Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 BMW M3 VS 2012 Porsche Cayman Near Scottsdale, AZ

The M3 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Cayman doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the M3 and the Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The BMW M3 weighs 673 to 1290 pounds more than the Porsche Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Lighter cars are also affected more by crosswinds.

The M3’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Cayman’s (12 vs. 10 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Porsche doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Cayman.

There are over 74 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M3’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M3 has a standard 180 amp alternator. The Cayman’s 150 amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 149 more horsepower (414 vs. 265) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the Cayman’s standard 2.9 DOHC 6 cyl. The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 94 more horsepower (414 vs. 320) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Cayman S’ standard 3.4 DOHC 6 cyl. The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 84 more horsepower (414 vs. 330) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Cayman R’s standard 3.4 DOHC 6 cyl.

As tested in Road & Track the BMW M3 is faster than the Porsche Cayman (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW M3 is faster than the Porsche Cayman (automatics tested):

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cayman:

The M3 stops much shorter than the Cayman:

For better traction, the M3 has larger standard tires than the Cayman (F:235/35R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:205/55R17 & R:235/50R17). The M3’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cayman (245/40R18 vs. 235/35R19).

The M3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayman’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cayman.

The M3 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Cayman doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M3’s wheelbase is 13.6 inches longer than on the Cayman (108.7 inches vs. 95.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M3 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and .2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cayman.

The M3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.2% to 48.8%) than the Cayman’s (58% to 42%). This gives the M3 more stable handling and braking.

The M3 Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Cayman pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The M3 Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 1.5 MPH faster than the Cayman (71.4 vs. 69.9 MPH).

The M3 Coupe performs Car and Driver’s emergency lane change maneuver 11.2 MPH faster than the Cayman S (75.1 vs. 63.9 MPH).

As tested by AutoWeek, the interior of the M3 Coupe is quieter than the Cayman R:

The M3 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Cayman can only carry 2.

The M3 Coupe has 40.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cayman (88.5 vs. 48).

The M3 Coupe has .6 inches more front headroom and 5.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Cayman.

With its coupe or convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M3 offers cargo security. The Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M3’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Cayman doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The M3’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the Cayman’s standard power windows.

If the windows are left down on the M3 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder; on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the Cayman can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Comfort Access optional on the M3 allows the driver to unlock the doors, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the car in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Porsche Cayman doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The M3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Cayman’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The M3 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Cayman doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the M3 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Cayman doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The M3’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The Cayman’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the M3 Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cayman doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The M3’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Cayman doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the M3 offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Cayman doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Optional BMW Apps for the M3 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, following twitter accounts and other online activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The Cayman doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the M3, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Cayman.