Cayman Thoughts

[rumatt]

OK, so don't laugh too hard, but..... So far I'm liking, not loving, the Cayman. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I'm still shocked that it feels like a brand new car. It's in unbelievable condition. But here's where I'm not feeling the love.

I. Seats

I don't quite fit in the sport seats. If I were 1-2 sizes narrower they'd be ideal. But the bolsters press on my sides and hips. It's not terrible, but I'd describe it more as "OK / tolerable" than an great experience.

I put a thin piece of foam behind the seat back in the lumbar area (pressing me further out means less pressure from the sloping sides). It helped, but not enough so say I'm totally comfortable.

BTW, it's not a fat vs skinny issue; it's a rib cage width issue. If I were rounder I might fit into the deep bolsters better. :lol:


II. Sound

The R has quite a bit of sound insulation removed. The aural experience I perceive when driving the R is, in this order:

1. Road noise
2. Engine noise
3. Exhaust (distant third)

I'd prefer that list be reversed. I really can't hear the exhaust at all, and I don't find road noise particularly intoxicating.


III. Ride / road quality

This is going to sound like a contradiction. I'm pleasantly surprised at the ride quality of the R - It's not harsh at all. But at the same time, the roads around me are so shitty that it makes it hard to appreciate the strengths of this vehicle. You can't drive too fast around the blind corners because you might kill a kid. And yet you are feeling every bump in the road, while listening to gravel and asphalt bits pelt the non-insulated wheel wells. I keep thinking, "Now this is just silly..."

It's much more enjoyable once you get it out on the open road where it can stretch it's legs. But the highway I commute on is mostly straight, so.......

I going to do nothing for a bit longer to see if my feelings change. I could try to replace the seats, but given the other issues I'm not sure I want to make that investment (plus, from my reading it's a pain - getting the electric adaptors to work out is hit or miss).

To be continued....

[bren]

Should've bought a Macan.

[rumatt]

Should've bought a Macan.

Sounds about right. :bustingup

I do wonder how much of what I wrote above would apply to any sports car, vs being specific to / accentuated by the Cayman R.

[Plaz]

I'm sorry it's not working out to perfection for you, really.

But I'd be lying if I didn't say I find this very entertaining. :lol:

The bolsters aren't adjustable? Even my lowly 1M has adjustable side bolsters. (Could you please pass the Grey Poupon?)

[wdc330i]

It's such a fine line between uber car and livable driver. My car errs on the side of livable, so I miss uber a bit. If I had uber, I'd miss livable.

So I choose to be satisfied. And continue to shop for uber for the spouse. :)

[rumatt]

But I'd be lying if I didn't say I find this very entertaining. :lol:

You and me both. :lol: I am here for your entertainment

The bolsters aren't adjustable? Even my lowly 1M has adjustable side bolsters. (Could you please pass the Grey Poupon?)
:bustingup

And nope!

[JST]

You and me both. :lol: I am here for your entertainment

:bustingup

And nope!

That's interesting on the sport seats. I looove the sport seats, and I am...ahem...bigger all around then you. So maybe they are made for larger guys?

On the exhaust note front, it sounds like you just need a louder exhaust. STRAIGHT PIPES FTW.

Make sure to post here if you decide to sell. Equ and I can have a knife fight over it.

[equ]

Hmmph... Color me surprised. I think the Cayman R is an all-time great.

My shoulders don't fit (as in lie flat against) the sports seats, but that's the design. True, for our roads, PASM is better than the fixed, lowered suspensions... Almost everything you complain about would be ameliorated in a 2014-16 Cayman S or GTS (for you with PASM and 14-way seats) without giving up performance. But if you go from the Cay R to a 981S, you'll lose a good amount of feel and "special". Give it a few months, if still not "right" and in love, test drive a 981S. You won't lose much on the Cay R.

[John V]

If you don't like the sport seats maybe you can find someone who has a pair of base seats they'd trade you :eeps:

I'll admit I found it interesting you bought a Cayman R given what we talked about WRT road quality in your area. Seemed to me a Cayman S would have been a better choice. Maybe you're more of a 911 cruiser type of guy :)

If it's any consolation, if the R is too stiff, a Z4M would have already pulverized your kidneys.

[Josh (PA)]

OK, so don't laugh too hard, but..... So far I'm liking, not loving, the Cayman. ..

*cough* 'told ya so' *cough* (Sorry, just kidding / poking, but i do hate being right all the time. Now you know how my wife feels.)


After you sell it for a profit, there are a couple of nice Z4Ms for sale in MD:
http://www.z4mcoupebuyersguide.com/listing?ListingID=8040

http://www.z4mcoupebuyersguide.com/listing?ListingID=7778

If you want to check out my e88, its available for extended test driving any time you want. You can even adjust the lumbar, side bolsters and thigh support length on the sport seats before heading out ;)

[wdc330i]

Would downsizing the wheels/tires help?

[bren]

There. I fixed it.

rLykJpbDKNw

[JST]

Or maybe just a soft top conversion kit.

[equ]

z4m's & 1's? They do not compare.. You could also recommend s8's.

[wdc330i]

z4m's & 1's? They do not compare.. You could also recommend s8's.

What year is your Boxster, Equ?

[Josh (PA)]

z4m's & 1's? They do not compare.. You could also recommend s8's.

Different strokes for different folks. The Porsche Colored glasses got Matt in this 'situation' (much stronger word than I mean to use, but can't think of a better one).

[kognito]

There. I fixed it.


Yeah, exhaust tone must be the easiest thing to fix on your list

[rumatt]

The Porsche Colored glasses got Matt in this 'situation'
That's not really true. There's no situation. I've wanted a Porsche most of my life, and the time was right so I bought one. In hindsight I'm not sure I picked the optimal one for my situation, but hey... I had to do it to know for sure. Live and learn.

If you don't like the sport seats maybe you can find someone who has a pair of base seats they'd trade you :eeps:
Hmmmmmmmmm. I thought you liked your seats? I don't think I'd want to give up the original seats if I'm not keeping the car for life... but there are plenty of Sport seats on Ebay.

I'll admit I found it interesting you bought a Cayman R given what we talked about WRT road quality in your area.

Yeah, this is exactly right. This car is fantastic. It's more the seats, and the roads that I'm not loving.


Almost everything you complain about would be ameliorated in a 2014-16 Cayman S or GTS (for you with PASM and 14-way seats) without giving up performance.
I do wonder what would have happened if I had ponied up for the Gray 981s w/PASM before someone else bought it.

*cough* 'told ya so' *cough* (Sorry, just kidding / poking, but i do hate being right all the time. Now you know how my wife feels.)
:lol:


After you sell it for a profit
I like this part :D

[rumatt]

Would downsizing the wheels/tires help?
Done. :D

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170602/c1430c0398522faf3b27c7b10b4dfd8b.jpg

[John V]

I do like my seats. But if you wanted to swap temporarily to see if you wanted base seats, I'd be OK with that. Plus, you need to come visit so we can drink some scotch. Maybe when I set up the Carmudgeons get-together... :ack:

[equ]

Base seats in a Cayman R?? Noooo!!!

(And I'm the out of shape guy with a bad back. C'mon you guys are athletes)

[rumatt]

Base seats in a Cayman R?? Noooo!!!

I know, right?!

(And I'm the out of shape guy with a bad back.
He says from his super comfy 14-way seats. :lol:

[rumatt]

I do like my seats. But if you wanted to swap temporarily to see if you wanted base seats, I'd be OK with that. Plus, you need to come visit so we can drink some scotch. Maybe when I set up the Carmudgeons get-together... :ack:

A temporary swap could work! Although it would be easier just to swap cars. :bustingup

And yes, let's plan this mudgeons get together!

[equ]

I know, right?!

He says from his super comfy 14-way seats. :lol:

Actually, mine are the 18-ways... The 14-ways do not have width-adjustable bolsters. Mine are like the sports seats + lumbar. The 14-ways are thicker cushioned and likely better on the long haul.

[blee]

I think the lesson here is that no-compromise cars require more compromise from the driver.

[Alan]

I've got the 14 way seats because I know the 18 way are too tight for me ... my shoulders are too wide for Porsche sport seats ... how often are you driving this car Matt ? As much as I love my 911 and R8 I could not live with either one every day ... heck after driving either one 2 days in a row and enjoying it but I am done ...

My post On the board if either one were daily drivers is ... please help me ... seriously I enjoy driving my cars but unlike a lot of people here I cannot daily drive them.

BMW and Audi are the perfect cars for every day ...they give you the fun to drive factor, the comfort and livability of every day.

[rumatt]

how often are you driving this car Matt ?

No set schedule. Just whenever the weather is nice and I feel like it.

I've done two things that have significantly increased my enjoyment of the car. I now drive it most days.

1) "there I fixed it" ghetto seat mod, (picture below) . By holding my ass just a little higher, the side bolsters don't press in on my thighs / hips. It's now comfortable. Huge difference. YUGE.

2) I drive a different route to work. 40 mins instead of 30, but it's got about 20 mins of twisty roads that allow the car to make more sense.

The suspension really is not bad or harsh at all. It's just that when you go from a slow bumpy road to a straight highway any sports car is dumb. A new route where at the least some of the drive us fun and it makes the rest perfectly OK.

But I still didn't say "love". But I'm still getting used to the car. Give me a couple months and we'll see.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170616/3c07b0985bce0d553c745426c6cd4e2c.jpg

[bren]

1) "there I fixed it" ghetto seat mod, (picture below) . By holding my ass just a little higher, the side bolsters don't press in on my thighs / hips. It's now comfortable. Huge difference. YUGE.

I did a similar mod in my truck, but I put the foam under the seat cover - you might want to look into doing that. :)

[rumatt]

I did a similar mod in my truck, but I put the foam under the seat cover - you might want to look into doing that. :)
You don't like the look? :bustingup

The back has one behind the cushion. I was planning on looking into doing the same for the bottom but I don't think it will be easy. The base and bolsters cover is one piece of leather. I don't see how I'd lift the base a good half inch or so without it pulling the leather funny. But maybe? :dunno:

[Josh (PA)]

Happened to see this on one of the Jalopnik stories. Just in case you're still not in love with the P-car.

2016 BMW M2 - $55,998

There are currently just four certified pre-owned BMW M2s in for sale in the United States, and three of them are at one dealer -- Paul Miller BMW in northern New Jersey. This is one of the Paul Miller M2s, and it's currently listed for $55,998 and finished in Long Beach Blue Metallic -- just like the others. It's a handsome car and one of the best modern BMWs -- and this particular example comes with BMW's excellent certified pre-owned warranty, which gives you excellent peace of mind.

[Jeff_DML]

Happened to see this on one of the Jalopnik stories. Just in case you're still not in love with the P-car.

2016 BMW M2 - $55,998

There are currently just four certified pre-owned BMW M2s in for sale in the United States, and three of them are at one dealer -- Paul Miller BMW in northern New Jersey. This is one of the Paul Miller M2s, and it's currently listed for $55,998 and finished in Long Beach Blue Metallic -- just like the others. It's a handsome car and one of the best modern BMWs -- and this particular example comes with BMW's excellent certified pre-owned warranty, which gives you excellent peace of mind.

Not CPO but maybe you can work this guy down a bit? 6MT with some decent upgrades

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/1006730-motivated-to-move-2017-bmw-m2-6mt-lbb.html

[equ]

The Cayman R is a rare driving jewel. An M2 might be as fast or as faster; the good BMW flavor du jour, but will never feel as special. Cannot compare...