Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7vsBMW Z4 (E89) 30i

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (981)

2.7

265 hp2706 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2012-2016
VS

BMW Z4 (E89)

30i

258 hp2996 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2009-2011

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    264 km/h
    164 mph
  • Most powerful
    265 hp
    198 kW
  • Lightest
    1,330 kg
    2,932 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    199 hp/t
    149 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    8.4 L/100 km
    28.0 mpg US
    33.6 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    11.8 L/100 km
    19.9 mpg US
    23.9 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    762 km
    473 mi
  • Largest trunk
    280 L
  • Best overall score
    52/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    84/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Highest torque
    315 Nm
    232 lb-ft
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.2 L/100 km
    37.9 mpg US
    45.6 mpg UK

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (981)2.7BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
265hp198kW
258hp192kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
315Nm232lb-ft
Curb weight
1,330kg2,932lb
1,490kg3,285lb
Gross weight
1,645kg3,627lb
1,745kg3,847lb
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
72.0s99% target: 261 km/h / 162 mph
Calculated
76.0s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.8s
5.8s
0-200 km/h
19.5s
Calculated
20.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.5s
Calculated
5.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8.4L/100 km28mpg US33.6mpg UK
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
11.8L/100 km19.9mpg US23.9mpg UK
12.4L/100 km19mpg US22.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.4L/100 km36.8mpg US44.1mpg UK
6.2L/100 km37.9mpg US45.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.8s
Calculated
13.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
199hp/t149kW/t90hp/1000 lb
Calculated
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
211Nm/t141lb-ft/ton
Calculated
211Nm/t141lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
762km473mi
Calculated
647km402mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,706cc165cu in
2,996cc183cu in
Length
4,374mm172in
4,239mm167in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,282mm50in
1,291mm51in
Wheelbase
2,475mm97in
2,496mm98in
Front track-
1,511mm59in
Rear track-
1,537mm61in
Trunk volume
280L
180L
Max trunk volume-
310L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
55L
CO2 emissions
195g/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 (981) 2.7BMW Z4 (E89) 30iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 30i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (981)2.76,700 rpm4,500-6,500 rpm6,950 rpm
BMWZ4 (E89)30i6,600 rpm2,500 rpm6,850 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (981)2.7BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.5 s
5.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.8 s
5.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
19.5 s
20.5 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.1 s
9.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.7 s
11.7 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.8 s
13.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
171 km/h
106 mph
168 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
265 hp
198 kW
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
258 hp
192 kW

Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7 has 7 hp more than BMW Z4 (E89) 30i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 30i and Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7: 7 hp (5 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
315 Nm
232 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
1,330 kg
2,932 lb
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
1,490 kg
3,285 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 (981)2.7
264 km/h
164 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
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 (981)2.75.8 s
BMWZ4 (E89)30i5.8 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 (981)2.7
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
199 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
762 km
473 mi
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
647 km
402 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (981)2.7
265 hp
198 kW
5.8 s
264 km/h
164 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
258 hp
192 kW
5.8 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 (981)2.7
Power
265 hp
198 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,282 mm
50.5 in
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 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 (981)2.7
Power
265 hp
198 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7 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 (981)2.7
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
5.8 s
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
5.8 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 (981)2.7
199 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (981)2.7BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
265 hp
198 kW
258 hp
192 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
315 Nm
232 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.8 s
5.8 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,330 kg
2,932 lb
1,490 kg
3,285 lb
Fuel consumption
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,282 mm
50.5 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in
Range score
762 km
473 mi
647 km
402 mi
CO2 score
195 g/km
-
Trunk score
280 L
9.9 cu ft
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
199 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 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 (981) 2.7BMW Z4 (E89) 30i
Consumption8.4 L/100 km28 mpg US33.6 mpg UK8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.70 LC100 km14.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.66 LC100 mi23.94 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,260 L333 US gal277 UK gal1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,205 LC/year2,231 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7

  • Has 7 hp more
  • Is 160 kg lighter
  • Has 4 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 26 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 115 km (71 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 100 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Has 35 Nm more

Pros

  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (981) 2.7
BMW Z4 (E89) 30i
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