Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2vsBMW Z4 (E89) 30i

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

260 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2004
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 (986) S 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.7 s
  • Fastest top speed
    264 km/h
    164 mph
  • Most powerful
    260 hp
    194 kW
  • Lightest
    1,320 kg
    2,910 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    197 hp/t
    147 kW/t
    5.1 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    260 L
  • Best overall score
    53/100
  • Best performance score
    63/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Highest torque
    315 Nm
    232 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    8.5 L/100 km
    27.7 mpg US
    33.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.4 L/100 km
    19.0 mpg US
    22.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.2 L/100 km
    37.9 mpg US
    45.6 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    647 km
    402 mi
  • Best economy score
    84/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
260hp194kW
258hp192kW
Torque
310Nm229lb-ft
315Nm232lb-ft
Curb weight
1,320kg2,910lb
1,490kg3,285lb
Gross weight
1,630kg3,594lb
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
72.5s99% target: 261 km/h / 162 mph
Calculated
76.0s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.7s
5.8s
0-200 km/h
19.4s
Calculated
20.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.4s
Calculated
5.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.5L/100 km22.4mpg US26.9mpg UK
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
15.3L/100 km15.4mpg US18.5mpg UK
12.4L/100 km19mpg US22.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.8L/100 km30.2mpg US36.2mpg UK
6.2L/100 km37.9mpg US45.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.8s
Calculated
13.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
197hp/t147kW/t89hp/1000 lb
Calculated
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
235Nm/t157lb-ft/ton
Calculated
211Nm/t141lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
610km379mi
Calculated
647km402mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,179cc194cu in
2,996cc183cu in
Length
4,320mm170in
4,239mm167in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,290mm51in
1,291mm51in
Wheelbase
2,415mm95in
2,496mm98in
Front track
1,455mm57in
1,511mm59in
Rear track
1,514mm60in
1,537mm61in
Trunk volume
260L
180L
Max trunk volume-
310L
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 (E89) 30iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 30i: 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 (E89)30i6,600 rpm2,500 rpm6,850 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.4 s
5.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.7 s
5.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
19.4 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
2.3 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
11.6 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 (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
258 hp
192 kW

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 has 2 hp more than BMW Z4 (E89) 30i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 30i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 2 hp (1 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 (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 (986)S 3.2
1,320 kg
2,910 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 (986)S 3.2
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 (986)S 3.25.7 s
BMWZ4 (E89)30i5.8 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and BMW Z4 (E89) 30i: 0.1 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
10.5 L/100 km
22.4 mpg US
26.9 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 30i and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 2.0 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
197 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 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 (986)S 3.2
610 km
379 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 (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
5.7 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 (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h5.7 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 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 (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 (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h5.7 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
10.5 L/100 km
22.4 mpg US
26.9 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

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i 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
10.5 L/100 km
22.4 mpg US
26.9 mpg UK
5.7 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 (986)S 3.2
197 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
10.5 L/100 km
22.4 mpg US
26.9 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 (986)S 3.2BMWZ4 (E89)30i
Power
260 hp
194 kW
258 hp
192 kW
Torque
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
315 Nm
232 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.7 s
5.8 s
Top speed
264 km/h
164 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,320 kg
2,910 lb
1,490 kg
3,285 lb
Fuel consumption
10.5 L/100 km
22.4 mpg US
26.9 mpg UK
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 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
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in
Range score
610 km
379 mi
647 km
402 mi
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
197 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 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 (986) S 3.2BMW Z4 (E89) 30i
Consumption10.5 L/100 km22.4 mpg US26.9 mpg UK8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.38 LC100 km14.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi29.57 LC100 mi23.94 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,575 L416 US gal346 UK gal1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,756 LC/year2,231 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

  • Has 2 hp more
  • Is 170 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 4 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 24 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 80 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Has 5 Nm more
  • Uses 2.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 38 km (23 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
BMW Z4 (E89) 30i
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