Z4 3.0L or Boxter 3.2 S ???!
Discussion
Driven, not owned, a Z4 3.0si on a 100 mile round trip and thought it was superb. I thought it was actually pretty engaging, I seem to remember a Sport button as well that tightened up the throttle response. The Boxster has indeed earned its reputation deservedly, but I wouldn't consider it 'in a league of its own'.
A nice quandary!
A nice quandary!
ajb85 said:
Ad said:
Please note dent to rear quarter panel
Not cheap, or he'd have had it done. Probably needs a new rear quarter.Fox- said:
ajb85 said:
Ad said:
Please note dent to rear quarter panel
Not cheap, or he'd have had it done. Probably needs a new rear quarter.Jez m said:
They are both stunning! 
Thanks. Mine have both been in the main weekend or evening cars with the odd commute once every couple of weeks. The blue Boxster was my daily for 5 months until my company car order was delivered. It also did a 2500 mile tour of Europe and the Alps with some pretty hard driving. The 550 basically has the same use and is being readied for another similar big trip later this year. Front and rear boots add some extra capacity and practicality. Only on steep gradients whilst chasing GT3s did I ever feel the need for more power. With the same mods my 550 will be comfortably 10% more powerful and I should think that's all I will need.
ajb85 said:
Indeed! Over my budget, but if it wasnt the dent wouldn't put me off. £6.8k for this http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6130...
Gaz. said:
Fox- said:
The Boxster is the better car. The Z4 is the better £6k car. Terrible steering aside, the Z4 is hardly a bad sports car to be fair.
+1. Although I bought a S2000 instead and have been very happy with it.S2k drives sedately until you hit the sweet spot around 6k then it gets amusingly fun. However it does get a bit tiresome having to rag it all the time. Boxster is an immensely capable car but does seem to do everything for you. Our 2001 Boxster popped a core plug with a 2.5k bill to fix. Apparently once one side goes the other side is likely to. How accurate this is I dunno, but it was from the specialist who fixed it. We got rid shortly after.
In our car history the Boxster is down as the most disappointing car we have ever owned.
...and we have had/still own Alfas and TVRs! 
As the owner of a lovely 2000MY, 2 owner 58k mile 986 Boxster S, that cost me £6750 and has been perfect and still looks in brand new condition, , I would say Boxster every time. There is a lot of choice out there though and you can be choosey. On budget private probs best route. Find a well heeled owner, preferably a pampered second car with great histor and you shouldn't go far wrong. The are plenty of these examples amongst the abused trash. A supremely practical car too. I would take mine anywhere. For me it's a drivers car so I would take mechanical condition as priority over colour/spec etc every time.
IMS is the killer for these cars. Worth getting it done for peace of mind if it hasn't been upgraded already. Finding a car that has had the fix already done at a reputable specialist should be the aim though.
Epic cars that are undervalued solely because of the amount produced.
IMS is the killer for these cars. Worth getting it done for peace of mind if it hasn't been upgraded already. Finding a car that has had the fix already done at a reputable specialist should be the aim though.
Epic cars that are undervalued solely because of the amount produced.
Edited by billzeebub on Saturday 7th June 13:27
Bennet said:
What do you really want from this car?
We just bought a Z4 for my wife. It's a nice place to be with the roof down, and it feels like a quality item. You feel kind of cool in it.
It also lacks driver involvement. The steering is numb, there is too much travel in the clutch and accelerator, the gearbox is very notchy, you can't see out of it that well and it rides far harder than there is any justification for. I have a mk1 mr2 which is twice as satisfying to drive.
It doesn't give you that confident, agile, "one with the machine" thing that you really want it to. You never quite feel in full control.
A decent cruiser, but one with a pointlessly hard ride.
All the reviews seem to love it though.
PS - Absolutely excellent turning circle.
Ha yes i noticed that too on my z3. Practically a London cab!We just bought a Z4 for my wife. It's a nice place to be with the roof down, and it feels like a quality item. You feel kind of cool in it.
It also lacks driver involvement. The steering is numb, there is too much travel in the clutch and accelerator, the gearbox is very notchy, you can't see out of it that well and it rides far harder than there is any justification for. I have a mk1 mr2 which is twice as satisfying to drive.
It doesn't give you that confident, agile, "one with the machine" thing that you really want it to. You never quite feel in full control.
A decent cruiser, but one with a pointlessly hard ride.
All the reviews seem to love it though.
PS - Absolutely excellent turning circle.
Your right about the ride though. Mines wobles before settling for a corner
I've owned a Boxster S and a Z4 35i M Sport. The Z4 is a lovely silky ride but it is nowhere near the Boxster for handling and pure driving pleasure.
If you want a cruiser then I'd say go Z4 but if you like driving through winding roads and want a car that just feels better as a driving tool then you cannot beat the Boxster.
If you want a cruiser then I'd say go Z4 but if you like driving through winding roads and want a car that just feels better as a driving tool then you cannot beat the Boxster.
Had a 2004 Boxster s, 2003 Z4 3.0 and a 52 S2000.
The facelift (2003) Boxster I had with a dated dash and looks but superior to both to drive.
The Z4 m sport suspension and runflats make it a very uncomfortable place to be.
S2000 made so cheaply its not in the same league as the other 2. easy fixes, but its not a premium built car despite claims it made alongside the NSX.
The facelift (2003) Boxster I had with a dated dash and looks but superior to both to drive.
The Z4 m sport suspension and runflats make it a very uncomfortable place to be.
S2000 made so cheaply its not in the same league as the other 2. easy fixes, but its not a premium built car despite claims it made alongside the NSX.
buzzer said:
Never seen my mate cry.... until he bought a Boxter. ( well there were real tears in his eyes when he took the call from the garage...)
the bills were
just...
Didn't get a quote before any work was done ?the bills were
just...
I ran two and they were cheap as chips to run/maintain/service. Obviously you need to do a bit of research but it's not that difficult.
I'm into my 5th year of owning my 3.0 Z4.
Up to now the only problems have been both rear springs cracked, hood motor cooked and coolant expansion tank cracked (pretty much all of the known faults)
Apart from those issues its been faultless over the 60k miles ive done in it.
Regularly returns 35+mpg and is a nice place to be.
As for the boxster being a better drive, i wouldnt know, but knowing that i'll never drive a car up to even 80% of its limit means i dont particular care.
I have thought of changing it on a few occasions but cant think of anything else id prefer in its price bracket.
Up to now the only problems have been both rear springs cracked, hood motor cooked and coolant expansion tank cracked (pretty much all of the known faults)
Apart from those issues its been faultless over the 60k miles ive done in it.
Regularly returns 35+mpg and is a nice place to be.
As for the boxster being a better drive, i wouldnt know, but knowing that i'll never drive a car up to even 80% of its limit means i dont particular care.
I have thought of changing it on a few occasions but cant think of anything else id prefer in its price bracket.
Edited by MLH on Saturday 7th June 22:47
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