Car comparison

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0ivsPorsche Boxster (987) 2.7

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 (987)

2.7

240 hp2687 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2004-2006

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

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
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.0 L/100 km
    18.1 mpg US
    21.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    165 L
  • Best overall score
    49/100
  • Best performance score
    60/100
  • Best practicality score
    27/100

Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7

  • Most powerful
    240 hp
    179 kW
  • Lightest
    1,295 kg
    2,855 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    185 hp/t
    138 kW/t
    5.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.9 L/100 km
    34.1 mpg US
    40.9 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    81/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (987)2.7
Power
231hp172kW
240hp179kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
270Nm199lb-ft
Curb weight
1,305kg2,877lb
1,295kg2,855lb
Gross weight
1,575kg3,472lb
1,610kg3,549lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
256 km/h
159 mph
To 99% top speed
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
91.5s99% target: 253 km/h / 157 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.0s
6.2s
0-200 km/h
20.9s
Calculated
24.0s
0-60 mph
5.7s
Calculated
5.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.6L/100 km24.5mpg US29.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
13.9L/100 km16.9mpg US20.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.1s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
185hp/t138kW/t84hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
208Nm/t140lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
667km414mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,687cc164cu in
Length
4,050mm159in
4,329mm170in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,801mm71in
Height
1,306mm51in
1,295mm51in
Wheelbase
2,446mm96in
2,415mm95in
Front track
1,413mm56in
-
Rear track
1,494mm59in
-
Ground clearance-
121mm5in
Trunk volume
165L
130L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
64L
CO2 emissions-
229g/km

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 (987) 2.7PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: Power / Torque
  • Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7: 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 (987)2.76,400 rpm4,700-6,000 rpm7,200 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (987)2.7
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.7 s
5.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.0 s
6.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.9 s
24.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
256 km/h
159 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.3 s
9.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.9 s
12.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.1 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
161 km/h
100 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 (987)2.7
240 hp
179 kW

Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7 has 9 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i and Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7: 9 hp (7 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 (987)2.7
270 Nm
199 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 (987)2.7
1,295 kg
2,855 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 (987)2.7
256 km/h
159 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 (987)2.76.2 s

Although Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7 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 (987) 2.7: 0.2 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 (987)2.7
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 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 (987)2.7
240 hp
179 kW
6.2 s
256 km/h
159 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 (987)2.7
Power
240 hp
179 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
256 km/h
159 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
130 L
4.6 cu ft
Length
4,329 mm
170.4 in
Height
1,295 mm
51.0 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0iPorscheBoxster (987)2.7
Power
231 hp
172 kW
240 hp
179 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
270 Nm
199 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.0 s
6.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
256 km/h
159 mph
Lightness
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
1,295 kg
2,855 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 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
130 L
4.6 cu ft
Length
4,329 mm
170.4 in
Height
1,295 mm
51.0 in
Range score
-
667 km
414 mi
CO2 score
-
229 g/km
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
130 L
4.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 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 (987) 2.7
Consumption9.6 L/100 km24.5 mpg US29.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.80 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.04 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,440 L380 US gal317 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,520 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • Has 30 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 4 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 35 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest

Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7

  • Has 9 hp more
  • Is 10 kg lighter
  • Has 8 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i
Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
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BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i vs Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7 - car comparison - FastVsFaster