Planet 9

After doing a lot of reading here it appears that ordering a new cayman s without PASM is "stupid" to put it blunt. It appears the standard suspension is in the middle of the two and not good, being too bumpy on normal roads and not good enough for the track. It also appears the way the PASM adjusts on the fly to the driver and the conditions is amazing, and why wouldn't you want this? In a way it sounds great but in some ways I'd rather always have the same suspension feel, something that I could always expect and know what's going to happen.

I guess my problem that I am running into is that it is very hard to find any 09 with PASM to start with. With that said, I am very particular on my color. The color that I want there is only 7-8 in the nation is appears. Only 1 or 2 of them have PASM. The ones that are close to me "don't" have PASM. Sadly I don't have any chance to test drive a Cayman S and I'm pretty much going to be leasing without even driving it (I'm out of the country and need a car ready to go when I return back to work).

With that said, would a 2009 Cayman s without pasm still seem like a good and enjoyable car? I've had a BMW 335I COUPE with the sports suspenion before and I felt that was good enough for most of my driving. I don't track at all. The only weekness with the 335i was that on the twisties it was not as nimble as I want (but still extremely good)

To make a long story short.. would a Cayman S (2009) suspension provide enough enjoyment atleast a 335i level? or is getting one without PASM just something I will regret for the next 3 years.

Thanks!

On Gen 1 Cayman's, many people felt the standard suspension was a bit firm.....if you purchased 19" wheels. For the standard 18" wheels, I didn't see a lot of complaints about suspension although Caymans have a sports car suspension and thus will be firm in comparison to cars not in its class. I bought 19's and I bought PASM so I can't really comment on a daily ride without it. It has been stated by folks here that the standard suspension is a bit smoother on the '09's versus the Gen I cars. I haven't seen a single complaint that the '09 suspension is too firm...even with 19" wheels. It's early but some complaints did surface early on the Gen I cars.

You individual tastes will matter here, but the standard Cayman suspension will be firmer than a 335i and provide more enjoyment on the twisties. Others may feel differently, but I can not imagine a lack of PASM will spoil your daily ride. If you want to play it safe here....go with 18" wheels. Good luck!

I can't agree with the anything-but-PASM-is-stupid conclusion. Every Cayman I test drove save one had PASM, and I liked the standard suspension better. I like stiff suspensions, and I wanted the extra ride ride height. Any lowering on the west coast is an invitation to scraping. I suppose for just cruising around the soft PASM setting may please rumps that came from Audis or Mercedes or Lexus, but when I'm in a sports car I want it to act like a sports car. PASM is also expensive, and IMO old and less effective technology, and for that price I'd expect magneto-rheological shocks like the Corvette or the Ferrari get. (RH shocks ARE worth the money. They are awesome.)

I've heard a few cayman club members comment they think the PASM "soft" setting is too "soft" and there should be something in the middle.

In some ways it appears the "standard" non-pasm suspension is that middle ground. Perhaps I would like it.

The car would have 19" tires. I am most def looking for a firm and very good handling suspension, a step up from the 335i sport suspension but obviously not to the point that normal roads are unbearable.

I have a 2009 cayman s without PASM.

I would have preferred to get it, as I plan on doing at least a half dozen track days a year with the car. But, color and other options were more important than PASM for me.

The bottom line is:
-With 19" wheels it is surprisingly smooth on the street
-It and also feels stiff enough for some fun in the twisties
-I was planning on lowering the ride height but find I scrape even at the suv-ride height so I might not lower
-If I really want a track-tuned suspension I will go with aftermarked suspension/sways, etc...

Good luck and you won't be disappointed with the 2009!

You're asking subjective questions without a frame of reference. Have you ever driven a porsche? If you really want to make the right decision for YOU, test drive a Cayman with and without before your purchase. Drive an 08 if you have to, that way you will at least have a frame of reference. I didn't drive a 2010 with PASM but chose to go without it as all the 08's (with and without PASM) and 09's (without PASM) I drove had an excellent feel to the standard suspension. Your local roads also make a difference as do the size of the wheels and tire pressure.

I'm like you and want a firm sport feel to the suspension on a daily basis. If you read through the posts most people (almost all) with PASM keep it on the soft setting for 98% of the time. Therefore they will be running softer than stock suspension most of the time...

I drive a 335 with sport suspension and I have test drove several base suspension Caymans. If you are still riding on the runflats that came with the 335 you will not have any problem with the base suspension on the Caymans riding rough.

If you are asking on the comparison of performance, I don't think both pasm or non-pasm will disappoint compared to the e92 sport suspension. The cayman is setup very well and the suspension will feel better than the e92 regardless of which suspension you get. But if you are asking about comfort then you must go with pasm. I felt that pasm was considerably more comfortable than a non-pasm car.

Out of curiosity, I've always wondered why people look for "what's available" when spending this kind of money.

I've ordered every car I've purchased since 1989 optioned to my specifications from the manufacturer, whether Jeep, Audi or Porsche.

Why settle for what the dealer decides will sell?

I have an '06 non-pasm with 19" wheels. It wasn't handling well enough for me. Since then I have added H&R coil overs, swaybars and adjustable toe links. I am still running on 19s. i am sure it is too harsh for many. It is my daily driver and on the bad streets in DC I have to swerve around potwholes and deep manwhole covers. On good roads and most everything on a highway it is perfect.
For some the Cayman is too harsh and too noisy in general. It is a sports car, not a Beamer - sporty coupes and sedans. You want a comfy sports car buy a Corvette.

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VIDS
Cayman Turbo 520HP

For perhaps less than PSAM you could install very adjustable coilovers and place the height were you want or need it. Same with LSD; although the better after maerket units are going to cost "better"



Jack

I've driven the 2010 CS on 18" wheels without PASM and for me it felt just right for our local crappy roads.

Just wait until you drive the Cayman in the twisties compared to your 335i, the question of PASM won't even enter your intellect.

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987.2 Cayman S
Arctic Silver : Mechanical Diff Lock : 6MT Sports Shifter : Heated Sports Seats : PCM 3.0 : BOSE : Embossed Crests : Aluminium II lever/gear : Wheel Centre Set
Softronic

Just purchased an '09 non-PASM car; my wife owns a 335i with sport suspension.

I just spent 3 days on the road with the CS and I can't believe that someone would find this car "harsh". It reacts very quickly to bumps and imperfections in the road but that's part of why I want a sports car in the first place: to communicate what's going on underneath me. On the highway, the ride was like glass. On the crappy roads here in LA, it was great. It's a little bit firmer than the 335 but by no means harsh by comparison.

As far as handling is concerned, there is simply no comparison between the CS and the 335. The CS feels like a go kart; the 335i feels like a whale. The poster that recommended that you find a car and drive it though gave the best advice - even if you have to drive a couple of hours to do it. Finally, the 2010's are starting to trickle in so the availability of cars should only get better shortly.

Best of luck.

I have to agree that the 335s suspension doesn't compare well with the Cayman....and I drove a base model non S. This is part of the reason my 335 is for sale. I'm too used to my other car's handling and response.

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2007 335i 6MT (for sale)
2004 S2000

What color are you looking for? Like BillK says, you can always order it, and get what you want unless you are under time constraints. That's what I did. Like you I was set on a color (PRG) and when I looked I couldnt find a Boxster, a Cayman and only 1 911 in that color, when browsing dealer's inventories. I figured, so what, I can either take one and wish I had waited, or get what I wanted.
I originally ordered without PASM, but called dealer and changed, especially after reading some of these comments. I have driven the car all of about 20 miles sofar, and havnt really tried a with/without comparison, time for that later, but I figured that it would be better to add and not need than to not add and wish I did.

I will let you know how that turns out.

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2010 Cayman S Delivered 1/28/10. Porsche Racing Green. PASM LSD etc... Love it!

I have a 2009 without PASM. Great street car--regardless of what you have been driving, it is very good, and I have driven a number of good sports cars on the street. I got the 18 inch wheels because several of my colleagues have had a number of flat tires using the 19 inchers covered in rubber bands. For the street, the standard suspension with 18 inchers and the RE050As I have is about as good as it gets, IMHO.

On the track, I found the standard suspension to be too soft, at least as far as roll center was concerned. Probably needs some stiffer sways and maybe a few other adjustments.

As far as buying what the dealer is selling versus ordering a car, I got almost 14 off sticker buying what was offered. If you can get a great deal, then you have a choice to make. If money is no object, then by all means order one and if you are a performance hound and want to do some track work, I'd get the PASM, sport chrono with PCM, and the LSD. The PDK vs 6 SPM is personal choice, too, but the PDK car will be faster and easier to drive fast. You might consider a racier seat and protective film on the exterior, too. The rest is personal choice IMHO, like audio, headlights, fancy paint colors, etc., that don't really affect performance.

Others with more experience with these cars may disagree, but that is how I see it.

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2009 Cayman S, Artic Silver Metallic over Black, 6spm, Sport Chrono

I have 2007 w/ PASM and am not at all ambivalent. It is my favorite option. Off 98% of the time (as alluded above) to handle the increasingly terrible roads, but a wonder to use when you wish to do exits, twisties, etc. Avoids the compromise; to me handling is what this car is all about. And I'm sure I will appreciate it even more at tracktime. I have considered Gen2 and would not give it up even for the new motor.

+1 to Monk. My 07 Cayman has PASM, which gives you a choice. On ugly PA roads it makes a world of difference in "normal" and it is plenty sporty in the twisties. If you really want to get down, you switch to sport.

I test drove the Bimmer before I bought the Cayman. Not even in the same league. The 3 felt numb in my hands. No connection to the road. That's NOT a slam on the BMW. It was a cushy ride, lots of creature comforts and FAST. Good looking car too. But as far as precision driving - no comparison.

I specifically avoided PASM - more things to break down the road. The '06 S non-PASM with 19" wheels are surprisingly comfortable though with my 18" winter tire setup I have to admit that it's a smoother ride with less NVH, and in fact I'm debating whether to sell my 19" Carrera Classics with basically brand new rubber so I can get another set of 18".