Porsche 718 Cayman S vs BMW M2 | Track Shootout | Autocar

So we’ve taken a BMW M2 and a Porsche 718 Cayman S. And we’d like to know two things: which of these two German sports coupes is faster around our handling circuit, and which of them is more fun.
The M2 is front-engined and has a straight-six cylinder turbocharged engine making 365bhp. The 718 Cayman S, though, is mid-engined - a more racy layout - but these days has to make do with a mere four-cylinder engine, albeit one making 345bhp. Our testers are standing by to answer both questions.
Let us know if you'd have the Cayman or the M2 in the comments below.
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- Porsche 718 Cayman review: • Porsche 718 Cayman S -...
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[@steviewanda4895]

This 4cyclinder 718 is faster than a r8 v10 on nurburgring.. Mind blowing

[@PHFilms3]

I don’t drive on the Nurburgring for work so I will take the v10 exhaust everyday thank you! If I’m buying a Porsche is for sure as hell not a 4 banger…. I don’t care what they do it

[@PitestiNation]

@@PHFilms3then you don't have expensive tax on big engines

[@cammgt3rs370]

Comments like this proves you are for show and not a real driver.​@@PHFilms3

[@PHFilms3]

@cammgt3rs370 it's impressive what the car is able to achieve over a bigger engine sure... so does the new civic type r tho so what's the point? I do enjoy driving but I also respect the engineering and the fact that they put a v10 in a mid engine car... name me another that you daily everyday? I'll wait...

[@mattn5160]

These are both incredible cars, but you can actually see that the Cayman is much sharper in the corners.

[@Ioanides001]

Amazing what Porsche can do with a 4 pot engine. And this is one of the best M cars in recent history...

[@leonli6816]

The m5 is the best one wdym

[@fentfriedrice]

@@leonli6816 maybe if you have kids lol

[@mizaqenyad4269]

@@leonli6816maybe for straight line power but nothing else

[@Neil2022]

Its stable on the throttle so you do have to unsettle it a bit?? That is not a bad thing. Why do most car reviews concentrate on going sideways on track when i suspect less than 1% of the owners will use it!

[@TrendFriendVR]

Going sideways is slow and stupid. If it is a track car, it should be gripping and not sliding.

[@Quebster]

Thank you 😂

[@dafrasier1]

confusion about the engine and the sound of the engine. my 718 Boxster S engine is great, sound is not an issue while going around in circles. following a BMW M2 on the track, the Ring, and watching it bounce around; really makes one like the Porsche. 242 laps no crash; Great car. I passed M2s and lots of cars and they passed me.

[@jonchicoine]

amen brother!

[@coryr9938]

People complain about the 4cyl turbo in the Porsche, at least it has power compared to the old 6cyl. Those things had no torque down low or up high. I know I wouldn't want to wait until 5k to get any power, especially daily driving it.

[@newmotoring]

"Are you Spanish?..." That's the question I'll now ask everyone if I want to find out whether they've got a manual or automatic 😂

[@bingoberra18]

Cayman no doubt, I bet a tune and an exhaust will make it even more fun.

[@blueberrycobbler]

bingoberra18 no, many have tried.

[@kagolko]

Come on u guys, it's a free fucking content, how about little "thank you" instead of so much bitching and complaining.. not so bad review if u asked me. So ye, thank you for your free content Autocar. Both very stunning cars indeed. It is also very hard to decide "which is better and which would one go for"..

[@totmidian]

Many channels provide free content that is far better than this, just because something is free does not automatically make it worth your time, how about a right hook to the jaw for free? Silly comparison I know, but you get my drift. Autocar does provide some decent content at times, this unfortunately is just not it imo.

[@TheChannel1978]

Bitching and complaining is all some people can do, sadly

[@d0718]

I've driven the new 718 and its not as bad as it seems from the videos. Yep, it sounds much worse than the old flat-sixes, but it doesn't sound much worse than the M2 and it drives even better

[@kcimages5157]

The 4 is way faster and sounds just as good on the pipe .

[@golfbuddy1969]

I loooooooove both of these cars, but with similar power, a front engine will never match a mid engine.

[@deet4895]

An M2 which isn't painted in blue? well that's a first.

[@kgsva]

I'd go with the m2, just given that the Cayman is AU$45,000 more, and the astronomical options list, a lot of which comes standard on the m2

[@TheDonshaz]

Interior of m2 is carp... Dated.

[@samiawda]

guys you had a BMW M2 and Porsche Cayman 718 and an empty track but on this occasion you managed to managed to make it look so boring.... we're they that bad? would have been interesting if you both swapped cars too as driving styles seemed very different.

[@Westcoastrocksduh]

Sami Awda everyone is a critic online...

[@Srduende]

Guy driving the Cayman probably weighed 100 LB more than the guy driving the BMW, too...

[@gw7624]

The M2 is still a killer track car considering its balance-upsetting inline 6 under the bonnet. Makes me wonder what it'd be like if BMW started using flat-sixes instead.

[@v_alexiadis]

OK, why not include a video of the timed lap?

[@zackirstein9233]

How many times are they going to say 'mate'?

[@davecom3]

Zac Kirstein dunno mate

[@TheLightning2312]

Zac Kirstein too often, thats for sure

[@trevorlbennett]

I don't know mate :-)

[@damefaso]

'Straya kingdom mate.

[@timobac1]

'Mate' :)

[@lactera4870]

The M2 is an everyday car on steroids and the Cayman is a tamed race car

[@mohawk5010]

A 4-cylinder car is faster and more fun than a 6-cylinder car and yet most of the comments are about how we all miss the slower H-6. The NA Porsches will have good resale value, I think.

[@ShipinPro]

Drove a 2015 Boxster S and a 2017 Boxster Base, 2017 felt better, it was lighter and quicker, interior was way better as well. Sound dept 2015 only slightly better. With the GTS out I want to try that one out but I feel a Boxster S would be the car I am looking at

[@insomniacryan9916]

I'd take the M2 without a doubt, but largely because of practical concerns like other passengers and cost and resale value. Frankly, there's no good reason to buy a new 718 when there are flat-6 Caymans all over the used car lots. Save some money, get a better car. It would be crazy to buy a new one.

[@alimehrozi2828]

they should've dropped the name cayman and boxster

[@dumyjobby]

i agree

[@Gochsener]

718 and 718 Spyder like the 918

[@AV-sf5xq]

I think they will do in later 718 gens, I think it's just to make transition

[@charlesearle8414]

They should have either given it a new number, or not called it 718 at all. If they just called it a 718, then it would have the same name as a race car. They ought to just call it the internal designation, the 982.

[@SRAMEK]

The days of Sutcliffe and Harris are gone for Autocar and it certainly is recognizable.

[@perrosdemaiz]

Yeah, I miss Steve. Where is he now?

[@danny355]

That happened a while ago. When was the last time Chris Harris did an Autocar review, 2010? Steve? 2014?

[@TedwardDrives]

The m2 just looks the business! But interior seems like such a let down

[@HejaKev]

Those seats are the absolute worst.

[@TedwardDrives]

I need to see it in person...But I could almost forgive the subaru Cayman with the amazing seats and interior!

[@pghendry1]

They should have put the big guy in the M2 to comment on the interior. I'm about his size and have an M2 and the interior is full of bad decisions. The iDrive nob is way too far back and you have to strain to reach it while driving. The door handle digs into my knee so much I have a permanent dent and bruise on it now. The same handle is so far forward and the large door you get no purchase when holding it to keep the door from swinging open or to close it on a downhill (there is no other handle further back on the door arm rest to use like in most 2 door cars). The whole driving experience is very cramped if you are larger (I am comparing this to my oh-so-roomy Golf GTI which feels like a wide-body jet compared to the M2 driver area). There is no seatbelt feeder so you have to strain to reach it. The seats don't move forward when you pull the leaver to get in the back. The dials are all but invisible in bright sunlight. Really it looks like it wasn't tested much at all and especially by anyone 6-feet tall or more. BMW has become so much form over function. Then there is the removal of the P button - dumb, dumb, dumb!! My wife is going to absolutely hate it which I guess is a bonus :-)

[@ryanb8736]

Pete Hendry I agree with the poorly designed interior and the fact that you have to strain to open and close doors, seatbelt, idrive. I have a Golf R and I guess those interiors with great ergonomics have spoiled us. I backed out on the M2. It doesn't feel right.

[@s54csl10]

Both are excellent in their own ways.

[@shelbyhaiketic4212]

What does the s 718 cayman have that the 718 base doesn’t other than more horsepower ? If I tune a base 718 to 380 hp will it be just as fast around the track as a s ?

[@norton.r.m]

Really appreciate the 4 cylinder rev sound despite it being a 4 cylinder rev sound, the bimmer is kind of a poor build despite.

[@frankcree980]

Quite impressed that the Cayman was faster, considering that it appeared to be carrying 100Kg more than the BMW.......!

[@rhannay39]

You pays your money, you makes your choice. I think most buyers will decide on emotion rather than practicalities. It'll all depend what floats your boat.

[@arion45]

I refuse to pay 60-80 k for a 4 cylinder.

[@v_alexiadis]

OK then don't :p

[@damefaso]

Don't worry you don't even have the money

[@terrybilly9967]

The better Sound goes to Bmw but the better car is the Porsche!

[@fbf01]

Great video other than all the "mates"

[@ngocky2061]

Anh tho

[@iurilx4757]

yeah mate

[@lawrencepll76]

Y'all welcome to Become Aussie. Mates

[@waynesimpson2074]

Yeah, Smashie and Nicey 'do cars'.....mate.

[@RaeMachiavelli]

nigga please

[@nilsbuer]

Nice video, I think it is worth to mention that the price is almost double of the 718s with all the options in the shown car.

[@Lukebazouie]

Would be interesting to see this test repeated with the M2 comp.

[@germanengineering204]

Yup I'd rather have the M2 Competition for sure!

[@ChrisDorgan]

Go to the car configurator for the Cayman, just with that paint and those wheels the cost is already 52k without touching any other option what so ever... add in the carbon ceramics you're at 57k.. (no wonder it was a lot quicker through the corners). The dampers & sports exhaust take it to 59k... the BMW is probably sitting with all the options available to it as a manual at 48k. I wish carbon ceramics were an option on the M2 tbh and it would have been nice if they had removed a little weight as well (over the m235i). Mind you I suppose they need to leave room for the Clubsport or whatever is coming next!

[@damefaso]

Porsche options are really expensive.BTW CCB didn't make the car a "lot quicker" than the M2,the 718 is just a better engineered sports car.In terms of driving dynamics Porsche is a level above the rest

[@pghendry1]

You're dead-on about the weight. I've had mine to the track and it really feels heavy. I usually drive a Golf GTI and it feels very light in comparison (200Kg difference I think). Seems very heavy considering how close it is to the larger M3 but then they cut costs on the M2 with no lightweight bits like the roof.

[@DonLee1980]

Isn't the base model Cayman more expensive than the M2? why didn't you compare those two instead?

[@johnob1824]

iv got the 718s, its a great car, and through the bends its grippyyyyyy

[@namenaim1560]

Which most fun? Why didn't they swap cars to find out?

[@cupair]

The sound of the Cayman.. oh wait. There isn't any.

[@adamfrank5754]

You should drive one.

[@cupair]

Sadly no comparison to 987...

[@RaeMachiavelli]

I miss the NA flat-6 :(

[@damefaso]

Well there's sound (not fake sound like the other one) and if you like the STI rumble then you will probably like it.As a Porsche fan i personally hate it just for the fact that they replaced the glorious 3.4 with this. Even Subaru couldn't make the FA20/T sound like this one

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

damefaso But the Subaru retains some consistency when being pushed. The Porsche gives of the impression you've just shot it's cat.

[@BronchoGillespie]

I thought John Candy was dead?

[@erkkipihalerssi7686]

Bwahaahaa! That was a good one.

[@fbf01]

Broncho Gillespie John candy is a fucking legend

[@garydoctor3578]

Broncho Gillespie power to weight has just been fucked on the cayman. Lol .

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Gary Doctor won anyway but sounds like shit.. Only way for me is to stop wasting my time and money on Porsches.

[@mmmrrr753]

Bet you can't see your 2 inches hiding under your gut, mate.

[@roweng831]

The Porsche Cayman S is a brilliant car with a dull 4 pot engine

[@erkkipihalerssi7686]

Agree. Porsche really fucked up with the new engine.

[@ALMX5DP]

Erkki Pihalerssi funny how almost all of the journalists who drive it say differently...

[@erkkipihalerssi7686]

It seems that you have missed a few reviews then..

[@ALMX5DP]

Erkki Pihalerssi Do you mind linking them or providing information on where to find?

[@erkkipihalerssi7686]

Magazine stand is a good place to start. Some of the reviews can be found online (KZbin, pdfs, car forums). It is pretty common knowledge that the new engine has not been warmly welcomed by "true" car journalists. Even German mags (Sport Auto etc.) disliked it. The performance and the numbers are definitely there (= newly found torque), but it missing in the sound and feeling department.

[@PedroFTeixeira]

What tires where they running?

[@peterhammer6915]

I doubt a 4-cylinder engine can be fun so, 1-1 for me.

[@patfromozZ]

I understand engine down sizing and turbo charging to meet emissions and better economy but maybe porsche should have stuck with a flat six and down sized it to say 2.7 or 2.8L and used the turbos...would have been a far better car for it...at least sound wise.

[@sarahnaden2176]

Faster car? Or better driver? Would have been good to swop and see then. Great video though

[@lawrencepll76]

M2 is my Choice, it is more practical and is easier for daily driving. Yet it is super fast and looks awsome! Also sound very awsome!

[@CarswithB]

yes

[@paullockwood7219]

Bang on!

[@kcimages5157]

But its a BMW .

[@paullockwood7219]

@@kcimages5157 So what? BMWs are ace. Porsche's are for badge snobs.

[@kcimages5157]

@@paullockwood7219 lol BMW Drivers are much more "Badge Snobs" Porsche Owners are Drivers .

[@DryUrEyesMate]

Porsche would be quicker in the straights if that fat tub wont driving it lol

[@dumyjobby]

please let me do a review, i am gonna do a much better job than theese two gentlems, very boring video with very little information. you have two awsome cars, show us same of the cool features, strange things, and what differentiate the two, how they feel not just spped but also how fun they are, i mean there are so many cool thing that you could do and what you show is just to dudes in the cars saying: ooh i think he is faster in the straight, ooooh but in the corners he is faster, oooh it's balanced, hmmm i cnat keep up....... so what?

[@DMX-PAT]

It's like a challenger going up against a corvette... both have different versions that can be compared and there may even be an upset because of it for various reasons, but on a base priced model we both know who is the winner.

[@MRFUCKOFF202]

If this was the old Cayman it's no contest, now the M2 seems like a decent rival to it.

[@nasirshal7633]

All I see are two lovely cars

[@michaeljhonny7879]

the cayman s is just on another level, the m2 is a nice car but it just cant compete with the cayman s which does look better, drives way better, better interiors and way faster...and about the sound i simply dont care, is a boyracer gimmick...

[@xkrnxboix]

At 1:29 it seems like the 718 Cayman S understeers at turn in and mid corner quite a bit. Maybe its just the driver...

[@jimmyxpz]

Not much point showing the weight without including the driver( in certain cases)

[@gazmozza]

Where was all the fun you were having?

[@JoJoJoker]

You, Sir, have one fortnight to bring forth thy TT-RS as a challenge to M2/718!

[@ChrisDorgan]

the TTRS will demolish both of them tbf, I hate to say it but it will. At least until the M2 clubsport & 718 GTS or whatever comes out!

[@Th3BoyDad]

The Cayman looks loads better than the M2, IMO

[@User38679]

Whaaaaat?!?!

[@zemekiel]

Will they make a 718 Cayman GT4 though?

[@peterdurnell3325]

zemekiel Yes a GT4 RS is rumoured

[@pghendry1]

Would be nice if you both stop mumbling when having your little chat. I had to turn the volume up to hear it after the volume being fine while you were in the cars. Especially the larger guy. Otherwise a fair review. They are really aimed at different but overlapping targets with the BMW for the more practical enthusiast and the Porsche for a more pure enthusiast who doesn't need the back seats. Both great cars (I have the M2 because I have a child to lug around :-) ).

[@faster6329]

Why Porsche, why did you replace that great engine? It was the soul and the heart of this car.

[@nidalonso8692]

Cayman is heavier with less power carrying the heavy guy. Who set this up?

[@jonchicoine]

m2 sounds so good!

[@jimettamarna417]

Nice video. Need to add the new Audi RS3 sedan into the mix once the press cars are available.

[@BatDimen]

The Porsche looks so much better IMO. See those BMWs all day long. It's not too common to see the 718s or even the 981. I see more 911s than those.

[@Uniprnt]

There is not question that the CaymanS models from 2014 thru 2016 with a natural aspirated 6 will see very good resale values-as the last of the Porsches that performed and Sounded like a Porsche should sound. The 718S sound more like a 4 cyl. lawnmower on steroids.

[@Kaipeternicolas]

BMW M2 is better... sorry to say Porsche :/

[@hovnanianraffi6577]

where is the nissan 370znismo

[@kenschneider2100]

that porsche 4 cyl won't last. Bet they go away from it and back to the 6cyl. I'd never have one.

[@bariseryentur]

i totally agree with them, i wish the 718 had a detuned 911.2 engine rather than this 4 banger that doesnt make any porsche noises... not worthy of such a good chasis

[@damefaso]

I think this engine suits the 718 better than 3.0 from 991.2,also being turbocharged means it will be quite heavier than the "old" 3.4.Of course i prefer the old one by a long shot As a 4 boxer it sounds really nice,probably has unequal length headers which gives you the boxer rumble of yore (unlike the Subaru FA20/T that lost it's unique sound thanks to ELH).Then i open my eyes an realise that they replaced a beautiful high revving NA engine with this POS and makes me want to blow my balls off

[@insectedecouverte4299]

how many times did you say mate ??!! ahaha sounds idious from you guys!

[@arjunrajput561]

Oh my god someone give these bored guys a nice bath.

[@danieljordannicol9937]

Great Video, didnt know Elton John could drive so well!

[@Alex-zi6ym]

That guy just doesnt know how to drive the m2 properly cant get the best out of it

[@JoTokutora]

Nice try. Hard to compare to the Motor Trend guys, but nice try none the less

[@a.f.s.3004]

The depreciation on the last gen Cayman S just abruptly STOPPED!!!!! Hold on to those NA flat sixes,,,they were the real deal! These 4 pot Turbos sound terrible!

[@smokeytom24]

Same for the open top last 6 cylinder Boxster - not losing a penny!!

[@kcimages5157]

The new motor is amazing , much faster and sounds just as good just quieter .

[@claus1225]

i cant get over how small cayman is. it's a toy car that two adults can flip over.

[@damefaso]

It's not that small,it has perfect proportions,unlike the M2 which looks like a pig

[@trustgtr33]

sounds like cayman sti

[@kyolml]

it just plain stupid wrong in their own logic. last time they said the Fiesta st is more fun because it sit 4 people compared to miata even miata is more fun, now the Cayman won just don't make sense in their logic

[@edwill1595]

No comparison to porsche

[@senadselimovic8649]

I THINK THE FAT GUY IS MAKEING THE CAR TO DRIFT IN CORNERS LOL

[@alf279]

The M2's sound reminds me of my first car, a 325i E36 Coupe that had a complete M3 exhaust system, which makes me think no more about which car I would get. The Porsche is also a great car but 4 cylinders in a mid-engine sports car... nope.

[@charlesearle8414]

The Porsche may have only four cylinders, but it still goes like stink and handle incredibly well.

[@michaelpersiano6957]

Oh...there is a lot of difference if you put them into a race. The 718 Cayman S is a true racer.

[@riznanalfarezel1942]

M/T more fun to drive

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Cayman had a 30kg weight bias over the m2 in test

[@okeyezeilo6187]

Gosh, alongside the Beemer the Porsche sounds truly gross...

[@M135iboost]

BMW M2 any day. regardless of this result. the M2 is a stunner.

[@OlaJustin]

Cupra 91 I'm with you!

[@todroyas692]

Cupra 91 I agree that the M2 is a good looking car, but the Cayman is one of my favourite looking cars in the world.

[@samtheman3976]

@Cupra 91 Saw your pic and had to go to window to see if you stole my car.

[@M135iboost]

?

[@henzo7087]

M2 DKG is faster than manual

[@user-tj2vn2ki7t]

Unfair comparison. Brand new M2 = $53k / Brand new Cayman S = $66k. A more fair comparison would have been the NON-S Cayman vs the M2

[@Supcharged]

By your logic BMW m6 vs gtr would be fair because same price range, no?

[@ivoatanasov2939]

how can you managed to make a boring video about exciting cars

[@shortaybrown]

Cayman S looks cooler and the BMW interior is also more stodgy old school conservative.

[@slaWterCH]

981 GTS over both cars!

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

Porsche always wins :D

[@gt3076rCA]

Wow.. truly a fair and obviously fun comparison, mate. However, the better performance of the Cayman around the corners I believe is due to the overweight mate positioned in the middle of the car. Trail braking what ?!?

[@Ar-kx4hp]

Sports car? This is like asking which government web site form is more fun to fill in.

[@michaelaranda5768]

M2 manual

[@CleKoh]

Lacks excitement...lots of it. Plus: judging a car "faster" because one of you cant keep up with the other doesnt seem to meet autocars usual level of journalism. Please dont touch these "peoples-dreams-cars" in that fashion again. Thx in advance, mate.

[@jo05dk]

The sound of that Porsche is so hateful it kills kittens every time you rev it. While i can't say i love where BMW has been going, they haven't fucked up as badly as Porsche putting that engine in what used to be the two best sportscars of our time. This and the sister model Boxster used to be the default no brainer choice for carlover. Now i'd take an Audi TTRS or this BMW over the Porsches any day of the week.

[@saucysimpson259]

JohnnyNr5 it sounds brilliant

[@jo05dk]

***** That's what i got from watching this video too.

[@mmmrrr753]

I'll get one of each.