Car comparison

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0ivsPorsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

BMW Z3 (E36/7)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2000-2003
VS

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

260 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2004

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Most powerful
    260 hp
    194 kW
  • Highest torque
    310 Nm
    229 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    191 hp/t
    143 kW/t
    5.2 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    260 L
  • Best overall score
    51/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.0 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Lightest
    1,305 kg
    2,877 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.0 L/100 km
    18.1 mpg US
    21.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.5 L/100 km
    31.4 mpg US
    37.7 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    60/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
231hp172kW
260hp194kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,305kg2,877lb
1,360kg2,998lb
Gross weight
1,575kg3,472lb
1,670kg3,682lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
258 km/h
160 mph
To 99% top speed
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
79.6s99% target: 255 km/h / 159 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.0s
6.4s
0-200 km/h
20.9s
Calculated
22.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.7s
Calculated
6.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
16.4L/100 km14.3mpg US17.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.1s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
191hp/t143kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
228Nm/t153lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
577km358mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
3,179cc194cu in
Length
4,050mm159in
4,320mm170in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,780mm70in
Height
1,306mm51in
1,290mm51in
Wheelbase
2,446mm96in
2,415mm95in
Front track
1,413mm56in
1,455mm57in
Rear track
1,494mm59in
1,514mm60in
Ground clearance-
121mm5in
Trunk volume
165L
260L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
64L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0iPorsche Boxster (986) S 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: Power / Torque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26,200 rpm4,600 rpm6,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.7 s
6.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.0 s
6.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.9 s
22.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
258 km/h
160 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.3 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.9 s
12.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.1 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
164 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has 29 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 29 hp (22 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
310 Nm
229 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
1,360 kg
2,998 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
258 km/h
160 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i6.0 s
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26.4 s

Although Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has more power, BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 0.4 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.0 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
6.4 s
258 km/h
160 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,050 mm
159.4 in
Height
1,306 mm
51.4 in
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,320 mm
170.1 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
231 hp
172 kW
260 hp
194 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.0 s
6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
258 km/h
160 mph
Lightness
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
Fuel consumption
-
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,050 mm
159.4 in
Height
1,306 mm
51.4 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,320 mm
170.1 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in
Range score
-
577 km
358 mi
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehiclePorsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
Consumption11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.43 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.26 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,914 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • Is 55 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 2 km/h (1 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Has 29 hp more
  • Has 10 Nm more
  • Has 14 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 95 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
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2 vehicles selected

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BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i vs Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 - car comparison - FastVsFaster