Boxster or BMW Z3 3.0i.

[Mr. Inconspicuous]

Seeking any advice on buying new Boxster or BMW Z3 3.0i. Have not owned either brand before. Drove Boxster yesterday and was impressed - drove BMW 635 CSI in the past. Any comments welcome. Is one clearly a better sports car than the other?

[Junior]

One of the guys on this site drives a Boxster, and I would have to agree wholeheartly with his choice. I don't think the Z3 cuts looks or handling wise in comparision to the Boxster.... Whip any chances of doing a comparision of the two Stats wise ???

[Phil]

Both are really cool cars, it comes down to personal preference. The Z3 has a way torquer engine and emits a low musclecar growl, but doesn't rev as high as the screaming Boxster engine.
Boxster's handling is more precise, but you can step the Z3 butt out more easily.
Transmission-wise, BMW manuals are crisper than the Porsche by far.


But in the end I'd have to go for the Boxer!!!!

[WhipLash]

Isn't the Z3 meant to be a dog of a car? Isn't it one of BMW's biggest mistakes??? Isn't it based on the (old) 3-series compact underpinnings? Anyone??

[Junior]

I believe it is Whip ... I always thought it was a bit outmoded and out dated before it was born ...

I wonder is Phil labouring under a BMW Owners Mis conception ???

[Phil]

Ahh lads,

Once you own a BMW badge its hard to criticize other BMW's ;)

[Junior]

Not really Phil considering *I* currently own a Bimmer as well ... and I own a few Bimmer Badges also :D

[Toad]

Which would you rather have a BMW like the rest of those jumped up little snot posing round Ireland
Or a Porsche where every one will go " lucky Fuc&*^& B@stard"

the Porcshe will drive better & hold it's value better.
I can't believe this is even a topic.

[Phil]

But do you drive your BMW every day, or are you split between you GOLF and your Bimmer.

Does'nt sound to me that your a real BMW fan, not when your driving a golf ;)

[Junior]

As Toad has said, theres no choice here, a *performance* car that has the rear Suspension of a 3-Series Compact isn't that worthy of mentioning.

Theres no split, I take the Golf every Day and soon I'll be packing the GTi for the morning run to work ...

Correct I'm not a BMW Fan, I'm a in fact a Car Fan, and the better car wins in this case.

[Phil]

Resistance is futile ;)

[SpyCamera]

Phil you look like you need some help. So here we go.

I thought of you Junior when I seen this.

http://www.eforecourt.com/images/golf.jpg

I always knew that Golf's were good for something. Now I know. ;)

[Junior]

Originally posted by SpyCamera
I always knew that Golf's were good for something. Now I know. ;)

Did you .. well take a look at this 911/Preza eating monsterhere (http://www.kippertie.com/dub.mpg)

And Resistance is Futile .. Must be Phil you keep trying to bump into everything to knock them over with your Bimmer to show them the *light* and *error* of their ways

[Edited by Junior on 27th March 2001 at 14:16]

[Justin]

I'm not sure how this question actually arises, because the Boxster is about £20k more than the 3.0 Z3 and approaching £30k more with the lux pack (leather interior, climate control, '17 wheels and other bits) and worth every penny. I have never driven a Z3 because I don't want to and I never even thought of this ugly pretend car when I bought my (secondhand) Boxster. Every magazine review laments the dreadful handling and the fact that the excellent 3.0 six is a fine engine in search of a decent home and the Z3 loses out every time in comparisons with the Boxster (unfair in the first place) and the SLK. Also, the Z3 (a girl's car in any event - we haven't had a chauvenistic remark in some time, so I'm happy to oblige) will be replaced within 2 years (about time) with a new model actually based on the current 3 series (as opposed to the 3 Compact, which the Z3 is based on, which has rear suspension taken straight from the 1985 3 series). It is also (only in my opinion) one of the ugliest and worst proportioned cars ever produced short of a Suzuki Wagon R which at least is an honest unpretentious sort of car. Finally, the Z3 3.0 looks just the same as the Z3 1.9. This says a lot about what this car is about, and it isn't about being a sports or performance car. I suspect that you may need no more than a short test drive in the Z3 to make an informed assesment, if you do not agree with me on the looks, and I would be interested in your opinion as (as I have freely admitted) I haven't driven one.

I can highly recommend living with a Boxster. Each journey is an occasion, do you really need more than one passenger? and if you like Golf then buy one (a Golf I mean). The odd blast down a country lane with the roof down and that exhaust/flat six symphony bouncing off the trees with the steering just babbling at you about the road surface is automotive heaven. I just can't imagine a Z3 being anything but humdrum in comparison.

[Edited by Justin on 27th March 2001 at 22:58]

[Phil]

I hold my hands up in the air. Enough is enough. I give up. Can I have a last cigerate before I'm shot.

[Phil]

Originally posted by Junior


Junior is the link above a video clip or a sound clip??

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by Phil
Junior is the link above a video clip or a sound clip??
[/i]

lol - Phil its a video clip with sound!!!

And if you haven't downloaded it yet, then I really recommend you do! :D

[Junior]

It's both .. ask Whip .. It is an aural experience as much as a visual.. download it and find out

[BeCos]

I have only ever driven a 1.9 Z3 and a Boxster 2.5. The Z3 has an ancient chassis which can be fun but it's mainly annoying!! The Z3 looks great front the front but CAT from every other angle.

I have to say I'm not mad about the looks of the Boxster. I do like it, love it in fact, but sometimes it's wheel base looks way too short, and the overhangs really long!!

Having said that there is no contest between the two. Boxster wins all day long, although if we are talking about such a big price difference then I would assume it would be a used Boxster vs a new Z3 3.0??

I'd still look for the Boxster and in fact I would take a 330ci/convertible before the Z3!!

The Porschhes chassis and flat 6 would be the cream on the cake although BMw's 3.0 engine is as goos as straight 6's get, M3 motor excluded!!