When any roadster takes on the Porsche Boxster, it’s always a struggle. That’s because, in the world of roadsters, the Boxster is nigh unbeatable. Call it the Thanos of the roadster world. It’s just better, stronger, faster, smarter than the rest. However, like Thanos after The Snap, the Boxster is now at its weakest point. This current generation of 718 Boxster is getting a bit long in the tooth and its competitors are beginning to catch up. The newest competitor to bring the fight to the Boxster is the BMW Z4 M40i and it may have its best shot yet of taking down the Mad Titan of Stuttgart.
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In this new comparison test from Piston Heads, the put these two sporty roadsters up against each other to see which is best. We won’t spoil the outcome for you because it’s worth a read over at PH. However, we will say that the Z4 and the Boxster are closer than they’ve ever been and, believe it or not, there are several areas in which the Bimmer is the better car. The question is, though, which makes the best roadster?
Let’s take a look at them on paper before you head over to read their comparison. First up is the BMW Z4 M40i. It’s based on the all new chassis co-developed with the Toyota Supra and it’s incredibly rigid for a roadster. So that’s much improved. It also gets a new engine, BMW’s newly tuned B58 engine that makes 340 hp (Euro-spec) and 369 lb-ft of torque. That engine is paired with an eight-speed auto and powers only its rear wheels. As for the Porsche Boxster GTS, it’s chassis is a modified version of the previous-gen Boxster’s and it’s getting a bit old but it’s still brilliant. Powering the Boxster is a 2.5 liter flat-four with 365 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. In this test, it gets a seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box and also rear-wheel drive.
So the two cars are pretty evenly matched on paper, with the Porsche making more power but the Bimmer making more torque. However, the BMW Z4 M40i is front-engine while the Boxster is mid-engine, giving the latter better inherent balance. Which one wins? Check out PH to find out.
[Source: Piston Heads]
European Z4 S Drive 40i is 340 PS, or about 335 HP.
If you’re going to sacrifice utility with only 2 seats, you may as well go mid-engine.
Not if u want a turbo I6.
who wants a turbo i6?!
Anyone who doesn’t want a 4.
Next Boxter will be electric.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2022-porsche-boxster-and-cayman-get-hybrid-and-ev-options
So worse sound than a 4.
The Z4 is the clear winner in my book based on matched performance for 3/4ths of the price of the Boxster. And if I were buying brand new, I’d buy the Z4 since it is all new, versus the Boxster being a refresh of sorts. i think the only area the Boxster might win someone over is the engine placement and the special driving/aural experience that comes with it, and the potential of collect-ability considering the pedigree baked into the shape.
Next Z4 should be a mid engine.
Z4 would be a winner in my book if it just had a manual. I can’t believe we live in a world where BMW will give us an X6 M but no Z4 M or even a damn manual for a sports roadster.
Sorry, neither of them. In both you’re stuck up to your neck in metal. Not what I’m looking for in a cabriolet.
I have a 2014 Z4 3.5i with stage 1 Dinan. Having said that, the Porsche is a better handling vehicle. The other issues I would favor the BMW, not the least of which are maintenance costs. $1K for an oil change for a Boxster. BMW had a four year 50K bumper to bumper warranty (other than tires).