36 Votes

Boost it!

Does The New BMW Z4 Take Away The Crown From The Porsche Boxster As The Best Car In This Segment?

Agent001 submitted on 12/15/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 1:26:56 AM

36 user comments | Category: Report Cards | Source: www.autospies.com

Well, the results are in and the new BMW Z4 we premiered on Saturday has launched to overwhelming approval from our readers.



In fact, i can't remember any article we've ever done about a new car when we ask if the new ride is a STUD or a DUD, that has received SO many STUD votes.

But the biggest question is...

Is the new BMW Z4 worthy to take the crown away from Porsche as the best vehicle in the segment?

It is not an easy task because I will tell you from experience that there are very few cars on the planet that handle BETTER than the mid-engine Porsche's.

But the Boxster design has gotten a little stale in my opinion and been to evolutionary and lacking edge.

So what do YOU think?

Is the new Z4, the new standard in this segment?

Or are there other cars you think are better that compete with these rides?

Be sure to tell us WHY the car you choose is the better vehicle.

Full Release and details of the 2010 BMW Z4


Does The New BMW Z4 Take Away The Crown From The Porsche Boxster As The Best Car In This Segment?

About the Author

Agent001

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.

— Agent001 (View Profile)


User Comments

DaHarder

Let's drive it before jumping to any conclusions... Thanks

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:11:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 17   

America

The Z4 looks like it will give the MB SL a major run for its money. It looks as good or better than the SL and it will certainly drive better and the interior is WAY better than the SL.

— America (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 12:39:18 PM | | Votes: 3   

dlin

Nothing compares to a 3000 lb MR.

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:38:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

EL34

So many choices and Christmas is almost here :-O

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:40:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

motor1

Since when was the Porsche Boxster the best car in this segment?

— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:44:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

DaHarder

Exactly...

Having driven (what are regarded as) the 'best' vehicles in this segment somewhat extensively, I find the very clear winner(s) to be the Lotus Elise/Exige, with the others nowhere close as far as driving dynamics are concerned.

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:54:04 AM | | Votes: 5   

rumnyc

wouldn't put lotus in this segment. the only thing lotus has in common with these cars is price. the lotus is a true hardcore sports car with barely any amenities, and these are luxury 2 seater sportscar with every toy u can imagine. unless you track your car, i would find both the boxter and z4 (and slk) more desirable than the lotus.

— rumnyc (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 3:16:01 AM | | Votes: 2   

t_bone

Since 1997.

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 3:26:20 PM | | Votes: 0   

S4cabriofoxone

Since forever. The Boxster is highly underrated. Its mid-engine layout is superior. DaHarder, the Lotuses have nothing to do with these cars. The Boxster is a car you could drive on a daily basis. You'd have to be crazy to drive a Lotus Exige, or even an Elise, every day--they're track cars or weekend toys at best.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 6:11:16 PM | | Votes: 4   

ste_u6

I think the TTS-R would be in there too.

— ste_u6 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 4:43:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

S4cabriofoxone

TT-RS? It's not available yet.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 6:11:46 PM | | Votes: 0   

AudiNewEngland

And will probably be a lot more expensive, who knows?

— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 9:47:14 PM | | Votes: 0   

ste_u6

NO, TTS-R, as in TTS Roadster. Only 2.0 litre engine, but monster power and quattro, and in my opinion a better looking car for less than a Boxster!
No contest

— ste_u6 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 4:42:07 AM | | Votes: 1   

Kinger

Well all we can really judge them on is looks at the minute, and even then nobody has seen the new Z4 in the flesh so that's not a totally fair comparison. Judging from pictures i'd say i prefer the looks of the Z4, as the Bozster is such a familiar shape at this stage.

— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 4:47:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

TauronB2G

Not likely!!!
T

— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 8:05:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agent63

Can you stop talking your VQ engine? You've already won the "Troll" of the year award what more do you want?

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 11:31:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

theoptimisticpessimist

Where are you coming up with this fiction that inline sixes obsolete? There is only one reason car companies have moved to V6’s, their cheaper to build.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 3:56:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

ste_u6

you talk a lot of crap. didnt the M3 have that inline 6? or straight 6? something similar anyway.

— ste_u6 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 4:44:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

JRobUSC

Chuck, even though it's obvious you're just a troll I'm bored so I'll go ahead and bite.

The VQ engine is great, it's one of the best V6's on the market. BUT... what you're saying is that Nissan should get some kind of kudos for taking a cheaper to produce, less balanced engine that can't produce the flat power curve an inline engine can, and engineering it to hide some of its deficiencies and make it more like the inline would have been in the first place? That's your argument? That rather than just using the more expensive inline engine, the engine that accomplishes all that inherently but costs more, they get extra credit for masking the deficiencies of a V6?

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 11:23:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

85bmw745i

An inline has more bearings on the crankshaft than a v8 or v6, so the bottom end is more stout and can take more. why do you think you can get 6-800hp out of a 2jz engine from a toyota supra with stock internals? Lets do the math. 6 cylinders with 7 main bearings on the crank on the inline or 6 cylinders 4 main bearings. which is going to have less stress per bearing? not to mention inline 6 engines are naturally more balanced than a v6, thats why they are so smooth even at redline. not to mention much easier to work on. especially in the rear drive setup. a transverse v6 is a pain to work on.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 6:52:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

JCH335i

Chuck, that "outdated engine" won engine of the year award in 07 and 08.

— JCH335i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 10:37:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

JMB1013

Taking this as a round about way of asking which we prefer, I would take the Boxster over the previous gen z4 any day, but reserve judgment for the new z4 until I see/drive it.

also, is it just me or does the cockpit in the z4 look absolutely tiny in that picture?

— JMB1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 11:06:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

FuRoPiNiOn001

Maybe that's becuase IT IS Absolutely Tiny?

— FuRoPiNiOn001 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 1:31:15 PM | | Votes: 3   

Brembo

Not a fan of convertible. Like to see Z4 as a true coupe.

— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 11:48:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

PorscheMeister

I would have to drive the new Z4 1st.... BUT if it's anything like the last one I would say Boxster. They both need more power but the Boxster still gives that "D@MN this thing has glue on the wheels" feeling.

— PorscheMeister (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 12:05:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

mini22

Well the Boxster S now has direct injection and makes 310HP. The new base Boxster is making 255HP. The Boxster is also a lighter car then the Z4 and this new one is supposed to be heavier. The Z4's looks have improved and the new dash is nicer then a Boxster's. However I still like the look of the Boxster and suspect it's still a better car to drive. Of course we don't yet know how this new Z4 drives but it is very hard for a front engined car to handle like a mid engined car. Other then a Lotus Elise/Exige the Boxster has been the best handling car in it'price segment.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 12:15:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

JRobUSC

I don't think it's going to outhandle the Boxster (it weighs more, center of gravity will be higher with the metal roof, etc.), but then BMW seems to have decided track day performance is less important than being all-around capable but much more luxurious.

This is subjective but personally I think the new Z4 looks incredible, just an absolute homerun style-wise, and that interior looks about 100 times nicer than anything else in the class. The majority of Boxster, SLK, and Z4 buyers don't track their vehicles, so I could definitely see a lot of those SLK and Boxster buyers gravitating to the new Z.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:07:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

M53R

looks better for sure. We'll have to wait to see what BMW did in the handling department.

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 2:07:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

1995e34

cayman

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 9:40:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

cheechitup88

Porsche is an icon. BMW is a service light with 4-wheels and an engine.

— cheechitup88 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/15/2008 11:27:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

America

Why be a liar? Try to make a real point if you're going to make the effort to type something. Every BMW model except the too new X6 and new 1 Series was RECOMMENDED by Consumer Reports in the April 2008 edition. Every damn one.



— America (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 1:02:07 PM | | Votes: 2   

Badgewhore

Why argue over these two when you can have a manly looking sportscar like a 370z that easily outperforms both? Boxster looks feminine, New Z4 looks good and classy at the front, but too sedany at the rear and most likely will drive soft like all BMWs.

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 1:10:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

America

A noisy coffin on wheels?!?! Did you read the atrocious review of the Z on Edmunds?

The BMW and Porsche are about way, WAY more than numbers, pal. If you are only using numbers to predict how much you will enjoy a car you are missing a lot in this world.

— America (View Profile)

Posted on 12/16/2008 12:42:39 PM | | Votes: 1   

KeinenErsatz

Is it just me or, from this angle, does the back of the new Z4 remind anyone else of the Bangle butt of the 6-series?

— KeinenErsatz (View Profile)

Posted on 12/17/2008 5:54:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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