BMW

Well, a z4 3.0 versus the cayman s. i would choose the cayman s. however, a z4 m versus a cayman s, it would be a tie. i like both cars; they are both on my top 15 cars i would like to own. the porsche with its mid-engine set-up is phenomenal. the porsche handles like a dream, looks great and the spoiler system is second to none, save the 911 turbo. however, the cayman s is more expensive. the msrp is $58,000, bone-stock. whereas the z4 3.0 starts at $40,400, significantly less expensive. i would still get the cayman because the options and packaging is simply the best in the automotive industry. the sport chrono package, the porsche ceramic composite brakes are the best, the absolute pinnacle of brake technology and i would argue that they exceed or match the performance of my extremely own favorite, brembo gran turismo. beyond that the interior options with brushed aluminum and carbon are exactly the same to that of bmw, so in terms interior, i would say that both cars are dead even. both handle extremely well, i would say, though that the porsche is a tad tighter, but remember the cayman s isn’t a fair comparison to a simple z4, the m z4 is a much fairer comparison, i would say that the handling is absolutely even between the z4 m and the cayman s. in your question, i would say the cayman is the way to go. but, if you were seeking a fairer comparison, you would have to take into account the m. the price of the m is closer to the cayman s and the performance is almost even. the options and the stock features on the m are more in line with the cayman. the m has brembo cross-drilled, two piece, 6 piston brakes, a better comparison to the stock porsche or the upgraded pccb. in terms of power, it’s a tough race. the bmw z4 3.0 has 255 bhp, less than the cayman s. the bmw z4 m has far more power, 330 bhp; derived from the 2nd greatest bmw m car ever built the m3 csl, a better competitor to the extremely powerful cayman s. the cayman however, has only 300 bhp (with the sport chrono package, without only 295bhp.) the porsche’s mid-engine creates a great handling characteristic and 50/50 weight balance, but the bmw has the perfect 50/50 weight balance . the interior of the m is, i would say, equal to that of the cayman. but certain features set it apart. the enhanced alcantara racing steering wheel (from the m3 csl) on the m is simply amazing and the racing m seats on the m z4 are really, really good . i still love the porsche and it would be a extremely hard decision. even comparing the m versus the porsche, i think i might still take the porsche. the reasoning is that with the porsche you can add many serious, enthusiast options like the pccb, the sport chrono and tuned suspension, but with all of that great stuff the cayman s encroaches on $70,000. the z4 m comes with much of that stuff standard, like the enhanced interior package, the competition package and those brembo brakes that i do love so much. but it does all of that for $54,200. i like both choices and envy your position; to be able to choose between two excellent cars is great. the z4 (non-m) go with the porsche, hands-down, the z4 m, i’ll let you decide. ( i think i’d still go with the porsche, or maybe not, oh, hell, i don’t know.)