SHOWDOWN: 2011 BMW 1M vs. 2012 Porsche Cayman R, A Fair Comparison?

Although I think it's safe to say it's not a fair comparison, an automotive publisher went ahead and did it anyway. This is why this test isn't fair:

The BMW 1M is a two-door, forced-induction four-person people carrier. A Porsche Cayman R is a two-person, track ready mid-engined machine. While I haven't piloted the 1M, I have driven the Boxster Spyder, which is pretty much aligned with the R.

Long story short, the R is likely not a daily driver where I bet many drivers could get away daily driving a 1M -- as much as BMW wants to say it's a track car, I am not going to buy into that.

So, it's not a surprise that the 1M walks away with a "W" because its cheaper and more usable.

Either way, both cars are likely a hoot to drive but to compare them as if its apples to apples seems sort of...wrong...


Autobild has just published a comparison test between the 1M and the Porsche Cayman R equipped with 7-speed PDK. We're happy to share that the 1M won this comparison (besting the Cayman R by 1 point). The 1M coupe performs only slightly worse than the Cayman R, yet it offers better overall comfort and low-end power. All this for roughly EUR 25k less!

1M coupe performance data:

0-62mph: 4.8s [Porsche 4.6s]
0-124mph: 17.8s [Porsche 16.4s]
ContidromTrack time: 1:35.76 [Porsche 1:34.21]