Car comparison

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

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally 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
    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
  • Best estimated range
    598 km
    372 mi
  • Best overall score
    51/100
  • Best performance score
    61/100

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.5 L/100 km
    24.8 mpg US
    29.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.5 L/100 km
    17.4 mpg US
    20.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.3 L/100 km
    32.2 mpg US
    38.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    300 L
  • Best economy score
    81/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
252hp188kW
231hp172kW
Torque
305Nm225lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,295kg2,855lb
1,365kg3,009lb
Gross weight
1,615kg3,560lb
1,590kg3,505lb
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
250 km/h
155 mph
To 99% top speed
73.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
76.1s99% target: 248 km/h / 154 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.9s
6.2s
0-200 km/h
20.4s
Calculated
23.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
5.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.7L/100 km22mpg US26.4mpg UK
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
15.6L/100 km15.1mpg US18.1mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.0s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
195hp/t145kW/t88hp/1000 lb
Calculated
169hp/t126kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
220Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
598km372mi
Calculated
579km360mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,179cc194cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,315mm170in
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
1,508mm59in
1,523mm60in
Ground clearance
121mm5in
-
Trunk volume
260L
300L
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) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 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
BMWZ4 (E85)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 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
5.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.9 s
6.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.4 s
23.0 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
250 km/h
155 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
6.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
9.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.8 s
12.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.0 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
163 km/h
102 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has 21 hp more than BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 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
BMWZ4 (E85)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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
1,365 kg
3,009 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
250 km/h
155 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i6.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: 0.3 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
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 1.2 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
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 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
598 km
372 mi
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
579 km
360 mi

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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.2 s
250 km/h
155 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 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
252 hp
188 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 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
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
5.9 s
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
6.2 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
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E85)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
6.2 s
Top speed
260 km/h
162 mph
250 km/h
155 mph
Lightness
1,295 kg
2,855 lb
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
Fuel consumption
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 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
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
Range score
598 km
372 mi
579 km
360 mi
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
195 hp/t
145 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 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) 3.0i
Consumption10.7 L/100 km22 mpg US26.4 mpg UK9.5 L/100 km24.8 mpg US29.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.72 LC100 km16.63 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.13 LC100 mi26.76 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,605 L424 US gal353 UK gal1,425 L376 US gal313 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,809 LC/year2,494 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Has 21 hp more
  • Has 5 Nm more
  • Is 70 kg lighter
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 10 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 25 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 19 km (12 mi) more estimated range

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Uses 1.2 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 40 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i
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