Compare the2024 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2024 BMW M4

Both the 718 Cayman and the M4 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 rated the 718 Cayman third among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The M4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

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 M4 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 M4 (16.9 vs. 15.6 gallons).

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 M4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M4:

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the M4:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The M4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the M4 Coupe pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the M4 CSL (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 23.7 seconds @ .9 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the M4’s (36.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the M4’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1050 pounds less than the BMW M4.

The 718 Cayman is 1 foot, 4.7 inches shorter than the M4, 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 M4 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the M4 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 M4 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 M4 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The M4 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 M4 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 hasn’t been picked since 2014, and the 4 Series has only been chosen once.