RE: BMW Z4 M40i vs. Porsche Boxster GTS

RE: BMW Z4 M40i vs. Porsche Boxster GTS

Author
Discussion

George Smiley

5,048 posts

80 months

Monday 22nd April 2019
quotequote all
herebebeasties said:
Real weight of the BMW has been measured at 1588kg. That's the same as a 4L V8 E92 M3. Or to put it another way, a brand new Lotus Elise Cup 250 plus an entire other S1 Elise on top of that.

It's supposed to be a compact two seat sports car, with extensively talked-up handling, but my four wheel drive Skoda Superb estate weighs the same, fer chrissake! Did they accidentally make it out of lead or something?
Well it is carrying a supra too

nickfrog

20,872 posts

216 months

Monday 22nd April 2019
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Barga said:
Anyway MRP is pretty much irrelevant these days it’s all down to monthlies in most cases!
It can be, although discounts off MRP are as important to compare different ways of paying for the depreciation.

Barga

12,241 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd April 2019
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
Barga said:
Anyway MRP is pretty much irrelevant these days it’s all down to monthlies in most cases!
It can be, although discounts off MRP are as important to compare different ways of paying for the depreciation.
Yep,as I said MRP is pretty much irrelevant ie over £20k off a M5.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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Jag_NE said:
The Porsche is almost 50% more expensive as tested!
Yep, it is a bit silly boxedin We always aim to keep cars fairly close in terms of value, but this was all that was available. And Z4 v Boxster seemed like the most logical thing to do. Subsequent Z4 tests will be more evenly balanced on cost...


Matt

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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MDMA . said:
Review says the Z4 wears PZeros. Look like Michelin Pilot Super Sports to me. The Boxster wears the PZeros. Yet in Australia, the GTS comes with Michelin PS4S as standard I think.
Sorry, very good spot! Will sort it out now.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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Scottie - NW said:
shiftydave said:
Why does this say that BMW's B58 engine is new? It's been in use since 2015.
Because PH were told this and don't check facts any more.

Hasn't it also been in the M140i since 2016?
Wasn't a case of being told and regurgitating, I honestly thought it was! Making amends now...

George Smiley

5,048 posts

80 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
quotequote all
Matt Bird said:
Scottie - NW said:
shiftydave said:
Why does this say that BMW's B58 engine is new? It's been in use since 2015.
Because PH were told this and don't check facts any more.

Hasn't it also been in the M140i since 2016?
Wasn't a case of being told and regurgitating, I honestly thought it was! Making amends now...
It doesn’t detract from a good review

Nerdherder

1,773 posts

96 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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dinkel said:
Nerdherder said:
dinkel said:

I really liked the GTS and recently drive the 718 Boxster T. Hard to beat and very enjoyable.
Lovely machine that Dinkel! Feel free to drive by for a proper cup of coffee (of other proper stuff) if you find yourself down South driving something similar.
Cheers for that and I would if I would not live in NL wink
We both live in the lower countries haha. Down south means Brabant in this case. wink

AB

16,969 posts

194 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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I saw a new Z4 in red on the road last week, I was surprised as I actually quite liked it and it suits the bolder colours.

I still can't imagine it being as good to drive as my 2004 version though.

TobyTR

1,068 posts

145 months

Wednesday 24th April 2019
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Barga said:
nickfrog said:
New Boxsters are definitely less than £75k new. No need to add £20k to the price of a new S. It's quite easy to realise that new Boxters are not £75k, particularly in the context of an article that explains they couldn't get hold of the direct competitor, the S. In fact they are £45k new (2.0) with 50hp more than the original S.

I'd like to think that earnings have grown faster than the the increase in price for a S in 1997 at £40k to today's £52k. That's less than 1.5% a year. I would call that steady.
You did say “there not £74k are they” when in fact the car tested was!
And Jake did say ‘“when did Boxters become £74k.

Anyway MRP is pretty much irrelevant these days it’s all down to monthlies in most cases!
Yup. Porsche list prices are irrelevant, as they come so sparsely-equipped that if you took a base car with no options there'd be next-to-nothing in it - this is how they make their money. And Porsche don't offer discounts like BMW...


718 Boxster: from 45,935
718 Boxster T: from 53,000
718 Boxster S: from 54,890
718 Boxster GTS: from 62,418

From that, it would've been much fairer if PH compared this Z4 against the entry-level boggo Boxster, as that with just a few options ticked would be 50k plus easy.

A twin-test between the entry-level Boxster and the Z4, I'd take the Z4. But for those prices, my money would go on a lightly-used 981 Cayman GTS cloud9


Edited by TobyTR on Wednesday 24th April 05:25


Edited by TobyTR on Wednesday 24th April 05:28

Wiltshire Lad

306 posts

68 months

Wednesday 24th April 2019
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Mac Sinclair said:
When I was getting my Evora serviced I had a look at the Z4, tragic looking thing in the flesh IMO which is such a shame, nothing refined about the design, then there’s the monster grill.

I’ve done the Boxster thing which was great, but £74k that’s nuts. Especially for a car that sounds like a Dyson. For that money money a nice V8 R8 would be possible, better in every way.

For £70k it would have to be something from the Lotus stable, far more subtle handling on a B road. More satisfying in every way and surprisingly my Evora is way more comfortable than my Boxster S ever was on a 300 mile day out.

While the Z4 and Boxster are obvious competitors, sadly neither really now qualifies as a true PH car, then again maybe they never did. Anyway back to the salon ?????
what he said....

E65Ross

34,946 posts

211 months

Wednesday 24th April 2019
quotequote all
Wiltshire Lad said:
Mac Sinclair said:
When I was getting my Evora serviced I had a look at the Z4, tragic looking thing in the flesh IMO which is such a shame, nothing refined about the design, then there’s the monster grill.

I’ve done the Boxster thing which was great, but £74k that’s nuts. Especially for a car that sounds like a Dyson. For that money money a nice V8 R8 would be possible, better in every way.

For £70k it would have to be something from the Lotus stable, far more subtle handling on a B road. More satisfying in every way and surprisingly my Evora is way more comfortable than my Boxster S ever was on a 300 mile day out.

While the Z4 and Boxster are obvious competitors, sadly neither really now qualifies as a true PH car, then again maybe they never did. Anyway back to the salon ?????
what he said....
Except the fact that he thinks neither the Boxster or Z4 has ever qualified as a true PH car. I think just about any car can be a PH car as long as it's good at its intended purpose. For example, a Bentley CGT may not be a "PH car".... But if its enjoyed by its owner for being a great GT car with a cracking big V12 in it.... Why isn't that a PH car?

1974foggy

669 posts

143 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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Not feeling the z4, proportions are not good especially compared with the original which was very sleek.
I have tried to like it, and have seen it in the flesh at the local dealer but just cant get around the unattractive overhangs and short wheelbase, its almost Alfa Brera level!
Im sure it will sell just on the badge and drive though.

smilo996

2,755 posts

169 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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Hope they make an M Coupe, they won't but....

Definitely the Boxster, 90's looks, four cylinder boxer engine, given life by a hair drier. Screams cannot afford a 911.

BMW please.

E65Ross

34,946 posts

211 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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smilo996 said:
Hope they make an M Coupe, they won't but....

Definitely the Boxster, 90's looks, four cylinder boxer engine, given life by a hair drier. Screams cannot afford a 911.

BMW please.
Funny that, a few years ago a friend of mine had a 911, he also had a Boxster S at the time, he also bought a DB9 and then sold the 911 as he preferred the Boxster to drive. Someone asked if he bought it because he couldn't afford a 911....he said no, he had a 911, preferred the Boxster and also has an Aston hehe

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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E65Ross said:
Funny that, a few years ago a friend of mine had a 911, he also had a Boxster S at the time, he also bought a DB9 and then sold the 911 as he preferred the Boxster to drive. Someone asked if he bought it because he couldn't afford a 911....he said no, he had a 911, preferred the Boxster and also has an Aston hehe
I also know someone who had both for a while and ditched the 911... however that was a six-cylinder Boxster. Whether the same would have been true of the current car, who knows.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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I'm not sold on either.
Had an E89 35i DCT which I quite liked, but very much a GT rather than a sports car. Quite quick, looked great but felt a bit removed from the driving experience. Saw one of the new Z4 a week or two ago and was disappointed.
Currently have 981 Black Edition PDK which is definitely a sports car. I had the option to buy (admittedly base spec) 718 vs this late 981 as offered at same price - the 718 was faster and maybe even better handling, but overall the 981 won hands down.

Of the two on offer I'd definitely go for the 982, but in truth I'd prefer to keep my 981 than either.

CarAbuser

693 posts

123 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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Brian Fallon said:
I'd take a used GTS with a 3.4 litre naturally aspirated engine over either of these cars.
I think that's the most sensible approach. Both reviewed cars have serious setbacks. The Z4 has the ZF8 slushbox and the Boxster is missing 2 cylinders.

Billy_Whizzzz

Original Poster:

1,989 posts

142 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
quotequote all
smilo996 said:
Hope they make an M Coupe, they won't but....

Definitely the Boxster, 90's looks, four cylinder boxer engine, given life by a hair drier. Screams cannot afford a 911.

BMW please.
What’s wrong with not being able to afford a 911?

In any case: assuming we’re talking about convertibles as that’s what this article is, the Boxster is better looking than a convertible 911 (by miles) and (for many) dynamically superior. If you want an agile and responsive drivers car that looks fabulous, get a manual Boxster. If you want an overstyled boulevard cruiser with a not particularly exciting engine, get the Z4.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 25th April 2019
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Billy_Whizzzz said:
Boxster is better looking than a convertible 911 (by miles) and (for many) dynamically superior. If you want an agile and responsive drivers car that looks fabulous, get a manual Boxster.
Shhhhh! Don't tell everyone! driving