Boxster vs. Z3 vs. SLK: Time for Coffee?
Small Porsche versus BMW and Merc tests have been going for 20 years now; here's one of the first!
Which is why it's nice to revisit contemporary tests of cars to see exactly what the score was back then. This US triple test between the Boxster, SLK and Z3 - as well as featuring some top slacks - is great for discovering just what was made of the three back in the 90s, before the stereotypes set in.
Alright, so you can probably guess the finishing order, but there's no wooden spoon here. All of the cars are found to have their respective qualities, all are apparently enjoyed by the testers and all spring the odd surprise too. Wait until you hear the SLK's 0-60 time, for example, or see the BMW's interior...
So as well as being a glorious nostalgia fest, a video crammed with 90s graphics and very 90s clothes, it's an interesting watch to rediscover just what was made of these three when they were new. Wonder what this triple test will look like in 2037?
See the video here.
I really like all 3 of the cars in different ways.
The Boxster really appeals as they represent good value for money and even a 2.5 would satisfy most. The worry is the cost of one or 2 big jobs that can be quite costly.
The Z3, love the retro styling, a good I6 engine and it has just enough creature comforts with a degree of simplicity. It gets slated for having the E30 back end but not complimented for having a M3 back end??
The SLK, folding hard top is very impressive, certainly adds security and comfort. However Merc just cant make a decent manual gearbox.
Tough call!
That's a surprise to me! My wife has had two, the last one we've had since new and still have 13 years later. I have an odd relationship with it because it embodies a lot of what I hate about some cars in that it is stodgy, unresponsive and that steering feel is more like you'd expect in an oil tanker but the bloody thing has never let us down in 110k miles, just keep on plodding on, and is certainly a comfortable place to be for longer journeys.
Since upgraded to a Boxster S. Much better. Better engine, better gearbox, better noise, even a better hood. Took that to North Wales as well. Wow. Just brilliant. Annoyingly good in fact - I'd wanted to hate it, it's my wife's car and she refused to get a Lotus. I was utterly grumpy about it all until I got used to driving it. Its a brilliant complete sportscar. Damn it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQYkhqx6-xI&li...
Enjoy!
Matt
Porche - always wanted one but never achieved high enough status to run one (houses kids blah blah blah)
SLK probably the best car I've owned ( I've had a few!) mainly because I paid Shed money (£1000) had it for 3 years just replaced the odd perishable it did a great job - good fun
sure it was a bit squishy but she lifted up her skirts and went well
If I'd paid a lot for it I may not have enjoyed it as much but I didnt !!
I have a Z3 6 cylinder but 2.2 not 2.8, and it is a really nice weekend soft top for an affordable price. Unfortunately as a product of the final week of production before the Z4 started, it has the dreaded fly by wire throttle. I hate FBW because it gives a woolley and disconnected feel to the pedal which makes fine low speed control very hard. The DSC stability control is superb though and has saved my bacon on one occasion when a rapid lane change at 70mph was required to avoid a veering car alongside. On a damp road to dial in a big steering input could have left me fishtailing all over the M25, but the DSC calmly seized control and it handled like a 40mph swerve on a dry surface. For a 2002 built car that's remarkable.
The Z3 was always just a Series 3 in drag - nuff said.
The SLK rear looks too angular but comes across as the more grown-up car suited to real-life day to day driving conditions & variable weather, in the UK especially. In any case Mercedes trumps a BMW or Porsche any day, unless you're a smart-alec salesman or office girl.
I'd take the Boxster every time.
Bargain classics
To be fair the Mrs wasn't mechanically sympathetic, probably needed better tyres and the tracking sorted but it felt at any minute it wanted to dump me into a bush.
To be fair the Mrs wasn't mechanically sympathetic, probably needed better tyres and the tracking sorted but it felt at any minute it wanted to dump me into a bush.
Tyre choice and pressures are important IMHO. I have driven my Z3 on a track when it was too damned cold for my Westfield, and while there's no comparison between the two, the Z handled far better than I had been led to expect by the naysayers. There's an awful lot of received 'wisdom' in the world of cars and the myth of poor handling by the Z3 is an example. Mine, on none too brilliant tyres, would under or oversteer dependent on power input, and remain fairly level on fast cornering. Admittedly the grip in a cold December isn't too good, but it didn't disgrace itself at all. It is essential to switch off the DSC on a track or the brakes - already weedy for such driving - will be cooked in no time as the system tries to spoil your fun. As above, the brakes on mine went long and soft very quickly on standard (fresh) fluid. DOT5.1 will improve them if my son's Z4MC is anything to go by. Perhaps Bluestuff pads as well...
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