Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4vsBMW Z4 (E89) 35i

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (987)

S 3.4

295 hp3387 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2006-2009
VS

BMW Z4 (E89)

35i

306 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2009-2013

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.1 s
  • Most powerful
    306 hp
    228 kW
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.0 L/100 km
    26.1 mpg US
    31.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.6 L/100 km
    18.7 mpg US
    22.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.9 L/100 km
    34.1 mpg US
    40.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest CO2 emissions
    210 g/km
  • Best estimated range
    611 km
    380 mi
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    67/100
  • Best economy score
    83/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
295hp220kW
306hp228kW
Torque
340Nm251lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,355kg2,987lb
1,600kg3,527lb
Gross weight
1,630kg3,594lb
1,855kg4,090lb
Top speed
272 km/h
169 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
80.6s99% target: 269 km/h / 167 mph
Calculated
67.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
5.1s
0-200 km/h
18.8s
17.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
4.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.6L/100 km22.2mpg US26.6mpg UK
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
15.3L/100 km15.4mpg US18.5mpg UK
12.6L/100 km18.7mpg US22.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.8L/100 km30.2mpg US36.2mpg UK
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.5s
Calculated
13.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
218hp/t162kW/t99hp/1000 lb
Calculated
191hp/t143kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
251Nm/t168lb-ft/ton
Calculated
250Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
604km375mi
Calculated
611km380mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,387cc207cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,329mm170in
4,239mm167in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,292mm51in
1,291mm51in
Wheelbase
2,415mm95in
2,496mm98in
Front track
1,486mm59in
1,511mm59in
Rear track
1,528mm60in
1,559mm61in
Ground clearance
121mm5in
-
Trunk volume
130L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
55L
CO2 emissions
254g/km
210g/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 (987) S 3.4BMW Z4 (E89) 35iPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 35i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.46,250 rpm4,400-6,000 rpm7,300 rpm
BMWZ4 (E89)35i5,800 rpm1,300-5,000 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
4.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
5.1 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.8 s
17.6 s
Top speed
272 km/h
169 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
5.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
8.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
11.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.5 s
13.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
172 km/h
107 mph
176 km/h
109 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4
295 hp
220 kW
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
306 hp
228 kW

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i has 11 hp more than Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4.

The biggest power difference is between Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4 and BMW Z4 (E89) 35i: 11 hp (8 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
400 Nm
295 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4
1,355 kg
2,987 lb
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
1,600 kg
3,527 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 (987)S 3.4
272 km/h
169 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 (987)S 3.45.4 s
BMWZ4 (E89)35i5.1 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35i and Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4: 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 (987)S 3.4
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35i and Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4: 1.6 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 (987)S 3.4
218 hp/t
162 kW/t
4.6 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4
604 km
375 mi
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
611 km
380 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4
295 hp
220 kW
5.4 s
272 km/h
169 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
306 hp
228 kW
5.1 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 (987)S 3.4
Power
295 hp
220 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
272 km/h
169 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
130 L
4.6 cu ft
Length
4,329 mm
170.4 in
Height
1,292 mm
50.9 in
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
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 (987)S 3.4
Power
295 hp
220 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
272 km/h
169 mph
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i 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 (987)S 3.4
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
5.4 s
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
5.1 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 (987)S 3.4
218 hp/t
162 kW/t
4.6 kg/hp
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (987)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
295 hp
220 kW
306 hp
228 kW
Torque
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
5.1 s
Top speed
272 km/h
169 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,355 kg
2,987 lb
1,600 kg
3,527 lb
Fuel consumption
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
130 L
4.6 cu ft
Length
4,329 mm
170.4 in
Height
1,292 mm
50.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in
Range score
604 km
375 mi
611 km
380 mi
CO2 score
254 g/km
210 g/km
Trunk score
130 L
4.6 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
218 hp/t
162 kW/t
4.6 kg/hp
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 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 (987) S 3.4BMW Z4 (E89) 35i
Consumption10.6 L/100 km22.2 mpg US26.6 mpg UK9 L/100 km26.1 mpg US31.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.55 LC100 km15.75 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi29.85 LC100 mi25.35 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,590 L420 US gal350 UK gal1,350 L357 US gal297 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,783 LC/year2,363 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4

  • Is 245 kg lighter
  • Has 7 km/h (4 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 26 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Highest CO2 emissions

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i

  • Has 11 hp more
  • Has 60 Nm more
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 1.6 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 7 km (5 mi) more estimated range
  • Emits 44 g/km less CO2

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (987) S 3.4
BMW Z4 (E89) 35i
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2 vehicles selected

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