HELP !!! T350C or Z4M???
Discussion
Hello all. My first post. Have been PH reader for ages but never posted anything because i could usually find all the info i needed, thank you.
My problem is: getting company car for the day to day stuff. But will need something for fun. The choices are TVR T350C or Z4m roadster ( not coupe as they seem to be holding their value rather better ).
Has anyone driven both and what did you think. I require the car to be fun but not stupidly scarey. I love TVR's having had a cerby but the cost just hurts too much. My heart says T350 but my Brain says Z4M !!!! I was impressed by both when i drove them but really didn't feel like giving them a good welly when the roads were damp. (will try again in the dry.)
I have been driving a 2 litre GTV for the past two years and have become desensitised to full on acceleration, so was easily impressed. I know how soon you can get used to it. I am no driving GOD but like to think i am a bit handy at the wheel.
Not that i can't afford to run the TVR just it happened to let me down when i needed it( just unlucky i guess ) boy do i want another one but the brain is saying you'll get as much thrill with the BM but with bullet proof reliability and solid warrenty.
I feel i'm selling out by just considering it. But realities of life mean i may have to move on.
What are T350 running costs like, how often have they let you down and is it worth all the bother. please, please answer this last point as ernestly as possible. performance wise there's not much in it!!
Thank you all.
My problem is: getting company car for the day to day stuff. But will need something for fun. The choices are TVR T350C or Z4m roadster ( not coupe as they seem to be holding their value rather better ).
Has anyone driven both and what did you think. I require the car to be fun but not stupidly scarey. I love TVR's having had a cerby but the cost just hurts too much. My heart says T350 but my Brain says Z4M !!!! I was impressed by both when i drove them but really didn't feel like giving them a good welly when the roads were damp. (will try again in the dry.)
I have been driving a 2 litre GTV for the past two years and have become desensitised to full on acceleration, so was easily impressed. I know how soon you can get used to it. I am no driving GOD but like to think i am a bit handy at the wheel.
Not that i can't afford to run the TVR just it happened to let me down when i needed it( just unlucky i guess ) boy do i want another one but the brain is saying you'll get as much thrill with the BM but with bullet proof reliability and solid warrenty.
I feel i'm selling out by just considering it. But realities of life mean i may have to move on.
What are T350 running costs like, how often have they let you down and is it worth all the bother. please, please answer this last point as ernestly as possible. performance wise there's not much in it!!
Thank you all.
You'll have your sensible reliable company car for day to day stuff - why the hell worry about 2nd car having bullet-proof reliability?
Get the TVR!
Fact is, BMW M cars can also have expensive reliability issues - but their warranty will be a bit more reliable!
I think the T350 would be a lot more fun than the Beemer, although I haven't driven the BMW.
It will also be a much more "special" weekend car - much rarer, much more of a head turner, and should be quite a bit faster.
Or if you want a convertible, then go for the best TVR - a Tamora
Get the TVR!
Fact is, BMW M cars can also have expensive reliability issues - but their warranty will be a bit more reliable!
I think the T350 would be a lot more fun than the Beemer, although I haven't driven the BMW.
It will also be a much more "special" weekend car - much rarer, much more of a head turner, and should be quite a bit faster.
Or if you want a convertible, then go for the best TVR - a Tamora
If your thinking of getting a T350 for use as second car id say go for it everytime. Sorry cant comment on the z4m as ive no experience.
Im now on my 2nd T350 (which says alot) always used as a second car, run them one after the other for the last 3 years doing approx 4 -5 k / yr
The 1st was an 03 reg which i owned for ~ 20 months. Problems were minimal. I had an issue with pinking when ambient temps were hot this was under hard acceleration between 5-6k revs
This was sorted using a remapped chip, cost approx £200
More annoying was the rear diffuser came loose at about 80mph, held on by 1 of the 5 bolts. Repair and respray was about £700, later cars came with a further bracket.
The current car is a 55 reg ive owned just over a year. Its been a peach, its so much better put together than the 1st one, build quality is so much better. Only thing ive had altered are tickover reset (5 minute job done myself as instructed by Dom at TVRPower) Suspension geometry reset to latest specs. The cars brilliant.
Its so good i think i might be making the wrong decision in looking for a Sagaris, only time will tell, buts its been the best of the 4 TVRs ive owned by far.
Annual expense last year
Was 6k service £500 geo reset £ 150 insurance £ 700 plus petrol - pretty damn good i think
Oh yes and about £ 500 in cleaning products and water. Saddo
Would highly recommend it, but would go for latest spec you can afford, due to improvements in engine and overall build quality
Nick
Im now on my 2nd T350 (which says alot) always used as a second car, run them one after the other for the last 3 years doing approx 4 -5 k / yr
The 1st was an 03 reg which i owned for ~ 20 months. Problems were minimal. I had an issue with pinking when ambient temps were hot this was under hard acceleration between 5-6k revs
This was sorted using a remapped chip, cost approx £200
More annoying was the rear diffuser came loose at about 80mph, held on by 1 of the 5 bolts. Repair and respray was about £700, later cars came with a further bracket.
The current car is a 55 reg ive owned just over a year. Its been a peach, its so much better put together than the 1st one, build quality is so much better. Only thing ive had altered are tickover reset (5 minute job done myself as instructed by Dom at TVRPower) Suspension geometry reset to latest specs. The cars brilliant.
Its so good i think i might be making the wrong decision in looking for a Sagaris, only time will tell, buts its been the best of the 4 TVRs ive owned by far.
Annual expense last year
Was 6k service £500 geo reset £ 150 insurance £ 700 plus petrol - pretty damn good i think
Oh yes and about £ 500 in cleaning products and water. Saddo
Would highly recommend it, but would go for latest spec you can afford, due to improvements in engine and overall build quality
Nick
Can't comment on the M, though. 
Phonicsupersonic said:
The other good point about having a TVR is the owners seem to be more fanatical about their cars, something i like. The same post on the BMW website has zero responses. Your winning me over.!!!
Test drive them both.
It won't be a hard choice.
Then try a Tamora. Best of both
Drive them back to back. I tested an m3 then t350 there just isn't the same "event" with Beemer. The M3 is still great car dont get me wrong, however driving t350 much more exilerating experience. Having owned an early cerb i too worried about reliability (see profile) however i find T350 easier to live with and use it as a daily driver. There will be niggles and I do have worries about part supplies shoudl things go wrong but if you've owned one before and can cope with higher running costs then go for it!
Hope you make the right choice
Chris
Hope you make the right choice
Chris
drove both,bmw was better put together, good torque and more of a drivers car than i thought. tvr t350 i fell in love with on sight, far more of an occasion, faster, better steering feel, more responsive and the later you buy the better they are. There are some good bargains out there at the moment. drive both and i'll be surprised if you pick the bmw. oh and in nearly 2 years i've had a blown fuse, a leaking oil sender and the electric windows play up, not bad for the perception of unreliability when comparing tvr with bmw.
the bmw z4m is an awesome car, i think youd all be surprised just how amazing it is. its a proper drivers car, never fails to thrill, is faster than just about everything, isnt as sanitised as everyone is alluding, looks ace, will hold its value now, does have a real sense of occasion and will make you laugh like an idiot everytime you drive it. although i would have serious issues with buying another bmw (nothing to do with the z4m), the z4m is the only car i would consider doing so for.
im taking nothing away from tvr here as god knows, im a fool for them, but dont write it off just cos its 'not a tvr'. drive one, youll see what i mean.
im taking nothing away from tvr here as god knows, im a fool for them, but dont write it off just cos its 'not a tvr'. drive one, youll see what i mean.
A z4 might be ok to drive (although road tests are far from flattering) but it's not ok to look at. Buy a t350 and you'll stare at it for hours, take pictures of it, video it, paint it and write poems about it. I guess you'd only buy a z4 if you think it looks good too but surely the M3 is both more useful and better looking too? It gets much better reviews too. But neither would inspire poetry or leave you glowing with that feeling just past exhiliration and just before fear after a drive down your favourite road.
T350 all the way. It's already an irreplaceable classic.
T350 all the way. It's already an irreplaceable classic.
I have both an M3 and a Saggy (never tried a z4m but expect the experience to be not that dissimilar). The M3 is a great car and does a fine job at getting me (quickly) to and from work every day. But in comparison to the Sagaris it's just plain boring!
So if you're only after a weekend car to stir your juices it’s gotta be a TVR!
So if you're only after a weekend car to stir your juices it’s gotta be a TVR!
I've just changed to a T350c from a 450 chim,before I changed I drove the Z4 and, god help me a boxter S just to make sure I was still in the TVR mood!
Got to be honest there was no comparison not, detracting from the z4 but it just didn't feel sporty enough or that special,when I took the T350 out we had people looking at it and pointing all followed by favourable comments.
Then there was the noise-- not the same as my old V8 but still plenty meaty with the JP exhaust fitted.
That sold the deal and to be honest I've had the car a few months now with no problems what so ever .
Go treat yourself get the T350,have the z4 when you pick up your pension!
Got to be honest there was no comparison not, detracting from the z4 but it just didn't feel sporty enough or that special,when I took the T350 out we had people looking at it and pointing all followed by favourable comments.
Then there was the noise-- not the same as my old V8 but still plenty meaty with the JP exhaust fitted.
That sold the deal and to be honest I've had the car a few months now with no problems what so ever .
Go treat yourself get the T350,have the z4 when you pick up your pension!
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