looking for some feedback on the 05-06 Boxster S...

[z12358]

The following point must have been made before but I haven't seen it anywhere so here it goes. The famous obsession about 50/50 weight distribution misses something about weight that I think (and feel) is more important. I am talking about the weight's distance from the car's center of gravity.

Consider two cars that weigh the same and have 50/50 front/rear axle weight distribution BUT the first one has ALL of its weight packed in the middle (i.e. AT the center of gravity) while the second car has half of its weight ahead of the front axle and the other half behind the rear axle (i.e. as far away as possible from the center of gravity). If you could balance each car on a sharp pole placed right under their centers of gravity, you could rotate the first one much easier (with much less force) than the second one. By the same token, you could stop the rotation of the first one with much less force than the second one. The explanation is high school physics and is expressed by rotational momentum and/ centripetal force (both proportional to -- among other things-- mass AND its distance from the center of rotation). Force just measures change of momentum per unit of time, i.e. is the first derivative of momentum (rotational, in this case).

The conclusion is that cars characterized by LOW rotational momentum (force) will turn easier, will have better control, and will be less prone to sliding (hint: the Boxster S, and most mid-engined cars). Cars characterized by HIGH rotational momentum (hint: Z4M, 911, Corvette, etc.) even when achieving 50/50 weight distribution will turn harder and when swung around their center of gravity (which happens every time you make a turn) will be much harder to stop rotating (straighten out). The increased force required to make them turn (rotate) and stop turning (straighten out) produces the instability (i.e. the "excitement" factor) and the sliding the Top Gear guy is talking about.

Personally, I'll take control any time.

Z.

[1JB]

Great info z thanks for taking the time to post that.

[MartinJ]

Just to add my vote.

I drove both and slept on it and bought the Porsche. My main reasons were:

Handling
Mid engine is definitely the way to go (low angular momentum = easier turns) and yes you can feel the difference. I am not an expert driver and I have no illusions about my ability to keep up with an expertly driven BMW but the feel of control and confidence for me is simply wonderful. I frequently drive on the twisties and I can tell you that I have not had any problems keeping up with (and passing) any other cars (I have not had this experience vs. another P-Car). For me this means the Boxster is simply more fun.


Brakes
The Boxster brakes are fantastic. I had an experience this summer when a dog literally jumped out in front of me. My driver’s eye (trained on other cars) told me that I would have to spend time scrapping the dog off the car, I hit the brakes and the dog ran by the car.

Styling
I had a hard time with the BMW. The interior of both cars is pretty good as far as I am concerned. Externally the organic classic look of the Boxster just sings to me.

Value for Money
The BMW is a great value for money and Boxster options are very expensive! The value for monet award goes to BMW but for me it did not overide the other factors.

Options
For me there are a few notable things to look at if you get the Boxster:
Bigger wheels look great and the ride is pretty good try an S with 19s.
For people with a bit of a luxury taste the preferred package plus in the S is pretty nice, add a Windstop and maybe auto climate control) and you are good to go.
For those more on the performance side get PSM and sports Chrono I drove a PSM car and I could feel the difference but for me (I will do 1 or 2 DEs a year) it was not a requirement.
The short shifter is really nice, try it out.
I really wish I got the sports steering wheel, it will be an 07 upgrade.

[Perfectlap]

Look into the TechArt steering wheel. Reminds me of the MZ4 steering wheel, nice an thick like the GT3 Alcantara

[Topless]

I have driven hard and easy in both the 987S and the older Z3M. The Z4M appears to be a lot more car than its older brother. Both the Porsche and the BMW are great cars and whichever you choose I am sure you will be very satisfied. There is nothing quite like a little top down canyon carving in one of these to make life taste sweet. Buying a Roadster should be an emotional decision, not a practical one.

Cars are like dogs. Pick the one that most reflects your own personality and you will become lifelong friends.