Hi all,

I'm looking to get a new roadster but I need some help from folks who have owned either cars in choosing between the Z4 and the boxster.

#1. How easy is it to add some aftermarket power to the Z? What upgrades should I look into? I'm not looking to make the car a track monster, but 300hp doesn't do it for me. I think 400 at the crank would probably satisfy my drive. How hard is it to find respectable mechanics to do the work?

#2. It doesn't seem to me that there is much of a difference between an 35i and the 35is, specially if the car will be tuned. Is that a correct assumption?

#3. For those who have driven the two, I understand the porsche has sportier handling and is slightly quicker overall. Was that sufficient to sway one way or another given the price difference?

#4. Probably a really stupid question, but I'm not a mechanic. Is it possible to replace the turbos on the Z to act more like twin turbos? That is, both work in the same range, rather than one low range and one in high range? I would think that would provide more power, correct?

Also here is my pro/con list so far:
Z4
pro: price, look (in my opinion), turbocharged, hard top, more trunk capacity, maintenance, better interior
con: not a porsche, slower, lesser handling,

Boxster
pro: faster, better handling, overall most sporty, better brand
con: more expensive, interior, soft top

Please feel free to add or correct my list, or any other input that you may have!

Thank you so much!

Zar

 

For those who have driven the two, I understand the porsche has sportier handling and is slightly quicker overall. Was that sufficient to sway one way or another given the price difference?

Ive driven both new. Are you planning to track the car ? No question Boxster S/GTS. Right out of the box the Porsche performs better. A 2nd set of wheels mounted on Road course tires and you are set.

The z4 is outdated, heavier, and requires some mods to make it track ready (overheating). Even then, it will not perform like a new Boxster.

Just my two cents.

 

The new Z4 has moved into the SLK category with the new hardtop, no longer as fun and tossable on the twisty roads. It's a nice boulevard cruiser. The Boxster is a proper sports car, I didn't think I would like the ragtop coming from a hardtop roadster (SLK) but I haven't thought much of it. My pick goes to the 981, plus it looks better IMO

 

Like I said, I'm not looking to track the car. Just a summer weekend trip roadster.

I pretty much just want to get either of them up where my old subaru was at. Problem is, you can't throw a rock without hitting a shop with people willing to do insane things to subarus. Can't say the same about BMW and Porsche.

 

I had the 2005 Z4 (soft top) before and now a 997.1 ... also test drove newest cayman and a 2008 cayman prior to the 911..

So here is how i see the diff..

Z4
- That long hood is sexy, you sit very close to the rear wheel which almost feels like you are riding a chariot.
- The Z4 is less composed and precise than the 911 or cayman, but this actually gives a wild and beasty feeling.. like you need to tame it.
- Maintenance was rather straight forward and easy.

Cayman
- Precision machine, the steering feels like it is so much more connected.
- Everything feels like they are meant to work in a symphony..

So after being in both.. I would say, sometimes a car is not about having best handling and performance.. sometimes imperfection adds to it also.

That said... I take a Z4 over a boxster as a cruiser.. And will do it again.

 

I leased a 2015 Z4. Beautiful car. Had that classic British roadster look with the long hood. For me it's ended there. The car engine was underpowered because of the weight of the car. The metal roof rattle like crazy. You had to slow down to 5 miles per hour to activate the roof. Handling was was so so and steering numb. The dash rattle. The passenger seat rattled. The car is not BMW mainstay vrhicle so it didn't get the attention like a 5 or 3 series. So little quality details were missing. I returned the car early.

I test drive a booster and probably the only quibble is the rear view is obstructed. I ending up with a 911 after 5 bmws and its night and day.

If it is the latest generation I would get the boxster. Good luck.

 

I have owned both cars at various times, as well as the first Mroadster (before they figured how to put traction control on it) If you are buying the car for weekend driving and you want to mod it a turbo car will always be cheaper and easier to increase power and remember you feel HP increases at the upper end of the RPM range you want TQ down low to give you the push. To get that with a Boxster be prepared to empty your pockets unless things have changed you would need a TPC turbo (probably 14K installed) to make that happen. I guess you need to ask yourself do you want a warranty or not, for me is was always not, but then again I am a bit crazy.

 

Boxster, but go with the S, not the base. You will be sorely disappointed with the trunk space for a weekend trip with the top down in the Z4. The boxster has trunk space front and rear. BMW has a much better warranty, though.

 

I've owned both, from new. The GTS Boxster (PDK) is far and away the better overall sports car. Planted, stable, precise and so very balanced. The controls and driving experience are simply finer and more rewarding.
The Z4 35iS is a good car, but is more of a small sports cruiser league. Less drive and road feedback, VERY (too much so) light steering. It cruises OK, but over time, loses its flair. The GTS continues to be exciting every time I use it.
Drive both and decide for yourself. We all want and experience different things in our fun cars.