BMW Z4 Coupe (2007)....what could I consider next?
Discussion
I won't be looking to replace my lovely 2007 Z4 coupe for another year, but it's a quiet Friday afternoon and I am bored so I thought I would garner opinion.
Had the car for a year and I absolutely love it. It holds a sense of occasion for me as I 'only' had an MR2 previously, and a ZS180 prior to that. I love the looks and practicality - a 'pocket GT' I believe they call it. Took it through France and Spain last month comfortably, but it also handled laps at Silverstone with aplomb.
Trouble is, what's going to be next that gives me the same feeling of rogueish excitement? I know there is the M version, which I will consider, but I am stumped right now as to what else I could try that has:
2 seats (no kids so not interested)
Noticeably more power/performance than my current steed
Under £20k budget
Gorgeous looks (in the eye of the beholder I appreciate)
Relatively uncommon
Not going to show itself up on the occasional track day but able to cover long distances such as the twice monthly run up the A1 I have to endure.
Personally not a great Porsche fan at the moment, and the Elise seems to spartan for long journeys.
Suggestions please?
Thanks
Pauly
Had the car for a year and I absolutely love it. It holds a sense of occasion for me as I 'only' had an MR2 previously, and a ZS180 prior to that. I love the looks and practicality - a 'pocket GT' I believe they call it. Took it through France and Spain last month comfortably, but it also handled laps at Silverstone with aplomb.
Trouble is, what's going to be next that gives me the same feeling of rogueish excitement? I know there is the M version, which I will consider, but I am stumped right now as to what else I could try that has:
2 seats (no kids so not interested)
Noticeably more power/performance than my current steed
Under £20k budget
Gorgeous looks (in the eye of the beholder I appreciate)
Relatively uncommon
Not going to show itself up on the occasional track day but able to cover long distances such as the twice monthly run up the A1 I have to endure.
Personally not a great Porsche fan at the moment, and the Elise seems to spartan for long journeys.
Suggestions please?
Thanks
Pauly
paulyv said:
MattHall91 said:
This. And then sell me your Zed. Preferably sooner than next year though 
Sigh...I am going to get this a lot aren't I!If you are in line for a Z4 coupe you will not regret it.
But the Cayman shout above is a good one, too. My dad has just got rid of a 2012 PDK Cayman and it was a brilliant drivers car and sounded lovely.
Hopefully getting a coupe in 1-2 months. Can't wait.
I'm in the very same situation.
Looking to swap next spring and have narrowed it down to:
Cayman S (from an OPC with 2 year warranty to save engine paranoia)
E46 M3 (always wanted one)
Z4MC (Really like the Z4C and interested in the car with an S54 + M-car suspension, LSD etc)
M135i (Everyone raves about them and a younger car appeals to me in some ways)
Looking to swap next spring and have narrowed it down to:
Cayman S (from an OPC with 2 year warranty to save engine paranoia)
E46 M3 (always wanted one)
Z4MC (Really like the Z4C and interested in the car with an S54 + M-car suspension, LSD etc)
M135i (Everyone raves about them and a younger car appeals to me in some ways)
Slips in under £20k.
More pant-soiling performance than you'd ever need.
Pedestrians take cover when you start it.
Rare.
I was in a similar-ish position to yourself earlier this year when replacing my TVR Chimaera. Budget £18k tops, considered Elise S2, Lotus Europa, Z4M, 370Z, GT86, VX220 Turbo, Cayman S. Bought a Monaro VXR, which probably isn't what you're looking for!
smith94 said:
I'm in the very same situation.
Looking to swap next spring and have narrowed it down to:
Cayman S (from an OPC with 2 year warranty to save engine paranoia)
E46 M3 (always wanted one)
Z4MC (Really like the Z4C and interested in the car with an S54 + M-car suspension, LSD etc)
M135i (Everyone raves about them and a younger car appeals to me in some ways)
M135i.....really, who?! Looking to swap next spring and have narrowed it down to:
Cayman S (from an OPC with 2 year warranty to save engine paranoia)
E46 M3 (always wanted one)
Z4MC (Really like the Z4C and interested in the car with an S54 + M-car suspension, LSD etc)
M135i (Everyone raves about them and a younger car appeals to me in some ways)
rich85uk said:
Forgot about the SLK55. I drove a colleagues when they first came out. Only got to pootle it up and down the road for 5 minutes but it sounded like an after hours orgy at a Spitfire factory. Great suggestion but wish they had made a manual.Thank you for the cars so far - plenty to think about. Without bigging what I drive up too much as I realise there are much more exclusive vehicles on the road, I do love the relative rarity of the coupe. I owe it to myself to give the M a go at some point.
Pauly
Bought my Z4C last year from someone in Portsmouth (so one less in Hampshire!) and I can only see an E46 M3 or Z4CM as possible replacements as I really don't like convertibles (too floppy with no roof) but I'm still enjoying the Z4C so no rush for now....
Just curious but how does a 370Z measure up in comparison to Z4M? I know the 350Z is more powerful than a 3 litre Z4 but it's heavier so performance is similar IIRC.
But back to the OP - if you can wait a couple of years maybe one of those new-fangled F-Types with a manual box may be bit of RWD fun. Personally I quite like the idea of a manual V8 Mustang if they depreciate at normal Ford rates
Just curious but how does a 370Z measure up in comparison to Z4M? I know the 350Z is more powerful than a 3 litre Z4 but it's heavier so performance is similar IIRC.
But back to the OP - if you can wait a couple of years maybe one of those new-fangled F-Types with a manual box may be bit of RWD fun. Personally I quite like the idea of a manual V8 Mustang if they depreciate at normal Ford rates
Mr Tidy said:
Bought my Z4C last year from someone in Portsmouth (so one less in Hampshire!) and I can only see an E46 M3 or Z4CM as possible replacements as I really don't like convertibles (too floppy with no roof) but I'm still enjoying the Z4C so no rush for now....
Just curious but how does a 370Z measure up in comparison to Z4M? I know the 350Z is more powerful than a 3 litre Z4 but it's heavier so performance is similar IIRC.
The latest z4s have the metal folding roof - we'd one of those and really liked it.Just curious but how does a 370Z measure up in comparison to Z4M? I know the 350Z is more powerful than a 3 litre Z4 but it's heavier so performance is similar IIRC.
Not driven a z4cM for comparison to the 370z, but i would guess it depends on what you want.
£20K buys you an 8 year old z4m, probably several owners and maybe 50K miles, most likely mint though and a full BMWSH. (you can buy high miles ones with less provenance, as you know for a lot less).
£20K got me a 2 year old 370z with just 9K miles and still under manufacturers warranty.
Come back to the same two cars in five years time though and chances are the z4m has held most of that money or maybe increased in value.
I would imagine is the z4m is the more pure driving car, but thats not necessarily the nicest to drive in an everyday driver, if thats what you need it for.
As i said, horses for courses.
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