Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4vsBMW Z4 (E89) 35is

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

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (981)

S 3.4

315 hp3436 ccGasolineRWDDual-clutchNaturally aspiratedRoadster2012-2016
VS

BMW Z4 (E89)

35is

340 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2010-2013

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4

  • Fastest top speed
    277 km/h
    172 mph
  • Lightest
    1,370 kg
    3,020 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    230 hp/t
    171 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    8.2 L/100 km
    28.7 mpg US
    34.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    11.4 L/100 km
    20.6 mpg US
    24.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.3 L/100 km
    37.3 mpg US
    44.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest CO2 emissions
    190 g/km
  • Best estimated range
    780 km
    485 mi
  • Best economy score
    85/100

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.8 s
  • Most powerful
    340 hp
    254 kW
  • Highest torque
    450 Nm
    332 lb-ft
  • Best overall score
    59/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Power
315hp235kW
340hp254kW
Torque
360Nm266lb-ft
450Nm332lb-ft
Curb weight
1,370kg3,020lb
1,600kg3,527lb
Gross weight
1,685kg3,715lb
1,855kg4,090lb
Top speed
277 km/h
172 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
65.0s99% target: 274 km/h / 170 mph
Calculated
63.8s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.0s
4.8s
0-200 km/h
15.9s
Calculated
16.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.8s
Calculated
4.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8.2L/100 km28.7mpg US34.4mpg UK
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
12.6L/100 km18.7mpg US22.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.3L/100 km37.3mpg US44.8mpg UK
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.0s
Calculated
12.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
230hp/t171kW/t104hp/1000 lb
Calculated
213hp/t158kW/t96hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
263Nm/t176lb-ft/ton
Calculated
281Nm/t188lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
780km485mi
Calculated
611km380mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,436cc210cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,374mm172in
4,244mm167in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,281mm50in
1,284mm51in
Wheelbase
2,475mm97in
2,496mm98in
Front track-
1,511mm59in
Rear track-
1,537mm61in
Trunk volume
280L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
55L
CO2 emissions
190g/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 (981) S 3.4BMW Z4 (E89) 35isPowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 35is: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.46,700 rpm4,500-5,800 rpm6,950 rpm
BMWZ4 (E89)35is5,900 rpm1,500-4,500 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.8 s
4.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.0 s
4.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
15.9 s
16.0 s
Top speed
277 km/h
172 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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
5.8 s
5.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.6 s
8.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.0 s
10.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.0 s
12.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
182 km/h
113 mph
181 km/h
113 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
315 hp
235 kW
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
340 hp
254 kW

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is has 25 hp more than Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4.

The biggest power difference is between Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 and BMW Z4 (E89) 35is: 25 hp (19 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
360 Nm
266 lb-ft
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
450 Nm
332 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
1,370 kg
3,020 lb
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
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 (981)S 3.4
277 km/h
172 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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)S 3.45.0 s
BMWZ4 (E89)35is4.8 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35is and Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4: 0.2 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)S 3.4
8.2 L/100 km
28.7 mpg US
34.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 and BMW Z4 (E89) 35is: 0.8 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 (981)S 3.4
230 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
213 hp/t
158 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
780 km
485 mi
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
611 km
380 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
315 hp
235 kW
5.0 s
277 km/h
172 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
340 hp
254 kW
4.8 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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)S 3.4
Power
315 hp
235 kW
0-100 km/h5.0 s
Top speed
277 km/h
172 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,281 mm
50.4 in
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h4.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,244 mm
167.1 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 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)S 3.4
Power
315 hp
235 kW
0-100 km/h5.0 s
Top speed
277 km/h
172 mph
8.2 L/100 km
28.7 mpg US
34.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h4.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is 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)S 3.4
8.2 L/100 km
28.7 mpg US
34.4 mpg UK
5.0 s
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
4.8 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)S 3.4
230 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
8.2 L/100 km
28.7 mpg US
34.4 mpg UK
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
213 hp/t
158 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4BMWZ4 (E89)35is
Power
315 hp
235 kW
340 hp
254 kW
Torque
360 Nm
266 lb-ft
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.0 s
4.8 s
Top speed
277 km/h
172 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,370 kg
3,020 lb
1,600 kg
3,527 lb
Fuel consumption
8.2 L/100 km
28.7 mpg US
34.4 mpg UK
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,281 mm
50.4 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,244 mm
167.1 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 in
Range score
780 km
485 mi
611 km
380 mi
CO2 score
190 g/km
210 g/km
Trunk score
280 L
9.9 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
230 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
213 hp/t
158 kW/t
4.7 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) S 3.4BMW Z4 (E89) 35is
Consumption8.2 L/100 km28.7 mpg US34.4 mpg UK9 L/100 km26.1 mpg US31.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.35 LC100 km15.75 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.09 LC100 mi25.35 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,230 L325 US gal271 UK gal1,350 L357 US gal297 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,153 LC/year2,363 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4

  • Is 230 kg lighter
  • Has 7 km/h (4 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.8 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 17 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 169 km (105 mi) more estimated range
  • Emits 20 g/km less CO2

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is

  • Has 25 hp more
  • Has 90 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Highest CO2 emissions

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4
BMW Z4 (E89) 35is
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