Z3M V's Boxster 3.2 Decisions Decisions - Help!

[Davidv79]

Good Evening Everyone,

This is my first post so please bear with me, sorry if this has been asked before.

I having been reading lots of posts on here for a while now and thought I would wave the flag and seek your help.

I am looking to get a 2 seater convertible to use as a fun weekend and sunshine car, but I can not decide between a 1998 Z3M Roadster or a 2000 Porsche Boxster 3.2 Manual.

Has anyone had either or both and point me in the right direction?

I haven't driven either, I've driven the 2.5 Boxster but was not really impressed.

Many thanks for your help in advance.

David

[scarebus]

Hi, what a nice luxury problem....

Two great cars with many pros and some cons. I have spent a bit of time with both cars and think that they are both lovely and would be really special cars to own.

In a nut shell the Z3M has a real naughtiness to it, a nice raspy engine, a more urgent power delivery and very driftable. The car seems to have a bit of a retro feel to it, this can maybe hide the fact that the Z3 model is getting on a bit...

The Boxster is lovely too, a slightly more civilised car as it tends to be more refined and gets on with the job without shouting about it. The 3.2 is a nice lump, a good spread of torque and has a wonderful bellow above 4000rpm. It is not as quick in a straight line as the Z3m but add in a few twisties and the Porsche starts to come alive, a real nice car to hustle, pointy front end and a docile rear end.

Don't forget he Boxster is a practical car too, there are two boots, always good with the other half...

My main issue with the Boxster are the ultimate lack of straight line pace, the dull interior and those headlights, if these do not bother you then go for it. But, I doubt it will become a classic as there are too many on the roads unlike the Z3m. The BMW is rarer, faster, better looking, more 'hands on', more special and would be the one I would choose.

Good luck with your choice.... keep us posted

[Pig Skill]

Aside from driving experiences the Box looks a trifle bland and is quite common. The Z3M is just stunning to behold and a real handful to drive at the limit.

If its a daily then the Box is more civilised and parctical is its a toy then get the M

[Davidv79]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I'm drifting towards the M, the wife says Porsche, but this is a weekend car so it should be about fun.

Are there any meetings that you know off in the Nottingham area?

Thanks

[T1berious]

Would your budget stretch to an early Z4M Roadster? After driving my partners Z3 (think it was based on BMW Compact chassis) and scaring myself, I breathed a massive sigh of relief when I drove the Z4M, Night and Day Driving experience. Z4M is civilised enough as a daily driver (once warm anyway) but only a toe prod away from mental

[andygtt]

Z4M will eat the boxster S alive... I replaced my E36 M3 with a Boxster S a few years back and it was very similar performance and poorer fuel economy.... the Z4M will leave the E36 in a straight line.

Boxster does handle well but then so does the Z4, and the bimmer is better looking IMHO.... Id have the Z4M all day long

[Davidv79]

May struggle to stretch to the Z4, having been given authority from the boss for £7k-£8500.

[T1berious]

Needless to say either of these choices isn't going to be cheap to run, had the Z4M a year and already sunk 2.5k (not including fuel).

But to be fair it's not skipped a beat.

[T1berious]

That being the case I'd look at a 3.0 Z4, doesn’t lose that much in performance to the M and is going to be cheaper to run then the Boxster.

(Looks in classifieds....)

[T1berious]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/4005449.htm

Your budget will get you plenty of Z4, a low mileage one with all the stamps = win

If you're worried about unexpected stuff just go with an extended warranty. BMW are pretty competitive at the moment.

[Pig Skill]

The Z4M is a bit boring to look at though — looks like a normal Z4 with a few M badges randomly thrown at it.

Epic drive when you are in the mood mind, just a bit of a Plain Jane. Oh and the ride is, erm 'uncompromising' especially on the RF's

[T1berious]

No RF's on Z4M's alas, considering the OP's budget RF's will be on a regular Z4, most people change them out to VREDS, instantly changing the character of the car and a can of get me home spray.

[nottyash]

I owned an M3 e46and a Boxster S 3.2 last year.
In terms of performance the M3 is in another league, that M 3.2 engine is simply fantastic.
Handling wise the Boxster is really good. So compared to a Z3m I would prefer the boxster.
If you want to go fast in a straight line buy the M, if you want a brilliant handling mid engined sports car buy the Boxster.
Traction on the Boxster is pathetic, where as M cars have LSD's and are far better.
Drive them both and buy the one that puts the biggest smile on your face

[Pig Skill]

T1berious said:

No RF's on Z4M's alas, considering the OP's budget RF's will be on a regular Z4, most people change them out to VREDS, instantly changing the character of the car and a can of get me home spray.

Wow, thats something I just assumed - must be blinking harsh if they ever were fitted.

The Z4MC is a bit of a meaty mofo from the rear but the front view on the MR and MC is pants.

I've had a couple of Boxsters over the years and loved them but they are far from bullet proof and costly when they break. RMS and IMS seal anyone? Oh and a new clutch when the IMS fails. At least with the M Roadster the Vanos is repairable for little outlay these days. Just keep an on the boot floor being torn out.

[Davidv79]

Thanks for all your help. I think I'm going to get out and try some. I have my eye on a couple out there so I'll let you know how I get on.

[andygtt]

Z3M will also whip the Boxster S arse as well... they are faster than the E36 and my E36 has no interior so is a quick one... a friend has one and loves it.

in truth I sold the boxster for 3 reasons,
1. I hated the look people gave me when I said I had a porsche
2. it was approaching a service and I looked at the service record and last one was 2.5k!!!!
3. I found I could afford a Noble

also I couldnt get on with the handling when I pushed on... Id had the M3 for 5 years at the time and owned Ultimas and Nobles and driven the porsche quite a bit before I bought it etc yet when I pushed on hard I found I kept missjudging the inside rear when and clipped kerbs more than once at high speed and destroyed one alloy in one instance, something I've never done in any other car... wasnt anything wrong with the handling and it had been in my family since new so hadnt any issues.

Also the M engines are unrivalled IMO... one in the Z3M is a very sweat thing indeed with a decent back box

[Davidv79]

With my budget I'm looking at cars with 70k-80k miles. Apart from the usual (vanos and boot - z3m and oil seal - boxster) how much life do you think is left in these cars is maintained correctly.

Ideally I would like the lowest mileage I can afford but should I shy away from big mileages?

[jontymo]

Get the M, rarer, hold there value, stunning performance.

If you can afford it look for the later engined version M54 i think, but check the boot welds are intact (common issue due to the power)

Have a look on zroadster.

[UberMeister]

Davidv79 said:

With my budget I'm looking at cars with 70k-80k miles. Apart from the usual (vanos and boot - z3m and oil seal - boxster) how much life do you think is left in these cars is maintained correctly.

Ideally I would like the lowest mileage I can afford but should I shy away from big mileages?

zroadster.net is a useful source as a buying guide.

I px'd my Z3M roadster at 72k and it still felt relatively good. Worn top mounts are fairly common but easy to replace.

The boot is easy to check - just lift the rear carpet and inspect the welds.

It's a pretty old school driving experience anyway so it won't feel like a new car anyway - the gear change was particularly agricultural.

[Davidv79]

Agricultural? I've got a '84 series 3 Land Rover!

I used to have access to a 2006 AM V8 Vantage, which had an interesting gear change.

Anything similar?