Sports car, fun on B roads, nice engine sound, a bit special

[cerb4.5lee]

Kawasicki said:

The 350Z I drove was a complete joke on bumpy B roads. Constant loss of tyre to road contact.

That is interesting to hear. My 370Z(albeit the Roadster) is absolutely fine in that regard for me.

[Kawasicki]

cerb4.5lee said:

That is interesting to hear. My 370Z(albeit the Roadster) is absolutely fine in that regard for me.

I was very surprised. I honestly think it was just poorly tuned for bumpy roads. Not very difficult to fix.

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

I did test drive a 350Z(Roadster) back in 2006 and I personally really liked it, but I only used it on a dual carriageway and A roads though.

The 350Z/370Z are definitely more GT like than sports car I think. You can grab them by the scuff of the neck if you want, but they probably suit a more relaxed approach.

One thing I will say though is how well they soak the roads up, and I personally enjoy throwing the 370Z down a B road more than I ever did my Z4M. The lack of suspension travel in the Z4M made it feel really nervous across a B road(especially of it is a bit bumpy) for me. The 370Z is set up better in that regard I think.

+1 to the above the 370Z is for me the better car & if you could stretch to a Nismo then you'll really be onto a cracking steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

[JackReacher]

I really wanted a Z4 3.0si at one stage, had a couple of extended test drives and hated the steering, ride, and tramlining. I suspect better tyres would have helped but it put me off even though I loved the look of them and the rarity. Bought a 350z instead and it was a good car, much better steering, a nice sound and plenty of character, but it does feel a bit heavy and therefore not as much fun on a b-road as I wanted.

After that, I moved onto a Cayman 987 2.9, and it really was exellent. Running costs will be higher but it is totally worth it.

[Canon_Fodder]

ZX10R NIN said:

+1 to the above the 370Z is for me the better car & if you could stretch to a Nismo then you'll really be onto a cracking steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

Oh I say what a beast!

Can't say I've seen one of those in the wild.

Just a shame about those seats which look like they're out of a Micra Sport

[TameRacingDriver]

It seems to me like you’ve made up your mind, but I’ll just say that I would put in a vote for the Z4C 3.0 si, I always thought it felt a special place to sit and definitely had a sense of occasion for me. Those saying it’s like sitting in a saloon are wrong, it’s nothing like one. Certainly a better place to be than an Elise or vx220. Get one, stick some CSL reps on it, remap for 280+, decent cat back exhaust , lsd, and if the budget allows, some birds suspension. That would be a superb car.

[PH User]

TameRacingDriver said:

It seems to me like you’ve made up your mind, but I’ll just say that I would put in a vote for the Z4C 3.0 si, I always thought it felt a special place to sit and definitely had a sense of occasion for me. Those saying it’s like sitting in a saloon are wrong, it’s nothing like one. Certainly a better place to be than an Elise or vx220. Get one, stick some CSL reps on it, remap for 280+, decent cat back exhaust , lsd, and if the budget allows, some birds suspension. That would be a superb car.

I'm not wrong, it's just that we have a different opinion to each other.

For me an Elise or VX220 gives you a sense of occasion that a Z4 never could.

[Mr Tidy]

PH User said:

TameRacingDriver said:

It seems to me like you’ve made up your mind, but I’ll just say that I would put in a vote for the Z4C 3.0 si, I always thought it felt a special place to sit and definitely had a sense of occasion for me. Those saying it’s like sitting in a saloon are wrong, it’s nothing like one. Certainly a better place to be than an Elise or vx220. Get one, stick some CSL reps on it, remap for 280+, decent cat back exhaust , lsd, and if the budget allows, some birds suspension. That would be a superb car.

I'm not wrong, it's just that we have a different opinion to each other.

For me an Elise or VX220 gives you a sense of occasion that a Z4 never could.

There is no "right" answer, it's all about priorities.

For a track car I'd choose an Elise or VX220 every time.

But for road use I'd have a Z4 for the sound-track if nothing else, especially an M with an S54 under the bonnet and LSD as standard.

[TameRacingDriver]

PH User said:

TameRacingDriver said:

It seems to me like you’ve made up your mind, but I’ll just say that I would put in a vote for the Z4C 3.0 si, I always thought it felt a special place to sit and definitely had a sense of occasion for me. Those saying it’s like sitting in a saloon are wrong, it’s nothing like one. Certainly a better place to be than an Elise or vx220. Get one, stick some CSL reps on it, remap for 280+, decent cat back exhaust , lsd, and if the budget allows, some birds suspension. That would be a superb car.

I'm not wrong, it's just that we have a different opinion to each other.

For me an Elise or VX220 gives you a sense of occasion that a Z4 never could.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Elise, bucket list car, but I’ve been in a few, I know where you’re coming from but I found the z4 considerably more pleasant to sit in, still feels very special to me. Granted the Elise is almost certainly more fun, but they’re not for everyone, especially not as an only car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Canon_Fodder said:

ZX10R NIN said:

+1 to the above the 370Z is for me the better car & if you could stretch to a Nismo then you'll really be onto a cracking steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

Oh I say what a beast!

Can't say I've seen one of those in the wild.

Just a shame about those seats which look like they're out of a Micra Sport

The seats are very supportive but Nissan agreed with you so they added leather & alcantara on the Gen2 model.

[Canon_Fodder]

ZX10R NIN said:

The seats are very supportive but Nissan agreed with you so they added leather & alcantara on the Gen2 model.

It's an eye-catcher and no mistake

Just want to say I always enjoy looking at the cars you pick out from AT. You have an enthusiasts eye and shrewd judgement too

[ZX10R NIN]

Thanks, I just like other contributors give my honest opinion on where I'd be looking in each OP's case.

[DRVR]

cerb4.5lee said:

DRVR said:

I also always liked the sporty Nissans. 240Z and the second 300ZX come to mind. Along with the 350Z and even the 370Z. I totally understand you when you say it puts a smile on your face. My "issues" with the 370Z are quite small and in all honesty, in essence it is probably the closest to the Z4 Coupe. Biggest difference being really the weight, if compared to the 3.0is, as I now know. But the lights and interior is quite subjective. I never really properly drove one though. Maybe I should, before totally writing it off. Maybe I will find it brilliant or fun on B roads and forgive the lights and interior. The 350Z definitely isn't much fun on B roads. Have your driven a 350Z? How do you see them comparing there?

I did test drive a 350Z(Roadster) back in 2006 and I personally really liked it, but I only used it on a dual carriageway and A roads though.

The 350Z/370Z are definitely more GT like than sports car I think. You can grab them by the scuff of the neck if you want, but they probably suit a more relaxed approach.

One thing I will say though is how well they soak the roads up, and I personally enjoy throwing the 370Z down a B road more than I ever did my Z4M. The lack of suspension travel in the Z4M made it feel really nervous across a B road(especially of it is a bit bumpy) for me. The 370Z is set up better in that regard I think.

This is just the thing. I'm definitely looking for a car I can grab by the scruff of the neck and have some fun on B roads. Light weight and enough power. But also comfortable enough that when you slow down it can be somewhat relaxed. Somehow I think the Z4C is exactly that. Real pity about the steering.

By the way, while researching the difference in suspension set up with the Z4 M I was surprised to discover it has Mcpherson. I would have thought that type of car would have double wishbones all around. Might explain why my memories of the RX7 gave me the impression it handled better than the Z4. Is the 370Z double wishbone?

[DRVR]

ZX10R NIN said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I did test drive a 350Z(Roadster) back in 2006 and I personally really liked it, but I only used it on a dual carriageway and A roads though.

The 350Z/370Z are definitely more GT like than sports car I think. You can grab them by the scuff of the neck if you want, but they probably suit a more relaxed approach.

One thing I will say though is how well they soak the roads up, and I personally enjoy throwing the 370Z down a B road more than I ever did my Z4M. The lack of suspension travel in the Z4M made it feel really nervous across a B road(especially of it is a bit bumpy) for me. The 370Z is set up better in that regard I think.

+1 to the above the 370Z is for me the better car & if you could stretch to a Nismo then you'll really be onto a cracking steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

I'm not sure I could live with that. I might be the only person to buy a Nismo and retrofit the standard car bumpers. That huge wing would definitely need to go as well. I also agree about the seats. Just horrible! Are they any lighter than the standard cars?

[DRVR]

JackReacher said:

I really wanted a Z4 3.0si at one stage, had a couple of extended test drives and hated the steering, ride, and tramlining. I suspect better tyres would have helped but it put me off even though I loved the look of them and the rarity. .

Indeed. The steering and tramlining are dreadful. I didn't dislike the ride though. Better tyres could probably improve it indeed. Question is how much.

[PH User]

The 370z is even heavier than the Z4!

[DRVR]

TameRacingDriver said:

It seems to me like you’ve made up your mind, but I’ll just say that I would put in a vote for the Z4C 3.0 si, I always thought it felt a special place to sit and definitely had a sense of occasion for me. Those saying it’s like sitting in a saloon are wrong, it’s nothing like one. Certainly a better place to be than an Elise or vx220. Get one, stick some CSL reps on it, remap for 280+, decent cat back exhaust , lsd, and if the budget allows, some birds suspension. That would be a superb car.

I just read your thread from 2016, when you bought your blue Z4C auto. Do you still have it? If not what replaced it?

It's a real crime there are no other cars like the Z4C. A car that small and light will be a 4 cylinder. Or it will be bigger and heavier. Or rear mid engine, Or it will be a saloon with missing rear doors. Nothing like the Z4C apart from a TVR, Ginetta or some other small production, too raw or unreliable oddball. Maybe the old RX7.

[DRVR]

PH User said:

The 370z is even heavier than the Z4!

You talk as if the Z4 was heavy. 1300kg is not heavy for a semi modern 6 cylinders car. Can you point another car like that, as old or newer which is considerably lighter?

[CABC]

DRVR said:

By the way, while researching the difference in suspension set up with the Z4 M I was surprised to discover it has Mcpherson. I would have thought that type of car would have double wishbones all around. Might explain why my memories of the RX7 gave me the impression it handled better than the Z4. Is the 370Z double wishbone?

from launch the Z4 seemed like a car designed in marketing. an unresolved bitsa powered by (some) great engines.
wishbones have two huge disadvantages: cost and packaging. marketing folk don't want uncomfortable pedal boxes after a long day colouring in.

[PH User]

DRVR said:

PH User said:

The 370z is even heavier than the Z4!

You talk as if the Z4 was heavy. 1300kg is not heavy for a semi modern 6 cylinders car. Can you point another car like that, as old or newer which is considerably lighter?

It's not a light car at a BMW quoted 1.4 tonnes, but it's also not as heavy as a 370z, so if that's the one you prefer then go for it.