Z4M Coupe or MX-5
Discussion
Hi all, first time poster here!
I was wondering if someone could settle a debate that me and my pal are having as I type - and I've chosen Pistonheads as the moderator as I'm hoping I'll reach a wider audience than just the MX-5 gang or just the Bimmer gang.
My friend insists that MX-5's are generally more well revered than Z4M Coupes are far as driver enjoyment (handling etc.) are concerned. While I'm a big fan of the MX-5, and am not for one second trying to take anything away from them, I think that's wild. Bear in mind I'm not talking about running costs here, that's a whole different discussion
But yeah, can anyone weigh in here? Preferably someone who's had enough experience in both to compare, but would love to hear everyone's thoughts!
Thanks guys!
I was wondering if someone could settle a debate that me and my pal are having as I type - and I've chosen Pistonheads as the moderator as I'm hoping I'll reach a wider audience than just the MX-5 gang or just the Bimmer gang.
My friend insists that MX-5's are generally more well revered than Z4M Coupes are far as driver enjoyment (handling etc.) are concerned. While I'm a big fan of the MX-5, and am not for one second trying to take anything away from them, I think that's wild. Bear in mind I'm not talking about running costs here, that's a whole different discussion
But yeah, can anyone weigh in here? Preferably someone who's had enough experience in both to compare, but would love to hear everyone's thoughts!
Thanks guys!
AB said:
Have you or your friend driven either? I have, and I don't have an MX5.
Neither have driven either haha - understand its a bit of a moot point in that respect - though that is why I'm here! He's a bit of an MX-5 fanatic through what he's read online, and will likely end up in one very soon, and I've found a Z4M that may be in budget that I'm in love with - and that's where the conversation stemmed from!
Have owned a Z4M roadster for a long time. Had an MX-5 for a long time.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
Really depends what you want out of a car
The MX5 is smaller, lighter, less powerful, less practical in some instances of size, likely cheaper to insure, service and generally run. The general public are generally not hostile to mx5 drivers unless you count hairdresser comments.
The BMW is likely much quicker, a tad heavier, more refined, quieter with roof up for example. It will be more to run in instances of service items and might attract a higher insurance premium. People can be anti-bmw just because....
The MX5 is smaller, lighter, less powerful, less practical in some instances of size, likely cheaper to insure, service and generally run. The general public are generally not hostile to mx5 drivers unless you count hairdresser comments.
The BMW is likely much quicker, a tad heavier, more refined, quieter with roof up for example. It will be more to run in instances of service items and might attract a higher insurance premium. People can be anti-bmw just because....
Owned 2 Z4M roadsters and 3 MX5's.
Both great cars but approach it from different ends.
MX5's are light, great feedback and a little underpowered (not a bad thing) which means you can generally drive them at 9/10th's on the road and spend more time at road legal speeds having fun.
The Z4M is fantastically flawed and you have to drive it like you stole it, it doesn't inspire confidence but is far more capable than it feels and comes alive at higher speed/revs - you have to learn how to drive it properly and live with the quirks - 1st to 2nd is a pig but perversely I liked it as character. It's a proper marmite car but if you like it, it gets under your skin and I preferred it to numerous other cars like 911's, Vantages etc hence why I had 2.
The running costs are very different as well. I now have a lightly modded ND MX5 and its the perfect car for me currently. I'd highly recommend both but only you can answer which is better for you and there is no clear answer to which is best.
Both great cars but approach it from different ends.
MX5's are light, great feedback and a little underpowered (not a bad thing) which means you can generally drive them at 9/10th's on the road and spend more time at road legal speeds having fun.
The Z4M is fantastically flawed and you have to drive it like you stole it, it doesn't inspire confidence but is far more capable than it feels and comes alive at higher speed/revs - you have to learn how to drive it properly and live with the quirks - 1st to 2nd is a pig but perversely I liked it as character. It's a proper marmite car but if you like it, it gets under your skin and I preferred it to numerous other cars like 911's, Vantages etc hence why I had 2.
The running costs are very different as well. I now have a lightly modded ND MX5 and its the perfect car for me currently. I'd highly recommend both but only you can answer which is better for you and there is no clear answer to which is best.
I guess it very much comes down personal preference and want you want in a car with these two, which in their own way are both good choices but very different.
The Z4M has characteristics i like in a car, its pretty raw when it comes to power and handling, can be unruly without some additional mods, but its a very engaging driving experience. The engine is a screamer sounds fantastic and something the MX5 gets nowhere near. Probably fair to say the looks divide opinion but I think a set of CSLs really improve it.
On the other end of the scale if you like precision handling honed over many years, a more refined, slower and less frantic driving experience, then the MX5 is a more polished overall drive.
Shouldn't forget the BMW was in another price league when new but even so personally its the Z4MC every day for me, its just the more exciting thing to drive despite its flaws, just not for everybody.
The Z4M has characteristics i like in a car, its pretty raw when it comes to power and handling, can be unruly without some additional mods, but its a very engaging driving experience. The engine is a screamer sounds fantastic and something the MX5 gets nowhere near. Probably fair to say the looks divide opinion but I think a set of CSLs really improve it.
On the other end of the scale if you like precision handling honed over many years, a more refined, slower and less frantic driving experience, then the MX5 is a more polished overall drive.
Shouldn't forget the BMW was in another price league when new but even so personally its the Z4MC every day for me, its just the more exciting thing to drive despite its flaws, just not for everybody.
Reading through the comments, there are more votes in favour of the MX-5's drivability than I'd have liked to have seen, so now I need to go tell my friend that he was right, so thanks guys... 
All jokes aside, there's one clear message resonating throughout most of the comments and that's that at the end of the day, its down to personal preference - and that's what I love about the car community, everyone is different and that's reflected in their cars!
As I said from the beginning, I wasn't trying to take anything away from them MX-5, I just couldn't fathom it being a better car than the iconic Z4M in any respect; hell, I even used to think the Mazda was overrated and the same friend made me realise that that isn't true of the MX-5, and in turn any car.
Thanks for the insightful comments everyone, look forward to becoming a bigger member of this community
All jokes aside, there's one clear message resonating throughout most of the comments and that's that at the end of the day, its down to personal preference - and that's what I love about the car community, everyone is different and that's reflected in their cars!
As I said from the beginning, I wasn't trying to take anything away from them MX-5, I just couldn't fathom it being a better car than the iconic Z4M in any respect; hell, I even used to think the Mazda was overrated and the same friend made me realise that that isn't true of the MX-5, and in turn any car.
Thanks for the insightful comments everyone, look forward to becoming a bigger member of this community
Biased opinion (i briefly owned an MX5) but i'd opt for the E85/6M, really depends what you want to do with the car but I would have the Z4M everyday over an Mx5, its a very complete package, more GT than anything else, but the engine alone is far superior to anything found in an MX5 (IMO).If you're looking for a track car, maybe the MX5 is a better choice, but then buy a Caterham which is even better
otolith said:
Have owned a Z4M roadster for a long time. Had an MX-5 for a long time.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
Neither is "better", they're just very different cars.I haven't driven an MX-5, but I did swap the Cerbera 4.5 for a Z4M Roadster back in 2012. I personally didn't gel with the Z4M, and it felt heavy after the Cerbera for me.
I thought the engine was nice in the Z4M, but the suspension with it having very little give in it, nibbled at my confidence on bumpy B roads. Plus I wasn't a fan of the gearbox either, especially first to second. I'm not saying they're a bad car don't get me wrong, but they're definitely a bit of an acquired taste/a bit marmite though I think.
Also for reference, I kept the Z4M Roadster for 5 months, whereas I've had the 370Z Roadster for over 6 years now in comparison. I much prefer the ride/suspension/gearbox in the 370, although the 370 is carrying too much weight really for my general taste though. But that is my only niggle with it to be fair.
Welcome to PH as well.
I thought the engine was nice in the Z4M, but the suspension with it having very little give in it, nibbled at my confidence on bumpy B roads. Plus I wasn't a fan of the gearbox either, especially first to second. I'm not saying they're a bad car don't get me wrong, but they're definitely a bit of an acquired taste/a bit marmite though I think.
Also for reference, I kept the Z4M Roadster for 5 months, whereas I've had the 370Z Roadster for over 6 years now in comparison. I much prefer the ride/suspension/gearbox in the 370, although the 370 is carrying too much weight really for my general taste though. But that is my only niggle with it to be fair.
Welcome to PH as well.
kambites said:
otolith said:
Have owned a Z4M roadster for a long time. Had an MX-5 for a long time.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
The MX-5's handling is far more enjoyable. The BMW is a big heavy old thing. The MX-5's gearbox is exemplary. The BMW's is far from it. The MX-5's engine is a fairly nasty thing. The BMW's is fantastic. The MX-5 is much slower. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.
Neither is "better", they're just very different cars.In terms of driver feedback, the Mazda came in the top 3 of Evo's PCOTY.
I have an MX5 RF, an ND. For me, the pluses are the mini Corvette/Ferrari looks and the very small size, compared to the lumbering SUVs you see. It makes it very drivable. The electric roof is a boon as I don't like fabric tops.
The minuses are that the engine sounds dull and uninspired (high compression ratio makes it sound a bit crap). Even the 184PS 2.0 version lacks some oomph and you have to wring the 7500rpm out of it to go fast.
It also has practically zero usable storage in the cabin and the boot is small with no jack or spare wheel.
It's hard to get in and out of, if you are old or fat.
The gearchange is a bit stiff.
Not tried a BMW Z4 but imagine it would be plusher and softer.
I have an MX5 RF, an ND. For me, the pluses are the mini Corvette/Ferrari looks and the very small size, compared to the lumbering SUVs you see. It makes it very drivable. The electric roof is a boon as I don't like fabric tops.
The minuses are that the engine sounds dull and uninspired (high compression ratio makes it sound a bit crap). Even the 184PS 2.0 version lacks some oomph and you have to wring the 7500rpm out of it to go fast.
It also has practically zero usable storage in the cabin and the boot is small with no jack or spare wheel.
It's hard to get in and out of, if you are old or fat.
The gearchange is a bit stiff.
Not tried a BMW Z4 but imagine it would be plusher and softer.
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