[MerlinPurple]

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These two cars have surprising similarities on paper. They are in many ways attainable everyman supercars. In fact, co-host Paul is debating between them. He bought this Cayman GTS used, and has a BMW M2 on order. So, paired with a Press car from BMW, we set out to see which is the best one to reach for.

[Glounk]

Thanks ;-).

[vladberca]

M2 can't be the direct rival of the Cayman GTS.
M2 CS would be more close to it...

[Dackelone]

Here's an interesting video from Everyday Driver...

[davesaddiction]

Love that these two cars exist. Will definitely own one of them (if not both) at some point in the future.

[JNoSol]

Both are great cars, but not even apples to apples for a good comparison. Cayman is 500lbs lighter (under 3k pounds), mid engine, and now costs around $90k+ so not as attainable as an M2. Used Cayman GTS is still $70k+, then that puts it in the M4 category pricing.

[BwoodBMW]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Both are great cars, but not even apples to apples for a good comparison. Cayman is 500lbs lighter (under 3k pounds), mid engine, and now costs around $90k+ so not as attainable as an M2. Used Cayman GTS is still $70k+, then that puts it in the M4 category pricing.

M2s are selling for north of $90k here in socal...

[SeanWRT]

I heard something like this:

"To make GTS amazing, I am going so much faster than I am in the m2. I like m2 at lower speeds. M2 feels dynamic and interesting and fun before GTS does."

the best and most accurate expression I ever heard of describing the greatness of m2.

[DreF80///M3]

What a coincidence that I am in the very same situation as the host. I sold my F80 and wanted either the GTS or the M2. I ended up buying the GTS and getting on the list for the M2. I love the GTS and may just pass up my slot, but I have yet to drive the M2.

[Rmsport]

Theres no doubt in my mind the GTS is a more exciting, more engaging machine. Honestly, so it a regular Cayman S with the right options.

NOT an M2 hater by any means, its a great car that i'm happy exists!

[auf Deutsch]

The fact that the M2 can be directly compared to the GTS speaks volumes of its overall capability and driving dynamics. The GTS is 10's of thousands more $$$ and a built-from-the-ground-up sports car. The M2 is a (heavily) modified 2 series 4 passenger coupe.

Sort of reminds me of the 991 vs M4 C&D comparo where the M4 actually ended up with more points and "won".

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by BwoodBMW

M2s are selling for north of $90k here in socal...

$101,XXX at Century West BMW

[sq86]

Interesting comparison. I think the GTS is more special but you can definitely see how you have to push it harder to enjoy it. I've not driven the M2 yet but had a chance to drive a GTS and I owned an 1M. Feel like this is applicable to each of these as well.

[IS+1]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

The fact that the M2 can be directly compared to the GTS speaks volumes of its overall capability and driving dynamics. The GTS is 10's of thousands more $$$ and a built-from-the-ground-up sports car. The M2 is a (heavily) modified 2 series 4 passenger coupe.

Sort of reminds me of the 991 vs M4 C&D comparo where the M4 actually ended up with more points and "won".

Exactly. There aren't many "performance cars" in the M2's approximate price range whose names can even be mentioned in the same breath as the Cayman, let alone Cayman GTS.

And the fact that there is no unanimous winner in this video says it all.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Originally Posted by Rmsport

Theres no doubt in my mind the GTS is a more exciting, more engaging machine. Honestly, so it a regular Cayman S with the right options.

NOT an M2 hater by any means, its a great car that i'm happy exists!

I agree. Wouldn't even think twice between the 2.

[clubsport]

Originally Posted by Rmsport

Theres no doubt in my mind the GTS is a more exciting, more engaging machine. Honestly, so it a regular Cayman S with the right options.

NOT an M2 hater by any means, its a great car that i'm happy exists!

Me, too. At 6'7", I fit in the M2 with a helmet. I only dream about the GTS or GT4. To me, the GT4 is THE perfect car.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

I heard something like this:

"To make GTS amazing, I am going so much faster than I am in the m2. I like m2 at lower speeds. M2 feels dynamic and interesting and fun before GTS does."

the best and most accurate expression I ever heard of describing the greatness of m2.

I am not sure about this - after owning a 235 and now a 981CS, I would say that my impressions are the opposite.

The 981 with PSE (like the GTS has in this video) sound awesome at high revs, not necessarily high speeds. Same thing for the engine, where high revs = . And the car feels so planted that you just take curves at normal speeds without braking too much - I actually think it's a lot of fun a lower speeds.

I know the 235 isn't an M2 - but I always felt like I had to really wring it out in order to feel much satisfaction...I am sure the M2 is very much superior, but I wonder if a similar feeling would persist in a real world drive for me.

[Romo]

Used to own a Sapphire Blue GTS, currently the M2, so haven driven both cars extensively, I do concur most conclusions in the above video.

For me major differences;

- Roadcompliance, the GTS is far more better on that aspect, the M2 harsh in comparison

-Seating position; GTS low, M2 relatively high (even though I have specced the manual seats) The standard M2 seats are better than the (standard) sport seats plus on the GTS

Steering; the M2 is more direct, initial steering response is better, the steering wheel is thicker, the GTS wheel (alcantara which I did not like on how artificial and sweaty feeling) is too thin.
The GTS steering was a little weird to me, in fast cornering it felt I always had to fight it, it has a massive self centering force to it, like torque steer (some people will cal me crazy, but this is what it is to me) Anyway; the steering on the GTS was the greatest let down of a further brilliant car.

Engine and exhaust sound; The M2 being turbo driven does sound quite nice for such an engine, but......the utterly, brilliant going down to your bones and having goosebumps al over the time by the GTS 6 flat sound with the PSE on is what this car makes it worth, oh oh what a screamer, in tunnel runs it sounded like the old F1 NA days, screaming ,yelling like your wife possessed by the devil himself....SURREALISTIC !!

Brakes; the steel oversized 380mm front and 370 mm rear discs on the M2 will do the job, yes there is a lot of brake dust unfortunately. My GTS had the PCCB`s on them, smaller with 350mm al around, but massive stopping power, great feel, less unsprung weight, very good looking indeed and no brake dust what so ever. I would buy them again instantaneously !

Driving Fun; The M2 IMHO is more playful at lower speeds (due to it`s massive torque / low RPM), the GTS has to be driven hard, and I mean HARD, to get the best out of it ,then it is the most rewarding. But than again, you can not always drive that car to the max when on normal roads.

Exterior/Interior, the M2 is a little bulky, blown up so to say, the GTS more sleek, more slim, both making very clear what their intentions are to anyone who lays an eye on them.
Interoir wise the GTS stands on a higher level, better materials, however the use of the on board electronics and their interface is a clear win for the M2, the iDrive is far ahead of its time, the GTS full of knobs which are also difficult to reach while the PDK/6MT shifter standing in the way.

2 great great cars, do not make a choice IMO !! Buy them both

[raysspl]

Tough call but M2 for price & GTS if $ no object between the two

[MerlinPurple]

They've done an extensive comparison between the 1M and M2 .. that video will be posted very soon.

Source: SmokingTire podcast

[adc]

Originally Posted by clubsport

Me, too. At 6'7", I fit in the M2 with a helmet. I only dream about the GTS or GT4. To me, the GT4 is THE perfect car.

Drove the GT4, loved some things, didn't love others. Coming from an M3, and driving it on similar tires to the M3 (R comps), I didn't think it was a meaningful step up in performance.

Yes the suspension was better, the damping especially. But ingress and egress was painful with the carbon seats, and I could not see it in daily driving for me. As a track car yes, but then do I want to have $100k sitting in the garage 97% of the time?

I caution everyone to drive and judge for yourself. What works for someone else may not work for you and vice versa.

[3M TAPE]

Very interesting timing-wise.

My friend just picked up his Cayman GTS because all available M2s were selling above invoice price (not even a penny discount).

I hope he made a right choice