Love the car Mark but I love more that you are brand agnostic and not a blinkered fanboy who can’t accept others have differing opinion. Genuine car lover and smart guy, looking forward to the Cayman videos 👍👍
Dude, i completely agree with your friend's questioning process, i grinned with your face at 1:38 Most youtube people will have a harsh time accepting this change because they are all used to youtubers wrapping their cars in chrome purple, remaps and tuby exhausts "oMg i StRaiGht PipeD mY cAr!" Most people aren't used with anyone talking about enjoyment of their stuff in a real daily. The feedback, the pleasure of covering miles day after day, most people don't even know what's that anymore. It's all about 0-60 and views. I like your choices, i would have test driven these kinds of options too. Used Caymans, Exiges, Evoras... I would love to go any of them. I think this cayman is going to grow on you, not gonna be the first mid engined toy. Cheers
I own eight cars, including three of them offering 500+hp. One of the other "weaklings" is a 2006 Cayman S. And that's one of my favorites. I can see why a non-S model can privide enough fun. But another 50hp plus bigger brakes and added suspensionbenefits certainly don't hurt. To be hones, I can't really enjoy the 500+hp cars to the fullest. Sure, I can floor the pedal as good as the next guy on a freeway. But if we're talking narrow back-country roads, none oof those "brutes" gives me as much joy as the Cayman. The Cayman is not a simple means of transportation from A to B, it's just fun to drive.
As a Lotus Elise owner I had a chance to drive one of these and I have to say the 987 Cayman Base is pretty damn close to the fun factor AND without all the compromises. I'd say this is the best pure sportscar that one can also daily.
Nothing wrong with a Swift Sport! I've went back to a SSS in the past, and I may do the same in the future after my current BMW 340i. Great light weight cars that are so much more than the sum of their parts, rock solid reliability too!
I absolutely agree about cars being too fast. I had an M135i and always felt frustrated that it could never be driven particularly hard in the higher gears without risking losing your license. It’s refreshing to see a RUclipsr shun the “more power” approach in favour of something different.
Had a 128i sport....son crashed it. Bought a 135i. m sport....over powered for the suspension and every on ramp was a potential license killer.....sold and went back to the 128i sport....added a little torque with a 3 stage manifold and 330 tune and settled the suspension with a B12. Was going down the mod path where you end up too focused and screw up a great car.....so I added a 987.2 base manual. Taking the loud exhaust and intake off the 128i....and day driving the 128i, the best sports sedan I have ever driven....and keeping the cayman for my true sports car duties. Way more fun to drive a slower car fast.....250 hp and 3000lbs is a sweet spot. for a modern car.
@@Aiken47 funny guy. Decades of track experience on motorcycles, karts and cars and Spec racing would prove you wrong...I just have nothing to prove on a public road... (and its "too" not "to". )
@@Aiken47 Straight line "skills"? LOL. Nothing stock gets away from my stock base Boxster on the turns. Miata's have come close. Mid-engine super cars could, but they risk wrecking their expensive toys LOL. On a straight line, even my wife can beat me in her SUV. Hold the steering wheel straight and smash the gas pedal, wow that's some skill LMAO
Im in agreement Mark, sometimes less power makes for more fun, Its a great feeling to be able to plant the throttle and max out the revs whilst allowing the car to build in momentum, , without doing the kinda speeds that will get you into serious bother with the police !
I love my Cayman S , but it has cost a lot of money to maintain , including new steering rack , water pump, timing chain etc etc , when it’s problem free it’s the best car I’ve ever driven
My friend had a Cayman S on a 57 plate too. I went in it a few times, felt very solid and well built. Like you says it's not all about the how fast it goes, it's how it makes you feel. Much more interesting of a car than a generic BMW.
He makes a good point about power. It can often be more fun to drive a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow. I could buy a few year old M3 or something but once you accelerate up to the speed limit, then what ? Constantly watching your foot on the pedal so as not to break the limit. Hard work.
As a GT4 owner, I've said exactly this to a mate. He has a 4 door practical car. He does not need two. Base caymans and boxsters are so much better than people think. The 987.2 Cayman 2.9L is especially good. Of course, I'm in love with my car, but you don't need to spend that much to get true Porsche enjoyment.
Never commented on a RUclips video before but just had to on this one. Your story is exactly the same as mine. Two previous M135i’s. one in manual and one auto. Never bonded with either. Now have, probably the only other 2.7 cayman with the full sports pack option. Also did the “no, the tax should be £330” conversation with the supplying dealer 😂 did most of the North Coast 500 this summer with friends, one with an M4 and another with a 997C4S with the X51 pack and never struggled to keep up. Mines a keeper.
Don’t have to justify why you bought this Cayman Mark - it’s your car, your choice! Looks nice though mate, looking forward to seeing what it’s like on track! 👍🏻
Congrats on the Cayman. Base Cayman 2.7 owner here from down under. Had the car for nearly 4 yrs now absolutely love it.. First mod i did was exchanged my exhaust for a Carnewall GT exhaust from Gert in Belgium. It really screams like a GT3 now once you rev it it out.
I have just bought a Cayman 2.9 with under 50,000 miles. Meteor grey. Bose, 18 Cayman S wheels and extended leather. I did a lot of research and all specialist recommended a 2.9 over a gen 1 3.4. I LOVE IT. Such a great drive. Like you I have had a M135i hatch, S2000, GTI’s and lots more. I will subscribe and watch with interest.
I totally get the "too fast" car. I owned a 128i that got totalled. SO bought a 135i..... I always said it was like riding a racehorse in the woods....always backing off....little bits of fast but then "I'm going to jail" fast. Sold that and went back to the 128i and started modifying. Bigger brakes, 3 stage intake and 130 flash. Bilstein B12 kit. I realized I was getting too focused and was going to ruin a great daily driver. So I added a 987.2 Manual base poverty spec.....heated seats and 18" wheels. No mods. Love. that center of gravity about as high as your butt. That jump at 4500 rpm and the sound.....what a sound......and the turn in!!! Love this car.
Thanks, Mark. I watched this because a Cayman is #1 on my shopping list. Thanks for refining (and endorsing) my gut feeling of what car I need. I subscribed in the hope of more of your straightforward, pragmatic approach. Cheers
Like Mark,.. I had the Mk 3 Focus RS and then coincidently moved into an M140i (auto..., lol)......,will be interesting to see how the Porsche goes ! Nice one 🙂
As an M140i owner, I subscribed because you seemed like an interesting owner. I have really enjoyed your uploads and geekyness. I'm a big Porsche fan, although not so much the Cayman, it's not my favourite, but if it makes you smile, that's all that matters.
I got the 3.4l CaymanS full option. Its just an amazing car for the money, what I don't like about it is that the interior "rubber type colore" on the plastics fades away very easy especially in hot countries. Also just to point out to people if you live and drive in big cities or where there is alot of traffic get the automatic/tt gearbox and not the manual. Yes the manual is fun but not when you constantly have to use it every 100meters. Also the 2.7l is good enough but you can't compare it to the 3.4l not even close its totally another car.
This car is very well balanced with performance and grip. It's all about that flat 6 sound whoxh you can exploit with the 2.7. Bummer about the road tax!
I'm looking to move from my 1400+ kg modified clubsport e46 m3 into a 987 cayman, I feel that the e46 is at the absolute limit of usualable power on the roads and I think dropping I would miss the extra 100bhp in the 2.7. I recently went with a friend to a porsche experience 90 mins at silver stone and drone thr 718 base and s and the base was a manual and its sold me on a porsche. So good out the box. The issues with bore scoring in the 3.4 is hugely off putting though as it could happen at any miles
Great video and looking forward to more on the Cayman. IMO the 987.1 base is a great choice, particularly in Cobalt Blue AND with the 6 speed box - must make this car very rare indeed (this model was introduced later than the S just as the financial crisis hit!). Another interesting fact - Chris Harris from Top Gear, used to write for GT Purely Porsche and owned a base 987 Cayman. His opinions are and continue to be massively respected by the motoring world. At the time of writing for the magazine, his previous long termer was a 993 GT2 followed with a short stint in a 996 TT. His purchase of the 2.7 base Cayman back then was considered pretty significant, as the 2.7 model was largely over shadowed by the more powerful and popular "S" model. I've no doubt that this model will be a classic in the future - looks like you have a keeper. You can access old Chris Harris press clippings from this website: www.arthurlea.com/Porsche/Harris/Harris.htm
Thanks! I downloaded them a few weeks ago...found as I trawled the net looking for info before taking the plunge! I'll be touching on his thoughts in a future video.
3:10 I can relate. The most fun I ever had on a motorbike, was on my Aprilia 125. I moved to a GSXR750 and then a GSXR1000 and, although the speed and acceleration was fun, it was just not as involving as trying to keep a 2S 125 at 60 mph down a twisty road, by avoiding braking and carrying corner speed as much as possible. With a bigger bike you can just open the throttle and get your speed back in a flash. It got boring.
completely get it Mark, I looked at m140i and ended up buying an older 130i. much more analogue, much more feeling. as you mentioned the m140 is almost to fast to enjoy fully on the public highway. Cayman is a beautiful car, very well balanced
I’m 100% behind going for a slower car that you can have much more fun with Mark and you chose an absolute peach with the Porka. Over the years I’ve had numerous hot hatches like Cooper S, MPS, Type R’s each getting progressively quicker and more powerful (the MPS being just shy of 400 after I finished with it) and yet by far the best and most fun car I owned was a Mk3 MR2 Roadster TF Edition. Wasn’t the most powerful but my god out of all my cars did that little beauty really teach me how to drive properly and how to handle a car on the edge. A proper little sports car that was supremely balanced in the corners and so so much fun (esp after I’d modded the chassis and suspension and upped the power a little with a 2zz swap).
What a change, and a good one. I'm more a 911 man, i don't really like the shape of the cockster but glad you've achieve this! And i'm 100% sure there is more fun in this one! M140i wasn't a sports car as you mention
Don't write off the Boxster because it's a convertible. Cayman is a Boxster coupe, that's it! Plain and simple! Work on it, take it apart, put it back together, one is a convertible one is a coupe, Nuff said! Both bring the same performance to the table, engine and parts.
In 2019 I had myself a 2011 Cayman “S” for 6 months. I found that the road kept running out too quickly wherever I drove so I plan to get a 2.7 Cayman next because I agree with you that it’s nice to be able to drive a car “Hard” and you can only really do that in the Cayman “S” on a race track if I’m being completely honest
The Porsche flat sixes do sound glorious. That and the fabulous pedal actions; so well oiled and smooth, together with lovely weighted steering were probably my favourite aspects of the Cayman I owned. I agree re power for the road. I drove a F80 M3 once and just felt it was too much of a good thing. Brilliant, but too much.
@@jameslove888 this surprised me. In its two 'trunks' it has more storage than the M140 with its back seats in place. Clearly with the seats down the BMW will swallow a whole load more...but still, impressive. I'm looking forward to going to the tip with a crate or two of grass cuttings in the front 😂
@@MarkCup70 even the boxster is capacious, well, for a convertible. It’s good enough for me to consider it as a daily going forward. Can take golf clubs with relative ease which is the biggest thing I tend to cart about. Now the problem is finding a nice 981 S at the right price:spec. A couple cropped up during the year but I wasn’t ready to change at that point. Slim pickings at the minute when you exclude black and white from searches. Your car looks great and really nice to find PASM on one of the 2.7 cars.
I'm all for slower, but more fun cars. Roads and traffic make it more and more difficult to enjoy a good ride with nowadays silly power figures... Good luck with your adventure!
Not to mention that UK is covered in twisty and narrow back roads. A car that brings more feedback, more steering feel and feels lighter, NA... i think hes gonna love it. Im jealous
@@Lucas-ck1po oh most definitely. My commute is a bit of dual carriageway but 95% is backroads and as it takes longer to get to the speed limit and also the limit of road/surface it’s better. I’m very envious of Mark. Me and my dad have been looking at Westfields recently which are obviously the purest essence of this.
@@CaravanningwiththeCoxs I had the 100PS for a month while my ST was being repaired after a rear-end shunt. I didn't want to give it back. Since then I've always thought that if you can still enjoy driving a car with only half the flagship model's power, then it's a very good car.
£12-20k Cayman is always the answer. We holidayed in a 2.7 987 Boxster and though it was plenty quick enough to be enjoyable. That was coming out of a 182 Cup...so whilst not fast it was entertaining. Cayman is absolutely my dream sensible car. 200 Cup for now.
Ha! Having identical thoughts myself Mark. Though binning my FRS for a base model Caterham 7 (270 S)... but the cayman is a good shout... will watch with interest.
you should consider putting the badging back on, if nothing else, just for resale. de-badging is for 17 year olds with a clapped infinity g35 or a base model 325i.
Everything this guy said is dead on correct. Interesting how prices of these have gone up. Right now is the fall of 2022 and I swear to God these things have gone up 10 or 11 grand and the past two years!
Hi Mark, come across your videos and back storey which sounds very much like mine! First ‘proper’ fast car was the BMW M140i which was ballistic as you say but somewhat sterile. Then my heart fell in love with a Jaguar F Type 400 which was a piece of artwork visually and acoustically however it cost a fortune to own and run! Next I had a BMW M2 which ran rings around the Jaguar and by far the best car I have ever owned! With children getting to a university age I sadly sold the M2 to finance the eldest education and currently share my wife’s Evoque which is a great family car. So I have been deliberating over my head and heart choices with a budget of £20k, something fun, a coupe and occasional daily, my head said Audi TT with nice interior and modern bells and whistles or a Porsche 987 gen 1 2.7 which I found a 2009 manual in dark blue in pristine condition??? Your video seems to help guide me towards the Porker!!!!
I have been looking at wrecked Caymans as a project car to restore, and hopefully, save a little on the cost of a later-model version. Your spec is great........really like that color. Also agree about the black interior. Have black leather on my current car and would have preferred the gray. (also, after going through a knee surgery several years ago, and being on crutches for 3 1/2 months, I would have to avoid a manual) Thanks for this great video.
Literally the best base cayman review i've seen on YT. I'm contemplating buying one over an M2 and you were in a very similar situation to i am now. Liked and Subbed
Nice choice. I ended up coming out of an M240i that was running about 450 bhp to an Elise 111R with about 190 bhp and a far different driving experience😂 Always one of my favourite cars growing up. Like you say, the BMW felt far too fast on the road. Didn't feel particularly good to drive fast on the road either with the passive dampers. Got quite fed up of it really. Came from a megane RS250 before the BMW which I thought was a much better sorted car to take out for a drive. I've never driven a car that feels as good to take a drive as the Elise on the road. Nothing fancy just pure driving thrills and you can really drive it without feeling like you're gonna lose your license at any second from a speed gun hiding somewhere.. Point being more power isn't always everything. I did have my eye on Caymans for a short time but had to scratch the Lotus itch first.
Your experiences echo mine in respect of the m140i....I bought it as my ultimate hot hatch but sold it within a year...too fast to use,the steering was all over the place and the suspension both uncomfortable but also not confidence inspiring.....so I've come to the same place as you,looking at a Porsche Cayman that both me and my son in his early twenties can share and enjoy as a sports car (I've got a Subaru SUV with a flat four engine for the everyday stuff)
Great video Mark. I got into your channel when you owned your Fiesta ST (I still have mine after 6 years!). It will be nice to see how you like the cayman as I am considering purchasing one later this year as well. Cheers from USA
Brit in Norway. Bought my 07 2.7 987.1 in october after having 2 quick 911,s 996 Markski tuned Turbo and a 991 4S which like you said could only be full pull for a few seconds. Mine has both 6 speed and PASM its now winter her so running winter tyres no studs so not out much at the moment. looking forward to your cayman videos.👍
That now makes four 2.7 987.1 cars with a 6-speed 'box that I know of. Still super rare, that is unless there's a mass owner's group somewhere I've yet to come across 😂
Came for 140, stayed for Mark Bril video! Cant wait to see how you find it on track :D My ultimate fun car is Porsche GT3/RS but guess after my 140 I'll go for M3C or M2C as my mods from 140 will transfer over to either of these two lol Call that recycling if you want heh
2:59 that's exactly why I sold my 2016 m135i stage 2. Car was great but I got down b roads way too fast I'd end up 90 miles from home just to enjoy back roads. Something slower such as Ford Focus ST I'm able to put power down and throw around corners but I really dislike the 2017 Focus so it's for sale after a month.
There are not many base models with PASM and a 6 speed and yours as a great spec, my S as PASM and Chromo Bose and sports plus seats 19” wheels, 1 owner, but it’s hard to push it hard without loosing your License the extra 50bhp does help for over taking and stronger brakes but the base is a super fun car and one you can push on back roads and really get in gauged with. Their very very hard cars to up the power on so that’s why i went with the S model also spec can be anywhere on Porsches so you really do have to look around. IMS isn’t as big an issue as made out and there are no differences between Base or S on this however bore scoring can happen on the S model more than the Base. It’s rare on Caymans but can happen think it’s 911 997.1 that get it more. Great cars if they have been looked after and get them up to temp before you have fun is a must don’t let them sit idle warming up in cold weather, change oil every 12 months minimum 24 months is a joke Great cars and very reliable if looked after. Enjoy 😉
The reasons you stated about getting the base Cayman especially with the reliability side is what pushes me to get one than the S. Very tempted to get one I saw on autotrader for £12k which had £4k work spent on it which included the AC condensers and water pump plus has the turbo alloys I want on it though currently trying to be sensible first on investing before getting a car. Hopefully next year should get one
Great video. I have the 987 cayman s and completely understand why getting the base is also a good choice. Mine is a 58 so the last year of production which i heard was far less susceptible to ims. Bore score is often on my mind but got the all clear earlier in the year. I love the 987 design, it is a work of art and will be a future classic. Earlier this year i went to Belgium and got the carnewal exhaust, it sounds magnificent and i would highly recommend. I am also very tempted by the gr but could not get rid of my cayman so i am planning on getting one in 2 years after initial depreciation and of course keeping the cayman.
The Carnewal exhaust would always give me jitters when it comes to noise regulations on track, expecially at Goodwood. Plus, exhaust noise not needed when the airbox is less than 1m away from the back of my head and I'm revving out to 7k 😎
Congrats Mark, looks like a lovely car - shame about the tax! Cars registered before 26th March 2006 were in the lower tax bracket even if over 225g/km. Additional bands were brought in from then. This is going to be very interesting - the only thing I don’t like is the tall gearing - 70 in 2nd, bit of 3rd and your into license losing territory! Guessing over 100 in 3rd or do they get closer together after that with the 6 speed? Might be about the same as mine but I can use the torque where I want to much like the M140i. Really interested to see how it does on track. I’m in the same boat, I don’t need 4 seats as have other family-mobiles, if I ever sell the Mustang it would only be for a Cayman of some sort, can’t think of any worthy replacements that I can afford.
I have a very similar story to yours in this vid. Part ex my 1 series convertible for a base cayman 987 and not regretting once. I also realised I do 95% of my journey on my own and we have a polo and coopers s in the family so if we need to travel as a family then go in the polo
I bought one of these a base gen 2 on a whim really a couple of months ago . My daily is a 330d msport which I've hardly touched since .The cayman is an absolute hoot on a B road with the manual box.
I bought a Gen 2 base back in July 2020 and I love it. I've got a 3 series touring for the wife and an ep3 as my daily. I had an M240i and Golf R before the Cayman and I can honestly say that the Cayman would run circles around the both of them
Hi Mark, I've subscribed to your channel, as your videos are very informative about the Cayman. I've been in the market for something with 2 seats for a weekend toy and track day toy and the 350z and 370z were ticking my boxes but after driving them, they just aren't sports cars, big heavy GT cars suit them well, which brings me onto the Cayman, I did try an Elise but at 49 I'm not that bendy anymore. I've not driven a Cayman yet but I have sampled a few boxters and they hit the spot but I'm not a fan of convertibles but the Cayman is ticking the sports car box but I'd put the 2.7 in the bin, Now looking at 3.4S but Chocolate engines are giving me nighmares, so I'm because of you I'm looking at the 2.7 and if budget stretches enough, maybe a 2.9. Many thanks for opening my eyes, looking forward to going through your back catalogue of videos.👍🏼
Good video mark, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, much easier to drive a slow car fast than a fast car fast as you’ll be able to use more of the power more of the time, enjoy it mate.
Hi Mark and well done getting into such a great car. The Cayman has amazing balance, looks and very practical for the job in hand and you will find this car truly getting under your skin. What a great spec and i was caught out once to with high road tax on a 2.5 ltr Lexus for being a manual. Find a good indy for servicing and with a mod or two you will find it just gets better and better.
I jumped out of an M240i in to a Base Gen 2 2.9 Cayman (had a Golf R for a short period in-between). Cayman is a different ball game the M240i in terms of driver enjoying. BMW may be quicker in a straight line but that's about it. No where near as much fun. My Cayman is also a manual 👍
I’m a bit late to your party Mark but I must tell you, I’ve never EVER used the sound system when on the move in my S....all you will ever want to hear is 6 inches behind your left ear....😉
Hi Mark I do like your reasons for your choice and you seem to think like I do in some ways. I do wonder if you would like my car or would find it a bit lack-lustre. It's a 2016 230i coupe, with manual box and the brakes from the m-lites factory optioned. It looses around 70kg to the 240i, I'm thinking this must be mostly the two cyclinders lost from ahead of the front axle - so it is still quite heavy at 1400kg wet without driver. It lacks both the 6 cylinder sound track and the sound generation electronic box. It has 350NM and 250bhp at BMW figures so looses 150NM and 75-100ish hp from the 240i/140i depending on what figures you take. I think the the manual is still a little under 6s 0-60mph (maybe 6.0 for 0-100kph). It also hasn't got the variable sport steering that is standard on the m-lites so it has more turns lock to lock. I do maybe 1 track day per year, most recently at Castle Coombe, and stick to just good road tyres for track (PS4- non S), I'd say I'm novice-Intermediate with a very slow rate of improvement as I'm not perusing it as seriously as you are. No LSD and bilstein B6 dampers is my only mod (keeping stock springs). I do enjoy mine hugely on B roads, if I did more track driving I'd want something more track focused or at least a bit lighter so it would probably be something like your cayman or a project car ending up with lots of modifications. Anyway your welcome to give it a go once COVID restrictions receed. They only sold 55 or 56 manual 230i's on the UK and that includes soft tops and very few seem to have the m sport plus pack (the blue brembos).
Porsche got it SO right with the Boxster/Cayman. I’m suprised this is your first Porsche, as others have said - you don’t seem loyal to any one brand, I suspect Porsche will get under your skin 👍
Love the channel Mark and any car you happen to own. Perhaps don’t mention your going to keep it 😂 I’m keeping every car I ever own but rarely get passed 2 years 👍
Love the car Mark but I love more that you are brand agnostic and not a blinkered fanboy who can’t accept others have differing opinion. Genuine car lover and smart guy, looking forward to the Cayman videos 👍👍
Well said Gerry.
Bought a base Cayman a couple of years ago. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Dude, i completely agree with your friend's questioning process, i grinned with your face at 1:38
Most youtube people will have a harsh time accepting this change because they are all used to youtubers wrapping their cars in chrome purple, remaps and tuby exhausts "oMg i StRaiGht PipeD mY cAr!"
Most people aren't used with anyone talking about enjoyment of their stuff in a real daily.
The feedback, the pleasure of covering miles day after day, most people don't even know what's that anymore. It's all about 0-60 and views.
I like your choices, i would have test driven these kinds of options too. Used Caymans, Exiges, Evoras...
I would love to go any of them.
I think this cayman is going to grow on you, not gonna be the first mid engined toy.
Cheers
I own eight cars, including three of them offering 500+hp. One of the other "weaklings" is a 2006 Cayman S. And that's one of my favorites. I can see why a non-S model can privide enough fun. But another 50hp plus bigger brakes and added suspensionbenefits certainly don't hurt. To be hones, I can't really enjoy the 500+hp cars to the fullest. Sure, I can floor the pedal as good as the next guy on a freeway. But if we're talking narrow back-country roads, none oof those "brutes" gives me as much joy as the Cayman. The Cayman is not a simple means of transportation from A to B, it's just fun to drive.
As a Lotus Elise owner I had a chance to drive one of these and I have to say the 987 Cayman Base is pretty damn close to the fun factor AND without all the compromises. I'd say this is the best pure sportscar that one can also daily.
I like how you've progressed from an Ignis Sport to a Porsche, while I progressed from an Ignis Sport to a Swift Sport!
Nothing wrong with a Swift Sport! I've went back to a SSS in the past, and I may do the same in the future after my current BMW 340i. Great light weight cars that are so much more than the sum of their parts, rock solid reliability too!
I absolutely agree about cars being too fast. I had an M135i and always felt frustrated that it could never be driven particularly hard in the higher gears without risking losing your license. It’s refreshing to see a RUclipsr shun the “more power” approach in favour of something different.
Completely agree, I have an M140i and know exactly how you feel.
Had a 128i sport....son crashed it. Bought a 135i. m sport....over powered for the suspension and every on ramp was a potential license killer.....sold and went back to the 128i sport....added a little torque with a 3 stage manifold and 330 tune and settled the suspension with a B12. Was going down the mod path where you end up too focused and screw up a great car.....so I added a 987.2 base manual. Taking the loud exhaust and intake off the 128i....and day driving the 128i, the best sports sedan I have ever driven....and keeping the cayman for my true sports car duties. Way more fun to drive a slower car fast.....250 hp and 3000lbs is a sweet spot. for a modern car.
How do you say 😂 to fast because my skills aren’t up to scratch without saying my skills aren’t up to scratch?
@@Aiken47 funny guy. Decades of track experience on motorcycles, karts and cars and Spec racing would prove you wrong...I just have nothing to prove on a public road... (and its "too" not "to". )
@@Aiken47 Straight line "skills"? LOL. Nothing stock gets away from my stock base Boxster on the turns. Miata's have come close. Mid-engine super cars could, but they risk wrecking their expensive toys LOL. On a straight line, even my wife can beat me in her SUV. Hold the steering wheel straight and smash the gas pedal, wow that's some skill LMAO
Im in agreement Mark, sometimes less power makes for more fun, Its a great feeling to be able to plant the throttle and max out the revs whilst allowing the car to build in momentum, , without doing the kinda speeds that will get you into serious bother with the police !
I love my Cayman S , but it has cost a lot of money to maintain , including new steering rack , water pump, timing chain etc etc , when it’s problem free it’s the best car I’ve ever driven
My friend had a Cayman S on a 57 plate too. I went in it a few times, felt very solid and well built. Like you says it's not all about the how fast it goes, it's how it makes you feel. Much more interesting of a car than a generic BMW.
1:39 This moment earned my like lol. Fair point.
I think the sweet-spot for a cars power is when it still feels fun to drive at slower speeds. Can’t wait to see more videos on this!
He makes a good point about power. It can often be more fun to drive a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow. I could buy a few year old M3 or something but once you accelerate up to the speed limit, then what ? Constantly watching your foot on the pedal so as not to break the limit. Hard work.
As a GT4 owner, I've said exactly this to a mate. He has a 4 door practical car. He does not need two. Base caymans and boxsters are so much better than people think. The 987.2 Cayman 2.9L is especially good.
Of course, I'm in love with my car, but you don't need to spend that much to get true Porsche enjoyment.
Never commented on a RUclips video before but just had to on this one. Your story is exactly the same as mine. Two previous M135i’s. one in manual and one auto. Never bonded with either. Now have, probably the only other 2.7 cayman with the full sports pack option. Also did the “no, the tax should be £330” conversation with the supplying dealer 😂 did most of the North Coast 500 this summer with friends, one with an M4 and another with a 997C4S with the X51 pack and never struggled to keep up. Mines a keeper.
2.7 manual is the petrol heads choice. Shorter ratios although they still sound long to me
Don’t have to justify why you bought this Cayman Mark - it’s your car, your choice! Looks nice though mate, looking forward to seeing what it’s like on track! 👍🏻
Is your beast ever going to find itself on circuit? If so, let me know when and where Gary!
@@MarkCup70 haha, maybe one day, you never know....😂
Congrats on the Cayman. Base Cayman 2.7 owner here from down under. Had the car for nearly 4 yrs now absolutely love it.. First mod i did was exchanged my exhaust for a Carnewall GT exhaust from Gert in Belgium. It really screams like a GT3 now once you rev it it out.
Hey Nick how was the reliability of the 2.7?
@@ottomobili2575 so far so good, just routine service and maintenance so far. Bought it with 17,500 km now on 45,200 km. Drives like a new car .
I have just bought a Cayman 2.9 with under 50,000 miles. Meteor grey. Bose, 18 Cayman S wheels and extended leather. I did a lot of research and all specialist recommended a 2.9 over a gen 1 3.4. I LOVE IT. Such a great drive. Like you I have had a M135i hatch, S2000, GTI’s and lots more. I will subscribe and watch with interest.
I totally get the "too fast" car. I owned a 128i that got totalled. SO bought a 135i..... I always said it was like riding a racehorse in the woods....always backing off....little bits of fast but then "I'm going to jail" fast.
Sold that and went back to the 128i and started modifying. Bigger brakes, 3 stage intake and 130 flash. Bilstein B12 kit.
I realized I was getting too focused and was going to ruin a great daily driver.
So I added a 987.2 Manual base poverty spec.....heated seats and 18" wheels. No mods. Love. that center of gravity about as high as your butt. That jump at 4500 rpm and the sound.....what a sound......and the turn in!!! Love this car.
Will be following this channel much closer, definitely a car of interest and been on the bucket list for a while.
VERY NICE CHOISE. I ALSO DRIVE THE SAME 2008 BASE CAYMAN 987.1 AT BLACK METALIC. WELL DONE. WE WONT REGRET !!
Thanks, Mark. I watched this because a Cayman is #1 on my shopping list. Thanks for refining (and endorsing) my gut feeling of what car I need. I subscribed in the hope of more of your straightforward, pragmatic approach.
Cheers
Fiesta ST Edition. Mine is on order !
Congrats for the new car mate
@@Lucas-ck1po
Cheers 👍
Like Mark,.. I had the Mk 3 Focus RS and then coincidently moved into an M140i (auto..., lol)......,will be interesting to see how the Porsche goes ! Nice one 🙂
PH review says it’s more playful fun than a Yaris GR. Now that’s some praise! Enjoy the new car. Would love one of those.
🤣🤣🤣
As an M140i owner, I subscribed because you seemed like an interesting owner.
I have really enjoyed your uploads and geekyness.
I'm a big Porsche fan, although not so much the Cayman, it's not my favourite, but if it makes you smile, that's all that matters.
I got the 3.4l CaymanS full option. Its just an amazing car for the money, what I don't like about it is that the interior "rubber type colore" on the plastics fades away very easy especially in hot countries. Also just to point out to people if you live and drive in big cities or where there is alot of traffic get the automatic/tt gearbox and not the manual. Yes the manual is fun but not when you constantly have to use it every 100meters. Also the 2.7l is good enough but you can't compare it to the 3.4l not even close its totally another car.
Thank you Mark for the great video and your enthusiasm. Great car. Beautiful color. I love it.
This car is very well balanced with performance and grip. It's all about that flat 6 sound whoxh you can exploit with the 2.7. Bummer about the road tax!
I'm looking to move from my 1400+ kg modified clubsport e46 m3 into a 987 cayman, I feel that the e46 is at the absolute limit of usualable power on the roads and I think dropping I would miss the extra 100bhp in the 2.7.
I recently went with a friend to a porsche experience 90 mins at silver stone and drone thr 718 base and s and the base was a manual and its sold me on a porsche. So good out the box.
The issues with bore scoring in the 3.4 is hugely off putting though as it could happen at any miles
Great video and looking forward to more on the Cayman. IMO the 987.1 base is a great choice, particularly in Cobalt Blue AND with the 6 speed box - must make this car very rare indeed (this model was introduced later than the S just as the financial crisis hit!). Another interesting fact - Chris Harris from Top Gear, used to write for GT Purely Porsche and owned a base 987 Cayman. His opinions are and continue to be massively respected by the motoring world. At the time of writing for the magazine, his previous long termer was a 993 GT2 followed with a short stint in a 996 TT. His purchase of the 2.7 base Cayman back then was considered pretty significant, as the 2.7 model was largely over shadowed by the more powerful and popular "S" model. I've no doubt that this model will be a classic in the future - looks like you have a keeper. You can access old Chris Harris press clippings from this website: www.arthurlea.com/Porsche/Harris/Harris.htm
Thanks! I downloaded them a few weeks ago...found as I trawled the net looking for info before taking the plunge! I'll be touching on his thoughts in a future video.
@@MarkCup70 awesome! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
Thanks for sharing the article just read it it’s great any more ?
love the cayman sad to see these cars don't get the recognition they deserve
Great video, looking at getting a Cayman 987 myself. Had a m140i for 2 years/24k miles so a very similar switch over to yourself👍🏼
It looks really sweet .
3:10 I can relate. The most fun I ever had on a motorbike, was on my Aprilia 125. I moved to a GSXR750 and then a GSXR1000 and, although the speed and acceleration was fun, it was just not as involving as trying to keep a 2S 125 at 60 mph down a twisty road, by avoiding braking and carrying corner speed as much as possible. With a bigger bike you can just open the throttle and get your speed back in a flash. It got boring.
completely get it Mark, I looked at m140i and ended up buying an older 130i. much more analogue, much more feeling. as you mentioned the m140 is almost to fast to enjoy fully on the public highway. Cayman is a beautiful car, very well balanced
I’m 100% behind going for a slower car that you can have much more fun with Mark and you chose an absolute peach with the Porka. Over the years I’ve had numerous hot hatches like Cooper S, MPS, Type R’s each getting progressively quicker and more powerful (the MPS being just shy of 400 after I finished with it) and yet by far the best and most fun car I owned was a Mk3 MR2 Roadster TF Edition.
Wasn’t the most powerful but my god out of all my cars did that little beauty really teach me how to drive properly and how to handle a car on the edge. A proper little sports car that was supremely balanced in the corners and so so much fun (esp after I’d modded the chassis and suspension and upped the power a little with a 2zz swap).
90 mph through the country lanes in my little red 1986 MK 1 MR2 back in the late 90’s was PURE driving pleasure!
What a change, and a good one.
I'm more a 911 man, i don't really like the shape of the cockster but glad you've achieve this! And i'm 100% sure there is more fun in this one! M140i wasn't a sports car as you mention
Don't write off the Boxster because it's a convertible. Cayman is a Boxster coupe, that's it! Plain and simple! Work on it, take it apart, put it back together, one is a convertible one is a coupe, Nuff said! Both bring the same performance to the table, engine and parts.
In 2019 I had myself a 2011 Cayman “S” for 6 months. I found that the road kept running out too quickly wherever I drove so I plan to get a 2.7 Cayman next because I agree with you that it’s nice to be able to drive a car “Hard” and you can only really do that in the Cayman “S” on a race track if I’m being completely honest
The Porsche flat sixes do sound glorious. That and the fabulous pedal actions; so well oiled and smooth, together with lovely weighted steering were probably my favourite aspects of the Cayman I owned. I agree re power for the road. I drove a F80 M3 once and just felt it was too much of a good thing. Brilliant, but too much.
They are surprisingly practical too.
@@jameslove888 this surprised me. In its two 'trunks' it has more storage than the M140 with its back seats in place. Clearly with the seats down the BMW will swallow a whole load more...but still, impressive. I'm looking forward to going to the tip with a crate or two of grass cuttings in the front 😂
@@MarkCup70 even the boxster is capacious, well, for a convertible. It’s good enough for me to consider it as a daily going forward. Can take golf clubs with relative ease which is the biggest thing I tend to cart about. Now the problem is finding a nice 981 S at the right price:spec.
A couple cropped up during the year but I wasn’t ready to change at that point. Slim pickings at the minute when you exclude black and white from searches.
Your car looks great and really nice to find PASM on one of the 2.7 cars.
Subscribed because of the 140 content , but I think you’re cool so will stay 👍
I'm all for slower, but more fun cars. Roads and traffic make it more and more difficult to enjoy a good ride with nowadays silly power figures... Good luck with your adventure!
I agree. I have as much fun on the Road in my 100ps Ecoboost Fiesta and my Dad does in his MK3 RS!
Not to mention that UK is covered in twisty and narrow back roads.
A car that brings more feedback, more steering feel and feels lighter, NA... i think hes gonna love it.
Im jealous
@@Lucas-ck1po oh most definitely. My commute is a bit of dual carriageway but 95% is backroads and as it takes longer to get to the speed limit and also the limit of road/surface it’s better. I’m very envious of Mark. Me and my dad have been looking at Westfields recently which are obviously the purest essence of this.
@@CaravanningwiththeCoxs I had the 100PS for a month while my ST was being repaired after a rear-end shunt. I didn't want to give it back. Since then I've always thought that if you can still enjoy driving a car with only half the flagship model's power, then it's a very good car.
@@MarkCup70 yes definitely. Never driven a Fiesta ST but going off his my standard fiesta drives it going to be great!
This is mad, I have a tuned M140i and recently been looking at a 987 Cayman...
the 987 and 987.2 Cayman are timeless
Great color! I really enjoy my base 987 as well.
Great choice. Looking forward to the ownership experience!
£12-20k Cayman is always the answer.
We holidayed in a 2.7 987 Boxster and though it was plenty quick enough to be enjoyable. That was coming out of a 182 Cup...so whilst not fast it was entertaining.
Cayman is absolutely my dream sensible car. 200 Cup for now.
Just got to the tax bombshell 😂
Nice car! I’ve been thinking of a Cayman S for a few years now Mark 🍻👍
Been looking forward to this video. Keep them coming Mark !
Thats also a huge, huge HUGE upgrade from a m140i
I've wanted one of these since I was a kid...maybe one someday...
I never liked porche mush when i wzs younger, but the older i get the more i appriciate it.
Ha! Having identical thoughts myself Mark. Though binning my FRS for a base model Caterham 7 (270 S)... but the cayman is a good shout... will watch with interest.
A proper drivers car. Congrats
you should consider putting the badging back on, if nothing else, just for resale. de-badging is for 17 year olds with a clapped infinity g35 or a base model 325i.
Everything this guy said is dead on correct. Interesting how prices of these have gone up. Right now is the fall of 2022 and I swear to God these things have gone up 10 or 11 grand and the past two years!
Hi Mark I used to watch your vids when I had an M140i which I sold a year or so back to buy a Cayman S 987.2 ! Great minds and all that :D
Great reviews , who are you insured with please...
I'm paying around £450 for my 2.7
Hi Mark, come across your videos and back storey which sounds very much like mine! First ‘proper’ fast car was the BMW M140i which was ballistic as you say but somewhat sterile. Then my heart fell in love with a Jaguar F Type 400 which was a piece of artwork visually and acoustically however it cost a fortune to own and run! Next I had a BMW M2 which ran rings around the Jaguar and by far the best car I have ever owned! With children getting to a university age I sadly sold the M2 to finance the eldest education and currently share my wife’s Evoque which is a great family car. So I have been deliberating over my head and heart choices with a budget of £20k, something fun, a coupe and occasional daily, my head said Audi TT with nice interior and modern bells and whistles or a Porsche 987 gen 1 2.7 which I found a 2009 manual in dark blue in pristine condition??? Your video seems to help guide me towards the Porker!!!!
The transition to mid-engine should be a snap! Just kidding. Having seen your on-track footage I doubt the Cayman will catch you napping at the wheel.
Great vid! Sorry I’m late, off to catch up with the back catalogue!
Plz put "correct" track tires on for track days. It will really help the experience with that car spec. Watch the brake pads too.
Congrats on the new car! Looks like it suits your needs perfectly and I am sure you will enjoy it 👍
I have been looking at wrecked Caymans as a project car to restore, and hopefully, save a little on the cost of a later-model version. Your spec is great........really like that color. Also agree about the black interior. Have black leather on my current car and would have preferred the gray. (also, after going through a knee surgery several years ago, and being on crutches for 3 1/2 months, I would have to avoid a manual) Thanks for this great video.
The way I drive my Auto Cayman, it’s only a matter of time before I stack it, so I’ll be sure to give you a shout once I’ve managed it Bud 👍
🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍
Mark. I’m guilty for asking many of the questions you’ve just answers. I now get it. I love the car, welcome to the boxer club.
I'm considering buying one. Thanks for the vid
Literally the best base cayman review i've seen on YT. I'm contemplating buying one over an M2 and you were in a very similar situation to i am now. Liked and Subbed
Nice one, thank you! I've got my one year review going live this Sunday so check back in for that.
@@MarkCup70 can't wait! 😁
Cracking video mark I just recently bought my first cayman I am from around Chichester
Nice 👍
Great video and perfect justification Mark. Looking forward to the track vids
Nice choice. I ended up coming out of an M240i that was running about 450 bhp to an Elise 111R with about 190 bhp and a far different driving experience😂 Always one of my favourite cars growing up. Like you say, the BMW felt far too fast on the road. Didn't feel particularly good to drive fast on the road either with the passive dampers. Got quite fed up of it really. Came from a megane RS250 before the BMW which I thought was a much better sorted car to take out for a drive. I've never driven a car that feels as good to take a drive as the Elise on the road. Nothing fancy just pure driving thrills and you can really drive it without feeling like you're gonna lose your license at any second from a speed gun hiding somewhere.. Point being more power isn't always everything. I did have my eye on Caymans for a short time but had to scratch the Lotus itch first.
Your experiences echo mine in respect of the m140i....I bought it as my ultimate hot hatch but sold it within a year...too fast to use,the steering was all over the place and the suspension both uncomfortable but also not confidence inspiring.....so I've come to the same place as you,looking at a Porsche Cayman that both me and my son in his early twenties can share and enjoy as a sports car (I've got a Subaru SUV with a flat four engine for the everyday stuff)
Great video Mark. I got into your channel when you owned your Fiesta ST (I still have mine after 6 years!). It will be nice to see how you like the cayman as I am considering purchasing one later this year as well. Cheers from USA
Thumbs up. Love following your new car adventures.
Love your bit with Lewis.😅
It looks good from the side enjoy.keep up the good work.
Brit in Norway. Bought my 07 2.7 987.1 in october after having 2 quick 911,s 996 Markski tuned Turbo and a 991 4S which like you said could only be full pull for a few seconds.
Mine has both 6 speed and PASM its now winter her so running winter tyres no studs so not out much at the moment. looking forward to your cayman videos.👍
That now makes four 2.7 987.1 cars with a 6-speed 'box that I know of. Still super rare, that is unless there's a mass owner's group somewhere I've yet to come across 😂
Might get my daughter one- cheers for the review
Looks like a great example for the year and will be very interested in the running costs. Look forward to the journey....
Came for 140, stayed for Mark
Bril video! Cant wait to see how you find it on track :D
My ultimate fun car is Porsche GT3/RS but guess after my 140 I'll go for M3C or M2C as my mods from 140 will transfer over to either of these two lol
Call that recycling if you want heh
2:59 that's exactly why I sold my 2016 m135i stage 2. Car was great but I got down b roads way too fast I'd end up 90 miles from home just to enjoy back roads. Something slower such as Ford Focus ST I'm able to put power down and throw around corners but I really dislike the 2017 Focus so it's for sale after a month.
I like the way you think.
Nice video as always Mark. Enjoy the new experience.
My next car is a base Cayman in cobalt blue 👍👍🔥🔥
There are not many base models with PASM and a 6 speed and yours as a great spec, my S as PASM and Chromo Bose and sports plus seats 19” wheels, 1 owner, but it’s hard to push it hard without loosing your License the extra 50bhp does help for over taking and stronger brakes but the base is a super fun car and one you can push on back roads and really get in gauged with. Their very very hard cars to up the power on so that’s why i went with the S model also spec can be anywhere on Porsches so you really do have to look around. IMS isn’t as big an issue as made out and there are no differences between Base or S on this however bore scoring can happen on the S model more than the Base. It’s rare on Caymans but can happen think it’s 911 997.1 that get it more.
Great cars if they have been looked after and get them up to temp before you have fun is a must don’t let them sit idle warming up in cold weather, change oil every 12 months minimum 24 months is a joke
Great cars and very reliable if looked after. Enjoy 😉
The reasons you stated about getting the base Cayman especially with the reliability side is what pushes me to get one than the S. Very tempted to get one I saw on autotrader for £12k which had £4k work spent on it which included the AC condensers and water pump plus has the turbo alloys I want on it though currently trying to be sensible first on investing before getting a car. Hopefully next year should get one
Great video. I have the 987 cayman s and completely understand why getting the base is also a good choice. Mine is a 58 so the last year of production which i heard was far less susceptible to ims. Bore score is often on my mind but got the all clear earlier in the year.
I love the 987 design, it is a work of art and will be a future classic. Earlier this year i went to Belgium and got the carnewal exhaust, it sounds magnificent and i would highly recommend.
I am also very tempted by the gr but could not get rid of my cayman so i am planning on getting one in 2 years after initial depreciation and of course keeping the cayman.
The Carnewal exhaust would always give me jitters when it comes to noise regulations on track, expecially at Goodwood. Plus, exhaust noise not needed when the airbox is less than 1m away from the back of my head and I'm revving out to 7k 😎
@@MarkCup70 carnewal isn’t asbo loud it just lets you (and others) hear the glorious flat six.
Congrats Mark, looks like a lovely car - shame about the tax! Cars registered before 26th March 2006 were in the lower tax bracket even if over 225g/km. Additional bands were brought in from then. This is going to be very interesting - the only thing I don’t like is the tall gearing - 70 in 2nd, bit of 3rd and your into license losing territory! Guessing over 100 in 3rd or do they get closer together after that with the 6 speed? Might be about the same as mine but I can use the torque where I want to much like the M140i. Really interested to see how it does on track. I’m in the same boat, I don’t need 4 seats as have other family-mobiles, if I ever sell the Mustang it would only be for a Cayman of some sort, can’t think of any worthy replacements that I can afford.
I have a very similar story to yours in this vid. Part ex my 1 series convertible for a base cayman 987 and not regretting once. I also realised I do 95% of my journey on my own and we have a polo and coopers s in the family so if we need to travel as a family then go in the polo
I bought one of these a base gen 2 on a whim really a couple of months ago . My daily is a 330d msport which I've hardly touched since .The cayman is an absolute hoot on a B road with the manual box.
I bought a Gen 2 base back in July 2020 and I love it. I've got a 3 series touring for the wife and an ep3 as my daily. I had an M240i and Golf R before the Cayman and I can honestly say that the Cayman would run circles around the both of them
agree with you , power is not the fisrt thing to search in a cayman, all peoples wants a cayman S for the street...
I go to the tip with my Boxster, it is a perfect builder's car ;)
Hi Mark, I've subscribed to your channel, as your videos are very informative about the Cayman.
I've been in the market for something with 2 seats for a weekend toy and track day toy and the 350z and 370z were ticking my boxes but after driving them, they just aren't sports cars, big heavy GT cars suit them well, which brings me onto the Cayman, I did try an Elise but at 49 I'm not that bendy anymore. I've not driven a Cayman yet but I have sampled a few boxters and they hit the spot but I'm not a fan of convertibles but the Cayman is ticking the sports car box but I'd put the 2.7 in the bin, Now looking at 3.4S but Chocolate engines are giving me nighmares, so I'm because of you I'm looking at the 2.7 and if budget stretches enough, maybe a 2.9.
Many thanks for opening my eyes, looking forward to going through your back catalogue of videos.👍🏼
Glad I could help you so far! If you've any specific questions send me a message on FB or IG and I'll do my best 👍
Good video mark, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, much easier to drive a slow car fast than a fast car fast as you’ll be able to use more of the power more of the time, enjoy it mate.
Hi Mark and well done getting into such a great car. The Cayman has amazing balance, looks and very practical for the job in hand and you will find this car truly getting under your skin. What a great spec and i was caught out once to with high road tax on a 2.5 ltr Lexus for being a manual. Find a good indy for servicing and with a mod or two you will find it just gets better and better.
I jumped out of an M240i in to a Base Gen 2 2.9 Cayman (had a Golf R for a short period in-between). Cayman is a different ball game the M240i in terms of driver enjoying. BMW may be quicker in a straight line but that's about it. No where near as much fun. My Cayman is also a manual 👍
I’m a bit late to your party Mark but I must tell you, I’ve never EVER used the sound system when on the move in my S....all you will ever want to hear is 6 inches behind your left ear....😉
Let’s get this strait this is not a slow car a to b this is a fast car you will struggle to leave a 987 on back roads in 95 percent of cars!
Hi Mark I do like your reasons for your choice and you seem to think like I do in some ways. I do wonder if you would like my car or would find it a bit lack-lustre. It's a 2016 230i coupe, with manual box and the brakes from the m-lites factory optioned. It looses around 70kg to the 240i, I'm thinking this must be mostly the two cyclinders lost from ahead of the front axle - so it is still quite heavy at 1400kg wet without driver. It lacks both the 6 cylinder sound track and the sound generation electronic box. It has 350NM and 250bhp at BMW figures so looses 150NM and 75-100ish hp from the 240i/140i depending on what figures you take. I think the the manual is still a little under 6s 0-60mph (maybe 6.0 for 0-100kph). It also hasn't got the variable sport steering that is standard on the m-lites so it has more turns lock to lock. I do maybe 1 track day per year, most recently at Castle Coombe, and stick to just good road tyres for track (PS4- non S), I'd say I'm novice-Intermediate with a very slow rate of improvement as I'm not perusing it as seriously as you are. No LSD and bilstein B6 dampers is my only mod (keeping stock springs). I do enjoy mine hugely on B roads, if I did more track driving I'd want something more track focused or at least a bit lighter so it would probably be something like your cayman or a project car ending up with lots of modifications. Anyway your welcome to give it a go once COVID restrictions receed. They only sold 55 or 56 manual 230i's on the UK and that includes soft tops and very few seem to have the m sport plus pack (the blue brembos).
Porsche got it SO right with the Boxster/Cayman. I’m suprised this is your first Porsche, as others have said - you don’t seem loyal to any one brand, I suspect Porsche will get under your skin 👍
I don't see brands, I see cars, I see engineering, I see design, the badge on the front is so unimportant. You won't hear me mention the P word much.
Love the channel Mark and any car you happen to own. Perhaps don’t mention your going to keep it 😂 I’m keeping every car I ever own but rarely get passed 2 years 👍