Porsche boxster 3.2s VS BMW Z4M

[drumo]

Hi

I can't decide what to get next!
Currently have a TVR chimaera 4.0-- great car, sounds lovely but impractical (I live in C London, so its not very useable or comfortable in traffic), and poor build quality.
Would like another convertible and have a budget of upto £30k, so have been considering either a Z4M or a Boxster 3.2s (post 2005 facelift).
Which is the better car? Or, what else could i consider?

[mustard tab]

drumo said:

Hi

I can't decide what to get next!
Currently have a TVR chimaera 4.0-- great car, sounds lovely but impractical (I live in C London, so its not very useable or comfortable in traffic), and poor build quality.
Would like another convertible and have a budget of upto £30k, so have been considering either a Z4M or a Boxster 3.2s (post 2005 facelift).
Which is the better car? Or, what else could i consider?

for me, Boxster every time, it will not have the outright performance, but that shouldnt matter in London, it will be more comfortable as the Z4M will remove your fillings on the potholes of our capital city, and the Z4m will be harder to sell come upgrade time as it is considered a little more specialist.

[fridaypassion]

Some valid points there although the ride really isnt that much of an issue. Its no worse than most modern performance cars at low speed. My main issue with it using it in town is that you cant see very well to park it because of the angles and "that" bonnet.

You do get a lot more car for your money though and when its on song it will knock spots off a boxster.

[Carl_Docklands]

Boxster every day of the week but yeah it is a sod to park, during last nights rain i gave up looking in my mirrors because i could'nt see stuff all!

[dlockhart]

I would go for boxster. I currently own one and is much easier to park in tight spaces than my mid-range exec car I had before. Another issue is boot space the z4 being front engine hass a bigger boot space inthe rear but boxster has a small rear boot and a deeper front boot, neither are suitable for holding say a bag full of golf clubs.

[adycav]

Are you a poncy pink-shirt wearing braying city boy or a decent bloke?

[drumo]

well im judging on how good the car is, not the colour of my shirt!

now being swayed by throwing an an extra 10 grand for a 996 turbo

[monkeysix]

Z4M with out a doubt better car, better engine and a bit different. The coupe looks great future classic IMHO.

[Dracoro]

When it comes to sports/desirable cars, go for what floats your boat more. What do you WANT more, not which is "better" (none of them are bad cars).

In other words, unless a car is bought for a specific purpose, or as a workhorse, or for certain requirements etc. then buy with heart rather than head (but obviously don't buy something daft that will bankrupt you!).

Which tugs your heartstrings more? The Porsche or the BMW? Get the one you "want" more I reckon.

[ben]

The only option is to drive them both and decide.

I always fancied the Boxter as my next car until I drove it and the M on the same day.
For me - Z4M any day!

[AndrewD]

My wife used to have a 4.0 Chimaera and also recently went through Cayman S, Boxster S or Z4M (coupe). The Porsches are brilliant cars but she decided to have the BMW because it was a bit more unruly and reminded her of the TVR in so many ways (apart from build quality). As others have said, it really depends what floats your boat personally.