Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (987) 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 (987)

S 3.2

280 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2004-2006
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 (987) S 3.2

  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    260 km/h
    162 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    280 hp
    209 kW
  • Highest torque
    320 Nm
    236 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    202 hp/t
    151 kW/t
    4.9 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    51/100
  • Best performance score
    63/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.0 s
  • 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
  • Largest trunk
    165 L
  • Best practicality score
    27/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (987)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
280hp209kW
231hp172kW
Torque
320Nm236lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,385kg3,053lb
1,305kg2,877lb
Gross weight
1,670kg3,682lb
1,575kg3,472lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
82.2s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
6.0s
0-200 km/h
20.9s
Calculated
20.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
5.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
16.3L/100 km14.4mpg US17.3mpg UK
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.3s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
202hp/t151kW/t92hp/1000 lb
Calculated
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
231Nm/t155lb-ft/ton
Calculated
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
582km362mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,179cc194cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,329mm170in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,295mm51in
1,306mm51in
Wheelbase
2,415mm95in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,486mm59in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,528mm60in
1,494mm59in
Ground clearance
121mm5in
-
Trunk volume
130L
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
51L
CO2 emissions
262g/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.

Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.2BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (987) 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 (987)S 3.26,200 rpm4,700-6,000 rpm6,450 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 (987)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.0 s
5.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.3 s
6.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.9 s
20.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
6.4 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.3 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
167 km/h
104 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.2
280 hp
209 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW

Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.2 has 49 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) S 3.2: 49 hp (37 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.2
320 Nm
236 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 (987)S 3.2
1,385 kg
3,053 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 (987)S 3.2
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 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 (987)S 3.26.3 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i6.0 s

Although Porsche Boxster (987) 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 (987) S 3.2: 0.3 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.2
202 hp/t
151 kW/t
4.9 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 (987)S 3.2
280 hp
209 kW
6.3 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 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 (987)S 3.2
Power
280 hp
209 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 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
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 (987)S 3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
280 hp
209 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
320 Nm
236 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.3 s
6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
260 km/h162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,385 kg
3,053 lb
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
Fuel consumption
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
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
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
582 km
362 mi
-
CO2 score
262 g/km
-
Trunk score
130 L
4.6 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
202 hp/t
151 kW/t
4.9 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 (987) S 3.2
Consumption11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.25 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.98 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,888 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.2

  • Has 49 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Has 10 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 25 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

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

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

  • Is 80 kg lighter
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 35 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.2
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i
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