BMW Z4 vs. Porsche Boxster S

It's #ThrowbackThursday! Watch as Jason and Tiff battle out which car is better, the BMW Z4 against the Porsche Boxster S. Firstly by doing a power slide contest then a classic race to the finish line.
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[@weejim48]

I have owned the Z3 & now I have the 986 Boxster S. The Porsche is a fantastic car & it’s my daily drive. Both cars are nice but I will stick with the Porsche. 👍👍

[@konstantinosfanaropoulos3180]

There is no comparison between z3 and z4 …

[@clu4u]

@@konstantinosfanaropoulos3180 No comparison between 986 and 987 too.😹

[@TommyboyGTP]

I love the handling of the Boxster and it's hard top sibling the Cayman. Fantastic cars for sure!

[@Poorschedriver]

4:31 Me everytime I'm driving my Boxster S

[@austinprice770]

The Z4's beauty is unrivaled

[@JETZcorp]

I prefer the Porsche. They're so pretty in person.

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

@@JETZcorp The Z is a classic design that will turn heads in 30 years' time!

[@christoffers1686]

Thats subjective, its a great car though, with the top down you are protected by the wind completley, unlike the porsche were it is like a hurricane. But a beauty, i think its only downside is that its so ugly.

[@AndorRadnai]

It is an excellent design. Hardly aged a day.

[@thimble288]

The original Z4 is an underrated modern classic. I want one!

[@spacemaster5206]

z4 e89 is not classic. It's overrated turtle with unreliable engines

[@Eastcoastcarclub]

@@spacemaster5206 He said the original Z4. It’s a much different car than the e89

[@andonso]

@@spacemaster5206 The 6 cylinders are reliable. The 4 cylinders with turbo, I am not sure.

[@mergimfera11]

The Z4 is better looking, but I like the Boxter too both amazing sports cars

[@Stichting-AAP]

The porsche is a proper engineered sports car. The BMW z4 is a fancy handbag. Time for a Z4M!!!!!

[@josejardim6989]

Fully agree

[@charlyc311]

@@josejardim6989 I'm going for a z4 3.0si

[@bornfreeraver5909]

I have a older boxter 2.7 I'm not the best or worst driver in the world.. but I can say my porsche has absolutely humiliated every single challenger I've ever come across.. it corners fastet then anything else I've ever driven

[@CptJackSwallow]

z4 looks so much better on your eyes than on the screen

[@Ont785]

So does the boxster

[@jasonichigo306]

i would still go for a z4

[@farishanafiah8461]

In terms of styling, the Z4 definitely wins all the way. But in terms of driving dynamic, the Porsche still reigns supreme.

[@jonathanland2218]

I have a Boxster S Gen 2. It’s just fabulous.

[@camillamascolo2602]

Go for Z4 35is DKG.... vs Boxter S....... More fair. Z4 35i with remap ecu hits 400 hp easily and gets up to 300 km/h.

[@alexandergrafvonrothenstein]

That's true 👍

[@Engleburt]

Cool! I'll go for the Boxster every time.

[@antonn.9223]

Engleburt Has your engine blown up yet?

[@tony_5156]

@@antonn.9223 porsches are far more superior than any bmw or merc will ever be period

[@antonn.9223]

@@tony_5156 Okay show me a porsche more luxorious than a maybach pErIoDt :)

[@clu4u]

@@antonn.9223 Porsche don’t make pimp-mobiles😹

[@antonn.9223]

@@clu4u Mercedes don’t make cars for children 😹

[@thetruq4857]

I know this is an older video, but the comparison was not well thought out. You have a Boxter S with a few mods pitted against a 35i standard. The Z4 should have at least had the 35is model, or include the M suspension package on the 35i. I know there is a higher model Boxter, but there is no GT level option in the Z4 - not available to the public consumer.

[@ZKozak-hp5vb]

Only real "mod" is the PCCB.

[@17gdpr37]

had to decide on a Z4 or a Boxster years ago. Test drove both, went with the Z4. Still have no regrets on picking it over the Boxster. It's a fantastic car, even as a daily.

[@Ont785]

I did the complete opposite. Boxster was a much nicer car to drive, a better looking car, wonderful sounding vehicle, with a better resale value.

[@kbrothers5159]

If i have to choose with this two cars, i will pick the z4 because, 1# i dont race my car, 2# for show off i think z4 is better looking, 3# i think z4 is suitable in all driving conditions and all weather conditions.

[@untold_beast7409]

Better looking? You're havin a laugh.

[@biggerbitcoin5126]

Yeah but you get to say I drive a Porsche and that's big cache.

[@69elchupacabra69]

@@untold_beast7409 porsche looks like a frog. Love myself a cayman and I'd concede the Porsche brand carries more prestige than BMW, but this z4 is indeed better looking than the boxster.

[@waynechan5750]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@thecookingapple5435]

God that z4 looks so good, but given the choice between them I would have to take the boxster, so nimble and light, and mid engined

[@MultiFireblade1000]

This Z4 should have been tested with the Msport suspension, Im curious to see how it wouldve compared if it had the remap that unlocks the full 395HP.

[@Ont785]

It wouldn’t of made much of a difference. Weight distribution, poor shift points All worked against it

[@MagicSkeleton]

Very cool test and loved the race. They're both great drivers and presenters, and their banter is great too. Barring human error, though, how could the Porsche be beaten when it's 200kg lighter, slightly more powerful and has a PDK and ceramic discs? The Z4 seemed to have more lower-end torque, however, and does look great.

[@thefilmandmusic]

Thé 987 is one of the gréât cars of all time, a design gem..

[@ALana-wy5ql]

I thínk it is bôring as hèll, it legit lóoks the sâme generãtion after generãtion

[@markelliott6987]

I have an identical Boxster and I love it! Bmw Z4 of the same age is worth less than half now

[@joebloggs4191]

It's worth less for sure but not half! don't forget the Boxster cost more in the first place.

[@istvanbartha7985]

MB SLK, BMW Z4 or Boxster....a tough one.... Boxster is intriguing...BUT....The engine is hidden away and it will probably be a nightmare to work on....OK...SLK versus Z4....SLK has some balanse shaft issues....If I can find one with a new balanse shaft perhaps...And then you have Miata and Honda s2000....tricky...By the way...I have a Z4 now...I love it...But...I want to experience them all.

[@Minoltalphafan]

Porsche, there is no substitute.

[@mistreku]

Porsche is defo the better (sports) car, but for very little money, you can remap that BMW to almost 400BHP, and that is nothing to be sniffed at, IMO. Also looks wise, I thknk the BMW looks better.

[@makemeauthor9835]

I wish I could afford those boxes😅😓😫😤🤕

[@octanius_maximus]

Lucky me I didn’t see this video before when I had the choice between these specific cars. Probably my choice would have been different. But back in the day I took the Z4. (And I still own it!) 35i with manual transmission. Why? I also checked out a used Boxster S and I realised the small Porsche engines tend to fail. On the other hand side, the BMW is a little too heavy and it tend to understeer. But nothing a KW coilover couldn’t fix. Good tires and a few other performance upgrades do the rest. At the end the Porsche is the better stock car, but the BMW does have more potential with a few upgrades.

[@ZKozak-hp5vb]

BMW never even attempted an M version (funny how BMW's only "sports" car has no M model). I'm a big bmw fan, and absolutely love the Z4 GTE - but I don't know what is going on with BMW,. Imagine a fixed-roof version of this with the S65 V8. Instead we got an X5M, X6M, M5, M6, soon to be M8. Being the ultimate driving machine - there is no halo car (save the i8, but that's more tech halo than outright sports car). Audi has the R8, Mercedes has the GT and their new AMG-ONE. BMW has stated no Z4M for the new Z4. Given that the Z4 is BMW's only "sports" car, you would expect an "M" version. The 8-series should not be their race car (though it looks fantastic). I guess if you want an Z4 M, you will need to sacrifice the badge and get a Toyota?

[@MidLoafCrisis]

You're correct, it's a weird blind spot for them

[@motomarmot6544]

Yeah youre right it is a strange thing they have going on.

[@kyrpajyra_]

Coincidence or not i saw both of these cars randomly today.

[@rdj2398]

z4 looks better

[@antonitorres5934]

yes the z4 is a sexyer looking car.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

The Cayman is better looking than both of them (Ironically)

[@Riley_1955]

Porsche hands down is the best looking sports car out there.....And I'm not just saying it because I own one....The boxster is the best looking Porsche made even though I would love to have a 356 replica also!

[@s.godbur3589]

Mine is a e89 2.8i manual. Non run flats and has 296bhp (racechip). It pulls from low revs. My 996 3.4 needs more revs. BUT same power but torque characteristics different: depending on GT or race ridger

[@fredygonzalez962]

I’d love to hang out with these guys... great video 👍

[@bb3xhrhj]

all about your wallet. It's obvious that the Porsche is superior, but it's not better value than the Z4

[@seinsmeld13]

I really miss this show. Too it's gone.

[@xalataf3365]

I'll get... err... I DONT KNOW I LIKE BOTH AHHHH

[@Aireisor]

One is a GT, the other is a sports car. I'd take BMW for cruising, Boxter to a track.

[@nickL7389]

Boxster can't be driven on 95% of tracks, so there goes that.

[@DtSkyy]

+nickL7389 for what reason?

[@SereneSpeed]

No rollover protection?

[@dmthinker]

PunyDeano it's soft top. Most tracks require a hardtop or some roll bars if you have a soft top.

[@DtSkyy]

thought that was the reason!

[@ioanbristow3376]

Porsche all day long ;)

[@nerdherd2604]

This reminds me of when me and my friend Cameron ran my 300zx z32 vs his e39 540i. This kind of racing is always exciting and the feeling of going hard on a track is just absolutely intoxicating.

[@marts500]

Watching fifth gear after Top Gear is like having to shop at Lidl after normally shopping at Fortnum & Mason's.

[@metalguyn]

+Eric Gruntfuttock Better than top gear US. Its TERRIBLE

[@istvanbartha7985]

I really like the BMW....But a porsche is a porsche

[@Earpugs]

This video should be called random people driving cars on a track and no actual review or tests being done.

[@doug5853]

John Smith these are no random people - real racing pedigree here.

[@buddybeetle]

Never heard of Tiff have you.

[@paulward4268]

Err ...a. Bit incorrect there. I knew of Tiff when he did some F1, and Jason is a seasoned touring car racer. Better check first lads because random they are NOT.

[@gettrick32]

When do you visit Halton region

[@martinboulden3540]

Check out the flares on Jason.

[@marioelburro1492]

I like z4 more

[@kodogtwh]

this is a PERFECT substitute to top gear, since the accident with jeremy.

[@metalguyn]

+Turner “Turninwheels4x4” Harris Also watch roadkill episodes on here. those guys are awesome too.

[@jishakuriakose]

BMW is stylish and and cheaper by 35 grand

[@iantownsend5480]

They're both good cars, but the Z4 is now aimed at the Slk

[@1977JohnBoy]

expect the z4 was in comfort mode!

[@lexxichen5567]

not fair...they shud use the new boxster s 981 model....instead of the old one to compete with the new e89 z4

[@clu4u]

My Boxster S kept up with a C4S, so I am around 4.5 with full exhaust, lightweight flywheel, under drive pulley and ECU. 4.7 is not even in the same league as my P85D ✌️

[@denitza13]

I bought this Z4 and had it chipped to produce 390 BHP and 509NM torque in less than one hour. I would love to have seen the result on this track test.

[@kiquemusic5078]

I had driven both and I had a z4 b4. now I got the boxster... Porsche it's way better car

[@jsmeswagner6104]

Im disagreeing . my porsche was noisier.. I was more excited to own the boxster.. But it was a terrible daily driver..the gear box was in between speed limits..the seats werent made to drive 1 HR both way to and from work..the power wasn't much different that it could be bragged about..the handling was negligible the interiors were both iffy the tops were both iffy the BMW was easier to work on and cost much less for maintaining..its all around a better car..bevause at 65 the performance is rarely any different.. They both have high speed tires on them and I am one of the unlucky ims failures..so a 9000 dollar bill on a car with 71000 miles soured my opinion.. I really wanted the porsche to be wonderful.. But I have also owned a 924 and a 944 and my 944 out performed the boxster all day long..

[@littinkandoth9131]

Hey, I'm looking to purchase either a Z4 2015 or Boxster 2015. What's better as a daily driver? How does both compare when it comes to cabin noise and cabin insulation in the winters? Wondering if the Z4 has a big advantage since it's hardtop. Appreciate your feedback since you have experienced both cars

[@avishaiankri]

@@littinkandoth9131 take the Z4, daily drive would be much sweeter

[@DandyWaves]

Thank you vanos. (Lagged throttle response)

[@jamesyu9926]

Test must’ve been sponsored and paid by Porsche. I had a Boxster S and Z4 35is. Boxster was bit more exciting to drive but 35is is better engineered for safety and is beefier when pushed hard.

[@Ont785]

Better engineered for safety? How did you come to that conclusion? “Beefier” Just describes the person driving the Bmw

[@valicourt]

Are they real competitors though? Would someone really consider a Z4 and then decide on the Porsche after seeing its slightly faster around some track. Don’t think so.

[@revanthkaja]

Ok, hold up. Shouldn't it be one person driving both the cars? I mean the guy that drove the z4 looked like he didn't know what he was doing and he didn't know how to properly race either. Wasn't a true test.

[@fishbmw]

They are both race drivers, Tiff Needell was driving the Porsche & Jason Plato was driving the BMW. You say Jason Plato doesn't know how to race, I'd love to see you beat him around any track.

[@mesropmadzharyan6727]

It was a kiss .

[@Mr_Bones.]

They didn't review the cars, they just ate shit with boxes and on the track. Compare track times if you want speed, but the Z4 is a cruiser car and the Boxster is geared more for racing. Like comparing a SL500 to a Miata. They both will get you laid though, and that's all that counts. Z4 for commuting, Boxster for weekend carnage.

[@mrradman2986]

Inevitable outcome. Z4 is a cruiser not a sportscar.

[@josejardim6989]

Drive the Z4mcouepe 2007 then rewrite your comment

[@alexandergrafvonrothenstein]

If you take the z4 35is you beat the Porsche Boxter S.

[@pass_the_flask]

Ah yes the joys of trying to accurately power slide a car with an open diff, it's no wonder they failed the first challenge

[@noseonscent1935]

the scene at around 3:20 is pure shite. The boxster s was practically standing still there to "allow" the zed to overtake her. No f'in way mate. The Porsche pulls like a freight train. What bollocks!

[@MultiFireblade1000]

The Z4 can be chipped to over 400 bhp and increased torque in 10 minutes flat. Unfortunately the Porsche can't without serious investment and that makes it boring...

[@jeremyhowes2399]

I had the choice, I bought a Z4.

[@harddriveYT]

im years late but I noticed they pitted a Porsche Boxter S against a normal BMW Z4 35i instead of the faster 35is with M suspension... that's fair (sarcastic). But yeah.. the Z4 is a much better looking car.

[@user-vz1xj1ub9t]

z4 is better then benz/audi or porsche in this category

[@nicksmith5707]

Motor trend do better tests the use track test and handling test through slalom.

[@nassimback]

So guys which one is the most pretty in design stuffs ?

[@bartvanriel6767]

bmw for sure

[@Nikita13s]

Porshe ❤

[@CanTURKeyed]

ı had both kept z4. looks gorgeous , metal top; turbo engıne ; and top of the lıne specıal bmw. porshce however better car; but under shadow of of 911

[@ashegam]

"That Porsche is such a superior car", THE END!

[@clu4u]

There is no subsitute!

[@outsidethepyramid]

what everyone appears to miss is that the tests they do are not typical to what 99.999% of people do in their everyday driving and so the concusion they come to is not useful and the porsche is more expensive to buy and run so it should be 20% "better", but for me it's just not

[@roberthenry6910]

Top gear really let themselves go

[@joeziadan]

Drifting the Boxster looked harder in the video than it actually is. That thing is like a go kart. It has so much front end grip. All you have to do is go too fast into a corner and the back will step out in a controlled fashion.

[@ool3062]

Joe Exactly the same with my E89 30i

[@dallastimebandits]

Porsche is a superior car

[@taipeikartman]

That posh is hideous. The bummer is cool.

[@FeWolf]

Porcine everything else is just a car.

[@kabobobo1995]

Now lets remap both and try again...

[@18T220]

Porsche will hold it's value better i'd say and it's more balanced in the corners.

[@SebastianBlix]

I haven't seen a NEW Fifth Gear in forever. Are they even still made?

[@DethThrasher1]

they made a few episodes earlier this year

[@ricksays7133]

Now that Top Gear seems to be over, maybe Fifth Gear will pick up the slack.

[@jasongeorgiades6009]

There is just no contest between these cars. The roar of that flat 6 will frighten away any hairdressers in a Z4.

[@PursuitSk8]

aren't they both flat 6s?

[@jasongeorgiades6009]

No, the bigger engines on the Z4 are inline 6, with the lower end models having 4 cylinders only. Flat 6 has become like Porsches hallmark as so few others still do it, much like inline 6 has for BMW. Flat 6, in my opinion sounds much better. Also the Boxster S is 3.4L vs the Z4 3.0L giving the Boxster S a deeper rumble. Can't ignore the mid engine layout either, which is the layout of almost every super car since the 80s. Boxster sounds better, more power, much better handling. There's just no contest.

[@Si1983h]

Jason Georgiades "flat 6 has become Porsche's trademark"... funny you mention that, the current generation Boxter has a flat 4. Still a great car though. I love both the Boxter and the Z4. I do prefer the original (e85) Z4, though I might be biased since I own one.

[@jasongeorgiades6009]

Yeah real shame that. New Boxster sounds nowhere near as nice as the older ones.

[@mre7550]

z4 better in the long run in terms of cost and reliability

[@spacemaster5206]

If you mean old z4 before 2005 year. But after all engines of z4 are absolytely unreliable shit..

[@jedispartancoolman]

​@spacemaster5206 the n54 is a VERY reliable engine what?

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

First world problems

[@stephenvince9994]

Yup, Brown people would still be inventing the wheel...

[@aq4367]

A sports car vs a ”sporty” car.

[@Mark1Mach2]

Alright alright we know whos the clear winner here

[@kicksoffs]

Would still take the Z4 over the Porsche.

[@VirusTornado]

kicksoffs I'm sorry but that's a very poor decision.

[@kicksoffs]

The Z4 is more of an all rounder of a car and it's almost like driving a luxury coupe with a sports car vibe other than just a pour roadster sports car.

[@VirusTornado]

kicksoffs So it's more of a GT car. If I'm a young man who wants a new car to enjoy and daily drive, I'd get a Z4. If I'm a bit older and already have a daily driver, I'd get the Porsche for better spirited drives.

[@kicksoffs]

VirusTornado Exactly !!!

[@VirusTornado]

kicksoffs Cheers.

[@daysofgrace2934]

Z4 is more GTS, Boxster is a sports car…

[@ianspencer2826]

The Boxsters are too noisy inside the cabin for me.

[@mingliyi9511]

What her is this?

[@deljules1383]

I do hate test like this how many cardboard boxes do I see out on the B roads out in the countryside where I live lol 🤷‍♀️

[@papshank73]

Come to Northamptonshire del. With the amount of fly tipping round here, dodging cardboard boxes on a b road, is a daily occurrence 😂

[@azmike3572]

I see them all the time...

[@mgbgth5097]

Erm, the Z4 is more of a GT. Built for a different drive experience.

[@oo8663]

Everything was fun for the porche owner until he got bore scoring

[@sein7381]

Yup , BMW ruined the Z4 and broke it down to be soft and gentle despite of having two stupid guys driving those two cars and having fun with no actual tests , the reality is that the old Z4 was much better looking and faster .

[@fishbmw]

"Two stupid guys" Are you really that ignorant? These are both experienced race drivers

[@jamesyu9926]

This test must’ve been paid by Porsche. If they are real race car drivers, both cars should be so close neck to neck all the way to the end. This looks like a set up and Porsche paying to look like a winner. They drove like my old neighbors.

[@sein7381]

@@fishbmw Stupid tests are done by stupid guys , even if they're professional drivers . I mean seriously, they're just playing around , and the race is , well , a cut and action , ain't a real race , since both cars are very close matched . The way they pass each other is really fishy and not real . Not a real race , not a real test , although I hate the newer Z4 cars , I find this race stupid

[@sein7381]

@@jamesyu9926 they are professional drivers , but of course not race drivers , but the race looked like a Hollywood movie really . Passing each other like there's no sweat to it , then again overtaking each other as if the two cars aren't in each other's category . Wasn't a real race , rather a scene

[@fishbmw]

@@sein7381 They are race drivers, why are you having difficulties digesting this factual truth?

[@660adv]

bmw looks cooler and prob costs 1/3 to keep of the porsche. if i was a zillionaire who could afford that i'd have a 911

[@mikefelix4532]

You'd be surprised, I have a 2014 boxster s and other than $300 annual checkup and some tires ever 10k miles, it's been running like clockwork. And I'm not alone, after the first 2 generations kinks were worked out, they are off-the-charts reliable. Every beemer I've had (but no z4) has been a nightmare in maintenance costs. (I also think the Porsche looks tons cooler, but of course I'm biased)

[@ool3062]

Mike Felix I have a 2009 E89 Z4 30i and never had a single fault, it is really reliable especially the N52

[@rmonified]

They put the slower driver in the slower car

[@ryanmcclintock4798]

one dude is a pathtic copy or Richard hammand

[@fishbmw]

Um no, these are both genuine race drivers

[@kellarj8674]

👍

[@neilkayton]

The only reason you would by the BMW is because you cant afford the Porsche.

[@Pwnsweet]

I could afford either and bought the Z4. Why? Maintenance costs way less on the BMW. Performance difference was negligible.

[@joebloggs4191]

Or one prefers the looks of the Z4 over the Boxster's and that metal folding roof is way more appealing then the soft top but if you really are after the best driving dynamics then it has to be the Boxster.

[@michaelduplessis7597]

I have a Porsche

[@ianedmonds9191]

A better car right up until the IMS bearing fails and Lunches the Engine and you have a 10k bill. I was going to buy a Porsche c.2006 but the IMS problem scared me off. Instead I bought a 2007 z4 2.5si and It's marvellous Rag the shit out of it and it loves it. Fast but not licence shredding fast. Luv and Peace.