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     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...man-comparison

I was considering the TTS or the M235i for my next car, and ultimately decided on placing an order for the latter. I preferred the Audi's interior and exterior, but the risks of purchasing a "first year" (in U.S. spec) car and that it will be more expensive when similarly equipped swayed me toward the BMW. Was anyone else considering the TTS?

The verdict

A surprisingly pliant ride, decent fuel economy, two reasonable boots and a generous-sized fuel tank make the Cayman a surprisingly usable sports car – but it’s a sports car nonetheless. It wins this test because it’s easily the most intoxicating car here to drive, and that’ll always clinch an Autocar verdict where performance cars are involved.

But losing to the Porsche won’t ruffle many feathers for the TT’s creators. Losing so narrowly to the M235i, despite having done enough to outclass its key competitor on cabin ambience, performance, practicality and handling precision, will rankle – but that, despite the preamble to this story, is where we’ve ended up. The TT has come a long way but evidently still has some maturing to do before it can maintain the interest of people keen to look past esoteric design and bald performance numbers for the soul of a true driver’s car underneath.

[Zooks527]

I was. Struck me as overpriced for what you were getting.

Second car in a row where a BMW has beaten a TTS at the end of the process.

[German1967]

I did.
Then I drove the M 235 at a dealer and was sold.
Ordered... And waiting for delivery.

[hoppy6698]

I thought about a few, TT-S would have been one, but wasn't out at the time. In the end, the rear seat was too much of a joke to be taken seriously. At least I can fit my teen boys in the back of the M235i.

[dharo1]

Loving my M235i

[Revcrazy]

Just imagine if they had used the cayman S or above. That win was already written before the comparo began, the cayman is just too good.

[ZEEM3R]

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

Just imagine if they had used the cayman S or above. That win was already written before the comparo began, the cayman is just too good.

+1

When car magazines say that it's better than the 911, it's a done deal it'll win probably any comparo it's in.

[jlstyle]

Wait...when did TT become this ugly?

[Diver]

There is a huge difference between owning sports car and a coupe not to mention that when you get done a Cayman is going to cost a lot more.

[den525]

Weird comparison... Just because they're all 2 doors and are called "coupe" doesn't mean they're the same type of cars!

[EzequielR]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Wait...when did TT become this ugly?

[Anderw]

Originally Posted by Revcrazy

Just imagine if they had used the cayman S or above. That win was already written before the comparo began, the cayman is just too good.

True but also have to remember a most cayman s you'll find in dealer stock cost double what a m235i cost.. not saying its not a better car , it should be way better at the prices they charge

The prices of a cayman s fully loaded are dangerously close to the cheaper end of the c7 zo6 which if it was about price to performance I wouldn't even consider a S but then again your right on the heels of a cayman GT4 price wise too!! which right now I want more then anything! They are all great Cars!

[raysspl]

The Cayman almost always wins in all automotive journalist circles but glad to see the 2 series put up a good fight

[gaijin]

The real-world application is one of the strong suits that led me into a M235i purchase.

"It’s here, in mixed real-world use, that the M235i – which has barely made an impression in this comparison thus far – begins to show its strength. There is a breadth and range to the BMW’s dynamic character that the Audi fails to match and that you simply wouldn’t expect from a car like the Porsche.

Around town and on the motorway, the BMW is the most comfortable car of the three. There is quiet compliance in its ride, good road noise suppression in its cabin and suaveness from its engine when you go looking for it. Such things matter, because they’re the heart and soul of a talented grand tourer. More than anything else, they make you inclined to use your car every day, for every journey and purpose you can imagine it serving. And the truth is that the M235i can do it all: urban rush hour, a relaxing cruise or a pacey cross-country excursion. You can enjoy the muscularity of its engine and the meatiness of its controls at any time."

I cannot agree more on the above statement. We just returned from a 1875-mile plus odyssey in our M235i. It was a blast!

[angelbones]

I am considering the TTS since it has been updated for 2016. It's about the only competitor to the M235. I don't care if I have a small back seat, besides it has the hatch which makes up for some of that lack of utility. As far as the Cayman, every time I go to build one, I end up making too many compromises. However, as the article states, the BMW has its own superiorities. I've got a while on my lease, but the TTS will be in the running along with many other new cars that will be coming out in the next two years. For now, just very happy with my 2.

[abp689]

It's articles like this that have me second guessing my decision to wait for the M2.

[neilvosko]

Originally Posted by abp689

It's articles like this that have me second guessing my decision to wait for the M2.

please explain

[GMe90]

There is something about M235i's proportions that just doesn't look right. From some angles, it looks good, but from others it looks bad. The wheels always seem puny in comparison the the body even though they are 18s. I don't get it. Hopefully, it will be fixed on the M2.

[Kiwi]

Come on a real sports car are rear wheel drive with history. I would even put the latest Mustang before anything VW/TT. Not even BMW's X drive cars are sports cars.

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by neilvosko

please explain

I second that sentiment. If you're craving a "pure" sports car then you should already be looking at Porsche while BMW executes daily drivers with sporting intentions better IMHO. Bring your checkbook and brace yourself either way.

[kinimod]

Drove a Cayman S back to back. I think it is fantastic and better driver's car than my M4.

Not surprised it's well rated, but yeah, it's much more expensive (and Porsche interiors and software are terrible compared to BMW and Audi)

[FilipMPower]

The Cayman is definitely the winner here, but I think that the M235i is miles better than the TTS, and it seems that Autocar always seems to hold a grudge against modern BMWs and Ms, such as the M235i and M3/4, which are often reviewed as excellent, whereas Autocar states that the D3 Alpina is a better car than the M3, which is seem to doubt somehow.