Pre 3.4S purchase questions....

Amacs · May 19, 2009

Good evening all. I have certainly enjoyed reading the posts on the Cayman section. You all seem really pleased with the car.

Without sounding like a "cheap skate" I have struggled to find certain "user based - real world" infor regarding the Cayman s.

I am looking at spending around 20-25k on a car and have seen some very nice examples advertised....but info regarding real world servicing costs, actuall (driven spiritedly) fuel economy coupled with actual drivers experience of tyre wear and frequency of replacment would be very much appreciated.

I realise that everybody is different with their driving, but a rough idea would be very helpful to me....especially from the more "enthusiatic" drivers, shall we say.

Currently I own a 99 plate ST24 that I have had since it was 5 months old....without boring you, my ex managed to make sure I have ended up keeping the car a lot longer than I wanted to, but due to some inheritance money, I now find myself in a position to splash out a little bit.

I have also considered an M3, but do feel that it may not be as good a deal as a 2nd hand S and certainly not as evocative.

If any of you fine folk have had both, I would appreciate an honest comparrison if possible, as it is a lot of money to spend on the "wrong car for me"....be that either the M3 or the S. Oh, no kids so two seats are fine as well.

I appreciate anybodys time for reading this and especially if you could help guide me along a little with my questions.

Cheers folks.

Rob.

richardheeley · May 20, 2009

Hi Rob, In the real world I get about 25mpg out of my Cayman S. Less if there is a lot of city driving. I drive it hard every now and again, but I don't drive flat out all the time. I haven't had one long enough to hit the 2 year, 20,000 mile service point yet, so can't comment about service costs. Nor have I had to replace the tyres, they are Bridgestones and seem to be wearing well at 3,500 miles. Bridgestones have a reputation for being hard wearing, although they are quite hard riding too and I'll probably replace them with Michelins when the time comes as they are a bit softer. Talking of ride, there is a big difference of the ride and handling quality between the PASM and non-PASM cars, so make sure you try both before you buy (both options have their pros and cons, and supporters for that matter). When you do try cars check out the tyres as they also make a big difference to the feel of the car, Contis and a PASM car are a soft combination, Bridgestones on a non-PASM car, a hard one. The Cayman S is a much more precise handling car than either the V8 M3 or the previous generation 6-cyl model, although they are both fast (particularly the V8). The only M3 I'd have would be the M3 CSL (2003) - but they're hard to find. Good luck! Richard.

Alex Postan · May 20, 2009

I'm up to 3 years 5 months and 33,000 miles. Michelin Sport Pilots last 14,000 miles rear and 24,000 fronts. Brake discs rot and have to be replaced (a real fault that PGB denies) My first engine lasted only 20,000 miles. Gearbox is getting notchier It rattles from a number of places Wheel nuts rust badly - I'm on my third set Servicing is OK but nail down prices for oil and parts (10% for PCGB members) 26 mpg Don't buy one without PASM (Marmite) Stay on 18" wheels and buy a gold medallion rather than waste Â£2,000 on 19" wheels Depreciation is Â£28,500 since new I pay approx Â£1,000 each year for the PGB warranty and don't dare let it lapse I expect to keep it for quite a few years yet Very pleased with it.

Alan_Armstrong · May 20, 2009

Hi Rob, Totally agree with Richard... mpg is about right, my car was a daily drive for 3 years whereby I totalled only 29000 miles. the rear tyres were changed at 18000 and all 4 now at 29500!...my car is and was on Michelins. For drive comparisons, if you search Auto Express or even further back on this site, you should find a back to back between the Cayman and M3..and the Cayman came out top ..just! Servicing is fixed cost for both 2 year and 4 year periods and is published, but both exclude changing the brake fluid, which is recommended at about an additional Â£100. Porsche additional warranty is another issue recently discussed on this forum, which you should consider. Good luck with your search.

DanR · May 21, 2009

You lot clearly have light right feet - I have a 56 plate S and live in London. I get on average 20 mpg from a mix of London and out of town motorway / country driving but I do drive "enthusiastically". I've done 20k miles in nearly just over 2.5 years My 2 year service cost ~Â£900 as i did do the re-gas of the aircon system but had no need to do the pads and disks. Rear tyres lasted ~15k miles, fronts are still fine after 20k (Bridgestones) Love the car overall and would be sorely tempted for a Gen2 car if i wasn't prioritising the house upgrade! Only problem has been persistent coil pack problem / failure (nothing major but in the first 2 years the packs were replaced 3 times after triggering the engine warning light for a cylinder mis-fire - not that i could ever tell - seems to have gone away)

Amacs · May 21, 2009

A big big thanks to all who have posted replies.....the answers you have given me are actually good news. I was expecting it to be a little more horrendous than you all make out, but I can live with around the very low 20mph mark as my ST only returns about 22mpg. Servicing costs and tyres dont seem too bad from the straw pole either. If any body else does feel like thrwing their two penneth in with regard to this, please feel free. Many thanks and I hope you guys all enjoy the bank holiday. Cheers. Rob.

Dylan1 · May 21, 2009

hi afyer the initial big layout(for those of us who bought new!)running costs(depreciation aside)are really not too bad-insurance Â£340 pa ,average 24-25mpg and tyres Â£1000 every 14kmiles or so and servicing about Â£400 average pa.not bad in my book,certainly compared to my wifes bmw running costs(fuel aside!)

James_G · May 23, 2009

An interesting thread, certainly. Good luck with trying to find a well specced "S" between Â£20k - Â£25k, as they seem very few and far between. Currently just three on Pistonheads and to my mind prices are a definitely higher than when I was test driving back in Feb. Many more cars nearer the Â£30k mark which is good news for current owners, although how many are selling at that price isn't clear.

Dylan1 · May 23, 2009

agreed james:i was offered Â£25k this week for mine p/ex which means high 20`s at indi and low 30`s at OPC.there are one or two high mileage examples around early 20`s but not many i would look at