Hey CL,

Someone VERY close to me is buying a new car. It has been narrowed down to the Porsche Cayman S (http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/cayman-s/featuresandspecs/) and the BMW 650i (http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/6/650iCoupe)

Please chime in with the advantages and disadvantages to both. Longevity, driving experience, customer service, maintenance cost, etc.

Any and all feedback (and opinions) appreciated!!

//Darius

Edmunds Consumer Rating for the 650i is a 9.3:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/bmw/6series/100653404/ratings_consumer.html?tid=edmunds.n.crrindex...1.B MW*

And 9.7 for the Caymen S:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/porsche/caymans/100634486/ratings_consumer.html?tid=edmunds.n.crrindex...1.P orsche*

I'd get the Cayman, seems like the most fun car.

I think the cayman is way too overpriced for what it offers, to pick one of your choices I'd get the 650, but they in different leagues somewhat

i would probably pick the 650 myself

I'd go for a real sports car in the Cayman S :thumbup: , it'd be more fun & more nimble.
The backseats of the 6 is not that useful anyway, plus I like the Porsche Cayman look better than the 650ci .

Oh, I thought the choice was for Cayenne S so I choose the 650. Now that I see it is the Cayman S I have to say Cayman S all the way. The BMW might be faster, but there is just something very applealing about driving a mid engine sports car :p :thumbup:

Hey CL,

Someone VERY close to me is buying a new car. It has been narrowed down to the Porsche Cayman S and the BMW 650i

Please chime in with the advantages and disadvantages to both. Longevity, driving experience, customer service, maintenance cost, etc.

//Darius

I have friends who own both of these cars, and I've driven each of them multiple times. Either is a great car, but compaing the two would be like compaing apples and oranges. The Cayman is casual and fun; the 650 is more formal and luxuriouxs. Which suits your personality better?

I believe the quality and maintenance cost are similar, and I give Porsche the edge in service and longevity. But beyond all that, these are cars that are made to be driven. Disregard the side factors and choose the one that lifts your soul!! :D :D

Hey CL,

Someone VERY close to me is buying a new car. It has been narrowed down to the Porsche Cayman S (http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/cayman/cayman-s/featuresandspecs/) and the BMW 650i (http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/6/650iCoupe)

Please chime in with the advantages and disadvantages to both. Longevity, driving experience, customer service, maintenance cost, etc.

Any and all feedback (and opinions) appreciated!!

//DariusHow tall are you? I'm over 6'4 and I don't think I could fit in a Cayman. The 650 would be my choice.

How tall are you? I'm over 6'4 and I don't think I could fit in a Cayman. The 650 would be my choice.
I just sent this link to the person that will be making the decision.

I'm about 5'9" but the driver is 6'2" ...and I'm guessing 245lbs. My personal choice is a modded 650i. JWA said it best, my style is more "formal and luxurious". Actually, sporty and luxurious.

http://www.d2autosport.com/wheels/asanti/645WITHAF122f.jpg
http://www.d2autosport.com/wheels/asanti/645WITHAF122g.jpg

How tall are you? I'm over 6'4 and I don't think I could fit in a Cayman. The 650 would be my choice.
Thanks for the feedback on the size of a Cayman. I forgot to add: He has trouble fitting in the SC430, nickanmed it the bathtub :)

Thanks for the feedback on the size of a Cayman. I forgot to add: He has trouble fitting in the SC430, nickanmed it the bathtub :)
No problem :thumbup: Take a good look at that beautiful 6 series in that pic. Tell us you would want that. That car is insane :eek2: GET IT!

that 6 series above = got downs syndrome?

the thing about the 650i and the Cayman S is that they're two completely different cars..


the 650i is a GT car, whereas the Cayman S is a sports car nipping at the heels of a 911....depending on the purposes of this car, depending on the driver's driving style---it's an awkward selection he has made. The cars might as well be almost polar opposites. one could argue that the 6-series is a proper sports car and point to the M6 with its fiddled suspension, monstrous V-10, stupefyingly complicated computer gadgetry and all--but this is the 650i. The Cayman S however was born to be a sports car (albeit lacking a LSD). It carries a heritage from one of the foremost sports car makers in the business...

personally i'd choose the 650i for practicality reasons...but it'll ultimately be up to the driver who's going to buy the car and what the vehicle's main purpose will be.

I was in the same place as your friend a month or so ago. I drove the Cayman S, and wasnt happy with the power of the car.

650 was coo but they only had cabs when I was ready to pick one up. And the 650i I wanted, there was a 6-8 week wait time to get the car.

I would recommend the 650 over the Cayman, but if your friend is willing to spend that kind of money...I would look into a E55.

I was in the same place as your friend a month or so ago. I drove the Cayman S, and wasnt happy with the power of the car.

650 was coo but they only had cabs when I was ready to pick one up. And the 650i I wanted, there was a 6-8 week wait time to get the car.

I would recommend the 650 over the Cayman, but if your friend is willing to spend that kind of money...I would look into a E55.
wow, you have to wait that long for the 650? that's something new.

but hey, you got something even better dude ;)

Oh, I thought the choice was for Cayenne S so I choose the 650. Now that I see it is the Cayman S I have to say Cayman S all the way. The BMW might be faster, but there is just something very applealing about driving a mid engine sports car :p :thumbup:

Cayman S is faster, the Cayman S is basically a mid engine base model 911 (996) in terms of performance, the very slight accelaration dissadvantage it might have to a 911 (20 hp deficit 295 hp vs 315 hp.) Its more then made up with the handling advantages if has over the 911.

The only place a 650 might be faster is perhaps top end? Itd be close though.

Handling wise the cars are probably not in the same league.

Me personally since id be someone thad track the car, Id go over for the car thad has overall the most performance. Perhaps you should share what your friend's wishes with the car are?

I saw a Caymen pulling out of a parking lot and boy did it sound AWESOME!

They Porsche and BMW are two completely different cars. It all depends on if he wants more luxury or more sport. It's a win-win situation.

If all of life's decision were this hard. ;)

I saw a Caymen pulling out of a parking lot and boy did it sound AWESOME!

They Porsche and BMW are two completely different cars. It all depends on if he wants more luxury or more sport. It's a win-win situation.

If all of life's decision were this hard. ;)The 6 series sounds awsome too. It has a throaty exhaust note to go with that v8 motor.

If there is the option to get a Porsche then always get the Porsche. the Cayman S is fantastic. The 650 is incredibly too, but the Cayman is the car. These are 2 very different machines. The 650 is a real badazz cruiser and is the ultimate coupe, but the Cayman is the ultimate sports machine. Depends what you want really.

the thing about the 650i and the Cayman S is that they're two completely different cars..


the 650i is a GT car, whereas the Cayman S is a sports car nipping at the heels of a 911....depending on the purposes of this car, depending on the driver's driving style---it's an awkward selection he has made. The cars might as well be almost polar opposites. one could argue that the 6-series is a proper sports car and point to the M6 with its fiddled suspension, monstrous V-10, stupefyingly complicated computer gadgetry and all--but this is the 650i. The Cayman S however was born to be a sports car (albeit lacking a LSD). It carries a heritage from one of the foremost sports car makers in the business...

personally i'd choose the 650i for practicality reasons...but it'll ultimately be up to the driver who's going to buy the car and what the vehicle's main purpose will be.
Yeah, I want to say try out the new Jag XK8 and Maserati Grandsport as well.

The Caymen is a 110% sports car. Mid engine, 2 seats, the reviews have just been jaw dropping about this car. The press loves it, period. It is a very small car.

The 6 hasn't gotten the same stellar reviews. It's also front engined, I-6, V-8 or V-10 and is huge in comparison, as long as a GS. Its a classic GT, tons of power, good handling, seats in the back.

Both cars are equally luxurious on the inside.

What are his priorites? These cars have pretty much nothing in common.

I say go with the bimmer if he/she is looking for something formal :)

Cayman S is faster, the Cayman S is basically a mid engine base model 911 (996) in terms of performance, the very slight accelaration dissadvantage it might have to a 911 (20 hp deficit 295 hp vs 315 hp.) Its more then made up with the handling advantages if has over the 911.

The only place a 650 might be faster is perhaps top end? Itd be close though.

Handling wise the cars are probably not in the same league.

Me personally since id be someone thad track the car, Id go over for the car thad has overall the most performance. Perhaps you should share what your friend's wishes with the car are?


Hmm. for some reason I was reading 650, but somehow had M6 with V10 stuck in my head :p

isn't 650i in Carrera price territory? Why not go with a Carrera? more luxurious than the Cayman S but still offers spectacular performance.

I have not driven the Cayman, but I have driven the BMW 650 - it was incredible! I was able to drive it for a few laps around the test track at the BMW factory in South Carolina, very fast and well balanced. Handles like a dream! BMW did a great job if mixing luxury and a sports car together giving you the best of both worlds. The 650 would be my choice! :D
Follow the link to Engine Sounds to hear the 650 - very sweet!
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index_highend.html?prm_content=../../com/en/insights/bmw_magazine/2005/bmw_sounds/_highend/xml/sounds.xml