Sports car, fun on B roads, nice engine sound, a bit special
Discussion
Looking for a sports cars, 2 seats, fun on B roads, nice engine and sound, something a bit special and nice to be in. Must be coupe, RWD and manual.
Thought of a Z4 coupe but was very disappointed with the drive. The steering is awful.
350Z is much like driving a good saloon. Not a B road car. 370Z seems better but still no. Interiors are also a bit low rent.
On the other side of the fence, at Mercedes, don't want convertibles or even folding tops. But a R170 is ironic if you have a problem with the Z4 steering. R171 would need to be the rare V6 manuals. I don't even mind they are a bit hair dressy. But they are quite porky. Because of the folding roof.
Given there are not many options I looked a bit more into the Z4 and found that there seems to be ways to upgrade the steering. But it seems people are mainly putting the Z4 M hydraulic system in there? If so, I have heard and read the steering in the Z4 M still is the week point of the car, despite being a bit better than the standard car. I also don't know how much such upgrade would cost.
I don't want a Cayman, or a 1 series or 2 series. GT86 is a bit boring too and engine has no appeal to me. Rotaries are of no interest a this point either. Anything AWD will be porky.
So anybody has done the steering upgrade on the Z4? Transforms the car?
Any other suggestions? Pity they never made the V6 Alfas driving the correct wheels.
Thought of a Z4 coupe but was very disappointed with the drive. The steering is awful.
350Z is much like driving a good saloon. Not a B road car. 370Z seems better but still no. Interiors are also a bit low rent.
On the other side of the fence, at Mercedes, don't want convertibles or even folding tops. But a R170 is ironic if you have a problem with the Z4 steering. R171 would need to be the rare V6 manuals. I don't even mind they are a bit hair dressy. But they are quite porky. Because of the folding roof.
Given there are not many options I looked a bit more into the Z4 and found that there seems to be ways to upgrade the steering. But it seems people are mainly putting the Z4 M hydraulic system in there? If so, I have heard and read the steering in the Z4 M still is the week point of the car, despite being a bit better than the standard car. I also don't know how much such upgrade would cost.
I don't want a Cayman, or a 1 series or 2 series. GT86 is a bit boring too and engine has no appeal to me. Rotaries are of no interest a this point either. Anything AWD will be porky.
So anybody has done the steering upgrade on the Z4? Transforms the car?
Any other suggestions? Pity they never made the V6 Alfas driving the correct wheels.
Thanks gents. But sorry, I thought the talking of nice place to be and low rent interior was enough indication I'm looking for some refinement too. So no Elises and Caterhams and so on please. 
I know the Z4 coupe needs to be the right spec for the interior to be a nice place to be as well. Most of them feel and look pretty meh. But the well spec cars are out there.
I had a 996 and apart from the horrible reliability problems I had, the low rent interior was my biggest problem. Just not good enough for anything calling itself premium.
As for the old Alfa, not looking for anything nearly that vintage. Besides, wasn't all the V6 in those cars still carburated? I need some modern amenities.
MR2 totally not there either. I would much prefer keeping this front engine. But the low rent interior again...
I know the Z4 coupe needs to be the right spec for the interior to be a nice place to be as well. Most of them feel and look pretty meh. But the well spec cars are out there.
I had a 996 and apart from the horrible reliability problems I had, the low rent interior was my biggest problem. Just not good enough for anything calling itself premium.
As for the old Alfa, not looking for anything nearly that vintage. Besides, wasn't all the V6 in those cars still carburated? I need some modern amenities.
MR2 totally not there either. I would much prefer keeping this front engine. But the low rent interior again...
DRVR said:
Thanks gents. But sorry, I thought the talking of nice place to be and low rent interior was enough indication I'm looking for some refinement too. So no Elises and Caterhams and so on please.
I know the Z4 coupe needs to be the right spec for the interior to be a nice place to be as well. Most of them feel and look pretty meh. But the well spec cars are out there.
I had a 996 and apart from the horrible reliability problems I had, the low rent interior was my biggest problem. Just not good enough for anything calling itself premium.
As for the old Alfa, not looking for anything nearly that vintage. Besides, wasn't all the V6 in those cars still carburated? I need some modern amenities.
MR2 totally not there either. I would much prefer keeping this front engine. But the low rent interior again...
An Elise, Exige or VX220 would be the pick for a fun car, the interiors are far more of a special place to be rather than a car like a Z4 where you could be sat in any sort of normal car. Admittedly the soft touch plastics aren't as good though. I know the Z4 coupe needs to be the right spec for the interior to be a nice place to be as well. Most of them feel and look pretty meh. But the well spec cars are out there.
I had a 996 and apart from the horrible reliability problems I had, the low rent interior was my biggest problem. Just not good enough for anything calling itself premium.
As for the old Alfa, not looking for anything nearly that vintage. Besides, wasn't all the V6 in those cars still carburated? I need some modern amenities.
MR2 totally not there either. I would much prefer keeping this front engine. But the low rent interior again...
DRVR said:
Looking for a sports cars, 2 seats, fun on B roads, nice engine and sound, something a bit special and nice to be in. Must be coupe, RWD and manual.
Thought of a Z4 coupe but was very disappointed with the drive. The steering is awful.
350Z is much like driving a good saloon. Not a B road car. 370Z seems better but still no. Interiors are also a bit low rent.
On the other side of the fence, at Mercedes, don't want convertibles or even folding tops. But a R170 is ironic if you have a problem with the Z4 steering. R171 would need to be the rare V6 manuals. I don't even mind they are a bit hair dressy. But they are quite porky. Because of the folding roof.
Given there are not many options I looked a bit more into the Z4 and found that there seems to be ways to upgrade the steering. But it seems people are mainly putting the Z4 M hydraulic system in there? If so, I have heard and read the steering in the Z4 M still is the week point of the car, despite being a bit better than the standard car. I also don't know how much such upgrade would cost.
I don't want a Cayman, or a 1 series or 2 series. GT86 is a bit boring too and engine has no appeal to me. Rotaries are of no interest a this point either. Anything AWD will be porky.
So anybody has done the steering upgrade on the Z4? Transforms the car?
Any other suggestions? Pity they never made the V6 Alfas driving the correct wheels.
Honestly, with a sports car, unless you go for a very high premium brand, most interiors are going to be on the lower rent side, as its designed for the drive and position and feel than for comfort etc. 911 - fairly low rent, great drivers car, Elise, very low rent, great drivers car, etc. Thought of a Z4 coupe but was very disappointed with the drive. The steering is awful.
350Z is much like driving a good saloon. Not a B road car. 370Z seems better but still no. Interiors are also a bit low rent.
On the other side of the fence, at Mercedes, don't want convertibles or even folding tops. But a R170 is ironic if you have a problem with the Z4 steering. R171 would need to be the rare V6 manuals. I don't even mind they are a bit hair dressy. But they are quite porky. Because of the folding roof.
Given there are not many options I looked a bit more into the Z4 and found that there seems to be ways to upgrade the steering. But it seems people are mainly putting the Z4 M hydraulic system in there? If so, I have heard and read the steering in the Z4 M still is the week point of the car, despite being a bit better than the standard car. I also don't know how much such upgrade would cost.
I don't want a Cayman, or a 1 series or 2 series. GT86 is a bit boring too and engine has no appeal to me. Rotaries are of no interest a this point either. Anything AWD will be porky.
So anybody has done the steering upgrade on the Z4? Transforms the car?
Any other suggestions? Pity they never made the V6 Alfas driving the correct wheels.
Would i be putting myself out on a limb to suggest then you are looking for more of a coupe GT car than for a sports car? That combines nice higher rent interior/comfort with a dabbling of a sporty drive? For roads like Welsh mountain passes and driving to the continent for weekends/holidays?
Also what budget as that has a big bearing on what we could suggest?
I would recommend the Z4M, it isn't the finest steer in the M-Car line up by far but its not bad and adds character, but certainly not as awful as some internet posts would make out. I also don't know if its within your budget?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...
In terms of changes, make sure its got great tyres. Make sure its a dry day and make sure its got a really good geo setup and have some fun. It will take time to get used to though the first time you start driving it - not as confidence inspiring as you might think straight away.
The standard z4, I don't think you'd need to upgrade it really. It's ok out the box and aesthetically its got a nice profile. I would be looking for a Ruby Black coupe with the red or partial red interior, this is the only one for sale right now i have found - Not perfect but it looks better than most.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203133...
In terms of upgrades, i would swap out lower arms for M3, H&R Sway bars, change springs or go for a good sports suspension kit from Bilstein if you really want but don't think it NEEDs it as such. The rear is very e46 in the E89 so swap some bits out the back and you should be good.
If its more of a nice driving GT car with a nicer interior. I would look at the XKR -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...
I think if you want something that covers something that bit more special / occassion - I would edge towards a Maserati, again not knowing your budget. I've chosen the Cambiocorsa
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...
If the budget would stretch to it - Then the Granturismo.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203083...
Some more info may help around budget
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