Z3m roadster Vs Z4 3.0?

[paulpsz008]

So I have around 9-10k to spend on a 2 seater roadster.

The Missues will mostly drive it and she's not keen on the Boxster or S2000 so it leaves me with the following choices.

Z3m, Z4 3.0, or z3 3.0 & a few grand towards running it?

What you guys think?

[wrighty78]

paulpsz008 said:

So I have around 9-10k to spend on a 2 seater roadster.

The Missues will mostly drive it and she's not keen on the Boxster or S2000 so it leaves me with the following choices.

Z3m, Z4 3.0, or z3 3.0 & a few grand towards running it?

What you guys think?

Well if I had that choice, for my own personal use, I'd probably go for the Z3M. Without doubt the best sounding and most fun to drive of the three.

But the Z4 will give more predictable, less tail-happy handling, and (being a more modern car) is probably safer.

I guess only you know which is best suited to your OH.

Wrighty.

[paulpsz008]

She's had mx5's for a while now most without TC so she's Ok with a little tail out as long as its no unpredictable.

But 180-320bhp is a big jump?

[Herbs]

If it's mainly for the missus then it has to be the Z4 all day long. I'm in the same situation whereas the missus as a MX5 sports and is looking to change - she loves both the Z3 and Z4 but there is no way i would feel comfortable having her driving a M in the rain and snow that we have had in the last month.

i'd be bricking everyday waiting for the phone call

[Spokey]

The Z4 is a very much more practical car, with a decent boot. If that matters.

I find the roadholding of the Z4 to be much better than the Z3 and even the Z3M, and it's quite good fun. I find the interior rather dull compared to the Z3 or Z3M, though.

I'd take the Z4, I guess, and just put some PS2s on it instead of those ghastly runflats.

[paulpsz008]

Yeah guess I know the 4 is the better choice, but I want an M at wkends. Lol.

[christer]

paulpsz008 said:

So I have around 9-10k to spend on a 2 seater roadster.

The Missues will mostly drive it and she's not keen on the Boxster or S2000 so it leaves me with the following choices.

Z3m, Z4 3.0, or z3 3.0 & a few grand towards running it?

What you guys think?

Unless she is putting up half the money just get what you want.....

[paulpsz008]

So given my use is likely to be just wkend blasts is a z4 3.0 upto the job?

[Luvmyzed]

My missus had an MX5 1.8 sport,I got a Z4 3.0 and the MX5 was soon sold.M cars tend to be expensive to run,Z3's are old now.Z4 3.0 will be plenty fast enough for you,many Z4m owners know that as a road car,the ordinary Z4 is as quick in real driving conditions as the M version.Only a track will split them in pure performance terms.

[wrighty78]

paulpsz008 said:

So given my use is likely to be just wkend blasts is a z4 3.0 upto the job?

It'll be absolutely fine. The 3 ltr straight six is a cracker. The M would be even better, but you'll have plenty of fun in the 3.0. Have you test-driven one yet?

Luvmyzed said:

many Z4m owners know that as a road car,the ordinary Z4 is as quick in real driving conditions as the M version.Only a track will split them in pure performance terms.

With respect, this is rubbish. The Z4M is strikingly and unmistakably quicker than a 3.0 Z4. I've owned both.

But the 3.0 is still a cracking engine / car in its own right.

[Herbs]

Luvmyzed said:

My missus had an MX5 1.8 sport,I got a Z4 3.0 and the MX5 was soon sold.M cars tend to be expensive to run,Z3's are old now.Z4 3.0 will be plenty fast enough for you,many Z4m owners know that as a road car,the ordinary Z4 is as quick in real driving conditions as the M version.Only a track will split them in pure performance terms.

Sorry i'm with Wrighty on this one.

My Missus owns a MX5 1.8 Sport, i've owned a Z4 3.0i and currently own a Z4M.

The 3.0i is a fantastic car and would have another but the M is in a different league in comparison.

[danp]

I had a z3m coupé and then a z4 3.0i (earlier 231bhp version) a few cars later.

The z4 didn't stay with me very long as it was just too slow after the z3mc (and an e36 m3), and too flawed in the ride and steering departments IMHO.

Journal here:

http://auto-journals.com/journals/BMW?model=Z4

A shame as I loved many aspects of it - e.g. the looks, packaging, efficiency and build.

[Eagerbeaver]

Luvmyzed said:

My missus had an MX5 1.8 sport,I got a Z4 3.0 and the MX5 was soon sold.M cars tend to be expensive to run,Z3's are old now.Z4 3.0 will be plenty fast enough for you,many Z4m owners know that as a road car,the ordinary Z4 is as quick in real driving conditions as the M version.Only a track will split them in pure performance terms.

The 3.0Si is no slouch but you'd have to have a boot full of concrete to get the Z4M down to Si levels of acceleration/mid range torque. You notice it even more when you go back from M to Si.

The M really wins in driver dynamics though. The Si jumps all over the place at the slightest pothole and follows ruts in the road like a greyhound after the rabbit. The M is far more composed and eats up rough surfaces while continuing to launch you forward with addictive force.