135i vs Cayman ---> VIDEO

writer submitted on 02/19/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:06 AM
from: www.autospies.com

Tags: bmw, 135, cayman

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bmw

135

cayman

135i vs Cayman ---> VIDEO

I've been following the BMW 1 series since the CS1 concept of 2002 and finally, FINALLY, we have a video review to watch courtesy of Fifth Gear. Hopefully Top Gear will also review the 135i once they begin their new season.

I was initially hoping that the CS1 would bring us a lighter, cheaper car than what the 135i now offers, I was also hoping that it would handle a bit better, but nonetheless I was pleased with Fifth Gear's test.

What do you think of it?

Comments:

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DaHarder - 2/19/2008 1:40:43 AM

+3 Boost

Regardless of negligible performance advantages, the Porsche simply goes about its business with so much more grace and panache that it wins the desirability contest - Hands Down!

Note: The 1er is certainly a formidable adversary though, too bad it looks so dowdy.

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DaHarder - 2/19/2008 3:09:39 AM

+7 Boost

I'm taking nothing away from the BMW effort here, but the 1-series is also about 15 times less exclusive/covetable than Porsche's Cayman, and in a year's time, the 1-series will be about as common a sight as the CamCordAltaBu here in the South West (namely Las Vegas and So Cal).

validus00 - 2/19/2008 4:15:12 AM

-8 Boost

"a bmw beating a porsche.. ta ta ta what is the world coming to... especially with my porsche." says needell at the end of the video.

"as common a sight as the camcordaltbu" in one year's time is quite an overstatement seeing how they've already said that only 11500 1 series are alotted for the US market for the 2008 year. in comparison, porsche sells ~10000 cayman/boxsters per year. and by the end of the year, there'd be roughly 12000 1 series coupe in the US vs. roughly 25000-30000 boxster/caymans already sold in the US since the new boxster and caymans came out in 2005/2006.

the cayman/boxster isn't as exclusive as you think now is it?

TheSailor - 2/19/2008 6:35:34 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

DaHarder... The Cayman isn't exactly a rare sight either! But it will probably draw more attention... If that is the sort of thing you are into! I'd take the bimmer...

DaHarder - 2/19/2008 9:15:40 AM

+9 Boost

"porsche sells ~10000 cayman/boxsters per year" - Sure If You're Talking About - WORLDWIDE!

Porsche Cayman sales in the U.S. have been as follows:

2006 1160 / 5865 Total 7025

2007 2650 / 3377 Total 6027

So they certainly aren't selling/being delivered to the U.S. anywhere near the numbers you 'estimated', or the 'projected' number of 1-series to be sold/produced for the U.S. alone.

(Incidentally, the records show that only 31282 Cayman's have been produced/sold since it's late 2005 introduction).

Note: and stop 'clumping' the Cayman and Boxster TOGETHER in an effort to substantiate your argument :-)

vman1013 - 2/19/2008 9:23:45 AM

+1 Boost

The 135 is perfect for those e46 M3 owners that want a technology update and don't want to shell out $60k+ for the new M3.

Who cares about the Cayman. If you want a real Porsche get one. This formula (135 size, power, etc) is BMW's bread and butter!

bulldogz - 2/19/2008 9:31:19 AM

+2 Boost

no offense, but why would there only be 11500 1-series avail.?? I thought this was their so-called entryway vehicle? Are they gonna force first timers into a 3-series for more money? It's not like the 1 is so technologically advanced that it will take longer to make. I mean, this is a $30k Bimmer, what is so special about that?

JRobUSC - 2/19/2008 10:22:39 AM

+2 Boost

there are only 11k 1-series models per year for the U.S. because it's only available as a coupe and convertible. Sedans are more practical and as such are built and sold in higher quantities. If they built a 1-Series sedan you'd see a much higher number. I doubt that'll ever happen here though because it would cannibalize the 3-Series sedan too much, which is their best selling car. Cannibalization on the 3-Series coupe isn't as big of a deal since the 3-Series coupe isn't a volume seller either.

zorbeeze - 2/19/2008 1:36:43 PM

-1 Boost

"its $15,000 less than a Cayman"
To quote what you have always been saying to Lexus fans, it's 15,000$ less for a reason, you get what you buy.
Oh, but i guess beacuse it's a BMW Porsche comparo it's not the same.
You can't pick and choose depending on the situation.

validus00 - 2/19/2008 3:23:42 PM

-5 Boost

so i'm off by 3000 cars/year whereas you're off by almost half a million cars in your "guesstimate" (camry sells about half a million camry's in the US every year).

boxster is the convertible version of the boxster no?

saying the 1-series convertible/coupe will be as common a sight as a camry is just plain ignorant, let alone the 30000 boxster/cayman already sold in the US.

validus00 - 2/19/2008 3:25:27 PM

-4 Boost

it should have read "boxster is the convertible version of cayman"

Boosteroo - 2/19/2008 3:21:57 AM

+6 Boost

You might think that 'neither' car is, "not exactly the best looking", but I'm sure that many will argue that the Cayman looks great, and the 135 looks a hellofalot better than most of BMW's recent designs.

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sholemon - 2/19/2008 5:53:38 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That hurts. Something about a car I know will be a hit at the sorority beating a porsche is a bitter one to swallow. I dont think it makes me want the BMW more but it might make me want the cayman less.

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amazinBimmer - 2/19/2008 8:29:56 AM

+2 Boost

i must say im impressed. well done.

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MaindrianPace - 2/19/2008 9:33:54 AM

+1 Boost

I can already predict Top Gear's verdict.

The Porsche 'Gayman' as clarkson calls it.. Isn't a proper porsche, if you can't afford a 911 don't buy a porsche!

And they won't like the beemer because it's too ugly and it's a BMW so they'll not be able to figure out how it works.

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MaindrianPace - 2/20/2008 6:44:43 AM

+1 Boost

Fastone, haven't seen that yet. But I recall when clarkson wrote about the M5 he would take it over an F430, which he'd already said was about the best car in the world ----- yet when he tested it on TV he spend 80% of the time saying how it's such a bad car!

I like Clarkson, but that was only one example of why I only ever treat his reviews with a big pinch of salt.

Shahan - 2/19/2008 9:39:24 AM

-13 Boost

I agree. If you can't afford a 911, don't buy a porsche

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1995e34 - 2/19/2008 10:13:13 AM

+6 Boost

the cayman is a better car though.

zorbeeze - 2/19/2008 1:42:06 PM

+5 Boost

Have you ever driven a Cayman? It's handling is spectacular. It's the best car for the money.

Now go back to your PS2.

1995e34 - 2/19/2008 10:15:40 AM

+6 Boost

they both have great style and performance. if i only had 1 car, i'd go with the bmw. if i already had a 535i, i would opt for the mid engined ballerina.

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mini22 - 2/19/2008 11:48:45 AM

+2 Boost

Porsche charges a lot of money for the Cayman and Cayman S.The BMW won primarily because of it's HP and torque advantage.(This prooved telling in the slalom as well) I would guess that a CaymanS would have beaten the 135I but it really does not proof anything.The Cayman is the better drivers car. One way to look at it is this. With 60 less HP and 100 less torque it was only 1 1/2 seconds slower around the track then the 135I. The Porsche is simply underpowered for it's price.

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DaHarder - 2/19/2008 12:27:53 PM

+6 Boost

Some Prefer Grace Over Pace, and Others - The Opposite.

Striking The Perfect Balance Is Up To The Desires of the Driver...

Note: Choice is Good!

Targa - 2/19/2008 1:08:43 PM

+1 Boost

Mini - I agree. It is a shame too. Porsche does not want anything to be able to run with the 911, but the Cayman could easily do it. Too bad. I wonder what they could do with that car if they didn't mind it beating some of the 911s around a track.

amazinBimmer - 2/19/2008 12:08:42 PM

+1 Boost

mini.. good assessment.

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ThierryHenry14 - 2/19/2008 1:21:29 PM

+4 Boost

I would definitely be happy to own both. Where one car lacks, the other is strong, and vice versa.

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Htay7500 - 2/19/2008 2:56:31 PM

+2 Boost

because your too mindless to own one.

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ThierryHenry14 - 2/19/2008 5:23:21 PM

+1 Boost

why would you give it back? Do you have something better? Even if you did, thats a dumb move...

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MaindrianPace - 2/20/2008 6:46:14 AM

+1 Boost

Can't afford to run one?

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zorbeeze - 2/19/2008 1:45:27 PM

+2 Boost

I'm surprised at the ignorance some people are showing towards the Cayman.
I guess now i'll have a bunch of little brats wanting to race with their 135.

Everyone here should at least take a test drive in the Cayman. It's an amazing car.

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mlevere1992 - 2/19/2008 1:59:34 PM

+5 Boost

I still think that it is amazing that BMW could build a car that would COMPETE with the Cayman for $15K less. Wouldn't you think that more of a direct competitor for the Caymam would be the Z4? The Cayman S would be the M Roadster. The power and performance comparison is there but they are different cars. The Cayman is a pure 2-seat sports car. Light and nimble. The 135 is performance with a little more practicality and better day to day use. I wish it was a little lighter than it is but I can take care of that when I get my hands on one.

I used to own an E30 325is and this car reminds me so much of that car. It was fun to drive and practical (sort of). It was bullit proof and you could drive it day to day without feeling that you were beatup by your car when you got out.

I like both cars but for day to day driving with some spirited weekend runs, I would take the BMW. I can even get a couple of people in the back seat if I needed to.

If I could have a weekend car that I would occasionally drive during the week, it would be a hard choice between the two. I probably would still lean towards the BMW but it would be a hard choice.

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LexSucks - 2/19/2008 2:08:07 PM

+1 Boost

Tiff was wrong, the 135 doesn't have a limited-slip differential.

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JRobUSC - 2/19/2008 4:36:56 PM

0 Boost

it doesn't have one in the U.S. They're in the UK, testing the M Sport version that we don't get.

investor27 - 2/19/2008 2:35:50 PM

-2 Boost

It's not fair they start out the race like that. Both cars should have started from a stand still, but they didn't. The race started on a straight-a-way well before the start-line, where the twin-turbo BMW 300 HP has an advantage over the 245 HP Cayman.

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validus00 - 2/19/2008 8:47:39 PM

+3 Boost

qualification laps always start from the corner before the front straight, because that would actually allow the cars to post the fastest laptime theoretically possible. if anything it just means that jason plato and tiff needell still got that qualification mentality from their racing days.

and yes it'd be closer if they had began at the start/finish line, but 135i still has the straightline acceleration advantage over the cayman.

TheSailor - 2/19/2008 2:44:05 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Hmm... If you're looking for a car to turn heads, go for the Cayman... I'd go for the 135... Though I'm not sure I will agree with them that the 135 is more fun, it will give you 90% (or even 95%) of the fun at a lower cost and it is a damn bit more practical... And if your looking for a weekend car just for fun, I'm gonna bet you got the money for something better than either of these cars...

I'd go for the 135i...

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1BadMan - 2/19/2008 3:32:03 PM

+3 Boost

I have driven a Cayman S. It is a fantastic handling car. The 135i winning the test is impressive. I am a big BMW fan but even I would take a Cayman S over the 1. The 135i with hardware/software upgrades is even more impressive though. Pick one and just drive the damn thing!

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bmwfan1513 - 2/19/2008 4:58:47 PM

+1 Boost

The 135i is so much better.

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mini22 - 2/19/2008 6:48:42 PM

+2 Boost

Look you have to give it to BMW for producing a car that is 15 grand less then the a base Cayman and 25 grand less then a Cayman S. The 135 I will do 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. That even beats a Cayman S and comparable to the base 911 Carrera. The 135 I does not handle as well as any Porsche but makes up for it in its straight line speed and mid range power. It will be interesting to see how the US version stacks up without the limited slip to the Cayman. Saying this as been mentioned Porsche has seriously underpowered the Cayman and S in order to protect the 911. The answer in my book is to make the 911 simply more powerful.It's quite clear that Porsche easily has the knowhow to do this. A GT3 with a 3.6 engine makes 415 HP. With direct injection they could easily get 440HP. This then makes room to increase the S to 400HP and the base 911 to 350HP.Now you can pump up the Cayman S to 320HP and make the base Cayman to 270HP. I would also up engine displacement in the Cayman to a 3.0 for extra torque.Hopefully Porsche can do this with DI in the next couple of yrs. With Nissan coming out with a 330 HP 370Z Porsche simply cannot sit back and charge what they do. Boxster/Cayman sales are starting to waver a bit. An extra bit of HP should help.

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Porschinator - 2/19/2008 8:06:54 PM

-2 Boost

135 against a Cayman...yes. Against a Cayman S...Hell no. By their # in the vid the 135 will do 5.3 in 0-62 which = 5.1 in 0-60. Makes you wonder who is doing 4.7???

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Porschinator - 2/19/2008 8:09:57 PM

-2 Boost

BTW...vids from eGMcartech

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MaindrianPace - 2/20/2008 6:47:55 AM

+1 Boost

Well done BMW! I hope the 1 series haters that said it was bad for the brand will admit they might have been wrong!

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farabira1 - 2/20/2008 7:46:40 AM

+1 Boost

cayman is better, the conditions were not suitable for the back twitching porsche, and even though BMW has got more grunt, porsche is the more nimble one and where it counts, driving fun, the cayman would serve me better than a 1 35i.

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theoptimisticpessimist - 2/20/2008 6:16:23 PM

+1 Boost

When is a race track not suitable for a Porsche.

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