I tried a Z4M 2006 and a Boxster S 2006...which won?

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It CAN happen on the 911 aswell but seems less common.

http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html

Everything you need to know from the people who end up fixing them. :)
 
Offdutyrockstar, the percentage is pretty much negligable on the later models. About as common as any failures on any engine, i.e not worth mentioning.

Even on the earlier models its only something like 6% of cars affected, that is a lot though when thinking of units sold.
 
I was in the fortunate position of having my cousins boxster s for a few months while he was in australia, I agree with all the comments above about engine, handling etc, but for some reason, for me no wow factor, plus I just could not get to like the styling (and numerous comments about a poor mans 911)

As a footnote, my cousin would concur there customer service is appalling, I think the word he used frequently was patronising, mind you he now drives a 911 :?
 
I've always wanted a 911, but the price to own is just too much. When the BMW dealer guys are talking about how expensive a brake job is on a Porsche, time to not even go there.

Me and my little 3.0Si are happy campers. :driving:
 
The stereotype with this whole poor man's porsche is ridiculous, are z4 owners poor 6 owners or is a F430 owner too poor to buy a Bugatti Veyron, these are all excellent cars in their own right, besides the boxster actually handles better because of the engine placement, and to hear the engine right behind your head is.......................well you know................sublime.
 
Dreamer said:
Offdutyrockstar, the percentage is pretty much negligable on the later models. About as common as any failures on any engine, i.e not worth mentioning.

Even on the earlier models its only something like 6% of cars affected, that is a lot though when thinking of units sold.
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Negligable on the 3.4s perhaps but 2 out of the 9 987's I considered buying in the last two months had replacement engines due to IMS issues, to me this was both terrifying and unacceptable. :(

They are absolutely wonderful cars though, I have a strong feeling my Z4M will be replaced by a 988 :wink: :D
 
Having had a Boxster for 2 years, a 3.0Si and an MC for about 7 months I thought the OP was a troll but on consideration I can see where he is coming from. The Boxster is easier to live with than the M but as others have said, it just is not as special. When I had the Boxster, I used to say that "it just doesn't feel like a sportscar" what I meant by that is that it was great as a roadcar for going A-B but was not engaging and the car wallowed like a barge.

The M is very focused and a challenge to drive smoothly at slow speeds but it is a case of each to their own.

The Boxster felt very much like my old Karmann Ghia from the 70s whereas the Z4M is more like a 60s front engined supercar.
 
Boxsters to me look totally dull, lets not forget too that the /M has 60-odd more bhp?

I've never driven one, never ridden in one and have no interest in changing that.

I'm starting to look at 911 C4S's with a bit more enthusiasm, but that's a totally different beast.

Biggest problem for me - had a guy behind me the other day in Wales on the lanes in a C2 who kept up with me and gave me a thumbs up, but I genuinely couldn't tell if it was a Boxter or a 996 as I was mainly concentrating on driving. That would annoy me too..

A Z4 isn't a poor mans 6.. because it looks absolutely nothing like it. *Nothing* looks just like a Z4M 8)
 
Try the Boxster and the 911 and see which one you like better. You won't get the sound in the 911 as the engine is further away and the car is not as balanced, but all you have to do is try both and the boxster is cheaper and you may like it more and save big money......


So far I'm enjoying this discussion and appreciate everyone's comments immensely.
 
Also I do agree that the styling of the boxster is less appealing than that long sexy bonnet of the Z4, but after driving the boxster the shape knowing what it can do suddenly looks more appealing, and less like a bathtub on wheels.....
 
Everyones' comments are indeed interesting.

BrossardZ4 said:
Try the Boxster and the 911 and see which one you like better.....the boxster is cheaper and you may like it more and save big money......
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Andy said:
I've never driven one, never ridden in one and have no interest in changing that.
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I would kick myself every single day if I swapped my Z4M for a baby porker. I'd probably rather have a 928 or 968CS than a Boxster S.
 
Personally, I don't buy the whole "poor man's porsche" stigma attached to the Boxster. Yeah, it's an entry level Porsche, but it's still a Porsche and, in the words of James May, perhaps a more honest Porsche.

I was sorely tempted by a Boxster when I got the Z, but the Z just has so many plus points over it: cost, reliability, looks, fun!.. plus I just hated the driving position in the Porsche. Honestly, the only point I could see in having a Boxster over a Z4 was having a Porsche logo on your keyring!
 
I intended to buy a Boxter in 2004 when i bought my first Z4, and again in 2007 when I bought my Z4M. My decision to buy the Z4 both times came down to economics. I couldn't justify the difference in cost between them. Especially with BMW's 4 year free service/maintenance plan. (USA)

I personally love the Boxter and still often consider buying one. On my last trip to the Porsche dealer they had a used 2 year old Boxter S for $54k. The same day at BMW dealer was a used 2 year old Z4M for $30k. I wish $24k didn't mean so much to me. :lol:

As far as the poor man's Porsche... nonsense. Many say the mid-engine dynamics are superior to that of the 911 rear engine design.
 
I could be wrong but I would bet that nearly all us on this board that have "M" Roadster's considered and/or test drove a Boxster-S before deciding on the "M". While at a number of car shows that I have attended and talking to a number of Boxster's owners all but just a few never even considered an M Roadster... :?
 
Looked and tried the Boxster several times, just cannot say it excites me, want it to as it is a beautiful car, but not sure why i have never bought one. Owned an old 924 turbo years ago and it was a real pain to own, ok it was an old one (and we are talking 15 years ago), but it never quiet lived up to the dream of owning a Porsche so maybe that is why i cannot get excited about owning any porsche again.

There are things i do not like about the M, but as soon as i drove out of the dealers and got on the open road, i was sold, never really felt like that about any other car i have every tried.

Glad we do not like the same as there is not enough Ms to go around.
 
I had a Boxter S for a year, before the Z4. it's a great car , but you need a bank loan every time you have it serviced. £2500 for service, discs, pads and 2 tyres !!!!!!. I got a 3.0 Z4 much cheaper to buy, just as exciting and family car servicing costs!! ( don't know how this compares to a Z4M though)
 
The "poor mans Porsche" is a comment made by badge snobs. I bought my Boxster because I liked it and there were plenty of other cars I couldn't afford that are not 911s.

It's 20 years since I last drove a 911 so won't comment on that but wafting to the beat of the Boxster engine is a pleasure we should all indulge in for a short while at least.
 
WLH said:
I could be wrong but I would bet that nearly all us on this board that have "M" Roadster's considered and/or test drove a Boxster-S before deciding on the "M". While at a number of car shows that I have attended and talking to a number of Boxster's owners all but just a few never even considered an M Roadster... :?
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WLH, interesting point, most 'M' owners have chosen that car over the Boxster after driving/considering it at some point but you couldn't say the same the other way around. the badge appeal of owning a Porsche is very strong.
 
Z4coupebeaver said:
The "poor mans Porsche" is a comment made by badge snobs.
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...and people who have never driven one.

However I would argue that the 911 (997 C2S I drove at least) is in a different league. The dealer said it was 'because this is a proper car'...and he has a point (though it should be, it's not cheap). You hear it all the time so it's a bit of a cliche, but it genuinely does seem to communicate far more info to you than almost anything else out there....and it just feels some how right. Though the engine does feel (and sound) very far away!
 
I know the Boxster is the better car to drive, the chassis and steering is fantastic, no doubt about it. the Z4M is an outrageous brute that you have to 'get stuck in with'.

The M differential however does make the Z4 a lot of fun once you have built up a level of trust and confidence.

I'd have a Cayman or Boxster without a second thought, ideally as well as the Z4M. When I win the lottery of course. :rofl:
 
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