Compare the2024 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2024 BMW 2 Series

Both the 718 Cayman and the 2 Series 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The 718 Cayman has more powerful engines than the 2 Series:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the 230i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS was clocked 20.1 seconds faster than the BMW M240i Coupe xDrive (160.5 sec. vs. 180.6 sec.).

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Cayman GT4 RS/GTS 4.0’s fuel efficiency. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 718 Cayman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series (16.9 vs. 13.7 gallons).

The 718 Cayman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 718 Cayman offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The 2 Series doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 2 Series:

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The 2 Series doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the 2 Series:

For better traction, the 718 Cayman has larger standard tires than the 2 Series (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 225/45R18).

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M240i Coupe’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The 2 Series’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the 230i Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the 2 Series’ (36.1 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the 2 Series xDrive’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 650 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series.

The 718 Cayman is 6.6 inches shorter than the 230i, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 718 Cayman w/Sport Chrono has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the 718 Cayman). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The 2 Series uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the 718 Cayman is quieter than the M240i Coupe xDrive (84 vs. 86 dB).

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the 2 Series Coupe (14.9 vs. 13.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 718 Cayman’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The 718 Cayman’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 2 Series doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 718 Cayman’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 2 Series does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Cayman has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 2 Series doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 718 Cayman keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 2 Series doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series isn’t available as a convertible.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 18 more times in the last 20 years. The M235i/M240i hasn’t been picked since 2017, and the M235i/M240i has only been chosen 3 times.