[Charles Brenner]

Looking to see if any folks on this board Had a BMW M4 and sold it for a Cayman S (2016 to current year). I test drove the Cayman S and BMW M4 in 2016 and ended up with the M4 (2016 new, all paid for). Ended up with the M4 because no where to put a 2 year old (passenger seat not an option in a 2 seater). Have since purchased an F150 (so now the 4 year old has a seat). Dont get me wrong the M4 is great (fast) but doesnt corner like the Cayman. Other option is to keep the M4 and get a couple year used Cayman ( the S ?, manual transmission, would most likely keep the Cayman at our small cottage in mountains for weekend cruising in the mountains). I am not sure what to look for in a used Cayman S ?; any advice would be appreciated (price range 40 -60K, not a lease , 80% down) or do I order a new Cayman S bare bones (Manual) and what options do I really need? ORget a Cayman (no S) would I miss the xtra zip coming from an M4. Lots of questions
Summary:
1. sell M4 and get Cayman (base or S)
2. Keep M4 and get used Cayman (what to look for in used )
3. Keep M4 and get bare bones new Cayman or S

Cheers
CB

 

[UKGTS]

I owned an M4, loved it but in the UK most of the time I could only get down 70% of the power which I found frustrating, I can only think of a handful of times I let loose properly with it, due to roads, weather or traffic etc.

I test drove both an S and GTS in dreadful conditions flat out and I mean foot to the floor. The handling and power delivery blew my mind. I had access to all the power, went round corners safely (and fast) and I actually got to rev it out without any loss of traction - serious engineering masterpiece. My M4 would have wheel span in anything but perfect conditions, corners were incomparable and red-lining in 3rd may have lost my license. Going sideways on the TopGear test track may look cool and be fun but not in real life with a fast approaching tree of flock of sheep... not so wise.

I loved my M4, but the 718 is so much more usable in every scenario. Clear winner for me. As good as the M4 is, not sure why you'd have both. Sell M4 and get an S, you won't regret it. Also consider financing as low residuals means some of the lowest HP/PCP's for any car vs value.

My family wagon is our X3 35D which is properly quick (up for a change in 12 months which i'm excited about as there is a lot of choice out there) so when we aren't in that i'll be having fun in my GTS

 

[Charles Brenner]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback ! Yea corning is not M4's strong point ( maybe racing lessons might help me a bit). And yes opening it up to full potential is rare (Did 130 mph for awhile on open highway early one morning and the car was solid feeling and purred, but this is far and few between to hit those speeds)

 

[NXM]

I'm currently in a BMW 435 and I test drove the M4 and the M2 as well as the Merc C43AMG before I decided to go for the cayman GTS.

For me the M2 was a far superior drive to the M4 and much better as a daily driver. The M4 was just too big and heavy and not that happy sitting in traffic. Unbelievable power and speed in a straight line but lacking in the agility and handling fun that the M2 provided.

The M2 is a cracking car. My problem with it was it just didn't feel special enough.

I wouldn't wake up and get into the M2 with the same smile on my face that I will with the CGTS.

The 718 gives the best of all worlds if you don't need more than 2 seats. Looks amazing, handles like a dream, faster than you'll ever need but at the same time a very capable and composed daily driver.

So, to cut a long story short, I agree with what UKGTS said. Ditch the M4 and go for the 718.

 

[trusted]

I'll chime in to the same tune as well.
I do not own an M4 but almost always rent one when I'm in Europe/Germany. So I got about 2 months behind the wheel so far.
M4 is incredibly fun and has loads of torque. Cornering? Not so much as you know...it already tried to kill me multiple times on wet roads. It belongs on the Autobahn cruising at 170mph. That's what it's great at. That's what it's made for.
It holds no candle to the 718 in every other driving category. The beauty about the 718 is that it handles so well that you can have tons of fun with it without necessarily having to go jail time speeds. I think the base is enough but if you fancy more oomph sure go for the S or even GTS. They are all brilliant.

 

[Charles Brenner]

Thanks

Thanks for input (totally agree it is a car for autobahn). Regarding the S what options do I really need. Manual is fine , but do I need all that other stuff. I only got a few upgrades for M4 (keep it simple). I will most likely go the used route.

 

[Ironman]

Thanks for input (totally agree it is a car for autobahn). Regarding the S what options do I really need. Manual is fine , but do I need all that other stuff. I only got a few upgrades for M4 (keep it simple). I will most likely go the used route.

Nick Murray's video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNm5hvk2C78) on configuring a 718 is long, but really worth your time, and as mentioned near the end, his dealer can get you a good discount if you're in the USA (not sure about the GTS, though).

Don't consider the GTS over the S for the extra 15hp alone; it's only worth it if the packaged options, and the potentially higher resale value, are important to you.

Best wishes, and please let us know what you end up deciding!

 

[TEST DRyVer]

Just a quick tip: BMW M cars, along with most Mercedes AMG cars tend to tank in value, making them great values on the 3-4 year pre-owned market. If you plan to sell or trade your 2016 M4, you will of course take a sizable depreciation hit, but if you do plan to do so, I would Highly recommend to do so right now while the 2016 M4's still have decent value. The depreciation literally drops almost every month on that car. We took a highly opted 2016 M4 Cab on trade maybe 2 months ago. The seller traded it for a 991.2 C4 Cab. We bought his M4 pretty well (meaning we bought it for a good enough price to turn a small profit on it). While we had the M4 on sale for 2 months, the market price on the car dropped $8k!!!!! That's a huge number for such a short period of time. We ended up selling it a few days ago and losing $2,500 on the car, just to get rid of it before it drops further. I'm not trying to speak negatively about your current car. I've owned numerous BMW's and a couple rare M3's in the recent past. I'm a fan of the drive. I'm talking strictly numbers here... 2 major things you'll enjoy about the Porsche Brand vs BMW, aside from what's already been stated here by other members: 1- Porsche's tend to have great resale value. 2- Porsche's tend to be highly reliable as daily cars. These are 2 major points you'll tend to enjoy from making the switch, aside from the legendary drive, exclusivity, and stunning looks... just my 2 cents. Good luck either way...

 

[mab33]

I have an M4 currently. I will be selling it once the CGTS I have on order arrives. Nothing new to add really. I test drove a 981 before I decided on the M4. Cool car, but the torque of the M4 won me over. I wish the 718 had existed at the time. My car search would have ended after the first test drive.

 

[Fliz]

I have a 2018 Boxster S and came from an e90 M3. Not quite your scenario... but I can say that the Boxster is so much more nimble and all around more fun to drive. I miss the V8 rumble, but can say that the Boxster has replaced the M as the best car I've ever owned.

I went for the 718 S because it felt a little more responsive than the base and I was used to the M's response. Both are MT. Which reminds me... the 718 shifter is much more precise and satisfying than the M shifter. In terms of options... I'm old enough where I like some of the conveniences like 14 way seats with memory, lane change assist, nav and Bose. But I don't think any of these are must-haves if you are on the fence between S and base. If you think you'll track the car, you might consider PASM and TV. Love my 19" wheels which were standard with S.

 

[Charles Brenner]

Decided to keep my M4 (2016 all paid), the blasted thing is just fast ( pulled onto the turnpike this morning very little traffic, but a joker behind me in an SUV was on my bumper, I hit 130 mph coming off the ramp in the blink of eye, bye, bye). However, I will get a 718 to Use in the mountains (2015-2018 depends on config a couple of dealerships in SE Pa lookin for me). Thanks for input. Will post when I get it

 

[trusted]

Decided to keep my M4 (2016 all paid), the blasted thing is just fast ( pulled onto the turnpike this morning very little traffic, but a joker behind me in an SUV was on my bumper, I hit 130 mph coming off the ramp in the blink of eye, bye, bye). However, I will get a 718 to Use in the mountains (2015-2018 depends on config a couple of dealerships in SE Pa lookin for me). Thanks for input. Will post when I get it

Well, if the choice is:
a) M4
b) 718
or
c) 718 and M4
I'd go for c) as well. Good luck with the search!

 

[Charles Brenner]

Yes, c) just won. Pick up a new 2018 Cayman S next week . Dealership had a barebones S which is what I wanted ( manual Tran, manual seats, no Navig,etc). Going to be a weekend ride for the windy hills in NE Pa. only 6% discount off list

 

[GTS Daddy]

Yes, c) just won. Pick up a new 2018 Cayman S next week . Dealership had a barebones S which is what I wanted ( manual Tran, manual seats, no Navig,etc). Going to be a weekend ride for the windy hills in NE Pa. only 6% discount off list

That’s a strong discount for a 2018 Porsche Cayman S. You will be enjoying it very much indeed.

I would be curious as to how long that M4 stays around after some time in the 718CS.

 

[gsr1416]

Yes, c) just won. Pick up a new 2018 Cayman S next week . Dealership had a barebones S which is what I wanted ( manual Tran, manual seats, no Navig,etc). Going to be a weekend ride for the windy hills in NE Pa. only 6% discount off list

Nice! What color?

 

[Charles Brenner]

M4 + C718 = Fun

c) 718 and M4
I'd go for c) as well. Well c) just happened. Picked up my 2018 718 Cayman C, GT metallic silver yesterday. Only a few bells n whistles (manual T, 2 way seat, sports exhaust, connect,20 Carrera wheels)
What a fun car. The M4 is my DD but 718 is my weekend winding road go cart

 

[gsr1416]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[ZuffenHouseRules]

Best luck getting into your 718, Charles, whatever the route.

If I may borrow all this M expertise on your thread for a quick question. I went about 12 years with my 987 Boxster S pretty much oblivious to the changing automotive landscape (so locked-in was I to that car). So last I was aware, there was just the M3 (in 2-and-4-door variants) and the M5. Now M2 and M4 -- at first I thought these were just renamed 2-door and 4-door M3s, but slowly getting the idea it's more than that (esp. as there is still an M3).

Can someone explain the current M differentiation briefly, please? Thanks in advance.

btw I walked past a neighbor's M2 recently and thought it very attractive in that classic BMW way. If I wasn't totally into Porsche and the 718 it would pique my interest....