Porsche Boxster vs. BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Porsche Boxster and BMW 3 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Porsche Boxster and the BMW 3 Series.
When we compare the Porsche Boxster's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Porsche Boxster has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Porsche Boxster's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Porsche Boxster is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2013 Porsche Boxster ranges from $25,073 to $56,742 while a used 2013 BMW 3 Series is priced between $8,017 to $19,987.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Porsche Boxster’s base engine makes 265 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 230 horsepower. The Boxster is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 507 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 419 miles. This gives the Porsche Boxster the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW 3 Series. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
49500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
47600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
35454
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
23080 - 47600
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
38630
Price Range:
25073 - 56742
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
38
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
60888
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13450
Price Range:
8017 - 19987
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11326
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8034 - 15257
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
336
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
107827
# Good or Great Deals:
133
Porsche Boxster Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Porsche Boxster
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2727440208222767
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
31.271449422945377
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.0 - 31.3
Porsche Boxster Rankings
Not yet available
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Porsche Boxster Trim Levels
Base, S
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
265 hp @ 6700 rpm
Torque:
206 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.090 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
338 / 507 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 26 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
274 / 419 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
9.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49 inches
Cargo Space:
9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
84.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2943 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
172.1 inches
Wheelbase:
95.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3792 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
54.5 inches
Length:
180.6 inches
Wheelbase:
108.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Basalt Black Metallic / Black
Blue
Aqua Blue Metallic / Dark Blue Metallic
Brown
Anthracite Brown Metallic / Cognac Metallic / Mahogany Metallic
Gold
Lime Gold Metallic
Gray
Agate Grey Metallic / Platinum Silver Metallic
Red
Amaranth Red Metallic / Guards Red
Silver
GT Silver Metallic
White
White
Yellow
Racing Yellow
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Le Mans Blue Metallic / Liquid Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gold
Not available
Gray
Space Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Red / Vermilion Red Metallic
Silver
Titanium Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Yellow
Not available
Beige
Orion Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Luxor Beige
Black
Black
Blue
Yachting Blue
Brown
Espresso
Gray
Agate Grey / Agate Grey/Amber Orange / Agate Grey/Lime Gold / Agate Grey/Orange Amber / Agate Grey/Pebble Grey / Platinum Grey
Red
Carrera Red
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream Beige
Black
Black
Blue
Not available
Brown
Saddle Brown
Gray
Gray/Black
Red
Coral Red/Black
White
Cream Beige / Oyster/Black
