straight line better without so much input from the driver. Both sound great. The Z4M sounds great when the revs rise and that metallic note to the engine that people talk about comes into play. The M2 is actually noisier, exhaust noise is apparently replayed in the car through the stereo which you can't turn off and there is much more noise from the tyres. But the engine still sounds good and when you change down and the ecu blips the throttle to rev match for you it sounds great, fake or not!
Correct about the performance, the drive, etc...but the fake exhaust noise thru the speakers (ASD) is indeed horrible and sounds fake. I turned it off with a bypass cable in my car.
Lower wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:01 pm Internally, the M2 is a nicer place to be, mainly because it just newer and the tech is easier to use.

I really like the M2. Its performance is amazing, the road tax is lower, fuel economy is better and as mine came with a 5 year service pack running costs will be lower as well. If you ignore the depreciation i'll no doubt suffer with the M2, i've actually economised by buying the M2 :D
Fuel economy in my manual M2 is the same as in my Z4M....besides depreciation a M2 is actually a cheap sporty car to run (cheaper then my Z4M...but that car is 12 years old a car that is 1 year old).
Lower wrote: Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:01 pm However, when i first sat in the car i'd bought and drove away from the dealer i felt slightly disappointed. That feeling soon wore off, but ultimately its a just a very fast and capable saloon car. You sit higher in the M2 than the Z4M and the car feels much bigger around you, whereas the Z4M coupe always felt more special to me.
Z4M does feel more special and unique... But as a daily car I prefer my M2. The M2 does so many things so well (street - track - comfort - handy - speed - excitement) for a rather ok price.

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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by buzyg » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:56 am

I know this is a Z4 forum. But reading through this thread tonight, one thing stands out. The Z4M is a special car and more so than the CaymanS or M2 it would appear. Might just hang on to mine a while longer yet. :driving: :D :thumbsup:
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Argenta » Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:31 pm

Just had a drive in the 718 GTS, what a dreary motor. Everything bar the steering felt somewhat disjionted and fake (because they are). Worst is the throttle response - drive by wire with some ”intelligent” mapping + turbolag isn’t nice in any drivemode. Different drivemodes ITSELF makes for a virtual fake feel. Engine note boring 4-cyl, like a tuned old beetle.
What’s worse: steering wheel rake rather limited and driver seat not tiltable - how weird!

And, to my eyes it does not win any beauty contest exterior nor interior.

Good points: nice steering and good turn-in, grip on par with my (lowered) Z4M.

In all, I’m even happier with my Z4MC! :)
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Franzino » Wed Mar 28, 2018 1:15 pm

The only boxster I would ever buy is the 981 boxster... That 718 4 cilinder engine is something I'm mentally not ready for in a Porsche.

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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by abar121 » Wed Mar 28, 2018 2:17 pm

Argenta wrote: Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:31 pm Just had a drive in the 718 GTS, what a dreary motor. Everything bar the steering felt somewhat disjionted and fake (because they are). Worst is the throttle response - drive by wire with some ”intelligent” mapping + turbolag isn’t nice in any drivemode. Different drivemodes ITSELF makes for a virtual fake feel. Engine note boring 4-cyl, like a tuned old beetle.
What’s worse: steering wheel rake rather limited and driver seat not tiltable - how weird!

And, to my eyes it does not win any beauty contest exterior nor interior.

Good points: nice steering and good turn-in, grip on par with my (lowered) Z4M.

In all, I’m even happier with my Z4MC! :)

..
Cool review cheers!

I'm a little surprised you liked the steering. I hated in on road and on track. Very little real feedback with the EPS, although the simulated feedback that Porsche actively introduce does help over the 981 / 991.1.

The added torque is really nice though and for once in a Boxster/Cayman, you can really load up the rear end and play with the sublime balance. The S / GTS models are damm quick too.

The motor sounds dull, agreed. As with many Porsches, the basic non-S 718 on standard wheels, manual, is a much sweeter drive. Less lag too and they turn in better! Still as quick as my Z4M too.
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Argenta » Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:02 am

Thanx! Re the steering, I think you’re right it does lack feel, it was the directness/turn-in I think I liked.
Oh and yes it was PDK, prob would’ve liked a manual better.

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Post by abar121 » Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:19 pm

:thumbsup:
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:53 pm

Some great feedback and reviews, thanks to all of you :thumbsup: :)

I suppose it's both a curse and a blessing that the Z4M compares so favourably to the modern alternatives. It also seems, from what's been said, that despite its quirks and shortcomings, the Z4 still offers a level of engagement and sense of occasion that is hard to match-something I believe is very important given its use.

Having just been out for a good run along some nice twisty roads, I was reminded just how exciting the car can be and just how on top of things you need to remain. Even after all these years I'm constantly challenged by it, constantly forced to remain alert and measured in every application of throttle or gearchange and I really don't think I want that experience dumbing down just yet. Sure, it can be tiring and there are times I wish I could just press a button and have a slick dct box do the leg work or a torque-laden engine make up for my laziness, but thats only on the boring, congested roads-as soon as they open up, I'm glad of what the car makes me do and how it makes me think about everything, even if it does annoy me at times!

Long story short, this week I'm happy with it :D
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Beedub » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:36 pm

mines going NO-WHERE.
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Post by beanie » Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:27 pm

It practically goes nowhere! How many miles on it now beedub? :poke: :)
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Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Beedub » Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:11 pm

beanie wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:27 pm It practically goes nowhere! How many miles on it now beedub? :poke: :)
12900

it really doesnt !!! And its soon going to be sat in my work unit being a demonstration for paint correction and detailing bits, cant see that figure rising at all this year.
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