Compare the2024 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission and Drivetrain
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The 4 Series Convertible’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 4 Series Convertible has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Convertible offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 4 Series Convertible’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 718 Boxster only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 4 Series Convertible has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the 718 Boxster’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Convertible’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The 4 Series Convertible’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the 718 Boxster have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible weighs 694 to 1272 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Boxster. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Boxster (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 76 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Convertible’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4 Series Convertible’s reliability 13 points higher than the 718 Boxster.

Engine

The 4 Series Convertible has more powerful engines than the 718 Boxster:

	Torque
430i Convertible 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	295 lbs.-ft.
M440i Convertible 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	369 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	280 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Boxster GTS 4.0 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Spyder RS 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder	331 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the 718 Boxster:

			MPG
4 Series Convertible
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/31 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/30 hwy
718 Boxster
RWD	Manual	2.0 turbo flat-4	20 city/25 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	19 city/24 hwy
		4.0 DOHC flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
		GTS 4.0 DOHC flat-6	19 city/24 hwy

The 4 Series Convertible has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Boxster’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 4 Series Convertible higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Boxster (1 to 5). This means the 4 Series Convertible produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Boxster every 15,000 miles.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The BMW 4 Series Convertible comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Convertible, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Boxster.

All wheel drive, available in the 4 Series Convertible, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Porsche 718 Boxster is not available with all wheel drive.

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Convertible can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Convertible’s wheelbase is 14.8 inches longer than on the 718 Boxster (112.2 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Convertible is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Boxster.

The 4 Series Convertible’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.9% to 50.1%) than the 718 Boxster’s (45.5% to 54.5%). This gives the 4 Series Convertible more stable handling and braking.

Passenger Space

The 4 Series Convertible has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Boxster can only carry 2.

The 4 Series Convertible has 35 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Boxster (84 vs. 49).

The 4 Series Convertible has 1.3 inches more front headroom and 3.6 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Boxster.

Cargo Capacity

The 4 Series Convertible has a larger trunk with its top down than the 718 Boxster (10.6 vs. 9.6 cubic feet).

With its convertible body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 4 Series offers cargo security. The 718 Boxster’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Ergonomics

The 4 Series Convertible offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 4 Series Convertible offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Convertible the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 718 Boxster can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4 Series Convertible has standard Comfort Go that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Porsche Entry and Drive costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

The 4 Series Convertible’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 718 Boxster’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 4 Series Convertible’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Boxster’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

The 4 Series Convertible’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The 718 Boxster’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 4 Series offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 4 Series Convertible’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Porsche 718 isn’t available as a four door.

Economic Advantages

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 4 Series Convertible will be $710 to $16592 less than for the Porsche 718 Boxster.

Recommendations

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Porsche 718 by over 11 to one during 2023.

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