View Photos of the 1997 Convertible Comparison
1997 BMW Z3 2.8, 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK and 1997 Porsche Boxster exterior and interior photos.
All at once, 1997 bestowed upon us three new sports cars from Germany: the Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and inline-six-powered BMW Z3. Looming on the sidelines: the also-new 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, but that brute didn't really fit into this comparison, on account of its V-8 and not-really-a-convertible targa roof.
Our trio of testers—BMW Z3 2.8, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and Porsche Boxster—brought to mind ketchup and mustard. And then ketchup again.
The Benz generated the most grip, yet had the deadest steering of the group.
Any of these three induces silly behavior on a road like this.
The long-nose Porsche shares its front end with the 911.
The SLK is like a dunk champion in a league of one—it made our 10Best list yet came in third here.
Feedback at the limit is nil. The SLK grips hard until suddenly, it doesn't.
Hewing to the theme of its big SL sibling, the SLK interior is serious rather than sports-car whimsical.
A wider rear track helps the Z3 harness its newfound six-cylinder power. Plus, it looks cooler.
The Z3 is the throwback in the group, in ways good and bad.
A tall transmission tunnel bisects the passenger compartment.
The 2.8-liter six transforms the character of the Z3, encouraging pulls to 110 mph.
There's an engine back there behind the Boxster's seats. Somewhere.
The Boxster's Bridgestone Potenzas delivered grip and feedback in inverse proportions. We can live with the low grip.
Ah, an interior that will surely age well if we've ever seen one!
The Boxster's top doesn't quite stow all the way out of sight, but Porsche shrewdly turned that foible into a slick design element.
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