Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 / BMW E92 M3

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 makes 414 horsepower and costs $125,000. The BMW E92 M3 makes 425 horsepower and costs $37,500—an $87,500 price gap (233% more expensive for the GT4) despite the M3 having 11hp more power. Across 80 shared tracks with 35 unique comparison scenarios, the GT4 wins by 1.64 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the GT4 wins 71.6% of battles with a 3.68-second average gap.

This is Porsche's mid-engine track weapon versus BMW's last naturally aspirated M3. The GT4 weighs 3,247 lbs. The M3 weighs 3,648 lbs—401 pounds heavier. The M3 has 11hp more power (425hp vs 414hp), yet the GT4 wins 71.6% of matched battles. The question isn't which is faster—it's whether the GT4's mid-engine advantage justifies paying $87,500 more for nearly identical power.

The Mid-Engine Advantage: Physics vs Power

The M3's S65 4.0L V8 makes 425hp at 8,300 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm. Power-to-weight: 8.58 lbs/hp. The GT4's 4.0L flat-six makes 414hp at 7,600 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 5,000-6,800 rpm. Power-to-weight: 7.84 lbs/hp—an 8.6% advantage despite having 11hp less.

The GT4's mid-engine layout places the 414hp flat-six directly behind the driver, creating telepathic handling and instant rotation. The M3's front-engine layout with 52/48 weight distribution is balanced, but it can't match the GT4's low polar moment of inertia. The M3 has more power (425hp) and more torque below 5,000 rpm, but the GT4's chassis advantage overwhelms the 11hp deficit.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (268 laps): GT4 wins 71.6%, M3 wins 28.4%, 3.68s gap. The M3's 11hp power advantage can't overcome the GT4's 401-pound weight savings and mid-engine physics. Even with equal preparation, the GT4's chassis delivers measurable superiority.
• Mismatched scenarios (55-67% GT4 win rate): When modifications or tires mismatch, the battle tightens (2.43-3.88s gaps). A heavily-modified M3 (500hp S65 with headers, exhaust, tune) can challenge a lightly-modified GT4, but that requires $8,000-12,000 in mods.
• M3 wins when running modification advantages: The comparison data shows scenarios where modified M3s close the gap significantly. The S65's naturally aspirated ceiling (480hp with full bolt-ons) gives the M3 a path to compete, but stock-vs-stock heavily favors the GT4.

The $87,500 Question: What Are You Buying?

E92 M3: $37,500 buys the S65 V8 (BMW's greatest naturally aspirated engine), 425hp, 8,400 rpm redline, and 8-12% annual appreciation. Ownership costs are higher: rod bearing service ($3,000-5,000), throttle actuators ($2,000-3,000), premium fuel, and higher insurance. The S65's modification ceiling reaches 480hp naturally aspirated for $7,000-10,000.

718 GT4: $125,000 buys mid-engine perfection, 414hp, GT3-derived suspension, and Porsche's track-weapon pedigree. This is purpose-built performance that wins 71.6% of matched battles despite having 11hp less power. Ownership costs are Porsche-expensive: oil changes ($500), brake pads ($1,200), and dealer service rates. The flat-six's modification ceiling is higher: exhaust ($4,000) + tune ($2,000) = 450hp, plus the chassis handles 500hp+ with supporting mods.

That $87,500 premium buys mid-engine handling that can't be replicated through tuning the M3. Both cars appreciate, but the GT4's higher entry price means larger absolute gains ($31,000-50,000 over five years vs M3's $11,000-22,000).

The Verdict

Choose the BMW E92 M3 if you want 425hp naturally aspirated V8 performance at $37,500, accept losing 71.6% of matched battles, and value the S65 engine over ultimate lap times. The M3 delivers 97% of the GT4's capability for 30% of the price—making it the smart choice for track enthusiasts who can't justify $87,500 more for a 3.68-second advantage.

Choose the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 if you want mid-engine physics, have $125,000 to spend, and prioritize winning. You're paying $87,500 more (233% premium) for a 71.6% win rate despite having 11hp less power. The GT4 is the choice for drivers who demand peak performance and can afford Porsche's pricing.

LapMeta's 1.64-second overall gap and 3.68-second matched-condition gap show the GT4's superiority. The M3's 11hp power advantage and S65 character can't overcome the GT4's 401-pound weight savings and mid-engine physics. For the driver who wants the best naturally aspirated V8 under $40,000, the M3 delivers. For the driver who wants the fastest car regardless of price, the GT4's 71.6% win rate proves that $87,500 buys measurable superiority through chassis advantage alone.