Compare the2023 BMW M4VS 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/21

The M4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The M4’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The M4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The M4’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The M4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 718 Cayman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The M4 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the 718 Cayman’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M4’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The M4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M4 and the 718 Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Cayman (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M4’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M4 has a standard 209-amp alternator. The 718 Cayman’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M4 has a standard 900-amp battery. The 718 Cayman’s 340-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated below average.

Engine

The M4 has more powerful engines than the 718 Cayman:

	Horsepower	Torque
M4 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
M4 Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	503 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
M4 CSL 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	543 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	350 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	394 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GT4 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	414 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder	493 HP	331 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M4 3.0 is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman (manual transmissions tested):

	M4	718 Cayman 2.0	718 Cayman S
Zero to 60 MPH	3.8 sec	4.3 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	12 sec	12.7 sec	12.4 sec

As tested in Car and Driver the M4 CSL is faster than the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder (automatics tested):

	M4	718 Cayman
Zero to 60 MPH	3.3 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	6.9 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	11.2 sec	11.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	131 MPH	121 MPH
Top Speed	191 MPH	179 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the M4 Coupe gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

			MPG
M4 Coupe
RWD	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/22 hwy
718 Cayman
RWD	Auto	GT4 RS 4.0 DOHC flat-6	15 city/19 hwy

The M4 has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW M4 higher (5 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Cayman (1 to 5). This means the M4 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Cayman every 15,000 miles.

Transmission and Drivetrain

An eight-speed automatic is available on the BMW M4, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

All wheel drive, available in the M4, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Porsche 718 Cayman is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M4’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Cayman:

	M4	718 Cayman
Front Rotors	15 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	11.8 inches

The M4 stops shorter than the 718 Cayman:

	M4	718 Cayman
70 to 0 MPH	146 feet	149 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the 718 Cayman (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18). The M4’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (275/40R18 vs. 245/35R20).

The M4’s standard 275/40R18 front and 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 718 Cayman’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M4 has standard 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Cayman.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M4’s wheelbase is 15.1 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (112.5 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M4 is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The M4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the 718 Cayman’s (44.7% to 55.3%). This gives the M4 more stable handling and braking.

The M4 CSL handles at 1.10 G’s, while the 718 Cayman pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M4 Coupe is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS:

	M4	718 Cayman
At idle	45 dB	58 dB
Full-Throttle	83 dB	102 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	76 dB

Passenger Space

The M4 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The M4 Coupe has 43 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (91 vs. 48).

The M4 Coupe has 1.2 inches more front headroom and 3.8 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

Cargo Capacity

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M4 offers cargo security. The 718 Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the M4 offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

The M4 (except Manual) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The M4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the M4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 718 Cayman can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The M4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 718 Cayman’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The M4’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Cayman’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M4 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The M4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Porsche 718 by over 15 to one during 2022.