Z3 or Z4

[Collectingbrass]

I need to replace my E36 Cabriolet (which suffered a CAT N write off when the exhaust was nicked) and have narrowed my options down to a 2.8 Z3 or a 3.0 Z4, there being no replacement for displacement. I haven't sat in either but from pictures the Z3 feels like it has more character and is more dissimilar to my F32 daily. I have a budget of about £4 - £6k, and wondered what people's thoughts were.

I'm buying for enjoyment, not investment, but if it holds its value so much the better.

[helix402]

There are more Z4s available. If you’re tall you’ll struggle to fit in a Z3. The Z4 feels a lot more modern. A 6 cylinder Z3 feels a bit like someone’s put a big engine in small car and not worried too much about the suspension. The Z4 feels more of a balanced car. If you are a drift hero the Z3 goes sideways easier.

[LGriffiths88]

I ran a 04 plate 2.5 Z4 for 2 years. Great car. No issues with it over course of ownership.

Red leather seats. Had RFT to start... ditched them, hell of a difference. Hopefully most cars out there now won’t have RFT!

Here’s mine...very old photo so apologies.

[Heres Johnny]

We had the Z4 3.0 and our neighbour still does - its not the quietest car but I'd say better than the Z3. Rust is starting to be a problem for my neighbours having had new wings but then the car is 17 years old.

[g3org3y]

Z4. You can get a decent one for your budget.

Interior is miles better than the Z3, better kit and overall a superior car (not to mention looks smarter/more modern).



[/biased]

Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 19th August 13:47

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

i had a Z3, it was a hideous thing. Cabin was really cramped. Go Z4 every time.

[a340driver]

I went from 2.8 - Z3 which had the wide rear end to a Z4MR

I think the 2.8 was a lovely shape and a cruiser but I still wish I'd gone for the M first time round!

[Earthdweller]

I note you say you want to sit “in”

I’d suggest the Z4 in that case .. in the Z3 it’s like sitting “on” it

Having driven both .. id take the Z4 every time

[hilly10]

I loved my 08 3.0 SI and sometimes wish I still had it, the Straight 6 was sublime.

[dhutch]

Collectingbrass said:

I need to replace my E36 Cabriolet (which suffered a CAT N write off when the exhaust was nicked) ....

Can you not buy a new exhaust for it?

[Touring442]

The catalytic converter is around £1300 on its own.

[Mr Tidy]

For an investment a Z3M is probably the way to go.

But for a car you might use I think a Z4 might be a better option.

I'm on my 3rd Z4, so I may be a but biased!

[InitialDave]

Touring442 said:

The catalytic converter is around £1300 on its own.

Who the hell quoted you that?

You may well get one for under £100 depending on which model you have.

[dhutch]

InitialDave said:

Touring442 said:

The catalytic converter is around £1300 on its own.

Who the hell quoted you that?

You may well get one for under £100 depending on which model you have.

Exactly. I would not be supprised if a BM one was now a grand or more, but there are often decent used ones for a few hundred, and an after market one is about £100 as said. Yes they tend to only do 2-3 years before they blow out if spec for the MOT, yes that's a bit annoying, but it becomes the cost of life.

You also won't get a Z4 for £1300....


Daniel

[Collectingbrass]

dhutch said:

InitialDave said:

Touring442 said:

The catalytic converter is around £1300 on its own.

Who the hell quoted you that?

You may well get one for under £100 depending on which model you have.

Exactly. I would not be supprised if a BM one was now a grand or more, but there are often decent used ones for a few hundred, and an after market one is about £100 as said. Yes they tend to only do 2-3 years before they blow out if spec for the MOT, yes that's a bit annoying, but it becomes the cost of life.

You also won't get a Z4 for £1300....


Daniel

The whole front pipe & cat section was nicked. The indie who looks after my cars quoted £1600 for a new one from BMW, as did Cotswold BMW, and he refused to fit an after market exhaust. I could have tried the local fast fit places but I've had very bad experiences with the main local ones. I don't really have the facilities to fit, and couldn't find, a second hand one, although if I could have found one I would probably had a go.

But then man maths comes into the equation. I was also going to sink circa £3k into it for a respray this year, which needed a replacement front wing and nose fitting for, £1000 on a roof overhaul and the drivers seat bolster was worn through as well. The handbrake needed sorting for the next MOT and while the chassis and bodywork looked ok I hadn't gone at it with a screwdriver. Add all that together and I would have had a sorted E36 that I've had for seven years for say £6k and some effort, or I could spend £6k on a new toy, so here we are.

[dhutch]

Collectingbrass said:

The whole front pipe & cat section was nicked. The indie who looks after my cars quoted .... refused to fit an after market exhaust.

Car theft is stupidity annoying, however I do also feel your indie needs to reassess his attitude a little!

What happened to the car, scrapped? What a shame.

Daniel

[InitialDave]

Collectingbrass said:

The whole front pipe & cat section was nicked. The indie who looks after my cars quoted £1600 for a new one from BMW, as did Cotswold BMW, and he refused to fit an after market exhaust.

That's idiotic.

[Earthdweller]

Mr Tidy said:

For an investment a Z3M is probably the way to go.

But for a car you might use I think a Z4 might be a better option.

I'm on my 3rd Z4, so I may be a but biased!

I don’t think he’ll get a z3m for £6k somehow

The Z4 30Si will just be in budget and is an excellent car

[PixelpeepZ4]

Metal folding roof on the Z4 makes a lot of difference considering the roof will be up for 75% of it's life.

This is mine, picked up end of July.. it's the 35i N54 (twin turbo inline 6) - it's old, but i love it. Going to the shops is an occasion

there is a thread on it here

[Collectingbrass]

dhutch said:

Collectingbrass said:

The whole front pipe & cat section was nicked. The indie who looks after my cars quoted .... refused to fit an after market exhaust.

Car theft is stupidity annoying, however I do also feel your indie needs to reassess his attitude a little!

What happened to the car, scrapped? What a shame.

Daniel

Saying he refused is probably a bit over egging it, but he was very strongly recommending against it and as he correctly diagnosed what was going to be a £900 head off fix to a £75 new cable fitted problem I tend to listen to him. The insurers wrote the car off Cat N and paid me more than I paid for it 7 years ago, so I guess that means I can add "successful classic car investor" to my Linked In profile!