Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsPorsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003
VS

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

252 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1999-2002

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.0 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    321 hp
    239 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    236 hp/t
    176 kW/t
    4.2 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.9 L/100 km
    29.8 mpg US
    35.8 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Lightest
    1,295 kg
    2,855 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    15.6 L/100 km
    15.1 mpg US
    18.1 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    260 L
  • Best economy score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
321hp239kW
252hp188kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
305Nm225lb-ft
Curb weight
1,360kg2,998lb
1,295kg2,855lb
Gross weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,615kg3,560lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
260 km/h
162 mph
To 99% top speed
62.0s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
73.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.0s
5.9s
0-200 km/h
16.2s
Calculated
20.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.8s
Calculated
5.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
10.7L/100 km22mpg US26.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
15.6L/100 km15.1mpg US18.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.0s
Calculated
14.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
195hp/t145kW/t88hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
257Nm/t172lb-ft/ton
Calculated
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
598km372mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
3,179cc194cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,315mm170in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,780mm70in
Height
1,266mm50in
1,290mm51in
Wheelbase
2,458mm97in
2,415mm95in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,455mm57in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,508mm59in
Ground clearance-
121mm5in
Trunk volume-
260L
Max trunk volume
165L
-
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 M (E36/7) 3.2Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26,250 rpm4,500 rpm6,500 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.8 s
5.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.0 s
5.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.2 s
20.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
260 km/h
162 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.6 s
9.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.0 s
11.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.0 s
14.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
181 km/h
112 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
252 hp
188 kW

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has 69 hp more than Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 69 hp (51 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
305 Nm
225 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
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 M (E36/7)3.2
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 km/h
162 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.25.0 s
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.25.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 0.9 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.0 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
252 hp
188 kW
5.9 s
260 km/h
162 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 M (E36/7)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,266 mm
49.8 in
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
252 hp
188 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.0 s
5.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
260 km/h
162 mph
Lightness
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
1,295 kg
2,855 lb
Fuel consumption
-
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,266 mm
49.8 in
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
Range score
-
598 km
372 mi
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 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

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Has 69 hp more
  • Has 45 Nm more
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 10 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 41 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Is 65 kg lighter
  • Has 95 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
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BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 vs Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 - car comparison - FastVsFaster