What Car - Z4 3.0 SMG or Mk V Golf GTI DSG - Help ...

[dibblecorse]

Evening all,

I'm looking for an auto or semi auto car as I have a seriously dodgy left knee and owning a manual won't work so I'm looking at these two options, have seen a few cars, budget is around 10k and that showing me Z4's of a 03-05 vintage and Golfs around 05-06 with mileages between 40-60k and proper histories.

Have owned FWD and RWD cars, know thay are quite different but really theonly things I seem to like that cover the gearbox angle and won't cost a fortune to run, like say a Maserati 3200, and yes, I have looked at the ads for those

Looking for any real work experiences with these cars, or the gearboxes, ie with the Z4 is the straigh Auto better ?

I know the SMG box is also in the M3 but its not a car I really want to own as at 8-10k they aint the best ones out there.

Any and all advice gratefully received and thanks in advance.

[edo]

Having got SMG in the M6 I would say in "normal" driving it isnt as smooth as a traditional auto.

[dibblecorse]

No idea what happened in the topic there !!!!

[Lucas Ayde]

DSG boxes are great, IMO. The best of both worlds - the convenience of an auto but with the performance and economy of a manual.

The double clutch setup makes for super smooth changes due the the rapid speed of changing gear. Absolutely terrific in manual sequential mode too with lightening fast changes when you tip the paddles or stick.

[George H]

Lucas Ayde said:

DSG boxes are great, IMO. The best of both worlds - the convenience of an auto but with the performance and economy of a manual.

The double clutch setup makes for super smooth changes due the the rapid speed of changing gear. Absolutely terrific in manual sequential mode too with lightening fast changes when you tip the paddles or stick.

Agreed, the DSG is by far the best auto type gearbox I have used. Only bit that is irritating is when it changes down a bit unnecessarily, but on the whole, it's great.

[paoloh]

DSG over SMG every day of the week.

Even SMG3 is st

[dibblecorse]

Bumped for the day crew, hit me with your opinions

[edo]

If it is going to be your only car and you do a reasonable mileage, I'd go with a DSG type gearbox, or a "regular" auto.

Z4 3.0i is a very nice car. Loved ours. Also consider the TT with DSG (S-Tronic)?

[edo]

2004 BMW Z4 3.0i SE 2dr Auto
Private Seller

38,500 miles, * *SATNAV** Bluetooth, Xenons, Leather heated electric memory seats, 6 disc changer, climate control, multi function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, auto dim mirror, auto lights and wipers, cup holders and clip in wind deflector as well as all the standard spec you would expect on a car like this! Any questions please ask. I am selling my much loved z4 with the HUGE spec you can see above, on top of that it has full BMW service history with 10k till next service, AND 12 months MOT and 6 months tax AND new tyres - not a penny will have to be spent on this for many many months. As you can see from the pictures the car is in great condition, the paintwork looks stunning and is reguarly clayed, polished and waxed. Private plate not included - priced for a quick sale, best price online. £8,749 Price reduced.

[edo]

2001 Porsche Boxster 3.2 Tiptronic S LOW MILEAGE FULL HISTORY
Trade Seller: Maundrell & Co Ltd

38,000 milesAutomatic3.2LPetrol
Automatic, Convertible, Petrol, 38,000 miles, Blue, 1 Owner(s), Air Conditioning, ABS, Adjustable Seats, Adjustable Steering Column/Wheel, Computer, Electric Mirrors, Headlamp Washers, Leather Seats, Leather Upholstery, Metallic Paintwork, Navigation System, Power Assisted Steering, Radio/CD, Remote Locking, Alarm, Alloy Wheels, Central Locking, Electric Windows. This vehicle is in immaculate condition and has been etxremely well kept, a very rare model. Please click on the Dealers Website link to view more details and larger photos. £10,995

[dibblecorse]

Edo, have seen that Z4 in the classifieds, nice shout though, the one I'm looking atonight is same spec, 03 at £8k with a service done 4 weeks ago.

I did consider Boxters but want some degree of practicality and the Z4 does have a useful boot.

[Luke.]

dibblecorse said:

Edo, have seen that Z4 in the classifieds, nice shout though, the one I'm looking atonight is same spec, 03 at £8k with a service done 4 weeks ago.

I did consider Boxters but want some degree of practicality and the Z4 does have a useful boot.

Dont rule the Boxster out on practicality. It's two boots are surprisingly useful.

[RESSE]

We looked at the Z4 for my wife, but she REALLY liked the way the Boxster drove, so we ended up with a Tiptronic version.

The two boots are fine (for know) and it does limit the amount of shopping (shoes/handbags) she can fit in the car.

[daveco]

Z4 for the engine (3.0 is fantastic, reliable and economical)
Golf GTI for practicality and for fun (more suited to our weather and st roads)

[edo]

Luke. said:

dibblecorse said:

Edo, have seen that Z4 in the classifieds, nice shout though, the one I'm looking atonight is same spec, 03 at £8k with a service done 4 weeks ago.

I did consider Boxters but want some degree of practicality and the Z4 does have a useful boot.

Dont rule the Boxster out on practicality. It's two boots are surprisingly useful.

This - front boot is very decent size.

[homerjay]

as fantastic as the DSG (and other double clutch systems) are, very quick very smooth. i find it just so boring compared to a manual.


obviously this doesnt help the op and his gammy leg.

Edited by homerjay on Thursday 14th July 12:12

[anonymous-user]

I have a mk5 GTI with the DSG box and a manual 3.0i Z4.

DSG is great and far superior to any normal auto I've driven or owned (I had a 330ci with the BM steptronic gearbox). Hardly ever use manual mode to be honest as it changes gear so quickly and seamlessly. If I had to have a car for a daily driver it makes perfect sense i.e. sitting in traffic, etc

For fun though the Z4 wins hands down. You just can't beat a proper manual gearbox and clutch imho.



edited to add - sorry, didn't see the comment about your knee. To be honest if the auto box in the Z4 is the same as the 330ci (pretty sure it is) then the DSG in the Golf is 100 times better. Drive both and you will see what I mean. In fact I sold the 330ci as the gearbox was so rubbish!

Edited by St John Smythe on Thursday 14th July 11:53

[Dino D]

Don't think any Z4 's were SMG (SMG was only in M cars like M3, M5, M6).
The Z4 3.0 should be using a 5 or maybe 6speed ZF box like the 330i so that mean normal torque converter but I think with paddles to change gears if you like?

[Tyson1980]

Had Z4 3.0i for two years. Its my wifes. Fully loaded and has the excellent 6-speed manual box. Has a remus catback on it, lowered on Eibachs, removed foam baffles and i have had it remapped to change the power curve. I have also changed the knob shifter to a ZHP as the stock one is not suited for quick shifting..

Brilliant engine. Plenty fast, torquey and very economical for what you get. 34+ on motorway runs at 70mph...

Versatile, large boot, cheap to run, reliable...

Whats to hate?

Shoddy plastics and rattles...

Terrific value for money now..and people still admire it...

[Dino D]

Tyson1980 said:

Had Z4 3.0i for two years. Its my wifes. Fully loaded and has the excellent 6-speed manual box. Has a remus catback on it, lowered on Eibachs, removed foam baffles and i have had it remapped to change the power curve. .

Sorry for the hijack but am interested to know:
Was it the 231bhp version?
Who did the remap and what was the change to power curve?
What are the foam baffles?