Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2vsBMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

260 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2004
VS

BMW Z4 (E85)

2.5i

192 hp2494 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2006

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
    6.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    258 km/h
    160 mph
  • 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 performance score
    60/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

  • Lightest
    1,335 kg
    2,943 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    7.4 L/100 km
    31.8 mpg US
    38.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    10.4 L/100 km
    22.6 mpg US
    27.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.7 L/100 km
    41.3 mpg US
    49.6 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    743 km
    462 mi
  • Best economy score
    87/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
260hp194kW
192hp143kW
Torque
310Nm229lb-ft
245Nm181lb-ft
Curb weight
1,360kg2,998lb
1,335kg2,943lb
Gross weight
1,670kg3,682lb
1,560kg3,439lb
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
To 99% top speed
79.6s99% target: 255 km/h / 159 mph
Calculated
80.5s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.4s
7.0s
0-200 km/h
22.4s
Calculated
29.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.1s
Calculated
6.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.4L/100 km14.3mpg US17.2mpg UK
10.4L/100 km22.6mpg US27.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
5.7L/100 km41.3mpg US49.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.4s
Calculated
15.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
191hp/t143kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
144hp/t107kW/t65hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
228Nm/t153lb-ft/ton
Calculated
184Nm/t123lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
577km358mi
Calculated
743km462mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,179cc194cu in
2,494cc152cu in
Length
4,320mm170in
4,091mm161in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,781mm70in
Height
1,290mm51in
1,299mm51in
Wheelbase
2,415mm95in
2,495mm98in
Front track
1,455mm57in
1,473mm58in
Rear track
1,514mm60in
1,523mm60in
Ground clearance
121mm5in
-
Trunk volume
260L
240L
Max trunk volume-
260L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
55L

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 Z4 (E85) 2.5iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26,200 rpm4,600 rpm6,450 rpm
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i6,000 rpm3,500 rpm6,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.1 s
6.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.4 s
7.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
22.4 s
29.1 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.4 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.2 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.4 s
15.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
164 km/h
102 mph
155 km/h
96 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
192 hp
143 kW

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has 68 hp more than BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 68 hp (51 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
245 Nm
181 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
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
1,335 kg
2,943 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
258 km/h
160 mph
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
235 km/h
146 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 3.26.4 s
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i7.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i: 0.6 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 3.7 L/100 km.

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
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
144 hp/t
107 kW/t
7.0 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
577 km
358 mi
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
743 km
462 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
6.4 s
258 km/h
160 mph
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
192 hp
143 kW
7.0 s
235 km/h
146 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
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
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
6.4 s
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK
7.0 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
144 hp/t
107 kW/t
7.0 kg/hp
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
260 hp
194 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
245 Nm
181 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.4 s
7.0 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
Lightness
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
1,335 kg
2,943 lb
Fuel consumption
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
Range score
577 km
358 mi
743 km
462 mi
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
144 hp/t
107 kW/t
7.0 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 3.2BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i
Consumption11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK7.4 L/100 km31.8 mpg US38.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.43 LC100 km12.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.26 LC100 mi20.84 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal1,110 L293 US gal244 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,914 LC/year1,943 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Has 68 hp more
  • Has 65 Nm more
  • Is 0.6 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 23 km/h (14 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 47 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 20 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest

BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

  • Is 25 kg lighter
  • Uses 3.7 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 167 km (104 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i
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