What Car: BMW Z4M Roadster Vs Porsche Boxster S (987)

[Mark_J_W]

Afternoon all,

Unfortunately it looks like I will probably have to sell my beloved VX220 Turbo to make way for something a little more useable as a daily driver, especially in the winter months (My VX is currently my second car, but we need two commuting cars now).

As such, I’m looking for another two seater convertible which will be nearly as fun as the VX220 to drive but much more practical / comfortable for commuting in the odd very lengthy motorway journey.

My budget is around £13-15k and the obvious choices seem to be a Z4M Roadster or a Boxster S (987 model e.g. 2005 onwards).

I’d be interested to hear opinions from people who have driven both of these. What should I look out for, what are the strengths / weaknesses of each etc.

I’m planning to go and test drive both for myself at the weekend, but would be very interested to get some info / opinions in advance.

Also – any other suggestions for cars I should be considering?

Cheers,
Mark

[zed4]

Not ANOTHER one!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Nice predicament by the way, both excellent cars. I chose the Z4M.

[Mark_J_W]

Oops, didn't see those - should make a good read though. Thanks!

[Prof Prolapse]

Never driven either but wouldn't need to in your position. I'd have the Z4M all day long.

[BJG1]

I didn't drive a Z4M but went for the Porker because I love have the engine just behind me, an upgraded exhaust system has the car making really rather a lovely noise, it's incredibly poised and great fun to chuck about with the traction control off and importantly, it's incredibly smooth when pottering around. I went from a Mini One D as a daily driver to the Porsche and the Porsche is much more comfortable a drive than the mini.

[Too Late]

350z or 370z??

[FamilyDub]

I'd prefer the bluntness of the Z4, personally.

That S54 too...

[Mark_J_W]

Thanks for all the comments so far

Does anyone have any thoughts on the reliability issues with the engine in the Boxster S? I've heard a few horror stories, but not sure how much of a widespread problem it is.
Also - is the Boxster better with the 3.2 or 3.4? Both seem to fall into the same price bracket.

350Z / 370Z is a interesting idea. I think I'd only be interested in the 370Z and that's a bit out of my price range in convertible form though.

[BJG1]

The coils for the spark plugs are prone to corrosion and cracking. Costs a lot to replace and fix, was £500 for me. Also have to be really careful leaving it in the rain as the drain thingys get clogged very easily - best kept in a garage.

[Herman Toothrot]

I posted the last thread of the same subject less than 2 weeks ago. I'd concluded Boxster S and had some lines up to see but then had a sudden thought of why not do something more constructive with the cash and bought a buy to let house instead.

Maybe I'll be the petrol head to never spend more than £10k on a car, £8k max so far, which incidentally was a VX220.

Track day Friday in my trusty MR2, wonder if there will be many M cars and Porsches to catch

[Prof Prolapse]

350Z/370Z are not in the same performance league as a Z4M in my opinion. Based on laptimes someone on here showed me it'd take a skilled hand to get one over on the Z4 3.0 let alone the M-Car.

As for porsche reliability, they are one of the least reliable manufacturers. Google IMS/RMS failure. Improvements were made to the model year you're talking about however. Also have a look at what an aftermarket warranty would cost. This gives you some indication of the failure rate and expense of failure. Personally I wouldn't touch one without a warranty covering the engine. I've had two mates with Porsche engines let go and it wasn't cheap.

[bennyboysvuk]

Prof Prolapse said:

As for porsche reliability, they are one of the least reliable manufacturers. Google IMS/RMS failure. Improvements were made to the model year you're talking about however. Also have a look at what an aftermarket warranty would cost. This gives you some indication of the failure rate and expense of failure. Personally I wouldn't touch one without a warranty covering the engine. I've had two mates with Porsche engines let go and it wasn't cheap.

This is what pushed me down the Z4M route. I've not driven a Boxster so can't comment on the difference in the drive, but I can say the Z4M with the S54 in it does make for a very characterful car that cries out to be driven quickly. The only poor aspect IMO is the brake feel, which to me feels a bit spongy compared to other cars.

[sixspeed]

Used to change my car every 2-3 years. Went from VX220T to Z4MC. Haven't sold it in 7 years. 'Nuff said.

[bencollins4]

I think you'll find a Z4M a very blunt instrument after a VX, but it's all about the engine!

I'm rather enjoying mine at the moment with the roof off and windows down for maximum noise!

Never driven a Boxster but perhaps a more precise drivers car?

[Mark_J_W]

Very interesting responses, thanks.

Sixspeed - How did you find the change from a VXT to the Z4M?

I was leaning towards the Boxster to start with (mainly because I've owned a few BMW's and not a Porsche) but now I think I might like the Z4M more. Definitely going to drive both and see which suits me best.

With regards to the IMS/RMS failure on the Boxster engines, that doesn't look good! Is it really that common?
Surely a car which has had these issues resolved would be a good buy though?

Any thoughts on the Boxster S 3.2 Vs 3.4 engines? Is it worth trying to get a 3.4 for the extra performance as they are similarly priced or am I missing something?

[Prof Prolapse]

Mark_J_W said:

With regards to the IMS/RMS failure on the Boxster engines, that doesn't look good! Is it really that common?
Surely a car which has had these issues resolved would be a good buy though?

My understanding is that the earlier engines failed in approximately 1/10 instances. Everyone of those results in a total rebuild. The newer engines are allegedly better. I don't remember anybody ever releasing the failure rate. Don't forget though, the internet exaggerates.

I'm not quite sure if there is a proper fix. I'm sure some aftermarket company will claim to have one though.

[bennyboysvuk]

Mark_J_W said:

Very interesting responses, thanks.

Sixspeed - How did you find the change from a VXT to the Z4M?

I was leaning towards the Boxster to start with (mainly because I've owned a few BMW's and not a Porsche) but now I think I might like the Z4M more. Definitely going to drive both and see which suits me best.

With regards to the IMS/RMS failure on the Boxster engines, that doesn't look good! Is it really that common?
Surely a car which has had these issues resolved would be a good buy though?

Any thoughts on the Boxster S 3.2 Vs 3.4 engines? Is it worth trying to get a 3.4 for the extra performance as they are similarly priced or am I missing something?

I had a VXT about 3 years before my Z4M so may be able to comment on this a little. The VXT really does feel like a weekend car in comparison to the Z4M. Of course it's possible to use it as a commuter, but places where the Z4 is better are:

- No turbo lag, just instant responsive power from the S54 (that's a biggie for me).
- Easier handling, the Z4M is easy to drift compared to the VXT. To get your kicks in the VXT it's all about perfecting the corner/going faster. Whereas you can just drive the Z4M like a hooligan and get your kicks at lower speed. Is that better on the road? Hmm, maybe.
- Nicer soundtrack. Of course, the noise comes from behind you in the VX and although it makes some nice turbo noises, it doesn't sound as good as the S54.
- The VXT has some god-awful ABS system that's better left disconnected on bumpy roads. The Z4Ms feels quite good.
- Z4M has a LSD.
- Z4M has bumpers so someone reversing into it won't mean a crack in a £2.5k clam.
- The Z4M responds better to bigger holes in the road. In the VXT you'd swear that some bumps in the road actually cause suspension damage.

All that said, they are two very different cars in the way they drive. The Z4M is quite ragged and you can really take it by the scruff of the neck and feel the front and rear moving about as you place different demands on it during cornering. Whereas I always felt the VXT was a car you caressed through the bends (albeit pretty bloody quickly) and always in that mid-engined car style, i.e. not throwing it in so hard that you're going to get serious lift off oversteer mid-corner (unless you've got space to gather it up - i.e. on track).

Regarding your other question, I know very little of the 3.2 vs 3.4 Boxter engines, but given the option I would always go for the higher capacity lump.

[R0B.]

Prof Prolapse said:

350Z/370Z are not in the same performance league as a Z4M in my opinion. Based on laptimes someone on here showed me it'd take a skilled hand to get one over on the Z4 3.0 let alone the M-Car.

As for porsche reliability, they are one of the least reliable manufacturers. Google IMS/RMS failure. Improvements were made to the model year you're talking about however. Also have a look at what an aftermarket warranty would cost. This gives you some indication of the failure rate and expense of failure. Personally I wouldn't touch one without a warranty covering the engine. I've had two mates with Porsche engines let go and it wasn't cheap.

370z seems very close to the Z4m, but the 350z is nowhere near.

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadst...

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadst...

[Dapster]

Prof Prolapse said:

My understanding is that the earlier engines failed in approximately 1/10 instances.

If Porsche engine failure rate was 10% they would have gone out of business a long time ago. There are RMS issues but no where near the rate the horror stories on the internet would have you believe. I've done 85,000 miles across 2 Boxsters and neither missed a beat.

Drive them both and see which you prefer but to me the Boxster was better balanced, nicer sounding, had better brakes, was more flexible through the gears and had a better box/peddle arrangement. I would get a 3.4 over a 3.2 just for man points, but to be honest, the 2.7 is fast enough so get the best you can afford. Porsche model improvements are very evolutionary so get the newest car you can for your budget is my advice.

If it was me, I'd be looking for a 3.2 or 3.4, manual, 19" wheels (vanity only), PCM, sports exhaust, xenons, Bose, heated seats, sports steering wheel, sports seats....

[Prof Prolapse]

Dapster said:

If Porsche engine failure rate was 10% they would have gone out of business a long time ago.

Just repeating what I heard from an indy that repairs them.

I agree these things are often exaggerated.