Z4 3.0L or Boxter 3.2 S ???!
Discussion
Hello, So after running around in a 323i for 10 months after selling my 450hp Nissan it is time to get something a bit more 'fun' again! Sorry Auto BM, you are 'fun' and oh so reliable, but you always knew it was going to be a short term affair.. 'SOTW here you come!' 
Narrowed down my choices to the 2 cars in the title. Had looked at S2000's as well but they just don't do it for me like these two!
- upto 6k budget
- 2 seater
- Fun and fast
- As much power as possible!
- Reliable (ish)
- Holds it value (will prob sell after 12 months)
At the moment, the BM is winning for me. I can get a newer car (03-05 as opposed to 99-01 for the Boxster) for the money and i really like the looks, the build quality and interior is lovely, so much more modern feeling than the Porsche interior! This car will primarily be a weekend fun car but also my daily commuter (all of 8 miles!) so needs to be reliable. I know the Boxster has more power but if im honest, i am a little bit scared of it going wrong and ending up with a money pit! With the BM, i know the engine is a lot more reliable and less 'needy' than the Porsche
Have looked at a couple of each but not driven either yet, so keen to hear peoples opinions! Ta!
Ideal Boxter: http://goo.gl/EFEHHJ VS. Ideal BM: http://goo.gl/Czbb2G
Narrowed down my choices to the 2 cars in the title. Had looked at S2000's as well but they just don't do it for me like these two!
- upto 6k budget
- 2 seater
- Fun and fast
- As much power as possible!
- Reliable (ish)
- Holds it value (will prob sell after 12 months)
At the moment, the BM is winning for me. I can get a newer car (03-05 as opposed to 99-01 for the Boxster) for the money and i really like the looks, the build quality and interior is lovely, so much more modern feeling than the Porsche interior! This car will primarily be a weekend fun car but also my daily commuter (all of 8 miles!) so needs to be reliable. I know the Boxster has more power but if im honest, i am a little bit scared of it going wrong and ending up with a money pit! With the BM, i know the engine is a lot more reliable and less 'needy' than the Porsche
Have looked at a couple of each but not driven either yet, so keen to hear peoples opinions! Ta!
Ideal Boxter: http://goo.gl/EFEHHJ VS. Ideal BM: http://goo.gl/Czbb2G
Yeah, see the Honestjohn link on the Boxster just puts me off it even more! That engine worries me! The BM is simple / reliable, engine in the front (you can get at), tough gearbox and RWD ( all be it missing an LSD).
I am sure when i drive both i will love the Porsche more but i know everytime i drive it hard i will be worrying about it going t**s up! Been there with my 200sx many a time!
Like the White 350 in the link above.. Shame its not a drop top!
If the Z4M was in budget... this thread wouldn't have started and i would be driving one now! LOVE them! (Maybe next year!)
I am sure when i drive both i will love the Porsche more but i know everytime i drive it hard i will be worrying about it going t**s up! Been there with my 200sx many a time!
Like the White 350 in the link above.. Shame its not a drop top!
If the Z4M was in budget... this thread wouldn't have started and i would be driving one now!
LOVE them! (Maybe next year!)Bennet said:
What do you really want from this car?
We just bought a Z4 for my wife. It's a nice place to be with the roof down, and it feels like a quality item. You feel kind of cool in it.
It also lacks driver involvement. The steering is numb, there is too much travel in the clutch and accelerator, the gearbox is very notchy, you can't see out of it that well and it rides far harder than there is any justification for. I have a mk1 mr2 which is twice as satisfying to drive.
It doesn't give you that confident, agile, "one with the machine" thing that you really want it to. You never quite feel in full control.
A decent cruiser, but one with a pointlessly hard ride.
All the reviews seem to love it though.
PS - Absolutely excellent turning circle.
I need this car to be reliable as well as fun. If it was fun (heart) first then the Boxter would be top of the list. We just bought a Z4 for my wife. It's a nice place to be with the roof down, and it feels like a quality item. You feel kind of cool in it.
It also lacks driver involvement. The steering is numb, there is too much travel in the clutch and accelerator, the gearbox is very notchy, you can't see out of it that well and it rides far harder than there is any justification for. I have a mk1 mr2 which is twice as satisfying to drive.
It doesn't give you that confident, agile, "one with the machine" thing that you really want it to. You never quite feel in full control.
A decent cruiser, but one with a pointlessly hard ride.
All the reviews seem to love it though.
PS - Absolutely excellent turning circle.
SO the Z4 kind of sits nicely in-between both, hence why it is currently top of the list. The fact remains that i am yet to drive them so i may end up hating them both!
Hard ride doesnt bother me. Used to that from my old 200sx on coilovers. I know what you mean RE: accelerator pedal, i think most BM's suffer from this.
I have been a passenger in an S2K but not driven one. I know the engine is great.. im just not a 4 cylinder fan! Plus i like torque!
ajb85 said:
Indeed! Over my budget, but if it wasnt the dent wouldn't put me off. edc said:
Get the Boxster, you know you want to 
http://youtu.be/lEN-yVI7nug
Well that does sound very nice i have to say! However... i raise you this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL-cfmtEj5whttp://youtu.be/lEN-yVI7nugReminds me of my old RB25DET!
So i went to see this Boxter S today http://goo.gl/fZQkQr and it was very nice.. fantastic condition. Didnt get a drive as the guy was on his own and had other customers seeing other cars but i did get a good feel for the car. Being 6ft3 i couldnt help but feel a little bit cramped in the car and the steering wheel adjustment isnt great. Not a deal breaker but not ideal. Might be popping back in the week for a drive.
Z4 lined up for tmw lunchtime.
Thanks for all the advise everyone, been very helpful!
Just had a look at a Z4. Was an auto 2.5 so not the model i want, but a good opportunity to have a nosey as i've never been in one before. First impressions are standard BM feel really. Great driving position and loads of room compared to the Boxter. Everything feels well screwed together and built to last as well as still feeling fairly modern in design.
Def not as exciting or special feeling as the Porsche but i knew that would be the case. Just need to find the right one of each and drive them now!
Def not as exciting or special feeling as the Porsche but i knew that would be the case. Just need to find the right one of each and drive them now!
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the advice. I picked up a Z4 3.0L manual on Friday which i am more than happy with!
Found the car on Autotrader at a good price and with the wheels i wanted, which were advertised as 'unmarked'...
Car was from a trader so after a few phone call's i decided to take the risk and travel 240 miles from Wimbledon to Southport on the train with the hope of it being as good as described! Luckily, it was. The car is in great condition all round with only a few minor points that i need to have sorted. Front bumper is a bit mis-alinged (most likely as it scrapes on anything and everything taller than a fag packet) and all the BMW badges have a bit of de-lamination and scratches. Other than that it is in fab condition for a 10 year old car, the wheels were as described 'unmarked' and they were!
Drives really well, better than any of the others i tested in fact. Had alot of fun on the drive home and to and from Goodwood FOS on the Saturday.
Found the car on Autotrader at a good price and with the wheels i wanted, which were advertised as 'unmarked'...
Car was from a trader so after a few phone call's i decided to take the risk and travel 240 miles from Wimbledon to Southport on the train with the hope of it being as good as described! Luckily, it was. The car is in great condition all round with only a few minor points that i need to have sorted. Front bumper is a bit mis-alinged (most likely as it scrapes on anything and everything taller than a fag packet) and all the BMW badges have a bit of de-lamination and scratches. Other than that it is in fab condition for a 10 year old car, the wheels were as described 'unmarked' and they were!
Drives really well, better than any of the others i tested in fact. Had alot of fun on the drive home and to and from Goodwood FOS on the Saturday.
Sticks. said:
Looks good. How many miles has it done? Is it on rfts?
86K miles. Full service history. Last owner change was in 2011 where it was sold thorough a BMW dealer for 16k! No runflats. Tyres are budget 'performance', not the best - esp in the wet! I would look at changing them soon but they are almost brand new so seems a shame not to make the most of them first!
AyBee said:
Sticks. said:
Jez m said:
86K miles. Full service history. Last owner change was in 2011 where it was sold thorough a BMW dealer for 16k!
No runflats. Tyres are budget 'performance', not the best - esp in the wet! I would look at changing them soon but they are almost brand new so seems a shame not to make the most of them first!
Must've been good for a BMW dealer to sell it at that age. See how you go with the tyres, but personally I'd change them. Appreciate it's not a cheap option.No runflats. Tyres are budget 'performance', not the best - esp in the wet! I would look at changing them soon but they are almost brand new so seems a shame not to make the most of them first!
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
All in the interests of 'getting to know the handling characteristics' of the car!
Not used to RWD with no LSD after all!Must say, the chassis is fantastic! Steering (on sport) is superb and responds to the tiniest inputs through the wheel. The ride is so precise if a little on the firm side... but it feels so pointy and grip (even with questionable tires)is fantastic in the dry.
Would like to uprate the discs / pads at some point. Is there a good online retailer that specialises in Z4 parts?
zed4 said:
Nice one! Great looking car. I had the same. My parents have also picked up a 3.0 Z4 last week. It was a bargain really, 38k miles, 2005 and £6,750!! Can't believe how cheap they are.
That is a bargain! Loving the 3.0L 6.. it's so different to my 323 engine. Free revving, torquey and more powerful than i expected! The Z4M must be a complete animal!
lewisf182 said:
Fair play for updating, looks an absolute minter!
Often wish i'da just followed my heart and gone for the z4 instead of my 1 series.
Must be awesome opening up the straight 6 with the roof down
It's a little bit special, i'm not going to lie! Often wish i'da just followed my heart and gone for the z4 instead of my 1 series.
Must be awesome opening up the straight 6 with the roof down
Having never owned a convertible before makes it even better i think. Looking forward to doing the intake sound modification next weekend which apparently makes the noise even better!
If i were you, id drop that turbo 6 form the 1 series into a Z4 shell, now that would be a little bit
zed4 said:
My parent’s car is an auto, came from the Channel Islands, hence the low mileage. It seems like a really nice one, very good condition and with 4 recent Bridgestone tyres on it, which is always nice to see!
The Z4M was an animal, it’s the only car I really miss and regret selling. It would be hard for me to find another, I’d want the same spec, sepang leather on the seats and carbon leather on the dash, extended leather option, body in Monaco blue. Mine was the only car in this combination.
Enjoy the car, if I remember rightly, there were some induction mods for these which made them sound a lot better. My Z4M had a ram air feed and a different air filter and it sounded incredible!
Yup, doing the induction mod this weekend. Already got the 'how to' printed out! The Z4M was an animal, it’s the only car I really miss and regret selling. It would be hard for me to find another, I’d want the same spec, sepang leather on the seats and carbon leather on the dash, extended leather option, body in Monaco blue. Mine was the only car in this combination.
Enjoy the car, if I remember rightly, there were some induction mods for these which made them sound a lot better. My Z4M had a ram air feed and a different air filter and it sounded incredible!
Im planning on what you did, keep the 3.0L for a while then move onto the Z4M. Hopefully within a year!
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