VIDEO: A Porsche Cayman R Vs. The BMW 1M -- A Battle Of Two Greats

For certain cars, there is only one problem. Another great car exists.

Take, for instance, the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. It drives well, has a class-leading interior but there is one BIG problem, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra exists. The Elantra trumps the Cruze in terms of fuel economy and price.

It's the same case for the 2011 BMW 1M. The Porsche Cayman R is alive and well. The difference between the two mostly comes when you compare it by dollars and cents, because the 1M is oodles of car for the dollar.

The Porsche, on the other hand, lacks two seats and is a mid-engined setup.

But for the sake of Autocar's argument, which is the better driver's car when all's said and done? You'll have to watch to find out...


Moment of truth for the hot '1' - a Cayman beater?



[Source: Autocar]


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investor27 - 5/29/2011 6:54:14 PM

+2 Boost

The M1 is a great car, there's no doubt about that. But it's too heavy to be a proper sports car on the track. The Porsche Cayman R is a "race car" on the track, and a daily driver's car on the road. The M1 starts at $50 grand, while the Cayman S can be had for about $5 thousand more with little negotiation.

JRobUSC - 5/30/2011 12:07:34 AM

+3 Boost

I haven't seen any comparisons yet between the 1M and the Cayman S, only the 1M and Cayman R. Most of those reviews have indicated the Cayman R is a great track toy but would necessitate a second car for daily driving, a problem the 1M does not share. The Cayman S weighs about 100lb more than the Cayman R and has the creature comforts that are missing from the Cayman R (like a stereo, A/C, etc.) so it's much more similar to the 1M. It's a guess, but considering how closely matched the 1M and Cayman R are, the 1M would probably fare pretty decently against the Cayman S, and still cost less.

dlin - 5/30/2011 12:00:05 AM

+4 Boost

One is a sports car, one is a sports sedan. Fundamental difference.

JRobUSC - 5/30/2011 1:01:34 PM

0 Boost

have you sat in the back of a 1-Series coupe? It's obviously not huge but it's surprisingly roomy for a car its size -- the backseat is more accommodating than the larger G37 coupe, for example. I wouldn't want to drive cross country back there, but at least it's usable.