Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 BMW 2 Series VS 2014 Porsche Cayman Near Phoenix, AZ

The 2 Series’ optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 2 Series 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 2 Series and the Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series 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 2 Series’ warranty.

The 228i Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (255 vs. 213) than the Cayman’s standard 2.7 DOHC 6 cyl. The M235i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (330 vs. 272) than the Cayman S’ standard 3.4 DOHC 6 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better fuel mileage than the Cayman:

The M235i Coupe’s 245/35R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayman’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Cayman doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 8.5 inches longer than on the Cayman (105.9 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Cayman’s (43.7% to 56.3%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

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

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

If the front windows are left down on the 2 Series w/Comfort Access the driver can raise them using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayman can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The 2 Series’ 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.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 2 Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Cayman doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The 2 Series has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Cayman.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Cayman doesn’t offer an automated parking system.