Porsche Boxster (1996 – 2002) vs BMW Z3 Roadster (1996 – 2003): specs compared

The BMW Z3 Roadster is the more powerful of the two, with up to 231 hp against 220 hp. It is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 s against 6.6 s. The Porsche Boxster has the higher top speed: 249 km/h against 240 km/h. The BMW Z3 Roadster uses less fuel, from 7.8 L/100 km against 9.7 L/100 km. It is the lighter car, from 1,160 kg against 1,252 kg. At 4,315 mm, the Porsche Boxster is 266 mm longer than the BMW Z3 Roadster.

Specification Porsche Boxster Porsche Boxster 1996 – 2002 BMW Z3 Roadster BMW Z3 Roadster 1996 – 2003
Overview
Origin Germany Germany
Documented years 1996 – 2002 1996 – 2003
Body style — Roadster · Convertible
Variants 4 10
Fuel Petrol Petrol
Drive RWD RWD
Gearbox Automatic · Manual Automatic · Manual
Performance
Power 204 – 220 hp 116 – 231 hp
Torque 245 – 260 Nm 168 – 300 Nm
0–100 km/h 6.6 – 7.6 s 6.0 – 89.0 s
Top speed 235 – 249 km/h 194 – 240 km/h
Economy
Fuel economy 9.7 – 10.9 L/100 km 7.8 – 9.7 L/100 km
Dimensions
Length 4,315 mm 4,049 mm
Width 1,778 mm 1,740 mm
Height 1,290 mm 1,293 mm
Wheelbase 2,416 mm 2,446 mm
Curb weight 1,252 – 1,310 kg 1,160 – 1,345 kg

Ranges cover all variants of each car. The highlight marks the best version per row.

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