SLK V's Z3 V's Boxster
Discussion
Hi Everyone, not posted for a number of years and would like some opinions from an unbiased crowd...
I plan to buy a 2 seater as a little pressie to myself in October/November. It will be a 3rd car and I expect it to do about 5k miles a year. Not spending a fortune, probably 3k max but would prefer less.
I've narrowed it down to a SLK, Z3 or early Boxster but haven't driven any yet (except a mates Boxster 12 years ago for about 2 miles). Looking for opinions on driving, running costs, reliability, rust and other known issues, and opinions on which will eventually become classic and start to go up in value.
I've ruled out the smaller engined versions of the SLK and Z3 as it's a weekend toy - MPG and insurance don't matter too much. With my budget the Boxster would have to be a 2.5. I don't think my budget would stretch to a Z4.
So, just starting my research, joined a couple of forums and started reading but nobody compares them against each other.
Thanks for any help
PO54
I plan to buy a 2 seater as a little pressie to myself in October/November. It will be a 3rd car and I expect it to do about 5k miles a year. Not spending a fortune, probably 3k max but would prefer less.
I've narrowed it down to a SLK, Z3 or early Boxster but haven't driven any yet (except a mates Boxster 12 years ago for about 2 miles). Looking for opinions on driving, running costs, reliability, rust and other known issues, and opinions on which will eventually become classic and start to go up in value.
I've ruled out the smaller engined versions of the SLK and Z3 as it's a weekend toy - MPG and insurance don't matter too much. With my budget the Boxster would have to be a 2.5. I don't think my budget would stretch to a Z4.
So, just starting my research, joined a couple of forums and started reading but nobody compares them against each other.
Thanks for any help
PO54
Surprised you have yet to be overwhelmed with advice, after all there is wealth of experience amidst Phers.
For what its worth I considered similar sports cars when looking to change from a cabriolet having experienced Mx-5's, Honda S2000's & numerous classic sports cars of the 60's. .
My budget was more generous but outright performance not a priority. This was my PERSONAL journey.....
The Boxster was quickly dismissed as having too many reliability issues & to my eyes their looks awkward (except the latest versions).
Like the Boxster Z3 never did it for me looks-wise, high roof line, huge steering wheel & sit-up-&-beg seating & I sensed the Z3 was just a 2 seater 3 Series. BMW ownership is stigmatised in my view given the general arrogance of most owners.
The silly girlie references to Boxsters/Z3's went over my head as did such references to the SLK which was the car I went for because it suited MY needs not the approval of anybody else. It's not a sports car but a coupe that becomes a convertible & I would apply that description even to the 6 & 8 cylinder models.
Your modest budget may get you into a premium brand which I sense is what you'd like hopefully not just because of the badge but I fear that any cheap Porsche/BMW/Mercedes could be a scary money pit. Perhaps you may have to lower your sights or raise the budget if you want to spend time driving & not spend money or time having the car fixed.
For what its worth I considered similar sports cars when looking to change from a cabriolet having experienced Mx-5's, Honda S2000's & numerous classic sports cars of the 60's. .
My budget was more generous but outright performance not a priority. This was my PERSONAL journey.....
The Boxster was quickly dismissed as having too many reliability issues & to my eyes their looks awkward (except the latest versions).
Like the Boxster Z3 never did it for me looks-wise, high roof line, huge steering wheel & sit-up-&-beg seating & I sensed the Z3 was just a 2 seater 3 Series. BMW ownership is stigmatised in my view given the general arrogance of most owners.
The silly girlie references to Boxsters/Z3's went over my head as did such references to the SLK which was the car I went for because it suited MY needs not the approval of anybody else. It's not a sports car but a coupe that becomes a convertible & I would apply that description even to the 6 & 8 cylinder models.
Your modest budget may get you into a premium brand which I sense is what you'd like hopefully not just because of the badge but I fear that any cheap Porsche/BMW/Mercedes could be a scary money pit. Perhaps you may have to lower your sights or raise the budget if you want to spend time driving & not spend money or time having the car fixed.
po54 said:
So, just starting my research, joined a couple of forums and started reading but nobody compares them against each other.
Thanks for any help
PO54
March 1997 issue of CAR Magazine has a three way test of the Z3, SLK and Boxster so there are comparisons of them when they were new. I think Georg Kacher was impressed with the way the SLK allowed the rear end to be played with.Thanks for any help
PO54
Two convertible Chrysler Crossfires on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/car-chrysler-crossfire/...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/chrysler-crossfire-road...
SLK based. May rust like an SLK.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/car-chrysler-crossfire/...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/chrysler-crossfire-road...
SLK based. May rust like an SLK.
Commendable lurking, OP.
I’d also advise against the R170 SLK. Cannot imagine a decent R171 would be in your budget. What speaks for the 171 is their tank like build quality.
My favorite would be the Z3 pre facelift 2.8 version. Wide body back end, silky inline 6, old school roadster.
Here’s a review by a fellow PHer:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNaoFvY_O8
I’d also advise against the R170 SLK. Cannot imagine a decent R171 would be in your budget. What speaks for the 171 is their tank like build quality.
My favorite would be the Z3 pre facelift 2.8 version. Wide body back end, silky inline 6, old school roadster.
Here’s a review by a fellow PHer:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNaoFvY_O8
OK, thanks to the mod who moved me to the right place 
Couple of questions from the comments so far.
MMM-five
Is the Z4 a better car than the Z3 and worth going for if one comes up?
WJNB
Thanks for the response, yes modest budget, it's only going to be a toy and a 3rd car and will live outdoors. It's not so much wanting a premium brand as wanting something different - have had 4 MX-5's, A3 conv, CLK conv, MR2, CRX since the mid 90's, and the cars on my shortlist are the ones I like the look of most. What model SLK did you go for? I think if such a thing exists in budget top of the list would be a rust free R170 SLK 320 in any colour but silver, but so many horror stories online.
Carinaman
Thanks for the heads up - any links to it? Not keen on the styling of the crossfire.
Thanks for all the responses, keep them coming
PO54
Couple of questions from the comments so far.
MMM-five
Is the Z4 a better car than the Z3 and worth going for if one comes up?
WJNB
Thanks for the response, yes modest budget, it's only going to be a toy and a 3rd car and will live outdoors. It's not so much wanting a premium brand as wanting something different - have had 4 MX-5's, A3 conv, CLK conv, MR2, CRX since the mid 90's, and the cars on my shortlist are the ones I like the look of most. What model SLK did you go for? I think if such a thing exists in budget top of the list would be a rust free R170 SLK 320 in any colour but silver, but so many horror stories online.
Carinaman
Thanks for the heads up - any links to it? Not keen on the styling of the crossfire.
DamnKraut said:
Commendable lurking, OP.
My favorite would be the Z3 pre facelift 2.8 version. Wide body back end, silky inline 6, old school roadster.
Here’s a review by a fellow PHer:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNaoFvY_O8
Yep seen a few and do like the look of them. Need to drive some next.My favorite would be the Z3 pre facelift 2.8 version. Wide body back end, silky inline 6, old school roadster.
Here’s a review by a fellow PHer:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNaoFvY_O8
Thanks for all the responses, keep them coming
PO54
Personally at that budget i’d be looking at the earliest and most standard versions of the Boxster and Z3 2.8
There are still a few out there and getting one with decent history that hasn’t been messed around with, combined with your planned limited mileage will give you an appreciating asset
There are still a few out there and getting one with decent history that hasn’t been messed around with, combined with your planned limited mileage will give you an appreciating asset
Here's a link to an Autocar test of the Boxster that mentions the SLK and Z3 2.8
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/set...
You can probably buy the March 1997 issue of CAR Magazine online if you wanted.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/set...
You can probably buy the March 1997 issue of CAR Magazine online if you wanted.
I’m with mmmm-five on this
Z4 ... all the way ... you will get a lovely high miles 3.0 for your budget it’s soo much better than a Z3 although the 2.8 and 3.0 are lovely
Early Boxters can be huge moneypits
SLK’s rust and aren’t very sporty ... if you want to waft then fine .. if you want to drive then I’d say they aren’t for you ... oh and did I mention they rust ... badly !
Z4 ... all the way ... you will get a lovely high miles 3.0 for your budget it’s soo much better than a Z3 although the 2.8 and 3.0 are lovely
Early Boxters can be huge moneypits
SLK’s rust and aren’t very sporty ... if you want to waft then fine .. if you want to drive then I’d say they aren’t for you ... oh and did I mention they rust ... badly !
+1
For the Z4.
What about a 3.0i auto with sensible miles for just over £3.5K?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For the Z4.
What about a 3.0i auto with sensible miles for just over £3.5K?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Wow, looks like I'm heading towards a car that wasn't even on my list !!!
Is the Z4 pretty bullet proof as suggested in the comments above - i.e. must be low mileage and full history or it will only last a week?
Whats the driving position like for a "big unit" - I'm 5'11 and 18 stone
Any must checks when looking at them?
Do they stand up to winter OK as it will live outside ( a plus point for the SLK metal roof)
Just waiting to get rid of the MOT failure Golf off my drive and I'll go shopping. My son's, failed about a month ago and it's sat there.....
Thanks for all the responses, really helpfull
PO54
Is the Z4 pretty bullet proof as suggested in the comments above - i.e. must be low mileage and full history or it will only last a week?
Whats the driving position like for a "big unit" - I'm 5'11 and 18 stone
Any must checks when looking at them?
Do they stand up to winter OK as it will live outside ( a plus point for the SLK metal roof)
Just waiting to get rid of the MOT failure Golf off my drive and I'll go shopping. My son's, failed about a month ago and it's sat there.....
Thanks for all the responses, really helpfull
PO54
I’d get over to z4-forum.com there’s loads of great info on there
Essentially they are fairly bulletproof the engines are some of the best ever made by BMW if you avoid the 2.0 and stick with the straight six
They can and will do high miles without any issues ... I think mmmmmmmm-fives is heading towards 170k now
There are plentky on the forum with big miles
There are a few things to watch out for .. but are cheap easy fixes including the roof motor which can fail
They don’t rust and are properly put together
Servicing is cheap
All the six cylinders do about the same mpg and cost the same to tax/insure
They are all ( Apart from the M ) in the £300 tax band where a lot of the boxters/slk’s are over £500
Size wise .. I fit perfectly and I’m a similar size to you
And I think they look ace with a design that’s really maturing into a classic
You won’t go wrong with a Z4 .. there are always cars for sale on the forum and it’s not a bad place to look for a cared for car
Essentially they are fairly bulletproof the engines are some of the best ever made by BMW if you avoid the 2.0 and stick with the straight six
They can and will do high miles without any issues ... I think mmmmmmmm-fives is heading towards 170k now
There are plentky on the forum with big miles
There are a few things to watch out for .. but are cheap easy fixes including the roof motor which can fail
They don’t rust and are properly put together
Servicing is cheap
All the six cylinders do about the same mpg and cost the same to tax/insure
They are all ( Apart from the M ) in the £300 tax band where a lot of the boxters/slk’s are over £500
Size wise .. I fit perfectly and I’m a similar size to you
And I think they look ace with a design that’s really maturing into a classic
You won’t go wrong with a Z4 .. there are always cars for sale on the forum and it’s not a bad place to look for a cared for car
R170SLK- major risk of rust problems on wheelarches & bootlid in particular. The 230K engine is probably the best 4 cylinder engine MB ever made but needs a modification to the wiring loom to prevent oil going down the wires & into the connectors (relatively minor job). I had a lot of fun on track with mine.
Boxsters handle beautifully but I'd be scared of reliability issues when you're into this price range- it wouldn't take much to write the car off.
Z3s were built in the US & they wanted to prove they were better than the Germans. Chassis is galvanised, build quality is excellent. 2.8s are getting pricey & difficult to find good examples- look at a 2.2. Avoid the 1.9 4-cylinder as it's gutless.
Boxsters handle beautifully but I'd be scared of reliability issues when you're into this price range- it wouldn't take much to write the car off.
Z3s were built in the US & they wanted to prove they were better than the Germans. Chassis is galvanised, build quality is excellent. 2.8s are getting pricey & difficult to find good examples- look at a 2.2. Avoid the 1.9 4-cylinder as it's gutless.
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