which is better 1.8 MX5 or 3.0 Z3?

[pbirkett]

300bhp/ton said:

pbirkett said:

Also, it isn't a "cammy" engine like that in the Type-R so you don't feel like you have to drive in either granny mode or flat out, there is actually life in between.

Hi there. Sorry to hear about the issue's with the supercharger. Did you sell it or have you still got it, maybe for future use.

Sorry to quote something out of your profile, but this comment sort of sang out at me. Quite a while back we had several debates about how an engine feels to drive. And this point you make, is exactly the same thing I was trying to get across at the time.

Glad that in the end, we both seem to have been saying the same thing


Happy motoring

I sold the supercharger... I don't really miss it... although it never was set up properly.

In the end, the engine is quite healthy, and with the trick bits on my car and the light weight of it, it still feels quick enough.

The VTEC in the Honda was fun for a while, but it was very jeckyll and hyde. Sometimes you don't really want to chase the red line constantly, it's nice to be able to change whenever YOU feel like it. The 1.8 Mazda engine seems to be as happy for you to do this as it is being thumped off the limiter.

[NickXX]

300bhp/ton said:

asuppel said:

cheers neil bolton have you owned or driven either? anybody driven the 3.0 Z3 or owned one?

Isnt the Z3 a 2.8??

The later ones got the M54B30 (3.0 litre engine).

[edo]

The Crack Fox said:

An anorak has already been along to confirm this

[neil_bolton]

edo said:

pbirkett said:

Shirley it was only post 94 1.6s that had 90 bhp? My understanding was the 1.8 was introduced around 1994 and the 1.6 was then detuned to create a bigger gap in performance?

Correct.

Never said I was a Mazda beard.

:strokesBMWbeard:

[B3njamin]

Well spurred on by the frequent recommendations I bought an MK1 1.8 MX5 on Saturday.

I have to say that everything that has been said about them has been true. The car handles beautifully, rides well over most roads, stores more luggage than I was expecting and the car didn't cost the Earth to buy. I get better fuel economy than I was expecting and the insurance is barely £100 extra per year over a Citroen Saxo to sweeten the deal.

I can't comment about the BMW but I am able to say that the MX5 is lots of fun for relatively little money and that I'm only sorry I waited so long before I bought one.

[neil_bolton]

B3njamin said:

Well spurred on by the frequent recommendations I bought an MK1 1.8 MX5 on Saturday.

I have to say that everything that has been said about them has been true. The car handles beautifully, rides well over most roads, stores more luggage than I was expecting and the car didn't cost the Earth to buy. I get better fuel economy than I was expecting and the insurance is barely £100 extra per year over a Citroen Saxo to sweeten the deal.

I can't comment about the BMW but I am able to say that the MX5 is lots of fun for relatively little money and that I'm only sorry I waited so long before I bought one.

Good stuff

[lionrampant]

ewenm said:

DangerousMike said:

only weak minded fools care for the opinions of people who they do not know.

And they are susceptible to Jedi mind tricks...

These aren't the roadsters you're looking for.

[mikey P 500]

get the mx5 will be just as much fun for alot less cash (including running costs) for 3k i would consider a mx5if you like the styling as should be possable in your budget.

[asuppel]

I will upload a picture when I make the purchase, I will test drive the Z3 3.0 tonight, and let you know I have already driven the MX5 and it was FUN! I would like to improve the exhaust not if I buy the MX5 any ideas on a cheap and easy way to do this?

[TryingHard]

I've had several Mk1 MX5, Z3 2.8, MGF (for my sins) and a Boxster S.

Top of my list of the Boxster S without a doubt and bottom is the MGF.

Between the MX5 and Z3 I loved them both for different reasons. I loved the Z3 for commuting and racked up almost 20k in 6 months in one and I loved the MX5 for its simplicity and chuckability. The Z3 needs some suspension work IMO but the extra power was great and addictive.

The MX5 is an absolute hoot. The great thing is you can have fun as safe speeds whereas the Z3 (and Boxster) it was too easy to stray into licence losing and bloody dangerous territory.

I would be tempted by a Mk2 MX5 for a bit more comfort and then after a while strap on a supercharger. The best of both worlds.

[asuppel]

Mk2 mx5's dont really have the good looks of the flip up light mk1 version and look a bit middle age mum!

[piquetuk]

TryingHard said:

strap on a supercharger.

+1

[300bhp/ton]

asuppel said:

I would like to improve the exhaust note if I buy the MX5 any ideas on a cheap and easy way to do this?

CD of a V8 at full chat and turn the volume up?

[snotrag]

neil_bolton said:

Ace mileage but wouldn't pull the skin off of custard - the UK 1.6 models were woefully underpowered with 90 bhp as opposed to the imports at 115bhp.

If you're set on a UK car, go for the 1.8.

The UK 1.6's were only detuned after the introduction of the 1.8 in late 93, 94.

This will be the 115bhp engine, exactly the same as a JDM car.


ETA seems I was late to the party but glad to see Neil was suitably shot down for mis-information on the MX5!



To the OP -

You keep saying 3.0 Z3. Are you Sure. The earlier ones were 2.8, the 3.0 was much later.


What I'm getting at is - either you've found an absurdly cheap 3.0 Z3 (IE for mx5 money) in which case you should buy it, polish it, park it in the sun and sell it next month and double your money...


...Or, you looking at spending far too much money on a MK1 MX5?

For 3.0 Z3 money I would expect you to be looking at minty cmint Mk2.5 Sport MX5s...

Edited by snotrag on Monday 12th April 15:48

[vxrandy]

I've had my 2.8 Z3 for about 5 years and it has been a fantastically reliable car (115k on the clock) and quite swift. I have never had a problem in the corners like a lot of people suggest they do but it has got the wider rear wheels fitted. As for an mx5 i can't comment but i doubt you would be disapointed with either

[asuppel]

As I said earlier in the post the Z3 is a 2001 and it is a 3.0 and has to full AC SChnitzer kit on it it is up for &K the MX5 for 3K but what I was getting at was the Z3 worth the extra wonger or will the MX5 be as fun?? as a cheap and cheerful Roadster?

[asuppel]

&K mean 7K sorry typo

[Digby]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Depends on the model, but on the whole they are fine.

My Mk.1 S-Spec has Bilstein suspension which gives a hard ride so around town and on motorways it's a bit compromised. Then again, my dad's standard Mk.2 was fantastic - great ride, fine on the motorway, and still fun on the twisties!

I have a 1.6 version Mk1 Eunos S and with all the standard trick bits (strut brace, Bilsteins & I assume other stiffening components underneath), it offers up as much fun as my old Westfield! I have never been in a 'standard' MX5, so I'm not sure just how much better these handle, but it's like a kart most of the time.Spank it, chuck it about, grin like a plonker, drop or raise the roof in 5 seconds..what's not to like?!

I am always amazed just how much distance you can put between you and cars behind you, just by taking a roundabout etc without even thinking of braking (more care required when wet).I use mine for work any time the rain goes away and love the rather harsh ride.But then It's really quite comfortable with it, so It never bothers me if bumps and potholes upset it.They just remind me I am in something that is a laugh a minute.I also find it just fine on the motorway.I guess the only downside, as with the Westfield, is that you do get the odd person who just doesn't see you.

I was always going to get another Westfield, I won't bother now.I will aim for a SC or turbo MX5 instead when the time comes.

Edited by Digby on Monday 12th April 17:22

[piquetuk]

Try these two searches

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=57&amp...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=57&amp...

Worth a look just for the hilarious wings some people think are acceptable outside of a Vin Diesel film

[interloper]

I've driven both the 2.8 and 3ltr Z3, both cars had the worst scuttle shake I have ever encountered.

How that amount of body flex is ever acceptable I do not know? Unless you only drive on dead smooth roads or find that there is a way to sort this problem, avoid the Z3 like the plague!