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BMW Z4 M40i G29 vs Porsche Boxster S Black Edition: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

sports car · 2018 vs 2012 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

Z4 M40i G29

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,535 kg · 2018

VS
PorschePetrol

Boxster S Black Edition

324 hp · 370 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2012

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW Z4 M40i G29

4.54 s

Gap0.44 sin favour of Z4 M40i
BPorsche Boxster S Black Edition

4.98 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureZ4 M40i G29Boxster S Black EditionGap
0–100 km/h4.54 s4.98 s0.44 s · Z4 M40i G29
400 m standing start12.70 s13.03 s0.33 s · Z4 M40i G29
1,000 m standing start22.95 s23.47 s0.52 s · Z4 M40i G29
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h263 km/h13 km/h · Boxster S Black Edition
Power-to-weight ratio4.51 kg/hp4.18 kg/hpbetter ratio · Boxster S Black Edition

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPetrolZ4 M40i G29
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
PorschePetrolBoxster S Black Edition
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageZ4 M40i G29Boxster S Black Edition
0–30 km/h1.27 s · tight gap1.35 s
0–50 km/h2.12 s · tight gap2.26 s
0–80 km/h3.42 s3.73 s
0–100 km/h4.54 s4.98 s
0–120 km/h5.95 s6.35 s
0–160 km/h9.74 s10.29 s
0–200 km/h15.46 s16.41 s
400 m standing start12.70 s13.03 s
1,000 m standing start22.95 s23.47 s
Top speed limited250 km/h263 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

Z4 M40i G29

4,51kg/hpcompensated by −180 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 535 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Porsche

Boxster S Black Edition

4,18kg/hpratio better by 0,33 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power324 hpEngine block and cylinder heads formed in aluminum
Torque370 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox6 speed standard

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Z4 M40i hits 100 km/h in 4.54 s versus 4.98 s for the Boxster S Black Edition. At this point, the Z4 M40i leads by 0.44 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Z4 M40i is doing 147 km/h against 145 km/h for the Boxster S Black Edition. The gap is 0.27 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Z4 M40i crosses the line in 12.70 s versus 13.03 s. The 0.33 s gap represents roughly 17 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Z4 M40i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 202 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Z4 M40i finishes in 22.95 s versus 23.47 s, with a 0.52 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 263 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Z4 M40i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Boxster S Black Edition at 275 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.51 kg/hp vs 4.18 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.25 seconds. The 0.44 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Z4 M40i G29
BMW Z4 M40iBMW Z4 sDrive30i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 M40i G29 wins (4,54 s vs 4,98 s).

Z4 M40i G29 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Z4 M40i G29: 340 hp, ratio 4,51 kg/hp. Boxster S Black Edition: 324 hp, ratio 4,18 kg/hp.

Z4 M40i G29: 250 km/h. Boxster S Black Edition: 263 km/h.