Compare the2024 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2024 BMW 4 Series Coupe

Both the 718 Cayman and the 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the 430i Coupe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Coupe (16.9 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The 718 Cayman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

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 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the 718 Cayman has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Coupe (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ 245/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4 Series Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The 4 Series Coupe’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the M440i xDrive Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the M440i xDrive Coupe (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .78 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe xDrive’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 pounds less than the BMW 4 Series Coupe.

The 718 Cayman is 1 foot, 3.5 inches shorter than the 430i, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front legroom than the 4 Series Coupe.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the 4 Series Coupe (14.9 vs. 12 cubic feet).

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 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe 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 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 18 more times in the last 20 years. The 4 Series Coupe has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.