Compare the2025 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2025 BMW M2

Both the 718 Cayman and the M2 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’ 2024 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 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 15 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 GT4 RS’ 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (493 vs. 473) than the M2’s optional 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The M2 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 718 Cayman gets better mileage than the M2:

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 M2 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (16.9 vs. 13.7 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 M2 doesn’t offer an SMG.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the 718 Cayman has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The M2 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the 718 Cayman GT4 RS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M2:

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 M2 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the M2:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The M2’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 M2 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 1 seconds quicker than the M2 (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the M2’s (36.1 feet vs. 39 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the M2’s (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the BMW M2.

The 718 Cayman is 7.9 inches shorter than the M2, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman has 1 inch more front headroom and .4 inches more front legroom than the M2.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the M2 (15 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 M2 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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW M2 isn’t available as a convertible.

The 718 Cayman will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 718 Cayman will retain 59.55% to 67.21% of its original price after five years, while the M2 only retains 55.54%.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 19 more times in the last 20 years. The M2 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.