BMW Z4 3.0 or Porsche Boxster S
Discussion
I have a budget of around £6k-£8k for a car for the “wife”, who’s spec is a 2 seater only, needs to be convertible and has to have some performance! My short list has been narrowed to a BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0l or Porsche Boxster S (986). We can get a low mileage Z4 for the budget, whereas the Boxster being slightly more expensive will have to have a few more miles on. The safe option appears to be the Z4. The straight-6 3.0l is great engine and other than the roof mechanism seems to be a low risk buy. Prices seem quite firm too so don’t expect to lose much. But there is a pull to having a Boxster. Similar power to the Z4 but more improved driving experience, although the counter to this appears the long list of potential money pits that the 986 suffer from. Higher risk with higher running costs. And the interior looks more dated than the Z4. Again, I don’t expect to lose much on the Boxster S either with prices probably close to the bottom.
Any alternative suggestions or opinions on the Z4 or Boxster S would be appreciated. I did try to persuade the “wife” to a BMW E86 Z4 Coupé, although that’s pushing the budget without going +100k miles and seems reluctant as she wants the convertible!!!!! Although I love the look and think these prices could go up!!!
Views welcome .....
Any alternative suggestions or opinions on the Z4 or Boxster S would be appreciated. I did try to persuade the “wife” to a BMW E86 Z4 Coupé, although that’s pushing the budget without going +100k miles and seems reluctant as she wants the convertible!!!!! Although I love the look and think these prices could go up!!!
Views welcome .....
My experience of the 986 and Z4's are limited to a short test drive/test drive and passenger rides respectively. I owned a 987 2.7 for around a year.
I'd expect the Porsche to feel more special and probably be better to drive but with significantly higher running costs and far more risk of properly expensive issues.
Basic parts other than brakes were expensive on the 987, shock absorbers are at least ~ £200 each on the front and such like, suspect the 986 might be similar. Good, non-expensive aftermarket parts are hard to come by in comparison to BMW.
I had a PPI done on my 987 and before long the seller was shelling out about £1100 to replace a radiator, coolant hoses, both A/C condensers and a few other small bits and pieces. The mid-engine design and the fact there are twice as many of these as the equivalent Z4 can cause costs to soon mount up. I had a ballache of a time with the A/C on my car as the gas twice found the next weakest link in the system.
Money no object I'd have another 987 in a heartbeat over a Z4 but running costs would make me look seriously at a 3.0Si Z4 if I were to go down the sports car route again.
I'd expect the Porsche to feel more special and probably be better to drive but with significantly higher running costs and far more risk of properly expensive issues.
Basic parts other than brakes were expensive on the 987, shock absorbers are at least ~ £200 each on the front and such like, suspect the 986 might be similar. Good, non-expensive aftermarket parts are hard to come by in comparison to BMW.
I had a PPI done on my 987 and before long the seller was shelling out about £1100 to replace a radiator, coolant hoses, both A/C condensers and a few other small bits and pieces. The mid-engine design and the fact there are twice as many of these as the equivalent Z4 can cause costs to soon mount up. I had a ballache of a time with the A/C on my car as the gas twice found the next weakest link in the system.
Money no object I'd have another 987 in a heartbeat over a Z4 but running costs would make me look seriously at a 3.0Si Z4 if I were to go down the sports car route again.
Sorry I've no experience of a Boxster, but I have had a Z4 Coupe for nearly 5 years now.
I only wanted the Coupe anyway because I'd always loved how they look, and there was no Porsche option anyway as Caymans are in a different price range and to be fair I don't like their looks much.
Anyway, for your budget I'm assuming you'd be looking at a facelift model - the facelift was in early 2006.
The facelifts have the newer N52 engine which gives a bit more power, but does come with an electric water pump that tends to fail anywhere from 8 to 12 years old, or potentially from 60K miles onwards. It costs over £500 for a new one from BMW, but the same Pierburg pump can be bought elsewhere for around £250.
The issue with the roof is that where BMW located the roof motor it gets drowned by water from the roof drains. There are a few members on z4forum who can relocate it into the boot at a reasonable cost - handy as I believe new motors aren't cheap!
The ride can feel pretty harsh in the Z4, but a lot of owners say replacing the run-flat tyres with normal ones improves it no end.
If you do decide to look at one try to find a Sport model as they came with M-Sport seats which are very desirable - even used M-Sport seats tend to change hands for up to £800 a pair.
There were quite a few things that you might have expected to find standard that were on the options list. Like Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats (highly recommended on the Roadster), cruise control and rear parking sensors, among others.
From what I've read the Porsche is likely to drive better, but have the potential to throw up bigger bills if or when things do go wrong, and I suppose at 10+ years of age it's only a matter of time!
It probably depends how enthusiastically your OH drives - would she value the better driving dynamics of the Boxster enough to justify the potential costs?
At the end of the day it's not like the Z4 drives badly. (And certainly Coupe values seem to be holding up well).
Anyway good luck with whichever option you go for.
I only wanted the Coupe anyway because I'd always loved how they look, and there was no Porsche option anyway as Caymans are in a different price range and to be fair I don't like their looks much.
Anyway, for your budget I'm assuming you'd be looking at a facelift model - the facelift was in early 2006.
The facelifts have the newer N52 engine which gives a bit more power, but does come with an electric water pump that tends to fail anywhere from 8 to 12 years old, or potentially from 60K miles onwards. It costs over £500 for a new one from BMW, but the same Pierburg pump can be bought elsewhere for around £250.
The issue with the roof is that where BMW located the roof motor it gets drowned by water from the roof drains. There are a few members on z4forum who can relocate it into the boot at a reasonable cost - handy as I believe new motors aren't cheap!
The ride can feel pretty harsh in the Z4, but a lot of owners say replacing the run-flat tyres with normal ones improves it no end.
If you do decide to look at one try to find a Sport model as they came with M-Sport seats which are very desirable - even used M-Sport seats tend to change hands for up to £800 a pair.
There were quite a few things that you might have expected to find standard that were on the options list. Like Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats (highly recommended on the Roadster), cruise control and rear parking sensors, among others.
From what I've read the Porsche is likely to drive better, but have the potential to throw up bigger bills if or when things do go wrong, and I suppose at 10+ years of age it's only a matter of time!
It probably depends how enthusiastically your OH drives - would she value the better driving dynamics of the Boxster enough to justify the potential costs?
At the end of the day it's not like the Z4 drives badly. (And certainly Coupe values seem to be holding up well).
Anyway good luck with whichever option you go for.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 26th February 21:48
My two cents.
I've owned a Z4 3.0si convertible. Great car to look at and running costs were fine. It certainly shifted. I even made a profit when I sold it. But... It just never felt special and the ride on the run flats (which I could have ditched) wasn't much fun.
When buying my Z4 though I looked at a Boxster, just an early 2.7 and that feel special to drive. The "but" here though is that I paid an indy to check it over and give me a full report.
That report gave it a clean bill of health but also recommended £4k of work to get it where it should be over the next year or two. (A decent service, couple of tyres, coil packs, genuine pads and a few other bits).
They weren't inflating the prices, they knew they wouldn't be getting my business.
So I went back to an MR2 Roadster again. Tons of fun, cheap as chips, sold it for what I paid for it. (Which was under £2k).
I've owned a Z4 3.0si convertible. Great car to look at and running costs were fine. It certainly shifted. I even made a profit when I sold it. But... It just never felt special and the ride on the run flats (which I could have ditched) wasn't much fun.
When buying my Z4 though I looked at a Boxster, just an early 2.7 and that feel special to drive. The "but" here though is that I paid an indy to check it over and give me a full report.
That report gave it a clean bill of health but also recommended £4k of work to get it where it should be over the next year or two. (A decent service, couple of tyres, coil packs, genuine pads and a few other bits).
They weren't inflating the prices, they knew they wouldn't be getting my business.
So I went back to an MR2 Roadster again. Tons of fun, cheap as chips, sold it for what I paid for it. (Which was under £2k).
Ive owned a Z4 and Boxster (both 986 & 987 models) and currently own a lovely Z3
Your budget should buy you a decent 986 Boxster S with reasonable mileage or a higher mileage 987 but possibly the 2.7 engine only (unless you're after galaxy miles). On either get an inspection done it will save you heaps of unexpected bills down the line.
The Boxster is a better (more precise) drive and the S is quicker too than the Z4 Si. The interior on the 986 does feel a little dated compared with the Z4 though but it feels very well made. 987 is more refined, offers more space over the 986 but loses a little 'feel' for me.
If you're seeking driving thrills this is a no brainer - flat six howl is superb but as has already been mentioned the Porkers need looking after and will cost a few extra hundred pounds per annum compared the the Z4.
The safe(r) option is a decent Z4 3.0 Si, great engine. Don't discount a Z4 3.0 Si with the auto box, really suits the car in my opinion
Happy hunting
Your budget should buy you a decent 986 Boxster S with reasonable mileage or a higher mileage 987 but possibly the 2.7 engine only (unless you're after galaxy miles). On either get an inspection done it will save you heaps of unexpected bills down the line.
The Boxster is a better (more precise) drive and the S is quicker too than the Z4 Si. The interior on the 986 does feel a little dated compared with the Z4 though but it feels very well made. 987 is more refined, offers more space over the 986 but loses a little 'feel' for me.
If you're seeking driving thrills this is a no brainer - flat six howl is superb but as has already been mentioned the Porkers need looking after and will cost a few extra hundred pounds per annum compared the the Z4.
The safe(r) option is a decent Z4 3.0 Si, great engine. Don't discount a Z4 3.0 Si with the auto box, really suits the car in my opinion
Happy hunting
Thanks for both responses.
There’s clearly a trend forming that was my understanding, Porsche Boxster S driving against potential running costs offset against lower risk Z4 with neither expected to lose money if kept in the right condition.
The only thing I will say is that there appears to be so many more Boxster S’s than Z4 3.0 z......
Interestingly enough the other car that we originally considered was the mk3 MR2. It was purely that the 138bhp engine wasn’t ever going to be ideal for some motorway commuting that the car we need to do once or twice a week.
There’s clearly a trend forming that was my understanding, Porsche Boxster S driving against potential running costs offset against lower risk Z4 with neither expected to lose money if kept in the right condition.
The only thing I will say is that there appears to be so many more Boxster S’s than Z4 3.0 z......
Interestingly enough the other car that we originally considered was the mk3 MR2. It was purely that the 138bhp engine wasn’t ever going to be ideal for some motorway commuting that the car we need to do once or twice a week.
Richard-rjbph said:
the mk3 MR2. It was purely that the 138bhp engine wasn’t ever going to be ideal for some motorway commuting that the car we need to do once or twice a week.
I don't understand this, the mr2 will do 130mph so it won't struggle to do 70 and won't be doing 7000rpm whilst doing so. Granted you might expect a z4/boxster to be quieter but not by a huge amount.
Buy this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Have a nice holiday with the change right now and another nice holiday every year with the money you'll be saving on fuel, insurance and repairs.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Have a nice holiday with the change right now and another nice holiday every year with the money you'll be saving on fuel, insurance and repairs.
May i suggest this - the 350z - if she is looking for a good looking, great sounding and it feels relatively full of theatre and quite special due to the noise it makes and how it drives.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You could likely have a bit of change left over from your budget.
It won't ruin you with run flats and massively expensive parts.
Good ones are holding their value so if you only keep it for a little bit you likely wouldn't have much depreciation to contend with.
It won't have the build or interior quality of a german counterpart, but i don't think they are horrible by JDM standards at all.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You could likely have a bit of change left over from your budget.
It won't ruin you with run flats and massively expensive parts.
Good ones are holding their value so if you only keep it for a little bit you likely wouldn't have much depreciation to contend with.
It won't have the build or interior quality of a german counterpart, but i don't think they are horrible by JDM standards at all.
Edited by stevekoz on Wednesday 27th February 09:50
aka_kerrly said:
Richard-rjbph said:
the mk3 MR2. It was purely that the 138bhp engine wasn’t ever going to be ideal for some motorway commuting that the car we need to do once or twice a week.
I don't understand this, the mr2 will do 130mph so it won't struggle to do 70 and won't be doing 7000rpm whilst doing so. Granted you might expect a z4/boxster to be quieter but not by a huge amount.
stevekoz said:
May i suggest this - the 350z - if she is looking for a good looking, great sounding and it feels relatively full of theatre and quite special due to the noise it makes and how it drives.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Maybe, but they are pretty lardy - minimum kerb weight of 1,644kg according to the advert! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I'm sure a MK3 MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, it's just about the response when you finally get a clear lane in front of you.
Mr Tidy said:
Maybe, but they are pretty lardy - minimum kerb weight of 1,644kg according to the advert!
I'm sure a MK3 MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, it's just about the response when you finally get a clear lane in front of you.
what response do you need If you are already doing 70 when a clear lane presents itself? A MR-S 60mph>70mph time is a couple of seconds, you're not going to get left behind or have to worry about holding people up. If it's a 40>70mph blast down a slip road it's an opportunity to wind a few gears rather than say for example in the 350Z with long gears you could do that in 2nd!I'm sure a MK3 MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, it's just about the response when you finally get a clear lane in front of you.
The 350Z may well be heavier than a Z4 3.0 or Boxster S , however don't judge it's sporting credentials on weight alone.
Around Tsukuba the 350z roadster did a 1m 8s lap the same as a Z4 3.0SI which were 2seconds faster than a Boxster S
down a 1/4 mile straight the 350Z an Boxster S are practically neck an neck @ 14.2/14.3sec, a Z4 3.0SI a few tenths ahead at 13.8sec
For reference the MR-S manages a respectable 1min 10s around Tsukuba - around 5 seconds quicker than a MGF that was in the same group test and will fire down a 1/4 mile in 15sec.
These cars are not miles apart in terms of performance & pleasure but in my opinion from the MR-S> 350z/Z4/Boxster S they can potentially be miles apart in terms of costs.
Thanks for all the comments. I’ve always liked the mk3 MR2 but can’t convince the OH to go out of the Germanic brands (we also have a mint, low mileage Audi TT 3.2 and Merc SL500).
As for the 350z, love the look of the coupe’s, a big hearty 3.5 v6 and rear wheel drive but come on, the roadster/convertible is god damn ugly which ever way you look at it!!!! So that’s a solid no.
We’ve found a Boxster S (987.1) with full Porsche SH and lowish mileage that we’re going to see this weekend. I’ll be going in with eyes wide open but will be interested to see how it compares to the Z4.
And yes, it’s above the budget (by £1.5k!)!!
As for the 350z, love the look of the coupe’s, a big hearty 3.5 v6 and rear wheel drive but come on, the roadster/convertible is god damn ugly which ever way you look at it!!!! So that’s a solid no.
We’ve found a Boxster S (987.1) with full Porsche SH and lowish mileage that we’re going to see this weekend. I’ll be going in with eyes wide open but will be interested to see how it compares to the Z4.
And yes, it’s above the budget (by £1.5k!)!!
aka_kerrly said:
Mr Tidy said:
Maybe, but they are pretty lardy - minimum kerb weight of 1,644kg according to the advert!
Sorry I could have phrased that better, in that the higher power output seems to be offset by the extra weight - as confirmed by the stats you quoted.
I'm sure a MK3 MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, it's just about the response when you finally get a clear lane in front of you.
what response do you need If you are already doing 70 when a clear lane presents itself?Sorry I could have phrased that better, in that the higher power output seems to be offset by the extra weight - as confirmed by the stats you quoted.
I'm sure a MK3 MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, it's just about the response when you finally get a clear lane in front of you.
Maybe I should have distinguished between the two!
While an MR2 would be quite happy at 70 on a motorway, when you get held up it's often at lower speeds and then a Z4 or Boxster is going to get back to 70 much quicker!
Around Tsukuba the 350z roadster did a 1m 8s lap the same as a Z4 3.0SI which were 2seconds faster than a Boxster S
down a 1/4 mile straight the 350Z an Boxster S are practically neck an neck @ 14.2/14.3sec, a Z4 3.0SI a few tenths ahead at 13.8sec
For reference the MR-S manages a respectable 1min 10s around Tsukuba - around 5 seconds quicker than a MGF that was in the same group test and will fire down a 1/4 mile in 15sec.
These cars are not miles apart in terms of performance & pleasure but in my opinion from the MR-S> 350z/Z4/Boxster S they can potentially be miles apart in terms of costs.
Let us know how you got along with the 987.1 viewing.
Be sure to enquire about any prior IMS replacement, if you're looking at late *2006 MY onwards they got the upgraded larger single IMS bearing which is less prone to fail
987's are really nice cars if they've been properly serviced and driven (you really don't want a low mileage neglected garage queen)
p.s. OPC SH isn't really any better than a good Porsche Indie SH IMHO
Be sure to enquire about any prior IMS replacement, if you're looking at late *2006 MY onwards they got the upgraded larger single IMS bearing which is less prone to fail
- caveat no-one really knows when the changeover happened not even Porsche !
987's are really nice cars if they've been properly serviced and driven (you really don't want a low mileage neglected garage queen)
p.s. OPC SH isn't really any better than a good Porsche Indie SH IMHO
Edited by Halo in reverse on Friday 1st March 16:18
I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes tomorrow with the 987.1 Boxster S. It’s a MY ‘05 so an early car but has comprehensive SH both main dealer then specialist in last two years. I’m no mechanic but will be the first car I view/test drive that I can’t see the engine in!!!! I’m taking torch and mirror and will be all over (under) it though watching for any tell-tail signs of IMS/RMS/bore scoring ........ 😝
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