"Dave" wrote
I've owned BMWs for years, owned a '77 924 before that, and an NSX. I recently bought a (used - '00) Boxster for my wife.
My impression: you'll have more problems with a Porsche than a BMW (and a BMW will have more problems than a Honda). Our Boxster - 35K - had a oil leak that turned out to be the rear main oil seal. Fortunately it's still under warranty. I know that it had some minor problems when new with the original owner (oil leak in a fitting, window lift motor, some other nits - the guy was really picky IMO. On the other hand the car is almost perfect!)
However, note that BMW has had engine problems in some recent M3s. They seem to have gotten it under control. The other BMW engines, with the notable exception to the original V8's in '93-'95, have been virtually bullet-proof. Lots of little electrical and other problems. Lots of build problems with the X5, since solved.
Having said that, the Boxster is a wonderful car, especially with the top down. However, the 330xi I currently drive is IMO better built, almost as fast and handles almost as well. An M3 convertible (they're around $55K, about midway between a Boxster and Boxster S) will compare quite favorably to the S in terms of performance, and IMO/IME will have fewer problems than the Boxster.
Floyd Rogers