CONGRATS!!

happy driving! :cheers:

 

Can you give a detailed comparison of the two?

 

Congrats!

Check the articles section for the "Bose Fix"

 

Congrats on a nicely optioned CS. Please register & post pics for all of us to enjoy. Happy Motoring.:banana:

 

Welcome to the E46 M3 -> Cayman S club. There are several of us on here.

 

add me to that club, kinda. I went through a few other cars after the M and technically the boxster is the wifes, but I'm pretty sure there is a CS in my near future.

 

I'm considering doing "the switch" from an E46 M3..... just curious as to what made you guys take that final step and go through with it.... right now I'm torn.

 

Another E46 ->>>Cayman S




I had the E46 M3 for 4 years. Great GT. It was a car that always wanted to be driven hard. While it handled winter well, and really was an all year car, it was, when the weather's decent, seemed to want to be driven hard. It became smoother, and just right when screaming around. Since roads dont allow that kind of hooliganism (except for brief moments), and since the place to be able to do what the car wants is going to the track. But then you realize the car is not really made for it as the E30 was. You need better brakes, you need strut tower reinforcements etc etc the end result is that the E46 is a super GT (made for windy twisty roads where speed limits are loose - and what I dont have near to where I live). One thing is for sure, I thought the E46 was one of the best lookers in the BMW lineup. Much better than the upcoming E92.

The Cayman S on the other hand feels like a mix between the E36 M3 and the Lotus Elise. More sport than the E36 (and that is a good driver) and more streetable than the Lotus. You feel connected. Seats and steering relay gobs of detail without being harsh. You are always aware you are driving a sports car. Even slow, trundling around town feels exciting. The shape of the windshield, the swell of the fenders in front, the engine behind, all make you very very aware that you are in a Cayman.

I was hesitant about going for the Cayman. But it was worth it. I havent hit the track yet but will. I am sure it will behave admirably.

Cant wait for break in to finish.

The only quibble I have is the name. Cayman. Doesnt sound right. I may have to debadge it. Wish it was called a 987 S. That would have looked cool on the hatch.

:cheers:

 

I lusted after an E46 M3 during years of driving a 540i.One drive in the CS and I instantly forgot about all beemers. Not in the same league in terms of looks and handling. Sounds like you have a nice example. Welcome and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

07 CS
bassalt black/sand
corner clears
3M bra
4000 miles

 

I came over here from a few BMWs as well. I cancelled my 335 order for the Cayman. The 335 is substantially faster than my 2.7 cayman, but, as afridi said, the cayman offers an enjoyable driving experience even when you aren't driving hard. It reminds me of my old E36, which was another one of my favorite cars.

 

I have always wanted an M3 regardless how old it was. before I got my CS, I was giddy to get the M3 E92. Since the car has not come out yet, I don't know yet if I did the right thing of Buying my CS now. I am very happy with the CS right now and I hope I made the right choice rather than waitin for the new M3. One of the things that dismayed me from the new M3 is the price. I heared that you will likely pay MSRP plus mark-up for at least the first year and plus the waiting list is high. My BMW contact even said that th e m3 will be around 75k since the one series will replace the 3's price point. Another thing is I see 3 series cars left and right everywhere I go. It just does not appeal as much anymore. Will see.

 

Forget the price of the new M3, the main problem will be the curb weight. That is BMW's downfall of late. The new 3 series weights as much as my 97 540.

 

I was never in love with my E46 M3, after having gone through an E30 M3, and an E36 M3 LTW. It had the raw power, but not the finesse of the earlier cars. Now I am in love again with a CS. The new M3 would have been an M6 15 years ago. The new 135I will be the new M3.

 

Agree 100% !!!

I had to strip my E36 M3, drop in a short shifter, add an X brace, beef up the anti-sway bars, upgrade the rear trailing arm bushings, do a TCKline suspension and the car is awesome. Even before the mods, the car was way better (steering/clutch) than the E46 M3.

But the Cayman straight out of the box, felt as if it was tweaked for the track.

I have been put of by the looks (post E46 BMWs are horrible to my eyes) and the weight of the newer cars. They seem to be chasing AMG rather than setting themselves as The Ultimate Driving Machine, a slogan they have since dropped.