2015 BMW Z4 vs 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class vs 2015 Porsche Boxster

2015 BMW Z4

2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class

2015 Porsche Boxster

Select style

2-Door Roadster sDrive28i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive28i	22	34	$45,535	$48,950
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive35i	17	24	$52,895	$56,950
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive35is	17	24	$61,035	$65,800

Select style

2-Door Roadster SLK 250

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 250	22	32	$40,874	$43,950
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 350	21	29	$53,615	$57,650
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 55 AMG	19	28	$65,937	$70,900

Select style

2-Door Roadster

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Boxster 2-Door Roadster	20	30	N/A	$51,400
Boxster 2-Door Roadster GTS	19	26	N/A	$73,500
Boxster 2-Door Roadster S	20	28	N/A	$63,300

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$45,535

$40,874

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$48,950

$43,950

$51,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$816 / month

$733 / month

$857 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

9.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 BMW Z4 is on the pricier side of the roadster segment, but it offers a nice blend of comfort, sport, and technology.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class combines mini-SL style with a choice of efficient or potent powertrains, but it's better suited to cruising than corner-carving.

The 2015 Porsche Boxster is a relative performance bargain, combining everyday usability with a balanced chassis and sweet engines.

TCC Likes

Strong, efficient base turbo four (28i)
Tight, quiet retractable hardtop
Good ride-and-handling balance

Four, six, or eight cylinders
Tight, refined interior with the top up
Unified styling inside and out

Sharp, confident handling
Attractive, modern styling
Brisk acceleration

TCC Dislikes

Steering lacks feedback
Not much space
Somewhat cluttered dash

Tight for tall drivers
Tall front end
Not quite as sharp as Boxster, Z4

Adding options brings the bottom line into 911 territory
Wind and engine noise at high speeds
Sound controls can be fiddly

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

20 mpg

Highway

34 mpg

32 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Two-Seaters

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

38.6

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.3

52.2

51.7

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

42.5

42.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

48.8

Front Hip Room (in)

53.4

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.5

71.5

70.9

Track Width, Front (in)

59.5

61.4

60.1

Length, Overall (in)

166.9

162.8

172.2

Height, Overall (in)

50.8

51.2

50.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

61.6

60.5

Wheelbase (in)

98.3

95.7

97.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

6.4

9.9

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.7

12.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

18.5

16.9

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

34.5

36.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/45VR17

P225/45YR17

P235/45ZR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45VR17

P245/40YR17

P265/45ZR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3263

3241

2888

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 8

17 X 7.5

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 8

17 X 8.5

18 X 9

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

170

120

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

340

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

260 @ 1450

229 @ 2000

206 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

1.8 L/110

2.7 L/165

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

240 @ 5000

201 @ 5500

265 @ 6700

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Premium Unleaded H-6

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.37

1.13

Trans Description Cont.

Manual w/OD

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

0.82

0.84

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.68

4.38

3.67

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.08

3.27

3.89

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.31

1.92

1.46

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

1.00

0.97

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.35

3.42

3.33

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.06

2.86

2.05

Trans Order Code

ZMT

Summary

Body Style

Roadster

Convertible

Vehicle Name

BMW Z4

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Porsche Boxster

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.8

7.4

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

6.0

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