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Z4 or Boxster?
Hello everyone. My dad is in the market for a new roadster, and right now the choices are down to either the '05 987 Boxster or the '05 E85 Z4. I know that there's a $5,000 incentive for the Z4 right now (I saw that people were getting close to $8K off MSRP!), but I'd like some opinions on the advantages/disadvantages of each car. In terms of performance, I know both cars are very close (with the exception of the Z4 having one more gear standard). Or should my dad just spend a little more and go for the 987 S?
One more thing: does anyone know if the Z4 will ever get the 3.0L engine from the E90 330i?
Thanks in advance.
| | Reply » Z4 or Boxster? |
I wouldn't recommend either one of them, IMO neither are really not worth the money, in that price range an informed enthusiast has so many better options
Z4 resale value is in the toilet  I was so glad to have leased my ex-Z4 3.0, turning it i to the dealer was the happy ending of a bad decision
| | Reply » Z4 or Boxster? |
You do not have to worry about resale if you are leasing or if you are getting the car at $8K off sticker. The Z4 3.0 is an awesome car and you can get a nicely optioned one for $40-$42K. Also the Z4 offers the SMG while the Porsche's do not. The fun aspect of the roadster goes up a significant notch with manual shifting and the clutch-less SMG makes it a pleasure.
Makes sure you get the Sports package and drive with the sports mode on. The car handles much better in the sports mode.
Since the Z4 is a light car, I am not sure how much the extra ponies of the newer engines will matter in regular driving. Of course if you plan to track the car then more the better. In regular driving the current Z4 3.0, or even the 2.5 has adequate power.
Also note that the 6th gear is great to have when cruising on the highway (or at any road above 40mph). It reduces the engine noise and FWIW also saves on gas too.
From the bang for the bug perspective, the Z4 is definitely the winner over the Porsche. With the huge discounts, the leases are awesome right now. However, if money is no issue and then drive them both and buy the one your dad likes.
In a roadster I would like to stick a label which has a strong track-record in safety during an accident. The BMW roadsters have had a great record in letting their occupants walk out of the car even with multiple spins and roll overs.
I am not sure what other options TeamM3 is talking about in the $40K price range. The other candidates are the Honda S2000 (engine revs too high and too noisy for me), the Miata (chick car, safety not as good as the Germans), the 350Z (does not handle as well and even their coupe version has had safety issues in rollovers), Solstice (based on a previous generation SLK platform, handling not all that great) and then off course the Porsches.
| | Reply » Z4 or Boxster? |
Quote: | I wouldn't recommend either one of them, IMO neither are really not worth the money, in that price range an informed enthusiast has so many better options | It would be very helpful, if you could give us a few examples 
| | Reply » Z4 or Boxster? |
I have a Z4, my roomate has a 987 boxster S
my car was 20 grand cheaper, but lacks a little bit of that special driving performance (steering feel.....)
but the Z4 doesn't really feel much slower (although it is) and I like the interior of the Z4 better and the Z4 is quieter top down or up.
The porsche is great, but unless you're driving super hard and fast all the time the Z4 is 9/10 as good performance wise, any time you're not driving at the limit the Z4 is better
| | Reply » Z4 or Boxster? |
the Z4 is getting the new engines used in the E90 next spring - this is part of why they're on sale right now. If he can wait, I think the next generation engines will make the Z4 a much better bang for the buck than the Boxster and I like some of the interior updates previewed on the Z4 coupe concept.
I'm unsure what TeamM3 is talking about. For the money, I think the SLK350, Z4 3.0, and Boxster are the only real competitors in the German roadster segment right now. The Z4 has better driving dynamics than the SLK, and is a match for the Boxster's handling unless you're driving full-out while having a better interior. The main reason I went with a Z4 after 3 Porsches is that unless you're tracking the car, you're paying for performance you'll never use with the Porsche.
Emanuel
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Z4 or Boxster?