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It’s so nice to see young petrolheads with RWD, manual roadsters rather than stupid, fat hot hatches

Great to see both cars together. Having owned both, I’d still stick my neck on the line and go with the Boxster S. It’s not as crashy on normal roads. It handles the twisties way better. I found with the zed you had to cane it between the bends and then tiptoe through them. With the boxster you and keep the revs on all the time. You also feel more involved with the boxster, no electric steering, ( the only thing I truly disliked with my zed). The roof on the Boxster is pitiful compared with the zed. No quick change at the lights. 0-60 times are comparable. Though your friend could have been more liberal with the revs...the Boxster loves to red line and he could have nailed 60mph in second gear. But that’s understandable as he only had it three weeks. I drove mine like a grandma at first until I realised that it likes to be pushed. Enjoyed the vid. Keep up the good work.

I love the owners comments on the Boxster, creature comforts include ‘steering wheel, gear stick and engine’. Clearly optional extras, luckily the previous owner ticked them 3 boxes 👍

I am actually considering both models at the moment. Loved the fact there actually was a video on this particularly subject. This video made sure I will go for the Z4 tomorrow! Thanks a lot for your time and great video. Love your work.

Great to see the video. I like the look of the Z4. Sold my Harley Davidson a choose the 3.2 S 986. It has loads of space in the boot and the front 'frunk'. Being it has a straight 6 mid engine sports car design. 3 top assets. Perfect driving feedback response, 50 50 weight distribution for traction and lots of speed. Hard tops can be fitted. I have the same type of exhaust system in my car as the 986 in the video but thought yours was more of a bass sound. They were both perfect for each motor ;)

Great video with a lot more reality involved... I think both cars are truly great, don't let people tell you a boxster is a poor mans 911, because we all know the cayman handles better... just ask Porsche themselves... the best thing of all is your both young men truly enjoying your cars and 0-60 is irrelevant, wait until you get it on a nice twisty back road, you will be surprised what you can keep up with.... at 3 times the value... or newer cars... I reckon open top motoring is the best,, you just can't beat the smiles per miles factor...well done Joel ...!!

Only recently found your channel as I was researching Z4,s & you've convinced me to get one, pick up a 3.0s tomorrow, thanks for the information with roofs & expansion tanks etc, good info to have when buying

Fantastic video Joel, it goes to show how evenly matched the Z4 and Boxster S truly are. Think I like the sound of your Z4 over the Boxster S though it just sounded deeper and more guttural and aggressive but I certainly wouldn't say no to having the Porsche parked in the garage.

I'm glad you got this video done. When we spoke at VanityBMW we were both keen on this one happening. Sorry you didn't make Zedfest, it was great. I managed to come away with the trophy for best car on show so I was buzzing in the orange beast all the way home!

Another great video Joel and proof that the Z4 is right up there with the Porsche! My zed is currently poorly and waiting for a new starter motor to be fitted missing it already 😟

Just bought a 2000 boxster S a week ago and freaking love it but I will say it absolutely comes with air conditioning mine was a little low on freon I charged it up and it blows ice cold gonna come in handy on those super hot days in the summer

I like the subtle mods on the Boxster. Makes it look a bit tougher. Very nice

I’m looking at buying a boxter s so this vid has been very helpful! What’s the insurance on it like?

great vid guys ! but should've included a cost of service comparison !

I'd like to see a comparison against the latest Fiat 124 Spider, the latest MX5, and the mustang V6, and perhaps a Morgan also. I love these videos!

I cross shopped these 2 cars. I wanted the 986 and agree about the body mods. But I bought a Z4 for 6k less, that buys alot. Plus I would have done the IMS and clutch right away on the Boxster which is 2k.

Quite like the Porsche for looks almost has a retro look to it but could imagine the repair and servicing being treble that of the BMW But touch wood the black m sport z4 I have had been trouble free for 2 and a half years of owning but still prefer my old z3 which was a beast

Very nice comparison. Im looking and hoping to buy one when I turn 18 next year. I feel like the Z4 suits me more and I prefer the low pitch revs rather than the porsche's sound. What do you think?

Jesus that guy.. That Porsche has loads of upgrades, even psm isn’t standard, and it has air con, climate aircon at that . Didn’t mention the hydraulic spoiler either

You can see the button for the air con! maybe it doesn't work?

Funny enough these are the two cars I’ve been stuck between about buying

Probably the best looking 986 I’ve ever seen

lol the snow flake sign is air con. It's just dead.

*person describes a part of the car and points to it* = Joel points the camera right at his face and holds it there

Next idea for a softtop showdown, my z4 vs your z4, lefthand drive vs right hand drive

Joel, what adapter did you get for your stereo?

If only I can let you folks drive mine (I live in South East Asia), I wish you guys can drive the full power Z3M with either an S50B32 or an S54B32. On modern tires and coilovers with swaybars and it's like a composed cousin of the Shelby Cobra.

I do think, and we have mountains and curvy roads here in Canada, that the boxer may shine once into the twisties?

Not sure if you’ve spoken about it before but how old are you and what do you pay on your insurance if you don’t mind me asking? Interested in getting in a 3.0 litre or more and wondering if the insurance will be much different to my 2.2 z3 I would imagine we’re similar in age!

dude that z4 rips! I feel like i prefer the coupe to the convertible though

I've driven several examples of both cars. The Boxster is an easier car to drive, feels planted and is comfortable. The Z4 is a little skittish on rough roads, not quite as comfortable and requires more attention to driving. I'd have to say the Boxster edges out the Z4 as a slightly better car overall. That having been said, I have owned several Z4 3.0si roadsters and just like them better. Cars aren't only about the numbers or any particular attribute.

987 gen 2 is the sweet spot IMO. Fairly modern interior, comfortable and no engine problems! PDK is great too

Fun Video. Thank you.

Good stuff boys 🙏🏻👍😎

When it comes to repairs, am I correct in thinking that the Z4 has more mechanical issues (Oil leaks, steering Column, suspension). While the Boxster has the IMS bearings issue basically? ?

struggling to choose. kinda leaning towards the Z4 since i already have an AE86 to tackle tight roads. Z4 seems like it would be a better GTesque car to take the wife on dates but still rip around exit ramps.

The A/C switch is there...just below the huge AUTO one...

Hmmm, both cars sound great and I own a 987 S BUT I think In this case the Z4 sounded better. Very deep and muscular

I used to own an older 911 now have a Boxster so much nicer to drive I love it, I like your clear headlights I still have the Fried egg ones lol.

Base car 986 is a better comparison with price considered.... That said your videos have me thinking about a M54 Z4 because they're so cheap. Ironically I"ve only driven a Z4 M Coupe lol

Kind of disappointed you didn't drive each others cars. The driving comparison is the only comparison I care about in comparisons like these.

Porsche sounds like a heat shield needs some attention. :)

Good guy enjoying there cars.

Have you removed the clutch delay valve? Easy mod. You won't get a good 0-60 with one in place. Car feels so much better with it gone.

I have a z4 2.5si. Given the choice between a car that has more power/weight and a car that can put it's top up faster which do you think I'd pick? The caveat to that is despite the woeful reputation of the z4 roof motor's reliability I could not bring myself to buy a Boxster because of the whole IMS bearing debacle. A waterlogged roof motor I can fix. An engine lunched because of an intermediate shaft bearing failure not so much. The Boxster is the better car but the riskier proposition. Luv and Peace. PS What happened to your i? Did you fit carbs? :-)

I absolutely loved this 986 Porsche Boxster S! What do you guys think?

Very interesting. I looked at boxer, Mercedes and BMW. I bought BMW. They are all expensive to repair in Canada however I decided, and may be wrong, that the BMW would need less repairs and perhaps easier to repair. .?

Straight 6 engines tend to produce good low down torque and a linear power increase. This is probably why the Bavarian won.

Boxster S all day long, different league of car. When are you getting a new car Joel? You've had the Z4 for what feels like ages!

"It doesn't have aircon..." Next!

I wonder if he found his air-con :)

The guy in the Porsche KENT DRIVE , DAM 7.1 ? NO WAY, I DO IT IN 5.4 IN MY BOXTERS;) Come to Holland I'll show You , Ciao JoEy

Porsche sounds amazing

funnily enough, i think the z4 sounds more exotic. i still love the sound of the boxter tho.

Aircon broken ouch! Not cheap to fix

I'm looking to add an old Porker 3.2, nice video

I would have never thought the boxer is lighter

Haha "results are slightly skewed"..both are lovely cars but the z4 swayed it for me as it's easier to live with as an everyday car. It's cheaper to buy, maintain and has a larger rear boot.

The Z4 sounds better! You have to redline the Boxsters to get them to sound good.

Joel there must be an app for 0-60 times. I thought I remember having one on my first iphone.

Z4 by miles looks better sounds better imo

Yes its squed it a Z4 channel.

The boxster is very comfortable for a long trip. The z4 not so much.

z4 sounds way better. That is no competition. Way more refined and deep, not as raspy, not as dirty, but very nice burples!

It’s got climate control so it def has air conditioning. Prob just not working, front bumper looks ace

I'd much rather have the z4

How much did he pay for the Porsche? A good comparison would be performance/money ratio 😜

Not really a fair comparison. That 986 is pretty modified for a boxster.

One big reason I'd never buy the Porsche - all engine work must be done from under the car. Real killer for a home mechanic. Z4 is much easier to work on without a lift.

Porsche sounds so much better IMO

You could at least have got someone who knows what he’s bought.

why is nobody doing 100 - 0 times? at least 3 times.

You can't do 0-60 times shouting back and forth to each other LMAO.......cool cars though

Wrong wheels!

Buy both and get it over with. Have you driven a new hybrid economy car lately? They’re limp, faceless, bland, uncomfortable, high vibration messes. Either of these represents the opposite and a dying breed.

Like ,like ,like ,like , does your mate know any other words ?

The Z4 much better looking than the Porsche , from all angles

The Porsche is a great car but the z4 is the best looking

I'd have the Boxster over the Z all day long. Boxster looks better, sounds better, built better and holds it's value, unlike the Z.

Z4 looks and drives like a page 3 model on speed. Boxster looks and drives like a page 3 model on talcum, as in the powder. I own a z4m which is sublime. To be fair the S is a great buy now 👍

Boxster sounds better sorry zed squad

Boxtsr sounds better

loads of people say don't buy the 2.5 z4 and that manuals are best,, I have to disagree, i have a 2.5 auto and my 0-60 time is much quicker and it sounds the same as the 3 litre, on paper the 3l manual might be a bit quicker but in the real world auto's are quicker off the line especially these days as modern autos have instant changes and sap much less power than they used to, I have left most cars for dead in my auto and I would challenge joel to a duel or let him have a go in mine to show this!! Great vids mate, I think you need to compare a 2.5auto to a 3l manual

He doesn't know much about his own car does he lol

Porscher boxer sound like a 55cc motorbike, no impressed 😂

Passenger = 70 Kg

When you make your next feature video about a PorschE, then please pronounce the e, after all your name is Joel and not Joe! After all the Boxter's brand is named after Ferdinand Porsche and not Porch or Porsh.

First!

I bought a 99 boxster 986 myself and after watching this video it was one more thing that sealed it for me to buy a Porsche instead of the BMW....Porsche is the best looking sports car out there IMO.....And on a side note the 986 owner said he has had it about a month and doesn't even know if it has traction control or air conditioning ?.....Really man geez you need to get your head out of your arse.

Hilarious... seeing you find a car without aircon... ! first world problems...

Take'm to the track and the Boxster will lead the z4.

i absolutely hate josh's pronunciation of porsche

BMW.... lol Choose Jesus Christ

Wow hairdressers across the land will be wetting themselves All you need now is a TT for the ultimate coiffeurs dream.