Replacement for a Z4
Discussion
C70R said:
Even though now feels like a terrible time to finance a used car, have you considered stretching to an E92 M3? It's a car that feels really quite special at 6-7/10ths on the road, but is very liveable as a daily/only car.
The S65 V8 is a really special engine in the E92 M3(even though I seem to spend most of my time slating it! 
). The only watch out for me using one as a daily is its fuel thirst. It did 10k miles in 10 months in mine, and at 17/18 mpg I felt like I lived in the petrol station! The range isn't great so that doesn't help either. I'd definitely consider one as a weekend/occasional car though for sure(probably the Convertible to hear more of the V8 exhaust noise/lovely induction noise).
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
Even though now feels like a terrible time to finance a used car, have you considered stretching to an E92 M3? It's a car that feels really quite special at 6-7/10ths on the road, but is very liveable as a daily/only car.
The S65 V8 is a really special engine in the E92 M3(even though I seem to spend most of my time slating it! ). The only watch out for me using one as a daily is its fuel thirst. It did 10k miles in 10 months in mine, and at 17/18 mpg I felt like I lived in the petrol station! The range isn't great so that doesn't help either. I'd definitely consider one as a weekend/occasional car though for sure(probably the Convertible to hear more of the V8 exhaust noise/lovely induction noise).
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
Even though now feels like a terrible time to finance a used car, have you considered stretching to an E92 M3? It's a car that feels really quite special at 6-7/10ths on the road, but is very liveable as a daily/only car.
The S65 V8 is a really special engine in the E92 M3(even though I seem to spend most of my time slating it! ). The only watch out for me using one as a daily is its fuel thirst. It did 10k miles in 10 months in mine, and at 17/18 mpg I felt like I lived in the petrol station! The range isn't great so that doesn't help either. I'd definitely consider one as a weekend/occasional car though for sure(probably the Convertible to hear more of the V8 exhaust noise/lovely induction noise).
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd definitely consider one as a weekend/occasional car though for sure(probably the Convertible to hear more of the V8 exhaust noise/lovely induction noise).
I'm going to miss mine for sure - it's going to be chopped in for a Corolla Sport GR Hybrid - not entirely my decision, I don't do enough journeys in the M3 nowadays and the runabout (Honda Jazz 1.3) is to be upgraded this year. The E92 always feels special and exciting to sit inside - even though it is a practical car to some extent.
coldel said:
Well just wrote the advert and stuck it on the Z4 forum 
I am not going to be sinking £20k into a car, if anything I want to go the other way and get something which leaves me with some change.
I'm the same, in the end I spotted my budget was creeping but brought myself back down to earth. I'm still forking out a little money to swap, but nowhere near as much as I was considering and getting into more debt is just not an option at all.I am not going to be sinking £20k into a car, if anything I want to go the other way and get something which leaves me with some change.
coldel said:
Well just wrote the advert and stuck it on the Z4 forum
I am not going to be sinking £20k into a car, if anything I want to go the other way and get something which leaves me with some change.
You could always spend £5k on an earlier 3.0i convertible Z4. Basically identical performance, one of the best (and most robust) engines BMW has ever produced, all the fun of your old car with the chance to drop the top.I am not going to be sinking £20k into a car, if anything I want to go the other way and get something which leaves me with some change.
I collected mine from a local specialist this morning, and had a lovely cross-country run with the roof off. It's not the last word in sharp handling, but it's an exceptional all-rounder for the money.
Otherwise, if you still fancied a Boxster, the 2.7 986 can be had for similar money. The smaller engined version comes with greater reliability and slightly lower running costs than the S, but is still entertaining.
If you didn't want a two-seater, the world is your oyster for 00s hot hatches. Focus ST, Golf GTi, Megane 225, Astra VXR, Civic Type R - all available for £5k in decent nick.
Edited by C70R on Thursday 23 March 12:06
C70R said:
Otherwise, if you still fancied a Boxster, the 2.7 986 can be had for similar money. The smaller engined version comes with greater reliability and slightly lower running costs than the S, but is still entertaining.
I don't think there's much difference in reliability or running costs between the Boxster models in all honesty, from what I've read anyway. Although apparently the 2.5 is the one to go for as a poverty pork, and I was considering it myself; less chance of engine failure, cheaper brakes etc, and cheaper to buy obviously. You really just buy on condition with these.I do feel like the drop top z4 3.0 231ps model would feel like a downgrade to a z4 coupe though, although not by much I wouldn't have thought.
TameRacingDriver said:
C70R said:
Otherwise, if you still fancied a Boxster, the 2.7 986 can be had for similar money. The smaller engined version comes with greater reliability and slightly lower running costs than the S, but is still entertaining.
I don't think there's much difference in reliability or running costs between the Boxster models in all honesty, from what I've read anyway. Although apparently the 2.5 is the one to go for as a poverty pork, and I was considering it myself; less chance of engine failure, cheaper brakes etc, and cheaper to buy obviously. You really just buy on condition with these.I do feel like the drop top z4 3.0 231ps model would feel like a downgrade to a z4 coupe though, although not by much I wouldn't have thought.
As for the Z4, I've always looked at the comparison fairly rationally. The early 3.0i is 90% of the later car (arguably more, because the differences are so minor), but available for less than 50% of the cost of a comparable coupe. It's absolutely a downgrade (which is what the OP is looking for), but really not by much.
C70R said:
On the Boxster front, it's things like brakes and service parts that are typically cheaper on the 2.7. I have a feeling they are less susceptible to IMS and/or bore scoring than the 3.2, but I might be wrong.
As for the Z4, I've always looked at the comparison fairly rationally. The early 3.0i is 90% of the later car (arguably more, because the differences are so minor), but available for less than 50% of the cost of a comparable coupe. It's absolutely a downgrade (which is what the OP is looking for), but really not by much.
I don't think bore scoring is a big issue on any 986 Boxster and yes the IMS can fail but more likely than not, it won't, especially if it's made it to this age. Agree though the brakes especially are more expensive on the S.As for the Z4, I've always looked at the comparison fairly rationally. The early 3.0i is 90% of the later car (arguably more, because the differences are so minor), but available for less than 50% of the cost of a comparable coupe. It's absolutely a downgrade (which is what the OP is looking for), but really not by much.
I'd agree on the assessment with the z4, I reckon it's more like 95% of an Si really, and they are quite bargainous for what they are.
The drop top Z4 is an good shout, but I am selling because I want to try something different. Aside from the roof down I am not sure it is going to be different enough. I take the point on board about the Boxster being something I personally wont make the most of. I guess its the ownership experience I enjoy the most, as much as the chucking the car around and exploiting it.
Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
coldel said:
The drop top Z4 is an good shout, but I am selling because I want to try something different. Aside from the roof down I am not sure it is going to be different enough. I take the point on board about the Boxster being something I personally wont make the most of. I guess its the ownership experience I enjoy the most, as much as the chucking the car around and exploiting it.
Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
I went from an old shape (2006) 6 series coupe to a 2011 6 series convertible. Don’t discount how transformative being able to drop the top is, even discounting moving to a newer generation…Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
coldel said:
The drop top Z4 is an good shout, but I am selling because I want to try something different. Aside from the roof down I am not sure it is going to be different enough. I take the point on board about the Boxster being something I personally wont make the most of. I guess its the ownership experience I enjoy the most, as much as the chucking the car around and exploiting it.
Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
I don't agree that there's no point in owning a Boxster unless you're going to rag it everywhere. I certainly didn't do that with mine, but it was still a lovely special thing to drive and just be in, it really did feel special to me.Hell, I could actually just say 'hey im done with cars!'
My mx5 is more fun for hooning but I worked out that actually hooning probably accounts for 10% of my driving. Even when going out specifically for a hoon, there's traffic to contend with which can put a stop to that, and sometimes it's nice just to have a brisk drive that is also relaxing at the same time which is something I felt a Porsche was very good at.
Sure though, if I want to be sideways all the time and on the limit of grip then I should keep the mx5 but my username doesn't check out and I don't really have the skill or bravery to drive like that on the road now. Maybe I'm just getting old. To be clear though, I still enjoy a brisk drive very much but I always stay within my own limits and thus well within the cars limits most of the time.
TameRacingDriver said:
I don't agree that there's no point in owning a Boxster unless you're going to rag it everywhere.
I don't think anyone said that, did they?My point was simply that trading out of a Z4 into a boxster, you're probably not going to see the benefit of the increased costs if you tend to be a more leisurely driver.
coldel said:
Im much the same as you TRD. The lads do laugh at me saying I am a 5/10ths driver but to be honest I just love being in something different and special and doing my journey than doing it in the wifes Qashqai.
Refreshingly honest. Lots of 5/10ths drivers wouldn't admit it.Though IMO if driving dynamics aren't high on the list, then why accept the compromises of a car designed for it? I'd be wafting around in a V8 or V10 barge if B-road hoons weren't my thing. Or is it that a 2-seater sports car has a sense of occasion that a saloon doesn't?
plenty said:
Refreshingly honest. Lots of 5/10ths drivers wouldn't admit it.
Though IMO if driving dynamics aren't high on the list, then why accept the compromises of a car designed for it? I'd be wafting around in a V8 or V10 barge if B-road hoons weren't my thing. Or is it that a 2-seater sports car has a sense of occasion that a saloon doesn't?
I am very open to any car really, as long as its not just a run of the mill millions on the road car. Something that has a sense of occasion that you walk out to and get a tingle down your spine climbing into it, even if its to drive to the shops and back as much as going on a road trip. Though IMO if driving dynamics aren't high on the list, then why accept the compromises of a car designed for it? I'd be wafting around in a V8 or V10 barge if B-road hoons weren't my thing. Or is it that a 2-seater sports car has a sense of occasion that a saloon doesn't?
My previous cars in order over the last ten years 350z, VX220 NA, R33 GTST, Celica GT4 ST205, VX220 Turbo, Z4 3.0si Coupe.
So generally coupe'ish type cars.
coldel said:
Something that has a sense of occasion that you walk out to and get a tingle down your spine climbing into it, even if its to drive to the shops and back as much as going on a road trip.
There's a certain amount of subjectivity when it comes to occasion. Some people get it from low-slung sports-car forms, even if the car is not actually that sporty to drive. Others think it's about eye-catching styling and 'turning heads'. For me the engine makes a huge difference, which is why something like a W12 Phaeton or a V10 A6 really appeal. I'd understand why others might not agree though, as these look like average repmobiles.plenty said:
coldel said:
Im much the same as you TRD. The lads do laugh at me saying I am a 5/10ths driver but to be honest I just love being in something different and special and doing my journey than doing it in the wifes Qashqai.
Refreshingly honest. Lots of 5/10ths drivers wouldn't admit it.
The M4 eggs me on too much, and I struggle to resist using its performance to be fair. Overall I do drive seriously sensible though in comparison to 20 years ago for definite, and I'm very much "what if?" now, whereas when I was younger I'd never give the "what if?" a second thought in comparison.
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