24 Votes

BMW 1-Series Coupe spanks Cayman S in German Magazine Comparo

Agent001 submitted on 1/23/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 5:13:53 PM

35 user comments | Category: Report Cards | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Links: BMW 1-Series, 135i, Porsche, Cayman S, Mercedes SLK

Agent 001 just got back from Paris and Spain testing a HOT new BMW car (Look for the coverage this Saturday when the embargo lifts) when he stumbled upon this Auto Motor Sport comparison review.

The review pits the new BMW 1-Series Coupe against the Porsche Cayman S.

Surprisingly, based on the help of a lovely fraulien in Frankfurt who helped me translate the article, the new 1-Series spanked the Cayman S.

Check the stat photos for further info.

Th new 1-Series looks like it is going to live up to our prediction that it will be a game changer in 2008.

And for sure, the new leader in the bang for the buck sweepstakes!

Hmmm...if it bests the Cayman S, could it also obsolete the BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK?

BMW 1-Series Coupe spanks Cayman S in German Magazine Comparo

About the Author

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

Interesting.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you drove the BMW X6 4.0TT. It could've also been the M3 DSG, though, or even the M3 convertible.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 5:40:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Can't wait for BMW to put this 4.0TT in the 5 Series along with the DSG. That should make a formidable match!
— Lavic (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 8:48:21 AM | | Votes: 2

i like the 1-series, but i'd have a hard time choosing it over the highly underrated cayman...
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 5:53:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

That's even weirder, because in a Top Gear test, the Cayman S beat the BMW M3...(they argued that no one actually uses the rear seats in an M3 as they are apparently tiny).
Personally, I hate the Cayman for no reason at all, I'd rather have a Boxster.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:03:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

It wouldn't make sense that the M3 had a useless rear seat, because the 335i coupe can fit two normal-sized people comfortably in the back.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 8:36:33 PM | | Votes: 6

Ah yes, but the M3's seats are quite big due to all the bolstering and padding -it is considerably smaller, like with the S4 convertible vs the RS4 convertible, in the RS4 it is tiny in the back.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 8:23:54 AM | | Votes: 3

Hmm... that makes me think twice about the M3 coupe... are you sure there weren't 6'4" guys testing it, though? Because I'm 5'9" and my wife is only 5'2".
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 5:37:36 PM | | Votes: 1

S4 may I ask why do you need a 4 seat coupe?
Your kids are leaving/have left home, right? They can drive themselves! That's why your X5 purchase surprised me so much. How often do you actually need 4 seats all at once?
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 6:05:48 PM | | Votes: 2

Why deprive yourself of two extra chairs just because you don't need them? That's not the American way.
It's not about what you need. It's about what it takes to satisfy you.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 6:29:46 PM | | Votes: 3

The 1-Series is the new 3-series. The 3-series is the new 6-series. And hopefully the new 6-series redefines the market!
— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:08:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

you're the new idiot.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 6:30:17 PM | | Votes: 4

Looks like this was done on a balanced scorecard, not pure performance.

Although lately you have to be careful about even what "performance" means...there are some nasty handling cars (generally large sedans with bigger engines) that turn in fantastic numbers but are ultimately not that great.

My measure of a car is this: after a long day at work, you climb in and drive home. In my [wife's] BMW E46 330i, I am guaranteed a comfortable drive, but I won't go that fast or anything. It's not that I can't go fast, its that I'm tired and I don't care to.

Compare this with my Boxster S. It makes me instantly FORGET about work and get involved in the driving experience. I look at the surface of the road, the line of the curves, the cops. :)

Two great cars, I'm lucky to have both. The experiences are quite different though.
— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:23:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I find my 997S to be very comfortable as well as fun to drive. It is not my commuter but great balance which the Cayman and Boxster are not that far off. BMW to me is just a step below Porsche in feel/fun factor and about the same in comfort with BMW having an edge due to less rigid suspension.

Def will drive the 135 and see if it compares to the E46 M3s I have grown to adore.
— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 7:44:38 PM | | Votes: 3

The 1 Series is an awesome car. It is the best BMW in a long time. I like it better than the M3.
— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:24:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

first of all i want to say, i have an e46 M3 and the rear seats are VERY useful.

2nd, if its true that the 1 series spanked the cayman s, GOOD. maybe the cayman will increase power because i must say, its anemic.
(btw i love cayman s)
— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:32:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

295 hp in a car weighing less than 3000 lbs is anemic? that's a FAR better power to weight ratio than the 1-series.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 6:42:13 PM | | Votes: 2

They Cayman S is as quick as a Porsche Carrera and can keep up with an M3! What are you smoking?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 8:38:35 PM | | Votes: 5

The Cayman S cannot keep up with an M3 with 3 people in it! Ask the two gentleman of East Indian descent that tried to race a Blue 2002 M3 Convertible on its way back from a long night in AC on the NJ Turnpike. They couldn't keep up!!
— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 10:40:04 PM | | Votes: 1

according to this test, the cayman outperforms the 1er by a little.

I love the Cayman S.
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 10:59:50 PM | | Votes: 2

The Cayman S can't even FIT three people in it!!!
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 5:38:09 PM | | Votes: 0

sure it can. just, not everyone gets a seat.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 10:16:27 PM | | Votes: 0

and that's the point of a sports car. to snag a mate, and have no room for their friends.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 10:18:30 PM | | Votes: 4

1995

Or the mother in law.
— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/25/2008 2:21:45 PM | | Votes: 0

That's my point. The 3 guys in the Cayman tried to race and I gave them all they could handle in my M3 full of people!

(Was on a business trip or would've posted 2 days ago)
— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/25/2008 5:52:52 PM | | Votes: 1

Of course it should be printed in english so it's understandable. I would wait for a road test in the US to proove or disproove this German test.
— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 7:21:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

By those numbers the 135 will do 60 in 5s? I figured it would be high 4s.

Now stop taking pics of mags at airports :)
— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 7:36:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Look at the first picture. It's a 135i; and after 62mph, the Porsche leaves it in the dust.

However, the Cayman S costs $20k extra. As much of a head turner as it is, I think the 135i is the better all around buy.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 8:03:06 PM | | Votes: 0

Different test protocols. The extra 2mph (100km/h = 62 mph) at the top end add like 0.3 secs and US magazine test with "roll out" (don't start the clock until the car has moved 1 ft), which makes for even lower numbers. A 0.5 sec difference is normal.
— bal00 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 4:16:15 PM | | Votes: 1

You can only take a magazine comparison so far, i would not say a 1 series is a better car than a cayman, some other magazine could disagree, but you can say the 1 series will be great car.
— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 8:34:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

I think the Cayman S is a better deal, though both are awesome!!!!
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2008 11:16:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I don't know, but i think the cayman, being the only midengine sports car in the porsche line up, it has excellent balance and the usual porsche driving genius starting from steering feel and excellent chasis and handling. So i am doubtful of BMW 1 series toppling the cayman in terms of driving fun, may be as an overall package the 1 series is better with more power and probably improved space and interior along with comforts for long range cruising, but for genuine skidpad fun, i think the cayman will be much better.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 7:11:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I find it imposable for a 1 series(even the M) to beat a Boxter S much less a Caymen S. I mean, Top Gear put the one series up against the new VW R32 and it couldn't beat that. So, the idea that it can out do anything in Porsche's garage is just ridiculous.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O9rFQPg0kbk

Killbot out
— KillBot (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 1:42:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Killbot Have you been in a coma for the past few years? That's an antique comparison between a BMW hatchback that has an older and less powerful engine and the R32. The new BMW 135 coupe is a completely new car that uses the fantastic twin turbo engine. We are in 2008..Hello!
— Star (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 5:20:15 PM | | Votes: 3

The Caymen S still has a better hp/lbs ratio.
— KillBot (View Profile)

Posted on 1/24/2008 6:20:36 PM | | Votes: 0

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]

Email Me When Someone Replies To My Message

BMW 1-Series Coupe spanks Cayman S in German Magazine Comparo

About the Author

User Comments

Add your Comments

Submit an article

Photo Galleries

Cars

Autoshows

Latest Articles