This month's issue of Car and Driver has a comparison of the M Coupe'
and the Cayman S, the Cayman was quicker in all but one accleration
test and was 2 seconds quicker around the test track. C&D gave it the
win because of it's superior performance and dynamics.

Although I'm aware that you're talking about the M Roadster and Boxster
S, not the M Coupe' and Cayman S, there's a reason for my bringing this
up: Porsche is introducing the Cayman's engine range to the Boxster
models for the 2007 model year along with minor suspension tweaks. As
far as I know, all comparisons made thus far between the M Roadster and
Boxster S have used the less powerful, less evolved 06' model year
Boxster S for comparison, rendering the results moot unless you're
planing on buying an 06' model year unit as opposed to waiting for the
new version.

As far as the SLK55 is concerned, it's very quick in a straight line,
but I'm hard pressed to believe it can handle on par with either the
BMW or the Porsche. It's a more "fashionable" sporty GT coupe than it
is a sports car and it's probably most akin to the *outgoing* MKIV
platform Audi TT than anything else, although I'd personally prefer the
DSG equipped 3.2 TT to the SLK despite it's less frantic accleration.

If you're really considering spending the cash on a sports roadster, a
Comptech supercharged Honda S2000 isn't a bad way to go either,
although the supercharger will void your factory warranty and it isn't
as refined as the European vehicles. You can also look for a second
hand Boxster S (I'd go for an 03' or newer model) and fitting it with
an intake/exhaust upgrade and GIAC's chip, which will net you around
15-20 horsepower combined.

RichAsianKid wrote:
> Which of the above is the best roadster? What do people think?
>
> Here's a Russian article. Can anyone translate this.
> http://bmw.carclub.ru/articles/allarticles/0000004340/
>
> I'm not sure which one I'd choose. I probably lean towards the Z4 M,
> but Boxster S has probably better handling. Recently Boxster S won vs
> Z4M in a comparo. SLK 55 has nice hardtop but no manual, but has
> presence (read: chicksmobile?) from the front like the SLR. I think all
> are winners. Any thoughts?