Z4 vs SLK vs Boxster vs TT: side by side

By Horatiu Boeriu. Read Bio
February 8th, 2009 | BMW Z4 | 31 comments

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Since the new BMW Z4 has been unveiled, many people, including us, have tried to compare it against other roadsters, and the usual names being thrown around were the Mercedes-Benz SLK, Porsche Boxter and the Audi TT.

A few months back, we tried to compare the new Z4 against the SLK, from a pricing stand point, but didn’t go further into details. But, a fellow that goes by the name “Great Expectations”, a member of the Germancarzone website, took the time to put together an interesting photo comparison between the aforementioned models.

Now, these photos, will most likely show you why I believe that the BMW Z4 is a strong contender and the competition needs to worry. The Z4 brings a new fresh look to the roadster market.

More photos after the jump

Thanks again for the photos!

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=825975013 Carlos Perez

Bmw Z4, then MB SLK tie with the Porsche Boxer, and the last the TT
Elio

It’s definately the most interesting looking and the most ‘designed’. Whether it’s the prettiest I’m not sure? I’ll reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh. From the pictures it looks like its been designed for the American market.
Brookside

From every angle- it’s the Z4. The design never stops working….there’s always a visual tension that is very satisfying and really well executed.

What surprises me is how the TT just looks awful and boring in 2009. Audi should either do an immediate redesign or just can the whole thing and make what I think they really want and have been hinting about; a baby R8.
Until then, this is a design that has aged incredibly fast and looks worse by the day.

Audi’s big visual challenge is how to balance the gigundo bulbous curves vs. sharp architectural creases it uses in all of it’s mainstream production cars. Right now the lineup (to me) all share an unresolved awkwardness.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=825975013 Carlos Perez

@Brookside:
Totally agree with u, that’s the thing i didn’t like about audi until the A5, that every single model has the same shape the difference between the A4 and the A6 is the size, i mean the chance in looks is minimal.
Gord

The Z4 wins, in terms of looks at least. It has that classic roadster proportion, and I think that alone makes it win.
mpower

Z4 all the way.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=51500531 Andrew Murphy

Z4 on looks but probably the Boxster on driving dynamics
Erik

I actually didn’t like the new z4′s design very much at first, but now seeing it next to the other cars I’m starting to realize why the design is so good. It’s so obvious much more design work went into it compared to the others.
Anonymous

Is it just me or are the TT and SLK being driven by women in the first pic?

I guess that tells you which ones are the manly cars :P
Josh B

BMW Z4 wins all. It really stands out compared to the other rodsters. looks a whole lot more expensive and elegant/sporty. The SLK is too “squashed” and looks like a toy car, and the boxter is a rip off of the 911, iv never been a fan of it, whilst the Audi TT has improved re-previouse gens it still lacks…coolness. So i would by the Z4.
P.S i do like the SLK’s interior, i think it draws with the Z4.
Giom

Surprisingly for me, the SLK still looks very good after all these years. It’s a timeless design that looks very expensive and solid. The interior is great except for the stering wheel -whats with the little round buttons on the arms?

We’ll have to wait and see how the Z4 will age and if it will still look this good after five (guessing) years.

The Porshe is a design all on to its own. I don’t like it, but it does attract attention on the streets.

The Audi just doesn’t look good on photos. It looks a lot different in real life, but it did age badly. It’s too bloated for a roadster.

The Z4 finally received the aggression it lacked previously. It’s low, it’s wide it’s got surface reflections playing around adding interesting shapes and shadows… it’s fresh, it’s a winner!
Kyle

First off, I don’t think it’s really fair to go and compare a BRAND NEW design against three cars that have been out for quite sometime.

And secondly, they are all horrific.
Chris

Actually, I like the Z4, better, in these pictures than the previous ones with the blacked out wheels. I have to say, the Porsche interior is the best IMHO. the Z4 has too many different design elements going on at once, sweeping curves, angled lines, straight lines,etc. I like the simple one theme interior of the Porsche better
E92-TORONTO

Z4= REAL MAN

Boxster= POOR MAN’S PORSCHE

SLK & TT=CHICK’S CAR

Amg

Are you mad? The slk is decidedly masculine, z4 was literally designed by chicks (BMW had an entire team of female designers work on it, read on gnaw own descriptions) for chicks, while the slk is f1 inspired mini super car. Z4 is a mini z8 that’s not that especially to begin with:

“Where the previous generation Z4 was all discordantly angular lines punctuated by a front end with the ugliest scowl in all of roadster-dom, the sequel is a truly old-school visual treat. After giving ex-chief stylist Chris Bangle the boot (he claims he resigned), BMW had their two best female stylists redesign the interior and exterior of the Z4. The result is a decidedly feminine looking design that truly harkens back to the sexy roadsters of the 1960′s.”

Artmic

out of those cars the Z4 is the best looking,
But, id’ still want a Porsche Cayman S with a dual clutch transmission over the Z4.
Gragop

@E92-TORONTO:

calling the Boster a Poor Man’s Porsche is about the most ignorant thing someone could say about that car. Go drive a base-line Boxster or Cayman – they’re quick handle incredibly well and are highly balanced. On top of that, most of the interior feels as well appointed as the 997′s interior. That said, if you bump the horsepower and displacement (which Porsche deliberately limited) slightly, a Cayman could beat a 911 or 911S in almot every situation.

So actually, the Boxster is a relative bargain considering how capable it is for the price.
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tibookx

just to let you know

this blog is quite good at BMW news, however, this article is a failure

the Porsche depicted in the 1st shot is the facelifted boxster, which will start hitting dealerships shortly (2 months I’m told)

the rest of the boxster comparison pictures are of the old model, and trust me when I say the upgrades make a world of difference

the SLK, and the TT do not hold a candle to either the boxster or the z4. the TT-S is a different story, and more of a competitor for these two models.

To the editor — if you want to be a car snob, be an all knowing car snob.
Rab Nawaz

after all Mercedes SLK is good quality car
marisel

me quedo con el bmw z4 despues con el porche y despues el tt y el mercedes
Randy

I just bought a new Z4. After 5 days I still find myself turning back to look at it each time I walk away. I hated the looks of the old version but this one is drop dead gorgeous whether the top is up or down. The 19″ wheels are a must.

It’s also a blast to drive. Not as much as a Boxter S but a lot more comfortable and luxurious.
http://id-innovations.com george

I am a Boxster owner so maybe my comments are colored a little. The SLK is beautiful, the interior is a joy and it turns heads, but the driver feed-back is poor. The TTs gives much more feed back, but still something lacking. The Z4 I have not driven but it has a reputation for being unstable around corners, but saying that, I saw Richard from Topgear give it a thrashing and it slewed around the corners nicely. Could be it needs to be thrashed. The Boxster is in a class of its own for driver involvement. Pity it is a little under powered but the Z4 wont leave it behind.

Giom

I believe what you’re saying is correct. But to add… a lot of comments about the Z4, is that it really shines the harder you push – interesting dynamic, but I’ve heard it from a few testers.

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Thue Kjærhus

Trist udvikling for BMW Z4 med Blik tagog comfort i zenith
BMW Z4 er med modellerne fra 2009 mindre en roadster. den er desværre gået over til et paradigme a.la SLK og Audi . Bilen mangler den bøde top som er selve symbolet på en roadster . Derudover den blevet al for comfortable og tung med sit blik tag.Nu har vi kun Morgan og Porche Boxter :at ty til som en rigtige roadster.Priserne i Danmark på mellem 135000 euro og 150000 euro for en Boxter og Z€ gør det ekstra trist atBMW nu har indfriet amerkanernes ønsker om blik tag , comfort og ikke Roadster egenskaber.
Ejer af en BMW Z4 3.0 si 2008.
MVH Thue Kjærhus
Danmark
Thue Kjærhus

Trist udvikling for BMW Z4 med Blik tag og comfort i zenith
BMW Z4 er med modellerne fra 2009 mindre en roadster end før 2009. Z4′eren er desværre gået over til et paradigme a.la SLK . Bilen mangler den bøde top som er selve symbolet på en roadster . Derudover er den blevet al for comfortable og tung med sit blik tag.Nu har vi kun Morgan og Porche Boxter :at ty til som en rigtige roadster.Priserne i Danmark på mellem 135000 euro og 150000 euro for en Boxter og Z4 gør det endvidere ekstra trist at BMW nu har indtaget amerkanernes ønsker om blik tag , comfort og ikke Roadster egenskaber.Ejer af en BMW Z4 3.0 si 2008.MVH Thue KjærhusDanmark
Dev

Porsche , The sporty one !
Dev

Porsche , The sporty one !