RE: BMW Z4 M40i vs. Porsche Boxster GTS

[nickfrog]

WJNB said:

Oh look another silver Porsche Boxster yawn zzzzzz
While both brands still have a flash-Harry image I'll take the BMW any day - it's so ....refreshing.
Most owners will just potter & pose in them so all the cobblers about handling etc is just irrelevant fantasy in the minds of those who think they know how to drive.

I am sure they do other colours than silver. How do we know you can drive any better than most owners?

[Nerdherder]

nunpuncher said:

If you cover the kidney grilles the BMW looks a bit Mercedes like to me.

More than a bit I’d say!

I’m quite surprised: The Z4 looks much less terrible in a bold/bright colour like the blue one in the article to my eyes.

[Helicopter123]

jhayward1980 said:

105% of the fun. 15% of the cost.

That's a stunning looking car, love those wheels.

Same colour combo as the early Z4 I owned.

[Nerdherder]

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.

[greenarrow]

This article isn't totally correct in saying the Boxster has always comfortably seen off the Z4. Those with long memories will remember the very first road tests where the original (2.5?) Z4 beat the 2.7 Boxster in a couple of tests (Autocar being one I think).

In fact, I keep thinking what a bargain the early Z4s are right now. Lovely straight six, nice basic RWD handling and probably less likely to throw up big bills than an equivalent age Boxster.

Think I'd still take a 718 Boxster over the new Z4 though.

[xjay1337]

panholio said:

I have issues with the front end of the z4, but the eye watering price different here can’t be ignored.

Exactly.

I'd go BMW for engine alone.

[saxy]

For the price and engine I’d just take the bmw. It looks better too

[Billy_Whizzzz]

greenarrow said:

This article isn't totally correct in saying the Boxster has always comfortably seen off the Z4. Those with long memories will remember the very first road tests where the original (2.5?) Z4 beat the 2.7 Boxster in a couple of tests (Autocar being one I think).

In fact, I keep thinking what a bargain the early Z4s are right now. Lovely straight six, nice basic RWD handling and probably less likely to throw up big bills than an equivalent age Boxster.

Think I'd still take a 718 Boxster over the new Z4 though.

Umm... speaking from experience, Z4s are truly shocking to drive. I’ve had a 3.0i and a Z4M. Never again.

[E65Ross]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

greenarrow said:

This article isn't totally correct in saying the Boxster has always comfortably seen off the Z4. Those with long memories will remember the very first road tests where the original (2.5?) Z4 beat the 2.7 Boxster in a couple of tests (Autocar being one I think).

In fact, I keep thinking what a bargain the early Z4s are right now. Lovely straight six, nice basic RWD handling and probably less likely to throw up big bills than an equivalent age Boxster.

Think I'd still take a 718 Boxster over the new Z4 though.

Umm... speaking from experience, Z4s are truly shocking to drive. I’ve had a 3.0i and a Z4M. Never again.

Your experience and views aren't the same as everyone's. Also, without wanting to sound like a total tw*t....did you know, you know, test drive the cars before buying?

[Daston]

Whoa didnt realise boxster was that much! Is this one of the most expensive 4 cylinder cars on the market?

[cerb4.5lee]

E65Ross said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

greenarrow said:

This article isn't totally correct in saying the Boxster has always comfortably seen off the Z4. Those with long memories will remember the very first road tests where the original (2.5?) Z4 beat the 2.7 Boxster in a couple of tests (Autocar being one I think).

In fact, I keep thinking what a bargain the early Z4s are right now. Lovely straight six, nice basic RWD handling and probably less likely to throw up big bills than an equivalent age Boxster.

Think I'd still take a 718 Boxster over the new Z4 though.

Umm... speaking from experience, Z4s are truly shocking to drive. I’ve had a 3.0i and a Z4M. Never again.

Your experience and views aren't the same as everyone's. Also, without wanting to sound like a total tw*t....did you know, you know, test drive the cars before buying?

I am another one that didn't take to the Z4M, it is a great recipe on paper but it didn't deliver in reality for me. Poor chassis/suspension and a lousy manual gearbox, plus I thought that the interior felt cheap for what was a £43k car new.

[jhayward1980]

I've had a 3.0i and now the alpina and I love them!

[E65Ross]

cerb4.5lee said:

I am another one that didn't take to the Z4M, it is a great recipe on paper but it didn't deliver in reality for me. Poor chassis/suspension and a lousy manual gearbox, plus I thought that the interior felt cheap for what was a £43k car new.

You have a stonking habit of buying lots of cars you don't like, don't you

I've heard you don't like the E92 M3 either, apparently, and an X5 too

[cerb4.5lee]

E65Ross said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I am another one that didn't take to the Z4M, it is a great recipe on paper but it didn't deliver in reality for me. Poor chassis/suspension and a lousy manual gearbox, plus I thought that the interior felt cheap for what was a £43k car new.

You have a stonking habit of buying lots of cars you don't like, don't you

I've heard you don't like the E92 M3 either, apparently, and an X5 too

Only two that I didn't really like(E92 M3/Z4M). I loved the X5 though and it was just the fuel bills that hurt a bit because it was my daily, everything else I thought was mostly great and especially the 4.8 V8.

For balance I also loved my 200SX/Cerbera/Cooper S...it is not all doom and gloom!

[Burwood]

Isn’t the price disparity so obviously intentional. Better car is more money so you might think again. Balance the review. I’ll wager ownership costs to be very close once residuals are taken into account.

[Scottie - NW]

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?

[nickfrog]

Daston said:

Whoa didnt realise boxster was that much! Is this one of the most expensive 4 cylinder cars on the market?

I think the article makes it clear that they would have liked a S, which can be very well specced for £55k. Still a 4 cylinder but still a fantastic steer.

[NJJ]

As others have said for this money a late Boxster 981 is the answer or a used F-Type V6 S. But certainly not a drone sounding 718 or the overly fussy new Z4 (neither one thing or the other).

[redroadster]

Seems Porsche can command any price no wonder it's most profitable car company in world if people are silly enough to cough up .supply and demand it's customers fault for continuing to do if deep ,75 k lmao.

[HM-2]

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?

Yes. AFAIK it's identical to the B58 in the lastest versions of the M140i and M240i (IE those with a PPF).