M3 CS or 981 Cayman S?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jmg

.. Basically, following your advice from a few months back: more sporty weekend coupe, and a sensible daily. I want to widen the gap between the two more.

That being said, I opened up my M3 CS today on the way to work. I had just gotten the 1200 mi service. It really is a beast, and if I can't find the perfect 981, I'm not going to be worried too much.

Nice! Are you still on the PSS tires? I bet if you switched to cup2 and added an aftermarket exhaust you’d be happier. Throw in full coil overs (and sell your CS suspension to a civic m3 owner) and you will be in a pretty good spot

[sharkbite]

I own both an M4 and GT4 so I will obviously endorse your choice of a 981 S and would nudge you towards considering a PDK equipped one.

The GT4 has the best manual gearbox of all time...it's pretty much every reviewers opine not just mine, but the S gearbox as good as it is, isn't quite the same . It will be redonk with the PDK.

If you can stretch the $$ , the GTS is money better spent. The balance of the 981 at 7-8/10ths will make you forget about straight line speed...that's boring .

Soul Performance and Dundon Motorsports make catted and race long tube headers for the 981's and they add a solid 30+ whp if you need more power.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

How much is a 981 S? $50k? And OP wants to do $10k in mods? And it will depreciate, $10k in 2-3yr? It’s the same cost as a 7cup, which won’t depr.

I completely agree, it’s an extreme view. It was pretty shocking to me at first also, and made sense the more I thought about it. Also, I didn’t realize a 7cup was cheaper than 7gt3. That was the big news to me.

FYI, I have license plates on my SM and drive it to track, sometimes to work on Fridays. Full time track car can be part time street car! For HPDE I use 200tw class tires and they last a whole season of HPDE.

Edit: Jmg, hope you get a 6MT! My $0.02 on mods are to start with aim solo II data logger and then go from there

I know next to nothing about spec miatas, but I believe you.

A 911 cup car's not streetable, though. Dog box, rock hard suspension, single seat, so loud you'll need ear protection, will probably burn the clutch in traffic...maybe possible but I seriously doubt OP will be that hardcore. Can you register a Porsche Motorsport VIN anyway? I'm kind of thinking no, since those cars are built with different safety equipment and stuff, but happy to be proved wrong

[henrylee]

Go 981

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Nice! Are you still on the PSS tires? I bet if you switched to cup2 and added an aftermarket exhaust you’d be happier. Throw in full coil overs (and sell your CS suspension to a civic m3 owner) and you will be in a pretty good spot

Yup, still on PSS, but I think I like the PS4S more. I'll be swapping when the time comes if I keep the car. The MPE is still a consideration. Suspension, I'm afraid, is out of the question because of the CF lip and my driveway unless I swap it to a LW lip and think of it as a consumable or just go lip-less.

I just drove a 981 CS PDK and I'm really liking it. Still on the fence if I want a manual, I'll have to find one to test drive. I noticed that the PDK paddles on the SportDesign wheel have a lot of slop. Small quibble, it's just paddles, but the DCT on the M3 is crisp in comparison. Or it could be me looking for excuses to get the manual. I do find the 981 actually quite comfortable inside.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

How much is a 981 S? $50k? And OP wants to do $10k in mods? And it will depreciate, $10k in 2-3yr? It’s the same cost as a 7cup, which won’t depr.

I completely agree, it’s an extreme view. It was pretty shocking to me at first also, and made sense the more I thought about it. Also, I didn’t realize a 7cup was cheaper than 7gt3. That was the big news to me.

FYI, I have license plates on my SM and drive it to track, sometimes to work on Fridays. Full time track car can be part time street car! For HPDE I use 200tw class tires and they last a whole season of HPDE.

Edit: Jmg, hope you get a 6MT! My $0.02 on mods are to start with aim solo II data logger and then go from there

Thanks for the info, this is all good food for thought. BTW did you get rid of your F80?

[F80Dreamer]

Originally Posted by jmg

Good points. I was just reading on rennlist about how expensive a crunched front end can be. It is a concern, but I'm also in love with the 981. I realize what a capable car a spec Miata is, but I can't justify a full on track car right now. I would still be driving the 981 at least once or twice a week to work. Ideally 4-6 track sessions a year with track pads, rubber, then upgrade slowly from there with suspension, LCAs or camber plates, third radiator etc. nothing too hardcore, not thinking of going spec right now, I think it's too soon for that.... get my feet wet and have some fun in a smaller more focused sports car. I figure if I get serious I will probably end up in a Miata in a few years anyway. My garage would be similar to yours: EV commuter, 981 weekend/track car, and Spec Miata.

I’m also on Rennlist learning all about the Cayman as well. Good luck!!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

I’m also on Rennlist learning all about the Cayman as well. Good luck!!

Thanks! There was a perfectly specced 981 in Texas up until yesterday. It got sold last night.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Darth One

I know next to nothing about spec miatas, but I believe you.

A 911 cup car's not streetable, though. Dog box, rock hard suspension, single seat, so loud you'll need ear protection, will probably burn the clutch in traffic...maybe possible but I seriously doubt OP will be that hardcore. Can you register a Porsche Motorsport VIN anyway? I'm kind of thinking no, since those cars are built with different safety equipment and stuff, but happy to be proved wrong

Pretty sure you can’t register a cup car without serious shenanigans.

Spec Miata is just a Miata with safety gear and other mods. As long as you pay insurance and keep your catalytic converter you can make it work. Same as any other converted street car.

Spec 996 or spec Boxster would be the way to go if you wanted to drive a Porsche club racer to the track.

Full disclosure, I damaged my car’s engine in Jan and had to pay for a $550 tow back to shop (Buttonwillow to Sonoma), so there are definitely drawbacks to my approach!

Edit: yes I sold my f80 for $52k and bought a friend’s modded 6TT for $40k and a spec Miata for $12k. Instantly creating nice separation between trackable street car and streetable track car

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by jmg

Yup, u interested?

M5 comp for me next.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by jmg

That being said, I opened up my M3 CS today on the way to work. I had just gotten the 1200 mi service. It really is a beast, and if I can't find the perfect 981, I'm not going to be worried too much.

Just wait ‘till you have it on track with proper r-comps. That is where the CS really shines. It is significantly better than base or CP M3/4 in that environment.

If you decide in keeping your M3cs, do go for the MPE. It significantly enhances the experience. I actually find the MPE on my M4cs sounds much better than it did on my 2015 M4.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by sharkbite

The GT4 has the best manual gearbox of all time...

Except for the 3rd gear

[sharkbite]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Except for the 3rd gear

Knock on wood...so far no issues w/ mine, but the North American recall for the 3rd gear issue should be any week/month now, as most nations like Spain, Australia and the UK have already been sent.

Replacement unit has an improved 3rd gear dog ring that will supposedly hold up to full track duty . It also seems pre-April 2016 builds are not affected. Mine is a late 2016 build so I expect to get a new tranny down the road.

My SA says not to even worry as they've done 3 already outside of Warranty and will not deny a case, even tracked GT4's will be fine.

It also seems that a large majority of 3rd gear failures are w/ drivers relying on the Auto blip feature as forcing a badly timed shift with this feature seems to be catastrophic when running slicks at the track.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by sharkbite

Knock on wood...so far no issues w/ mine, but the North American recall for the 3rd gear issue should be any week/month now, as most nations like Spain, Australia and the UK have already been sent.

Replacement unit has an improved 3rd gear dog ring that will supposedly hold up to full track duty . It also seems pre-April 2016 builds are not affected. Mine is a late 2016 build so I expect to get a new tranny down the road.

My SA says not to even worry as they've done 3 already outside of Warranty and will not deny a case, even tracked GT4's will be fine.

It also seems that a large majority of 3rd gear failures are w/ drivers relying on the Auto blip feature as forcing a badly timed shift with this feature seems to be catastrophic when running slicks at the track.

I was just pulling your leg .

A track buddy of mine let me drive his GT4 for a full session, it really is an intoxicating machine to drive on track

[sharkbite]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I was just pulling your leg .

A track buddy of mine let me drive his GT4 for a full session, it really is an intoxicating machine to drive on track

Oh nice ! did you run it at Calabogie, or Mont Tremblant ? hoping to try MT this season.

BTW- would love to meet some local M owners in your neck of the woods for the F1 race this year...I'm planning on coming up in the M4 .

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by sharkbite

Oh nice ! did you run it at Calabogie, or Mont Tremblant ? hoping to try MT this season.

BTW- would love to meet some local M owners in your neck of the woods for the F1 race this year...I'm planning on coming up in the M4 .

LCMT it was.

You should really drive up, LCMT is one epic track. Great one to have in one's backyard . PM me if you ever plan to come up, there are quite a few clubs organizing events there.

[sharkbite]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

LCMT it was.

You should really drive up, LCMT is one epic track. Great one to have in one's backyard . PM me if you ever plan to come up, there are quite a few clubs organizing events there.

I'm in the Albany area..so driving up to Montreal is not a biggie and will definitely plan on coming up to drive LCMT this season. I'll PM you for sure. Thanks.

Mike

[Refined]

Man, I REALLY want a Cayman GTS... but the 4cyl makes me sad. Porsche should have left the 6 alone. I know it's still got plenty of power given its weight, and excellent handling, but I just have a mental barrier around 4 banger sports cars.

Hopefully, the declining Cayman sales will cause Porsche to rethink their strategy. I mean, I get that they didn't want to encroach on 911 territory with the car but there's much more differentiating the two cars than just power output. If they ever go 6cyl again, sign me up!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Refined

Man, I REALLY want a Cayman GTS... but the 4cyl makes me sad. Porsche should have left the 6 alone. I know it's still got plenty of power given its weight, and excellent handling, but I just have a mental barrier around 4 banger sports cars.

Hopefully, the declining Cayman sales will cause Porsche to rethink their strategy. I mean, I get that they didn't want to encroach on 911 territory with the car but there's much more differentiating the two cars than just power output. If they ever go 6cyl again, sign me up!

This is why I didn't get a 718. I'm sure they are great but I wanted a 6.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jmg

$70k for a cup car is definitely out of the question right now. .

Please don't buy a Cup car. Even pros can't keep them out of the wall for long with their suicidal driving characteristics

I'd take a M3 CS over a 981 any day. Over a GT4 as well. It's nice to drive in a comfortable car and still go to the track and actually be fast.

If you really want the 'pure sports car' experience then a Cayman may be the way to go. I prefer to go to the track and be competitive.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by sharkbite

Knock on wood...so far no issues w/ mine, but the North American recall for the 3rd gear issue should be any week/month now, as most nations like Spain, Australia and the UK have already been sent.

Replacement unit has an improved 3rd gear dog ring that will supposedly hold up to full track duty . It also seems pre-April 2016 builds are not affected. Mine is a late 2016 build so I expect to get a new tranny down the road.

My SA says not to even worry as they've done 3 already outside of Warranty and will not deny a case, even tracked GT4's will be fine.

It also seems that a large majority of 3rd gear failures are w/ drivers relying on the Auto blip feature as forcing a badly timed shift with this feature seems to be catastrophic when running slicks at the track.

Last time I drove the GT4 on track 3rd gear failed within 20 minutes. It was entertaining to drive but I would not straight swap it with any of my M3s. Besides, that car launched years ago and I'm anxiously waiting to find a fast one. Any day now...

Cars driven in HDPEs are covered by manufacturer insurance. This is the norm and not some kind of favor Porsche is doing. I guess I don't drink the cool aid but I find it insulting that a GTx car fails so quickly. I put 180k miles double track an E46 back in the day and the oem clutch was fine and dandy.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Please don't buy a Cup car. Even pros can't keep them out of the wall for long with their suicidal driving characteristics

I'd take a M3 CS over a 981 any day. Over a GT4 as well. It's nice to drive in a comfortable car and still go to the track and actually be fast.

If you really want the 'pure sports car' experience then a Cayman may be the way to go. I prefer to go to the track and be competitive.

Took out the M3 CS on a canyon run today for the first time since almost totaling my M3. It was a blast! Leaning towards an MPE if I can't find the perfect 981.