Difference between Boxters

[barlowdo]

I see BMW also uses "Boxter" in representing of their cars.
I think it was in reference to a Z3.

What does "Boxter" mean ? As I had previously thought the name was unique to Porsche.

-Clueless Don

[Jones Low]

The term "boxer engine" is the name of the engine design and is not unique to the Porsche Boxster. The boxer design is having a horizonally opposed paired cylinders on a engine (vs. V-8, inline 4, 6, and 12, etc.). The old 356/912 four cylinders (and for that matter the old VW air-cooled) engines were boxer type engines. I seem to recall reading that several other automotive manufacturers (BMW and Saab) are/had used a boxer engine in their product line.

Porsche has taken the boxer engine and a roadster sports car to create the Boxster. To me a great fun combination.

I hope others may be able to tell us the specifics and advantages of the boxer design.

Jones Low
69-912
00-Box

[barlowdo]

Now that I know how Porsche derived the name Boxter I may have to go to a BMW board to find out how they came up with "Boxter" for their car.

-Clueless Don

[Zeke]

It's *Box-s-ter for Porsche and the name is unique to the car.

[s_wilwerding]

The term Boxster came from the combination of the "boxer" engine and Speedster = Boxster

[barlowdo]

Thanks for all the help on this.

What prompted my question was the fact that this women I work with's mother received a Boxter Z3 for a Birthday present. I told her "well is it a Boxter or a Z3, it can't be both"

She told me that it was a Boxter Z3 and that her mother swares to it. So than this womens husband does a search on the Web and says indeed there is such an animal.

I am still not satisfied and so posted this thread.

Since than I did a search on the web including going to the BMW site and found no mention of Boxter Z3 short of a comparison between Porsche Boxter and Z3 BMW.


Makes me wonder what else this women got for a present.

- Clueless Don