Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2vsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

252 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1999-2002
VS

BMW Z3 (E36/7)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2000-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.9 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph
  • Most powerful
    252 hp
    188 kW
  • Highest torque
    305 Nm
    225 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,295 kg
    2,855 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    195 hp/t
    145 kW/t
    5.1 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    260 L
  • Best overall score
    51/100
  • Best performance score
    61/100
  • Best economy score
    78/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • 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

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
252hp188kW
231hp172kW
Torque
305Nm225lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,295kg2,855lb
1,305kg2,877lb
Gross weight
1,615kg3,560lb
1,575kg3,472lb
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
73.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.9s
6.0s
0-200 km/h
20.4s
Calculated
20.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
5.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.7L/100 km22mpg US26.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
15.6L/100 km15.1mpg US18.1mpg UK
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.0s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
195hp/t145kW/t88hp/1000 lb
Calculated
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
598km372mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,179cc194cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,315mm170in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,290mm51in
1,306mm51in
Wheelbase
2,415mm95in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,455mm57in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,508mm59in
1,494mm59in
Ground clearance
121mm5in
-
Trunk volume
260L
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
51L

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.

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26,250 rpm4,500 rpm6,500 rpm
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
5.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.9 s
6.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.4 s
20.9 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
9.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.8 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.0 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
167 km/h
104 mph

Power comparison

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

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

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has 21 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: 21 hp (16 kW).

Torque comparison

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

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

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
1,295 kg
2,855 lb
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
1,305 kg
2,877 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

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

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.25.9 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i6.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: 0.1 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
252 hp
188 kW
5.9 s
260 km/h
162 mph
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.0 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
252 hp
188 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,315 mm
169.9 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
252 hp
188 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.9 s
6.0 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,295 kg
2,855 lb
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
Fuel consumption
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,315 mm
169.9 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in
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
Range score
598 km
372 mi
-
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 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
Consumption10.7 L/100 km22 mpg US26.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.72 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.13 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,605 L424 US gal353 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,809 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Has 21 hp more
  • Has 5 Nm more
  • Is 10 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 18 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 95 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

No measurable advantages in the available data.

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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