E85 Z4 vs. MX5 nc

Author
Discussion

ConorE

Original Poster:

317 posts

141 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
In the next couple of weeks I’ll be looking for a new car but unsure if which to go for out of the Z4 and MX5. Both would be the 2 litre version and just driven daily. Has anybody owned either and can give an idea of which is better to live with, which is more reliable etc? Thanks in advance

Krikkit

26,536 posts

182 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
MX5 will be more reliable, and drive very well. I'd buy a Z4 6 instead mind.

clockworks

5,374 posts

146 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
I've owned a 1.8 NC and a 2.2 E85.

The Z4 was a lot more refined, the MX-5 a better driver's car. For longer journeys I would pick a Z4, especially if I wanted the roof up. For a bit of fun with the roof down, MX-5. Not sure I could live with either as my only car though.

MX-5 is likely to be more reliable, but they do rust.

Deep Thought

35,842 posts

198 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
MX5 will be more reliable, and drive very well. I'd buy a Z4 6 instead mind.
+1

I'd be looking for a 6 cyl Z4, ideally the 3.0.

Jonstar

868 posts

192 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
I've had two of each, first of all they are completely different cars.

Z4 is much more refined, has better interior, is better on the motorway and has a better engine.
MX5 is the better drivers car with better steering feel, throttle response, gearshift and has an lsd.

Stock for stock I would take the z4 3.0, with some mods the mx5 is better.

kambites

67,584 posts

222 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
My experiences are much as those above really. If you want a cruiser buy the Z4, although I'd try to find the extra for a six-pot; if you want a sports car buy the Mazda.

Deep Thought

35,842 posts

198 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
We've owned a 2.0i Turbo E85 and various MX5s, and i'd wholly agree with what others are saying. Both very different cars so depends what the O/P wants of the car themselves. If i was settling on the Z4 for whatever reason, i'd definitely try to stretch to the 3.0 6 cyl variant though. Suits the car particularly well.

WJNB

2,637 posts

162 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
Understand that the Z4 is a cruising tourer, the MX-5 a sports car then choose.
Given todays congested roads an out & out sports car is superfluous. Give me the comfort space.superior fittings & equipment of the BMW any day. If you go BMW then do it properly with a 6 pot, diito the Mercedes SLK, which is more of a class act than Mazda or BMW. .

Jakg

3,471 posts

169 months

Monday 7th January 2019
quotequote all
In terms of reliability, the Z4 won't rust, whereas the MX5 most definitely will. The Z4 is based off the E46 so the mechanicals are well-trodden in the main.

They are different cars though, as the other replies have highlighted.

Definitely get the 3.0, not the 2.0 Z4, though.