Need to ask 2024

[Flamesofgold]

In todays time is z4mr the better but or a 2003 986 boxster s?

I’ve been a bmw person all my life. This car would be second car for weekends. Looking for advice.

[ried]

If you don't already know the difference just buy a Miata.

[zoomnad]

OUCH!!!

[Flamesofgold]

Damn that was harsh homie. Just trying to solve my dilemma for a play car

[chickdr]

I would recommend driving both and making a decision. I had 2002 Boxster 2.7 from new on a 4yr lease and loved it. Then went to a 2006 Honda S2000. When that lease ended I considered going back to a Boxster but couldn't justify the cost difference over a Z4M on the used market. Recently my nephew bought a new Boxster GTS 4.0. It is a fantastic car for sure but when he offered it to me for the princely sum of 125K (he has about 150k into the car) I started building out a 2025 Z4 M40i manual. At 72k it seems like a screaming deal in comparison (especially after I test drove an automatic Z4 M40i last week).

Now I am trying to sell my 2006 Z4M. If you are interested, send me a PM and I will give you the details. It has under 21k on the clock. Pristine.

[Huz-Z]

Or just watch this:

[Flamesofgold]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Now I am trying to sell my 2006 Z4M. If you are interested, send me a PM and I will give you the details. It has under 21k on the clock. Pristine.

Needed a vert. Sorry.

Huz-Z seen that but I guess I was looking for real world experiences.

FWIW I’ve been bmw all my life and went I test drove the z4mr it felt good but something was off about it. Could have been that particular one tbh

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Needed a vert. Sorry.

Huz-Z seen that but I guess I was looking for real world experiences.

FWIW I’ve been bmw all my life and went I test drove the z4mr it felt good but something was off about it. Could have been that particular one tbh

Chickdr is selling a vert!

[ried]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Damn that was harsh homie. Just trying to solve my dilemma for a play car

Not harsh at all. The Miata is a great all around fun car, and cheaper than the others. If you're looking for a hot rod with an S54 and your balls feeling every one of those 8,000 RPM as they sit on the rear axle, get the Z4M.

If you want a well-balanced hairdresser's car, get the Boxster. Or save yourself some money and get its cheaper, front-engined Japanese equivalent, the Miata. They are far closer to each other than they are to the experience you'll get from the Z4M.

[wdb]

They're very different driving experiences. The 986 is mid-engined and will reward the smooth driver with balanced handling and high cornering limits. The Z4M is a front-engined hoon machine that likes to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck. As others have said, drive both and see which fits your desires better. If you've always driven BMWs then the likely outcome is going to be the zed.

In terms of value both are currently screaming bargains. In terms of cost of ownership the 986 is more likely to be the one to make you cry. Do some research on M96 and M97 engines to see why.

[3002 tii]

I honestly don’t think most folks can appreciate the rawness of the M over the 986 as highlighted in that old Top Gear video. How many folks have really gotten their cars sideways? Honestly for everyday driving the Porsche will be better. Plus it has overall better build quality imo, as well as more aftermarket support. And as for IMS failure, it’s not that different from RB & Vanos imo. You’ll need to budget some dollars to bulletproof either motor.

That said these cars weren’t ever about practicality. For me it’s always been about the rarity of the chassis and the last naturally aspirated inline 6 from M division. It’s just a special car, period.

[Flamesofgold]

Thanks. I haven’t driven the Boxster tbh but I walked away not that impressed with the z4mr

I guess that’s why I’m looking at other options.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Thanks. I haven’t driven the Boxster tbh but I walked away not that impressed with the z4mr

I guess that’s why I’m looking at other options.

Like I said it’s hard to appreciate the S54 during everyday driving. It will feel anemic by modern day standards and it was never known for its low end torque. Though simple OEM Euro headers and tune go long way.

If I’m being honest, the only time I enjoy driving the M is whenever I miss driving a manual, and so I’d probably get the same satisfaction from a 986 or even a Miata. In fact I actually prefer driving my x5 with its modern amenities over the Z for weekdays. But if you’re a track rat, the Z4 M will not disappoint. I did my first event of the season few weeks back and I felt like a new owner all over again. Everything about the car, even its imperfections, are perfect on track. 50/50 distribution plus short wheel base and tendency for snap oversteer… love it. Naturally aspirated inline with 8k redline (without lag, heat soak or over heating issues)… all day everyday.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Thanks. I haven’t driven the Boxster tbh but I walked away not that impressed with the z4mr

I guess that’s why I’m looking at other options.

What exactly left you unimpressed? It could just be that particular example that you had driven? With a 16-18 yr old car, every example will be unique depending on the condition of the car. But if you're unimpressed with the Z4M power wise, be prepared for disappointment in the Boxster. I know someone who owns a 987 Cayman S got in my car and immediately commented on the extra torque/power he felt in the Z compared to his Cayman.

With that said, these cars won't impress anyone in terms of acceleration in today's standards. My wife's stock 4 banger Audi S3 can snap off a quicker 0-anthing time than the Z without even trying. If you enjoy driving, I will take the Z4 over the Boxster/Cayman all day long. The only Cayman that I will ever consider to replace the Z is a GT4/GTS 4.0. The question that always asked myself is will that GT4 deliver 4x-5x the amount of fun as the Z to justify the trade?

[Flamesofgold]

I’ve had extensive time on e46 m3 coupe.

The engine tbh felt way different. Which leads me to believe the example I drove might have been off.

I know during the test drive I hit redline on 2 gear a few times. and near redline on 3rd gear. I just did t feel the shove that I remember of my old m3. I feel this is what left me most unimpressed. For some reason it just didn’t feel as fast as my old m3

I’ve actually never sat in any Porsche but everyone does sing high praise of it so I was contemplating.


I would say the z4mr steering wheel was so thick I loved it.

[thrak410]

When I was cross shopping the two, both were nice, but man that generation Boxster has absolutely no storage!! Not even door pockets. I need a place to put my wallet, sunglasses, and whatever else...

I know its weird but between that and ease of maintenance (and quality of examples in my price range) the Z easily won.

[Flamesofgold]

Thanks thrak410 it felt for a moment I was nuts for cross shopping the two.

I think I am annoyed at the top malfunction for the z4mr.

[itsjustascratch21]

Don't get mad, but the 2.5i is a joy and parts are plentiful. Probably will be for a long time. Maintenance costs will be considerably lower as well.

Trust me unless your an enthusiast who drives quite a bit you'll want a z4m but to regular people, they just like the car.

If you can get a clean one with not a lot of wear it'll last a while and fill your weekend with joy. Get one optioned with seat warmers if you can.

Wife will probably like it a bit more than the M too, just saying ")

[Flamesofgold]

Haven’t considered the 2.5, I’ll give it a test drive.

Thanks

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

I’ve had extensive time on e46 m3 coupe.

The engine tbh felt way different. Which leads me to believe the example I drove might have been off.

I know during the test drive I hit redline on 2 gear a few times. and near redline on 3rd gear. I just did t feel the shove that I remember of my old m3. I feel this is what left me most unimpressed. For some reason it just didn’t feel as fast as my old m3

I’ve actually never sat in any Porsche but everyone does sing high praise of it so I was contemplating.


I would say the z4mr steering wheel was so thick I loved it.

This comment will lead me to say you’ll be less impressed with the M54 and the 2.5i. I always would recommend driving every configuration to find what suits you the best.

For one if you like the meatier steering wheel and hydraulic steering of the M it will fall short right there. Sure you can do swaps on both accounts but that’s work to consider if you want to go that route. That said there’s so many here that hate the fat wheel and have no qualms about the eps.

The M54 is much smoother in power delivery and lower redline than what the S54 has and feel. My 03 2.5 with ess vt1 s/c has a different type of excitement than a N/A S54. From the description that you’ve given of what you want, the 2.5 won’t offer. Not knocking it just saying from what you want, the 2.5 is not it.

[bosstones]

I, too, am thinking something maybe was off with the example you drove, OP. You should feel a little something once you clear 3k RPM but then feel the engine hit it's stride at 4k and above. I would consider both instances to be obvious.

I've only test driven a 981 CS once but nothing large stood out to me wrt performance. Granted, it was a test drive so I didn't "get on it" aside from being a a little heavy footed from a stop and some curves on empty backroads. The guy from the dealership was actually encouraging me to push the car more but I didn't.

Comparing the S54 to a MA103 certainly has notable contrasts but the latter, too, doesn't have a lot of low end grunt either. Like the S54, it wants to be at 4k and above (and sounds oh so good...).

I still find the E86 M more raw than either P-car and I understand why folks consider the 991 more of a GT car.

I'd also say that I, surprisingly, like the ergo (and thick steering wheel) of the E86 M more than both the 981 and 991, though.

Overall, different beasts for different wants. Choose the poison that best suits your taste. You can't go wrong with either.