Absolutely. After a hard day at work, to see analog dials and not a screen is sublime. The Porsche interior is so perfect I wouldn't ruin it by and "update" and it will be sad when they do.
until the porsche buttons all get sticky and nasty in 4-5y then youll want screens. ask me how i know lol. major problem with porsche, going on for yrs
Touch screens should be banned in cars... In fact here in Norway it is now a 1100 €$£ fine if you are seen using the touch screen in your car while driving.
One is good, one is utterly sensational. The Porsche is an engineering masterpiece and if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford either, there’s only one choice.
Great review, the Cayman GTS 4L is the unsung hero of the Porsche line up and yet its one of the best genuine sports cars ever made - amazing rigid chassis mated with a glorious flat six NA engine and one of the best gear boxes in the world.........plus its mid-engined, light and as a consequence turns on a dime. You should try the 981 Cayman GTS 3.4L with only 340HP and PTV. Sounds even better and is perfect on UK B and C roads.
You can actually buy an M2 at the moment. Porsche won’t sell you a Cayman GTS4.0 atm. Unless people have placed orders 2 years ago or overseas market availability is radically different the question is moot. You actually can’t cross shop these two cars practically speaking unless you can track down a second hand Cayman for approximately 40% more money.
There's a brand new 718 GTS for sale near MSRP at my dealer. You might not be able to spec it but there are a lot of new and barely used CPO examples in the US.
Not quite Fair comparison when the Cayman S is 20k more the M2. You need to compare the M2 to the Base Cayman which is still like 5k more but the M2 will clearly take Lead in every way. Compare it to the base Cayman then it makes sense.
In the US, those cars are different by over $30K in price...not the same price. The GTS bases at $92,400, an M2 bases for $63k. If its a base Cayman S, those start at $80K.
The ones picking the 3800lbs “sports” car have never driven a mid engine Porsche. It’s not even a fair comparison. Beside being as heavy as a Toyota RAV4, it’s also too hideous and boy racer for any adult male.
I don’t know about this new M2 but I had an M2 CS and sold it for a Cayman GTS 4.0. The Porsche was the better car, in my opinion. The M2 was great but the Porsche was just more of a precision instrument and has that great sounding flat 6 and the manual in the Cayman was better than the BMW’s. The M2 did not sound great and while it may have been faster, by a little, the Porsche was more fun to drive, especially at the top of the rev range. Overall, I enjoyed the Porsche more and to me the M2 CS is one of the best M cars ever and probably better than this new, heavier M2.
I own an OG M2 and I test drove the new M2 yesterday to be honest the interior in the new car is much better ( the dash was too fussy for me though) it felt way bigger on the road to me but hides it weight well. Sounds nowhere near as good
@@robrocks34 i haven't driven it, but i reckon it will hide its weight well up until 7 or 8/10. after that, physics take over. time will tell, but i'm fairly sure the previous M2 will appreciate more than the new one.
I’ll choose the Cayman as a 2-seat sports car but I chose the OG M2C for its versatility to go on track days, surfing, camping, and ti the mall with my fam on the weekends. These two don’t compete in my mind and are in diff buckets
People hate on the M2’s looks but I really think it looks great. It’s often compared to the previous gen M2 but the designs aren’t compatible. Yes, the previous gen is sexy in a classical way but the new M2 is sexy in a modern way.
@@karolmaciejewski340I ordered a 2024 bmw m2 in manual, I test drove the hell out of both, and with the ZF is yes a faster car, but you just aren’t involved and I am not a pro racer don’t need to shave 0.2 seconds, I would rather have more fun.
I genuinely believe there are 'right sizes' for cars. The e46 M3 is exactly the same size as the f87 M2 and we adore them both. Coincidence? I don't think so. MK1 Focus RS and the mk8 Fiesta ST. Both look right and are similarly shaped and muscular. One more example, 993 911 and boxter 986. Slightly different configuration, but they are both universally worshipped.
When posing the question of a competitor, at least in the U.S.: the Mustang Dark Horse matches up pretty well. Granted it is a bit bigger, but with the M2's weight gain, the real-world difference should be within about 100 pounds. Philosophically they're a match and the on-paper performance should also be pretty close.
Porsche is not an option for me not because of price, but because of the interior and onboard technology. The fact that it's missing even basic Android Auto support is a deal-breaker for me. You're paying upwards of €20,000 more for less stuff and a dated interior, basically. The 718 Cayman's refresh in 2025 would make it a good option for me (if I were happy it's €20,000-better than than the G87 M2, which it's not), but Porsche threw a spanner in the works by making it all-electric, which I'm not even willing to consider as an option for a car. The only true contender for me would therefore be the 911 Carrera S, for example, but the the price gap is about €40,000 and I'm not convinced a 911 Carrera S is €40,000-better than the G87 M2. Looks are a very personal thing (and I love the G87 M2 for its looks, in the most part).
Funny I was cross shopping the two. I ended up with a Cayman GTS as I don’t want a dual purpose car that does nothing well. I have a dedicated car for passengers or cargo.
💯 there’s many variables that need to be weighed by each prospective shopper if they are comparing these two the use case for the vehicles. Without getting into too many details, I believe it comes down to is for the vehicle, if you’re going to be strictly focused on spirited driving including canyons and track, they Cayman would be a better option. But for someone who likes to have a relatively quick car and is mostly on the street and driving spirited occasionally with far greater potential of tuning for more power, the M2 would probably be the better choice
I actually picked the M2, because the price gap with a similar equipped Cayman is around 20-25k€ (Italy). And investing half of that “saving” in mods on the M2, you’ll make a weapon. Gear ratio is also a plus for the BMW: in ordinary road use the ratio is just too long on the GTS, and on the highway you’ll pull away easily as well. So, for my use, the M2 is the better all rounder. For the track I have a Lotus Elise 240 FE 😉
Good choice. The M2 can be easily tuned for more power just with a DME flash. Ie more boost etc. can’t do that with the N/A Porsche, would cost you a truck of cash.
@@Kmh0277 yes, it was actually on my shortlist last year when I ordered the BMW. I tried it, but it was just not fitting my driving style/needs. Couldn’t imagine myself and my girlfriend on a spirited drive being in 2nd gear at 5.000+ revs the whole time to have torque :) And on the highway, being a bi-turbo, the BMW pushes much harder. And then there was the price difference: once it will be released, I will put the KW V3 on it. OPF-back is already on and also forged wheels. Downpipes will be the next step, and then a soft remap for 600HP. And I am still “saving” vs a Cayman GTS. Car is heavy, but I don’t care. It is still a lot of fun and fast in every situation. And then, to have the ultimate fun, I have still the Lotus 😃 So, for my needs, the M2 is the best choice. But I can get why someone would pick the GTS, it is a fabulous car with a great engine.
As a Cayman GTS owner, I haven’t the faintest interest in the new M2. I bought my car for its light weight action packed toss-ability, a mid engine feel and it’s go kart size. The M2 is a nice car but doesn’t do the same things or fit the same purposes, would of been strange to consider.
Likewise I have an M2 coming and I would never consider the Cayman. They are two different cars with different purposes. I need a sporty car with usable back seats. Anyone cross shopping these cars has no idea what they want from a car. If you don't need back seats, why would you look at a 4 seater car with compromised dynamics? If you need back seats why would you look at a 2 seater you can rarely drive?
@@LateNightDateNight You too, my father in law has a 981S that's a blast to drive. I just got rid of my manual C7 for this M2 since I have a toddler now and want to take him on fun trips. Such is life
Just done a quick check on the configurations with both cars similarly specced. The Cayman is over £20k more expensive and that’s before any discount on the BMW.
I’ve just taken delivery of a brand new decently specced Boxster GTS at £76k , not sure where you’ve managed to find a £20k gap between the two, £10k seems more plausible, and after 5 years the Porsche will be worth around £20k more than the M2 (£50k vs £30k) making it by the far cheaper car for most owners.
I went from the earlier M2 to a Cayman GTS in 2020. I’m at 16,000 miles and just did the NC500 in the GTS and it’s a wonderful thing, excellent in every way. I stopped off at Knockhill for a track day and it is so balanced and easy to drive, certainly to my skill level. Yes. A GT4 is quicker but I reckon my GTS is a better all rounder. And the M2, more playful and there was always that feeling it wants to throw you in the scenery. Was a great car and always fun, but the Cayman is just that much better. I can’t see myself going back. As an aside I loved the look of my M2 but this new model looks ugly to my eyes.
In my opinion, GTS is the best of the 718 models. GT4 is more a track machine than an everyday car so can beat every Mpower machine on track. If you want to spend money on one car GTS is the best choice. I was very disappointed when I checked M2. Very heavy machine and worst than M4. I get 4,9 to 100kmh so it is a step behind older M2 CS.
These cars are not competitors. In the US, an M2 starts at $62,200, with a well spec'd variant costing $73,000 (pre tax). The Cayman GTS starts at $95,200, with a well spec'd variant costing about $110,000 (pre tax). I owned a 718 GT4 and, between the M2 and the GTS, I would say the M2 is a much more fun and interesting option for the money unless you plan to splurge for the GT4.
Neither of these cars are at their peak performance, or else nobody would feel the need to modify them. That being said, people buy these cars because they perform good, and bring a certain emotion to the buyer. IMO, the 718 Cayman GTS is the more special car, and the better performer for the price. It also weighs a lot less (I am talking 700-800lbs less!) than the G87 M2, and also has a smaller wheelbase, making it more playful. It doesn't heavily rely on computer aids to "make the car feel lighter than it is" (see G87 M2 lol). The 718 Cayman GTS is also right around the same price, so for the money, its just the much better car. It might not have the practicality of the M2, but it also doesn't have the practicality of the last gen M2, and yet, the F87 M2 was the right size and weight. BMW shouldn't have made the G87 M2 so big and heavy, because those are the main gripes about it, besides its design of course. And that brings me to the last point, the design. Though design is very subjective, I think its safe to say that objectively, the G87 M2 design is atrocious, especially when comparing it to the 718 Cayman GTS.
So confused in rhe US rhe Cayman optioned anywhere near what the M2 has is well over 100k.....you have to ask if you're gonna spend that much for the Cayman as dated as it is(I get the performance is good) wouldn't you be better served stepping up to a 911??? The M2 is cheaper than the Base Cayman and not much more than say a loaded Supra. I can't imagine comparing 2 cars with a 40k+ spread and different missions
Problem with saying these like "The M2's lightening fast steering" will make people who've never driven these cars think, "oh the M2 corners better", which is completely false - and that's why the reviewer says he feels like the M2 can't keep up with its steering. It's because quick steering is a simply configuration setting designed to hide the massive weight of cars like the M2. BMW used to do the same with brakes - they always made them over-sensitive to give the driver the impression that the car had immense brakes when it didn't. It's always the same detail with the Cayman vs things like the M2/RS3/A45 etc.... one is an actual sportscar, designed as such from the ground up, whereas the others are just regular hatch/saloon/coupe platforms turned into a fast car.
In The Netherlands its 145k (GTS) vs 115k (M2). Quite a lot of money. I’d go for a used GTS instead of the M2. Same money, more capable. And being older it’s less digital, which is also definitely a plus!
I supposed the used M2 will lose ca. 30/40% p.a. so if you choose used GTS it is still better to step forward to the sports cars world. Flat six sounds epic :)
The comparison is so different in the US than the UK. A similarly-equipped GTS is $45 to $50k more expensive, without markups, than the M2. Even a zero-option, don't-click-anything Cayman GTS is $25k US than a full-option M2 here. The price difference utterly invalidates the comparison in the US and makes the two cars affordable by two entirely different segments of the population.
I'm a fan of both. I currently have a GT3, with an M3 Comp on order for the extra doors. However, the same thing happens here as when channels test the M4 CSL against the GT3 or GT3 RS ($135K vs $220K-$250K)... Just because these cars have two doors, in no way makes them competitors. One is $65K car built on a chassis that cars and SUVs share. The other (with VERY modest options) is $115 on a bespoke chassis. One is based on a road car, the other is a purpose built car that poses as a road car. One is a car with most every option you could want and tech light years ahead. The other, you have to pay for memory seats and cup holders. Both are excellent, but one is at least $50K more expensive. It's not even a fight, let alone a fair fight. A more realistic test would be the M2 vs a 718.
Maybe I am missing something but the Cayman GTS starts at $95k vs the BMW at $63k. If we are going by the price, I don't consider them in the same bracket.
i’m totally in love with my GTS in a way i never bonded with my M4s or original M2. It’s a wonderful piece of engineering that knows it’s purpose, it’s NOT multipurpose, it knows what it is and it’s the best there is ❤
In AU the Cayman GTS 4.0 is $70,000 more than the price of the M2. This guy is always a Porsche lover in all his videos as well. So take this with a grain of salt !! Also the BMW has HUGE tuning potential with just a DME flash over the N/A Porsche lets not forget that 😎
IMO a GTS 4.0 is the best new sports car Porsche makes for UK B roads, incl. comically large 992. M2 performance is ideal for a small family. Bag a GTS 4.0 while you can - GT4/Spyder already discontinued. New EV GTS no doubt will tear your face off & leave a 4.0 for dead…in soul destroying silence too fast for most driver’s ability. The GTS 4.0 is the sweet spot that history will teach us was peak ICE defining sports car.
Well if their balls work and they aren't incels without a woman...I'm pretty sure they have kids, responsibilities like shopping to do, and family trips. That's where the BMW/Mercedes/Audi come in. Performance without compromising usability and practicality.
I'm going to order an M2 manual, but here in the US the manual is a $0 option. That's ridiculous to pay more for it in the UK. And btw, I've driven in the UK and funny shifting with left hand, my right hand naturally goes for the shifter and smacks into the door.
For me, I'd go for the Porsche and it's epic 6 cylinder sound 😄. The BMW is a good car, but I'm still quite surprised it's relatively heavy for a performance model 😅. Another great video :)
I have the new M2 as well as a 2020 718 Spyder. Without question the Porsche is the better car. Unfortunately the Spyder was put away for the winter yesterday. I miss her already🥶
"now around 1700 kg's which is around 180 kg's more than the previous M2".... is there anyone else apart from Car Magazine that doesn't know this is complete rubbish?
Cayman, 100%. And you’re right, this is the best Cayman! Also it won’t be long until you see a lot more M2s on the road than Cayman GTS’s. And it turns heads believe me, especially in Python Green!
As with every journalist's verdict, it's subjective. That's why some people will buy the M2 and some will buy the Cayman. After all, if one was better than the other then every journalist's verdict would agree. Which they don't. Not rocket science is it?
My 2014 base Cayman is my Every Day Driver. Even the lowly 2.7litre has a gorgeous howl w/ the sports exhaust. Puts a grin on my face every time. However, I've got almost a million miles on 3 series & X3 BMWs. My 2009 E91 wagon is just a good place to be for longer drives; quieter & more comfortable. The 4.0 is something that I lust after, maybe when I'm 65 and too old to get outta' the thing! ;-)
I feel BMW have changed their strategy with the M Brand. The cars are more focused on a high tech cabin with a sporty feel, they are no longer producing “Drivers Cars”. Such a shame!
The Cayman interior is worlds better in design than the M2 interior. The exterior isn't even a contest, the Cayman is one of the most beautiful designs out there and the M2 is uglier than the worst Pontiac Aztec ever made.
$63,000 “ the M2 is available to buyers like you and me.” Truth be told, I can fit one in if I had to, but it is more than I want to spend, and inaccessible to probably 90% of buyers.
I was just recently visiting a Porsche Dealer in Germany. Try to get a GTS 4.0 - good luck. For 2023 the production is already sold, you can try to place an order for 2024 but it is not guaranteed. So the question M2 or Cayman GTS is more an academic one - if we are talking about a new car.
Here in the states you couldn’t make this comparison. The Porsche would be a full 50 percent higher in price than the M2. This is BEFORE any additional dealer markup which could easily add at least another 10k USD. The Porsche is clearly better and in another league, however on a cost basis this a poor comparison.
In 2020 I was buying used. I test drove the 2017 718 GTS with the 2.5l. I test drove an 8 mo. old 2020 M2C. I Porsche was a WAY better drive. I bought the M2C because it was $20k cheaper. Every time I got in the M2 I regretted my choice. Even after the Dinan pipe, Ohlins DFV suspension, up sized Michelin PS4's on forged Apex wheels, and a Turner Motorspors shift bushing (a MUST do mod) it still ain't a Porsche. I sold the M2C with no regret. Keys to happiness: 1. don't test drive a 718 - you won't know what you're missing. 2. my choice - wait, save your money and buy the 718. 2.4 or 4.0 will perform better than the M2. ...and the front clip on the new M2 is fugly - IMHO. The seats, however I'd love to have.
This comparison keeps happening time and time again. The BMW is a 2 series dripped in M. M do such a good job of turning a 2 series into a sports car that it is compared to the Cayman. The cayman has been and still is a two seater. The only fair comparison would be between a modern Z4M. I really really hope BMW will make as it may blow Porsche out of the water like Audi already have been.
M2 or Cayman GTS?
Cayman for sure
Cayman if its the Flat-6
M2
GTS all day
M2 all day everyday!
I own a 718 Spyder, and I like the fact the (same interior) is not full of screen and has buttons.
Absolutely. After a hard day at work, to see analog dials and not a screen is sublime. The Porsche interior is so perfect I wouldn't ruin it by and "update" and it will be sad when they do.
718s are the true purest sports cars.
until the porsche buttons all get sticky and nasty in 4-5y then youll want screens. ask me how i know lol. major problem with porsche, going on for yrs
Touch screens should be banned in cars... In fact here in Norway it is now a 1100 €$£ fine if you are seen using the touch screen in your car while driving.
One is good, one is utterly sensational. The Porsche is an engineering masterpiece and if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford either, there’s only one choice.
Great review, the Cayman GTS 4L is the unsung hero of the Porsche line up and yet its one of the best genuine sports cars ever made - amazing rigid chassis mated with a glorious flat six NA engine and one of the best gear boxes in the world.........plus its mid-engined, light and as a consequence turns on a dime. You should try the 981 Cayman GTS 3.4L with only 340HP and PTV. Sounds even better and is perfect on UK B and C roads.
I can confirm that, except I have the X73. And I love it.
You can actually buy an M2 at the moment. Porsche won’t sell you a Cayman GTS4.0 atm. Unless people have placed orders 2 years ago or overseas market availability is radically different the question is moot. You actually can’t cross shop these two cars practically speaking unless you can track down a second hand Cayman for approximately 40% more money.
There's a brand new 718 GTS for sale near MSRP at my dealer. You might not be able to spec it but there are a lot of new and barely used CPO examples in the US.
That’s not my experience, mine in Crayon is due next month, it’s taken 9 months, it’s been fairly easy ..
I ordered the m2 - I would love a Porsche gts but the price and spec is a lot more expensive here in Australia
Not quite Fair comparison when the Cayman S is 20k more the M2. You need to compare the M2 to the Base Cayman which is still like 5k more but the M2 will clearly take Lead in every way. Compare it to the base Cayman then it makes sense.
In Australia the Cayman GTS 4.0 is $100k more than the M2; hardly competitors.
There are loads of M2's in the UK. I don't get the novelty point at all, there are less GTS's then M2's, no doubt
The front of that M2 is so thick it looks like a kit car made of GRP.
M2 for me!!
M2 is slab sided and plain. Most uninspired M design in a long time. The weight tells you they've lost their focus.
*_Who installed that eBay bodykit on the M2? It can't possibly be factory, right? RIGHT?_* 🤣🤣
Iv always been a Porsche & BMW fan.i know what porsches are in the motoring world,& having BMWs compared to thee porsches says a lot 7:20 about BMW!.
This is one of a few reviews I’ve seen that claims the new car is better than the old M2.
The Cayman looks great but can deal with a slightly smaller performance and go with the M2 without a doubt
I think you're dead on with your winner (current 718 Cayman S owner and previous owner of the last three M3 generations).
In the US the Cayman GTS starts at $96,850, while the M2 starts at $62,200. That's a HUGE difference, for the money I'd take the M2.
Right is it 30k better than the m2?
The real answer is to get a M2c. Save even more and own a car that doesn't look terrible with the weight of a boat.
Idk where you live but I haven’t see an m2 for under 74 and most at 82 but yes still cheaper
Means that BMW is wannabe Porsche but it will never be. If you are poor buy BMW.
@@dnice362
Lol you can order them all day long WITH carbon roof for under $70k including delivery charge (USA).
In the US, those cars are different by over $30K in price...not the same price. The GTS bases at $92,400, an M2 bases for $63k. If its a base Cayman S, those start at $80K.
Here used the M2 cost more then same year model Cayman...
The ones picking the 3800lbs “sports” car have never driven a mid engine Porsche. It’s not even a fair comparison. Beside being as heavy as a Toyota RAV4, it’s also too hideous and boy racer for any adult male.
Seriously, the LEGO design is f’ing horrendous. Recent BMW designers have been smoking crack
I don’t know about this new M2 but I had an M2 CS and sold it for a Cayman GTS 4.0. The Porsche was the better car, in my opinion. The M2 was great but the Porsche was just more of a precision instrument and has that great sounding flat 6 and the manual in the Cayman was better than the BMW’s. The M2 did not sound great and while it may have been faster, by a little, the Porsche was more fun to drive, especially at the top of the rev range. Overall, I enjoyed the Porsche more and to me the M2 CS is one of the best M cars ever and probably better than this new, heavier M2.
the previous M2 is the one to have, imo. the weight is the deal breaker for me. not a major issue tho, since i can't afford it anyway.
just got an OG manual M2 a few days ago and the new one makes the older model look better; and on top of that its wayy lighter
@@dcode1000 that's one of my dream cars, man, congrats! great little car!
I own an OG M2 and I test drove the new M2 yesterday to be honest the interior in the new car is much better ( the dash was too fussy for me though) it felt way bigger on the road to me but hides it weight well. Sounds nowhere near as good
@@robrocks34 i haven't driven it, but i reckon it will hide its weight well up until 7 or 8/10. after that, physics take over. time will tell, but i'm fairly sure the previous M2 will appreciate more than the new one.
@@mistreku I hope so 🤣
I’ll choose the Cayman as a 2-seat sports car but I chose the OG M2C for its versatility to go on track days, surfing, camping, and ti the mall with my fam on the weekends. These two don’t compete in my mind and are in diff buckets
People hate on the M2’s looks but I really think it looks great. It’s often compared to the previous gen M2 but the designs aren’t compatible. Yes, the previous gen is sexy in a classical way but the new M2 is sexy in a modern way.
I agree.
I own an OG M2, and it is one of the prettiest coupes ever made, but I do like the new M2 in a different way.
New M2 is way better with zf auto then 6 speed mt
Controversial!
@@CARmagazineTV power band works better with zf , car seems much more alive and responsive.
@@karolmaciejewski340I ordered a 2024 bmw m2 in manual, I test drove the hell out of both, and with the ZF is yes a faster car, but you just aren’t involved and I am not a pro racer don’t need to shave 0.2 seconds, I would rather have more fun.
New M2 is too big ,the previous one was much more pleasing to the eyes !
I genuinely believe there are 'right sizes' for cars. The e46 M3 is exactly the same size as the f87 M2 and we adore them both. Coincidence? I don't think so. MK1 Focus RS and the mk8 Fiesta ST. Both look right and are similarly shaped and muscular. One more example, 993 911 and boxter 986. Slightly different configuration, but they are both universally worshipped.
When posing the question of a competitor, at least in the U.S.: the Mustang Dark Horse matches up pretty well. Granted it is a bit bigger, but with the M2's weight gain, the real-world difference should be within about 100 pounds. Philosophically they're a match and the on-paper performance should also be pretty close.
Except Mustangs handle like a piece of sh!t.
@@fl00d69 They don't, but thanks for playing.
Not even in the same wading pool.
@@ASpectreOfSorts
That is like comparing a trailer to a house in Palm Beach.
Can someone let me know where I can buy a new Cayman GTS 4 litre for £65,000?! 😂
The M2 is utterly horrendous looking.
I luv it
As a GTS owner I love the M2 styling. But not more than the Porsche.
Porsche is not an option for me not because of price, but because of the interior and onboard technology. The fact that it's missing even basic Android Auto support is a deal-breaker for me. You're paying upwards of €20,000 more for less stuff and a dated interior, basically. The 718 Cayman's refresh in 2025 would make it a good option for me (if I were happy it's €20,000-better than than the G87 M2, which it's not), but Porsche threw a spanner in the works by making it all-electric, which I'm not even willing to consider as an option for a car. The only true contender for me would therefore be the 911 Carrera S, for example, but the the price gap is about €40,000 and I'm not convinced a 911 Carrera S is €40,000-better than the G87 M2. Looks are a very personal thing (and I love the G87 M2 for its looks, in the most part).
Funny I was cross shopping the two. I ended up with a Cayman GTS as I don’t want a dual purpose car that does nothing well. I have a dedicated car for passengers or cargo.
💯 there’s many variables that need to be weighed by each prospective shopper if they are comparing these two the use case for the vehicles.
Without getting into too many details, I believe it comes down to is for the vehicle, if you’re going to be strictly focused on spirited driving including canyons and track, they Cayman would be a better option. But for someone who likes to have a relatively quick car and is mostly on the street and driving spirited occasionally with far greater potential of tuning for more power, the M2 would probably be the better choice
I actually picked the M2, because the price gap with a similar equipped Cayman is around 20-25k€ (Italy). And investing half of that “saving” in mods on the M2, you’ll make a weapon. Gear ratio is also a plus for the BMW: in ordinary road use the ratio is just too long on the GTS, and on the highway you’ll pull away easily as well. So, for my use, the M2 is the better all rounder. For the track I have a Lotus Elise 240 FE 😉
Interesting as 2nd gear in the BMW is still above 70mph. Not far off the Porsche.
Good choice. The M2 can be easily tuned for more power just with a DME flash. Ie more boost etc. can’t do that with the N/A Porsche, would cost you a truck of cash.
Did you ever test drive a 718 GTS 4.0?
@@Kmh0277 yes, it was actually on my shortlist last year when I ordered the BMW. I tried it, but it was just not fitting my driving style/needs. Couldn’t imagine myself and my girlfriend on a spirited drive being in 2nd gear at 5.000+ revs the whole time to have torque :) And on the highway, being a bi-turbo, the BMW pushes much harder. And then there was the price difference: once it will be released, I will put the KW V3 on it. OPF-back is already on and also forged wheels. Downpipes will be the next step, and then a soft remap for 600HP. And I am still “saving” vs a Cayman GTS. Car is heavy, but I don’t care. It is still a lot of fun and fast in every situation. And then, to have the ultimate fun, I have still the Lotus 😃 So, for my needs, the M2 is the best choice. But I can get why someone would pick the GTS, it is a fabulous car with a great engine.
@@johseb1 Nice, I'm glad you tried it at least and your plans for the M2 sound great!!
As a Cayman GTS owner, I haven’t the faintest interest in the new M2. I bought my car for its light weight action packed toss-ability, a mid engine feel and it’s go kart size. The M2 is a nice car but doesn’t do the same things or fit the same purposes, would of been strange to consider.
Likewise I have an M2 coming and I would never consider the Cayman. They are two different cars with different purposes. I need a sporty car with usable back seats. Anyone cross shopping these cars has no idea what they want from a car. If you don't need back seats, why would you look at a 4 seater car with compromised dynamics? If you need back seats why would you look at a 2 seater you can rarely drive?
@@fcman123 100% agree, congrats and enjoy the new ride!
@@LateNightDateNight You too, my father in law has a 981S that's a blast to drive. I just got rid of my manual C7 for this M2 since I have a toddler now and want to take him on fun trips. Such is life
Toss-ability sounds like something wankers do
He does say they’re “polar opposites” at the end.
Just done a quick check on the configurations with both cars similarly specced. The Cayman is over £20k more expensive and that’s before any discount on the BMW.
I’ve just taken delivery of a brand new decently specced Boxster GTS at £76k , not sure where you’ve managed to find a £20k gap between the two, £10k seems more plausible, and after 5 years the Porsche will be worth around £20k more than the M2 (£50k vs £30k) making it by the far cheaper car for most owners.
@@neilturner6749 You must have had a great deal - did you get a large discount? The Boxster GTS starts at £75,300 before any options at all!
I went from the earlier M2 to a Cayman GTS in 2020. I’m at 16,000 miles and just did the NC500 in the GTS and it’s a wonderful thing, excellent in every way. I stopped off at Knockhill for a track day and it is so balanced and easy to drive, certainly to my skill level. Yes. A GT4 is quicker but I reckon my GTS is a better all rounder. And the M2, more playful and there was always that feeling it wants to throw you in the scenery. Was a great car and always fun, but the Cayman is just that much better. I can’t see myself going back. As an aside I loved the look of my M2 but this new model looks ugly to my eyes.
In my opinion, GTS is the best of the 718 models. GT4 is more a track machine than an everyday car so can beat every Mpower machine on track. If you want to spend money on one car GTS is the best choice.
I was very disappointed when I checked M2. Very heavy machine and worst than M4. I get 4,9 to 100kmh so it is a step behind older M2 CS.
These cars are not competitors. In the US, an M2 starts at $62,200, with a well spec'd variant costing $73,000 (pre tax). The Cayman GTS starts at $95,200, with a well spec'd variant costing about $110,000 (pre tax). I owned a 718 GT4 and, between the M2 and the GTS, I would say the M2 is a much more fun and interesting option for the money unless you plan to splurge for the GT4.
Used here the M2 is more expensive then the Cayman... Unless you compare it to the GT4 that is.
Porsche every time .
Right?! That Porsche tax though
Cayman GTS is ~50% more expensive than the M2. Where did you learn math?
Neither of these cars are at their peak performance, or else nobody would feel the need to modify them. That being said, people buy these cars because they perform good, and bring a certain emotion to the buyer. IMO, the 718 Cayman GTS is the more special car, and the better performer for the price. It also weighs a lot less (I am talking 700-800lbs less!) than the G87 M2, and also has a smaller wheelbase, making it more playful. It doesn't heavily rely on computer aids to "make the car feel lighter than it is" (see G87 M2 lol). The 718 Cayman GTS is also right around the same price, so for the money, its just the much better car. It might not have the practicality of the M2, but it also doesn't have the practicality of the last gen M2, and yet, the F87 M2 was the right size and weight. BMW shouldn't have made the G87 M2 so big and heavy, because those are the main gripes about it, besides its design of course. And that brings me to the last point, the design. Though design is very subjective, I think its safe to say that objectively, the G87 M2 design is atrocious, especially when comparing it to the 718 Cayman GTS.
Cayman GTS starts at 92k USD before Porsche options, basically double the price with options. Not the same category price wise...
When buying used they overlap in price as the BMW M cars is crazy expensive used...
++
BMW needs to immediately fire the 5-year-old who designed the front end of that... _thing._
That M2 might just be one of the ugliest cars I’ve ever witnessed..the Porsche however 👨🏼🍳 💋 👌🏾
So confused in rhe US rhe Cayman optioned anywhere near what the M2 has is well over 100k.....you have to ask if you're gonna spend that much for the Cayman as dated as it is(I get the performance is good) wouldn't you be better served stepping up to a 911??? The M2 is cheaper than the Base Cayman and not much more than say a loaded Supra. I can't imagine comparing 2 cars with a 40k+ spread and different missions
As an experience, the GTS 4.0 blows the M2 out of the park, but in terms of statistical performance, the M2 is actually somewhat faster.
Forget to mention GTS cost almost twice as much as M2 😂😂😂
For on the road( rather than track) isn't an M240ix better value, it accelerates quicker and has better traction, and less cost.
Not sure of it's available there, but a camaro ZL1 would be a great competitor to the M2 in most aspects
Problem with saying these like "The M2's lightening fast steering" will make people who've never driven these cars think, "oh the M2 corners better", which is completely false - and that's why the reviewer says he feels like the M2 can't keep up with its steering. It's because quick steering is a simply configuration setting designed to hide the massive weight of cars like the M2. BMW used to do the same with brakes - they always made them over-sensitive to give the driver the impression that the car had immense brakes when it didn't. It's always the same detail with the Cayman vs things like the M2/RS3/A45 etc.... one is an actual sportscar, designed as such from the ground up, whereas the others are just regular hatch/saloon/coupe platforms turned into a fast car.
In The Netherlands its 145k (GTS) vs 115k (M2). Quite a lot of money. I’d go for a used GTS instead of the M2. Same money, more capable. And being older it’s less digital, which is also definitely a plus!
Voor 1 keer ben ik het eens volledig eens met een Nederlander :p
I supposed the used M2 will lose ca. 30/40% p.a. so if you choose used GTS it is still better to step forward to the sports cars world. Flat six sounds epic :)
The comparison is so different in the US than the UK. A similarly-equipped GTS is $45 to $50k more expensive, without markups, than the M2. Even a zero-option, don't-click-anything Cayman GTS is $25k US than a full-option M2 here. The price difference utterly invalidates the comparison in the US and makes the two cars affordable by two entirely different segments of the population.
A base 911 for me or a lotus emira
This m2 is ugly
The cayman is too old
I still did not get why somebody compares Porsche to BMW. BMW should be compared to Audi. Porsche is in upper ligue, there is no doubt!
Porsche is VW prem...Bmw is RR
@@nhlanhlamagagula7467 RR means Roughly Rubish?
@@123antimiro Facts...Porsche is owned by VW brand and RR owned by Bmw...
Porsche cayman gts, is obvious choice and clear winner, I own bmw X5 and Spyder. Porsche is timeless beauty.
Cayman… the m2 isn’t fast enough to escape those looks 🤮
The M2 is a supped up sedan, the Cayman was designed from the outset as a sports car. Those rear flares on the M2 are hideous.
I'm a fan of both. I currently have a GT3, with an M3 Comp on order for the extra doors. However, the same thing happens here as when channels test the M4 CSL against the GT3 or GT3 RS ($135K vs $220K-$250K)... Just because these cars have two doors, in no way makes them competitors. One is $65K car built on a chassis that cars and SUVs share. The other (with VERY modest options) is $115 on a bespoke chassis. One is based on a road car, the other is a purpose built car that poses as a road car. One is a car with most every option you could want and tech light years ahead. The other, you have to pay for memory seats and cup holders. Both are excellent, but one is at least $50K more expensive. It's not even a fight, let alone a fair fight. A more realistic test would be the M2 vs a 718.
Maybe I am missing something but the Cayman GTS starts at $95k vs the BMW at $63k. If we are going by the price, I don't consider them in the same bracket.
i’m totally in love with my GTS in a way i never bonded with my M4s or original M2. It’s a wonderful piece of engineering that knows it’s purpose, it’s NOT multipurpose, it knows what it is and it’s the best there is ❤
In AU the Cayman GTS 4.0 is $70,000 more than the price of the M2. This guy is always a Porsche lover in all his videos as well. So take this with a grain of salt !! Also the BMW has HUGE tuning potential with just a DME flash over the N/A Porsche lets not forget that 😎
OK, tune the car and that's your warranty fucked. Just saying...
718 Spyder owner here. I knew the winner before watching this great review. Porsche for the win! Always!
The M2 is faster. Chech matt @carwow video. The M2 is faster that the cayman, a45s, and rs3. Fact.
The M2 is the king of the small sportscar category.
Actually on a track M2 performed better than the Cayman, it seemed more of subjective opinion here than some real facts compared 🤷♂️
Stepping out of a 981gts into a M2(‘23) , M2 sees more miles. And more smiles. Kids and wife can come along too in the M2.
The advantage of the 981 is that you don't have to bring the kids or the wife
Cayman GTS is special and even more so knowing that it'll have batteries in the next generation. Probably just one more year before it's more special.
It’s a shame the M2 is just so ugly. I also find it odd that the smallest M car weighs more than my 2016 530d….
IMO a GTS 4.0 is the best new sports car Porsche makes for UK B roads, incl. comically large 992. M2 performance is ideal for a small family. Bag a GTS 4.0 while you can - GT4/Spyder already discontinued. New EV GTS no doubt will tear your face off & leave a 4.0 for dead…in soul destroying silence too fast for most driver’s ability. The GTS 4.0 is the sweet spot that history will teach us was peak ICE defining sports car.
I don't think anyone cross shopping these 2 but for driving dynamics, the Porsche is unbeatable and probably the best sports car under £100k
Well if their balls work and they aren't incels without a woman...I'm pretty sure they have kids, responsibilities like shopping to do, and family trips.
That's where the BMW/Mercedes/Audi come in. Performance without compromising usability and practicality.
I'm going to order an M2 manual, but here in the US the manual is a $0 option. That's ridiculous to pay more for it in the UK. And btw, I've driven in the UK and funny shifting with left hand, my right hand naturally goes for the shifter and smacks into the door.
Can't believe the GTS is the same price as the M2 in the UK. I would move there if they had a better cricket team.
For me, I'd go for the Porsche and it's epic 6 cylinder sound 😄. The BMW is a good car, but I'm still quite surprised it's relatively heavy for a performance model 😅. Another great video :)
The Cayman is a great car, but there’s something more appealing and exciting about M cars when I see them on the road. I would take the M2.
I have the new M2 as well as a 2020 718 Spyder. Without question the Porsche is the better car. Unfortunately the Spyder was put away for the winter yesterday. I miss her already🥶
"now around 1700 kg's which is around 180 kg's more than the previous M2".... is there anyone else apart from Car Magazine that doesn't know this is complete rubbish?
According to BMW’s own figures, 1,520kg is the weight of the previous M2 when it came out in 2016. Check your facts! 😉
@@CARmagazineTV😂 you should weigh the cars, manufacturers lie!
Cayman, 100%. And you’re right, this is the best Cayman! Also it won’t be long until you see a lot more M2s on the road than Cayman GTS’s. And it turns heads believe me, especially in Python Green!
As with every journalist's verdict, it's subjective. That's why some people will buy the M2 and some will buy the Cayman. After all, if one was better than the other then every journalist's verdict would agree. Which they don't. Not rocket science is it?
Why can’t every commenter be like you 😂❤️
What is BMW’s obsession with inexplicably ugly bumpeers
M2 for sure because it's newer, new technology. Unless it's new GTS.
You could’ve stopped at the steering. I owned many Porsches. I owned an M5. Great car. Lousy steering. Traded for Cayenne GTS. Great steering.
Did Porsche name it a Cayman because you need a secret account to buy, run & maintain one?
I actually selected the Cayman S over the M2. The Cayman S is, $ for $, a better performer than the M2
The front of the M2 is HIDEOUS. That alone does it for me (718 GTS owner).
The new m2 have better front end? What do you think with the same tires, which car has better corner ability?
No contest: Cayman, every time. Simple as.
That m2 isn't a looker though , Porsche for me ❤
My 2014 base Cayman is my Every Day Driver. Even the lowly 2.7litre has a gorgeous howl w/ the sports exhaust. Puts a grin on my face every time. However, I've got almost a million miles on 3 series & X3 BMWs. My 2009 E91 wagon is just a good place to be for longer drives; quieter & more comfortable. The 4.0 is something that I lust after, maybe when I'm 65 and too old to get outta' the thing! ;-)
I feel BMW have changed their strategy with the M Brand. The cars are more focused on a high tech cabin with a sporty feel, they are no longer producing “Drivers Cars”. Such a shame!
You need to stop commenting and start driving a bmw m car cause u don’t know anything
Demand changes. They want to sell cars
M3 touring is the best Allrounder at the moment.
@bernhardkreindl4379 I dont think M4 touring exists
The Cayman interior is worlds better in design than the M2 interior. The exterior isn't even a contest, the Cayman is one of the most beautiful designs out there and the M2 is uglier than the worst Pontiac Aztec ever made.
M2 any day!
Made in Mexico
similar price! Not a fat chance, as there is a huge difference of 30+k.
Cayman for the win, not quite sold on the m2 styling either
Precisely…. what styling. Fugly.
Hey, eBay worked really hard designing the M2's bodykit, okay? 🤣
M2 is ~1800kg :D:D: wtf :D
1725kg with zf
Like having 2 extra ppl riding with you in the last gen M2. 😂 Better engine, more weight, same 0-60.
@@mr.m2137 new is over 0.5s faster on 1/4mile
$63,000 “ the M2 is available to buyers like you and me.” Truth be told, I can fit one in if I had to, but it is more than I want to spend, and inaccessible to probably 90% of buyers.
I was just recently visiting a Porsche Dealer in Germany. Try to get a GTS 4.0 - good luck. For 2023 the production is already sold, you can try to place an order for 2024 but it is not guaranteed. So the question M2 or Cayman GTS is more an academic one - if we are talking about a new car.
M2 might as well have self drive and a yolk steering wheel... Heavy and numb vs the lithe porsche
M2 made in Mexico
Here in the states you couldn’t make this comparison. The Porsche would be a full 50 percent higher in price than the M2. This is BEFORE any additional dealer markup which could easily add at least another 10k USD. The Porsche is clearly better and in another league, however on a cost basis this a poor comparison.
*Wot an engine!*
In 2020 I was buying used. I test drove the 2017 718 GTS with the 2.5l. I test drove an 8 mo. old 2020 M2C. I Porsche was a WAY better drive. I bought the M2C because it was $20k cheaper. Every time I got in the M2 I regretted my choice. Even after the Dinan pipe, Ohlins DFV suspension, up sized Michelin PS4's on forged Apex wheels, and a Turner Motorspors shift bushing (a MUST do mod) it still ain't a Porsche. I sold the M2C with no regret. Keys to happiness: 1. don't test drive a 718 - you won't know what you're missing. 2. my choice - wait, save your money and buy the 718. 2.4 or 4.0 will perform better than the M2. ...and the front clip on the new M2 is fugly - IMHO. The seats, however I'd love to have.
This comparison keeps happening time and time again. The BMW is a 2 series dripped in M. M do such a good job of turning a 2 series into a sports car that it is compared to the Cayman. The cayman has been and still is a two seater. The only fair comparison would be between a modern Z4M. I really really hope BMW will make as it may blow Porsche out of the water like Audi already have been.
Price...
I take the M2. Still a cool car and will be rare
It’s compact yes but 1700kg + is no where near light…