Everything you want to know about the 987.2 Porsche Cayman and Black Edition Part 1

[@DC5Brandon]

UPDATE: Don't think I mentioned it, but I missed an important distinction between the base 987.2 and 'S' model of the 987.2 gen. The base 987.2 engine is actually port injection, while the direct injection is a feature found in the 'S' models.

[@itsGreghere]

Excellent, thorough video and very tasteful mods coming up! Thank you!!

[@josephlim8941]

987.1 Cayman received the 3rd gen of IMS. It’s a larger circumference, sealed bearing and located behind the shaft. Not in the front where it can be accessed. The only way to change the bearing is to disassemble/rebuild the engine. Basically Porsche engineers designed it to a do not touch. Failure rate >1%. Buyers is 987.1 cayman should be more focused on Bore Scoring.

[@DC5Brandon]

Yep. AOS maintenance and better oil is a small price to pay to keep the engine healthy. If I had a Gen1, I'd roll the dice on the harder to fix IMS models and if it goes south, swap in a K24 turbo for much less than a flat 6 replacement. Oh the humanity!

[@josephlim8941]

@@DC5Brandon The chances of your 3rd gen IMS fails is like winning the lottery. I’d contact Porsche.

[@uweheinrich6784]

great and informative video....I have a 981 GTS ....I was quite shocked about the difference between hp at the crank versus hp at the wheel.

[@DC5Brandon]

Yes, all cars will see a loss when measuring power through the drivetrain and unsprung wheels. Manufacturers only post the "crank" power numbers, even though the car will never be driven without these necessary components. More power means more power lost on a "wheel" dyno, so imagine someone buying a new GT3 and discovering their 500 HP is actually 400 WHP 😖. That's why I get far more excited about light weight cars with good power-to-weight.

[@uweheinrich6784]

@@DC5Brandon I totally agree Brandon....This argument makes total sense and is validated even in Formula 1. If you watch old F1 races when cars where 500-550 kg, these races where very excited although horse power numbers where about 580 PS. Nowadays, we have much more power, but the constant weight gains that F1 experienced immediately eliminated any excitement gains.....

[@mikenicol1593]

I thought another easy to spot difference between the Cayman and the Cayman S is the rear wheel arch air intakes. The base model has horizontal fins, and the S has vertical fins.

[@DC5Brandon]

Cool. Never noticed that. Is that on .1 and .2 of the 987's?

[@RobSchlegel]

Not true. All Caymans have the same side vents. Caymans have vertical fins and Boxsters have horizontal fins.

[@DC5Brandon]

@@RobSchlegel Ok, so the base Cayman has the same horizontal fins as the Boxster. Got it.

[@RobSchlegel]

@@DC5Brandon Haha no, every 987 Cayman regardless of trim level has the same vertical fin vents.

[@BradfordtheEclectic]

When making comparisons like one to another's lap times, it's faster THAN (not THEN) another car.

[@DC5Brandon]

If it was text in the video, sorry for the grammatical error. If it was my verbal pronunciation, I apologize for my weird hybrid southern accent 😁

[@retro-wreck]

The most limited cayman is the Cayman R pdk with pdk and carbon fibre seats which are less than 250 produced

[@DC5Brandon]

Interesting. I read there was more than a few thousand Cayman R's made worldwide and the carbon fiber seats are just an option. I rode with an instructor at Road Atlanta who had the seats and a manual transmission. Regardless, another viewer commented that Porsche made less than 100 Porsche Caymans for 12 (not R or Black Edition) and he owned one of them. If true, he would have the most rare Cayman produced.

[@colinwalker8171]

Thank you for that clear and well thought out list of useful information. I look forward now to what you think of the car etc. I seem to have a bit of a craze over them at the moment and looking to get one to use on the road but play on the track too. I really do like the look of them and it’s a Porsche. Thanks again for the video well done ol chap. Colin in the UK 🇬🇧 .

[@DC5Brandon]

Glad you enjoyed it! Consider watching my "Everything I've Learned"... vid on my channel. Someone commented that I was complaining on that one. On the contrary, my intention was to inform potential owners about some inevitable maintenance and likely repair costs I've incurred thus far. Despite some minor issues with the car I still love it and don't regret buying it. Like you, it's one of the few reasonably priced cars on the road which passes my "every angle" scrutiny. It looks good from every angle. P.S. If you're really nerdy and want to see a thorough walk-around, I also did a lengthy "quirks and features" vid too. Cheers!

[@twrecks4598]

I want one. Hope to have one some day

[@krassimirpetrov7131]

I have an early one that looks identical but not branded black edition - still a 3.4 direct injection and a 6 speed with LSD

[@DC5Brandon]

Ooo 😮 I wonder what it's like to drive one with a LSD.

[@verde629]

This car is 50k on avg rn. 🤔 that’s a great deal for a nice looking mid engine Porsche.

[@tonyreid2016]

I have the same car as you .... 2012 Black Edition number 416 ... it is PDK and right hand drive ... the only thing I don't like is how black shows road dirt so easily, it gets washed a lot. I have the Porsche roof racks (for my surfboards) and they are the most solid/stable racks I have ever had screwing into the roof as they do .... a brilliant built-in system!

[@DC5Brandon]

Cool to hear from another BE owner! I love seeing roof racks on Porsches. I drove a 718 briefly with a PDK and was very impressed. I wish I had the PDK in traffic.

[@tonyreid2016]

@@DC5Brandon .... Yes PDK is great around town or for open road cruising. Great video Brandon .... are you in California? ... Im in NZ purchased the car four years ago with 25000 km (14000 miles) on the clock .... it is now at 99000 km (61000 miles) I just can't keep my butt out of it. I also have a 2000 FIAT Coupe 2 litre 5 cylinder turbo 6 speed, and thats a fun car also. Cheers.

[@DC5Brandon]

@@tonyreid2016 From Alabama found mine in Ft Worth Texas with 38K miles in 2017. I think it is 52K miles now. I'm working on a vid for my first passion project, the DC5/RSX/Honda Integra. The first specs and history vid will be easy, but I don't know if I can recall everything that I learned on that one for the second vid, since I've driven it for over 18 years.

[@MK-su6eg]

I got 2006 boxster S, top down, seat back , 6 .4inches surfboard fits just right! Aloha from Hawaii, westside Oahu!

[@DC5Brandon]

You're definitely living the dream dude! 😎

[@tylerhough9124]

Just want to note that the plane Jane 2012 Cayman S may very well be the “rarest” Cayman. 125 US cars delivered vs 530+ US Cayman R’s. Total global production unknown but likely 500 or less - so on par with Black Editions. But then you get to consider spec when Black Edition cars are for the most part identical.

[@DC5Brandon]

Interesting. I couldn't find any data to indicate anything was built besides the BE or R in 2012. I read somewhere that PDK was far more common than manuals and one source stated only a few thousand 987.2 Caymans were built overall between 09-12, including the R. True, the BE is just a Cayman S with black trim, Spyder wheels, the R tuned motor, and a numbers badge, but a manual R is truly special in my book regardless of the numbers.

[@tylerhough9124]

@@DC5Brandon one day I’ll write a letter to try and get a detailed answer out of Stuttgart. I think the few folks who purchased new in 2012 went with the special edition cars and no one bothered to get a regular Cayman S. So probably not intentional but coincidental. Nonetheless, they are all incredible cars! All 987.2 cars are fewer than any one year of any other generation so they are all rare. Add a manual and even more rare. The more I dig, the more I’m surprised more folks aren’t keen on this. Doesn’t matter much now (except for those looking; seen it described as not searching for a unicorn but specifically for Pegasus) but I can imagine the scene at Barrett Jackson in 20-30 years lol

[@tylerhough9124]

@@DC5Brandon I own a 2012 S (VIN comes up as R/S strangely) so I can confirm they do exist lol found most of this out after purchase. I’ve only found 4 other cars thus far tho. 4 manuals to 1 PDK but I still feel manual is more rare.

[@RSTI191]

"Injen"?

[@anonymousonlineuser6543]

Wheels are too small, always standard wheels dont fill out the arches.

[@DC5Brandon]

The spyder wheels are 19' and premium, and yes, getting 20' or bigger can also fill up the wheel well and add more unsprung weight too.

[@chipattack912]

That gives the car suspension travel, which is necessary on most American roads. 18” tires are much cheaper to replace than 19’s also

[@DC5Brandon]

@@chipattack912 American roads can be quite nasty, fortunately not too bad in my area. I've got aftermarket suspension now with a lower stance and never had rubbing or bottom out issues driving near the limit, although one needs to be mindful where one drives (dips, speed bumps, and the like). Due to slightly stiffer springs and dampers, the travel is less than stock I'm sure, but it's still surprisingly compliant enough for street driving. I'm keeping my 19' wheels for now, but many on the forums agree with you that 18' wheels are the best size for tire availability and track/autocross use for this chassis.

[@allanbayliss2449]

buy a 911

[@DC5Brandon]

Engine's in the wrong place 😁

[@twrecks4598]

I've only heard that Cayman's handle better than the 911 and are much safer to push... no pendulum effect like the 911

[@DC5Brandon]

@@twrecks4598 Personal preference. From what I hear, the 911 oversteers at the limit and is more fun to "manage" for some. I came from FWD and wanted something predictable. The Cayman understeers slightly at the limit, so that fit my driving style perfectly. I'm planning on experimenting with adjustable sway bars next year to dial in a more neutral feel.