Discussion
I am in the fortunate position of now having a garage and can justify 2 cars
I want one of these cars to be a 2 seat convertible and have narrowed it down to these 2
The MX5 is the obvious answer but my heart yearns for the Z3, I had an E30 325i and the thought of another Bmw straight 6 appeals massivley, I know people slate the rear for having E30 suspension but I loved how the E30 handled and I quite like the looks
So are they all bad?
Budget will be appx 3k
ETA it will be the 2.8 Z3
I want one of these cars to be a 2 seat convertible and have narrowed it down to these 2
The MX5 is the obvious answer but my heart yearns for the Z3, I had an E30 325i and the thought of another Bmw straight 6 appeals massivley, I know people slate the rear for having E30 suspension but I loved how the E30 handled and I quite like the looks
So are they all bad?
Budget will be appx 3k
ETA it will be the 2.8 Z3
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 2nd January 22:16
Interested in this as am about to start looking, I know a lot of people have and enjoy the Z3 but the conceived wisdom is that they don't drive that well but a nice straight six is quite a compelling part of the equation that the MX5 doesn't have an answer to, I am, I think going to go for a MK1 MX5 1.8, with a few mods and not be distracted by more power or more butch looks, there is a good reason why the MX5 is so highly regarded, there must be something to it.
I disregarded the Z3 for an MX5 because it's easier to work on, is cheaper to run, parts are cheaper, handling is sublime, engine revs well. A friend who works for a BMW dealer used expressions like "pain in the arse" and 'nightmare" when we discussed the Z3.
Handling-wise i think the Z3 gets too much bad press and isn't that bad. You'll see no-end of arguments about that one. If you want something nearer the Z3 on interior quality, get a mk2 / 2.5 MX5 as opposed to mk1. Your budget should see you in a nice one.
ETA: Complaints about the MX5 - it's not the best motorway cruiser. 4000rpm at 80mph with the 5 speed 'box. It's also wind-noisy at that speed, although I don't know if that's more or less than the Z3. It also drinks alot at fast M-way speeds, worse than 30mpg. I think it has enough power for the road, but obviously it's not as quick as the Z3.
Handling-wise i think the Z3 gets too much bad press and isn't that bad. You'll see no-end of arguments about that one. If you want something nearer the Z3 on interior quality, get a mk2 / 2.5 MX5 as opposed to mk1. Your budget should see you in a nice one.
ETA: Complaints about the MX5 - it's not the best motorway cruiser. 4000rpm at 80mph with the 5 speed 'box. It's also wind-noisy at that speed, although I don't know if that's more or less than the Z3. It also drinks alot at fast M-way speeds, worse than 30mpg. I think it has enough power for the road, but obviously it's not as quick as the Z3.
Edited by Simbu on Monday 2nd January 22:26
anonymous said:
[redacted]
See my edit above 
I've got a mk2, after sitting in a friend's mk1. It has a much nicer interior and is a nicer place to be on long drives. It's still largely the same car underneath. The engine is a bit different in the mk2 but performance is practically identical to the mk1 since the mk2 is a tiny bit heavier. Check the sills and arches for rust. Ask the owner if they've ever cleared the drain plugs in the sills - if they don't know what you're talking about then check the sills and rear arches very closely.
I recently did a track day in my 52 plate 2.2 Sport Z3 (the day was booked but my Westfield was indisposed, sadly) and I was pleasantly surprised how well the Z3 handled. Nice and neutral in the corners and could be induced to over or understeer dependent on the power being applied - like the Westfield but at a slower speed. The only problem I had was brakes going soft and spongy; over heated I assume as they're fine now.
redgriff500 said:
MX5 is a Sportscar, Z3 is a cruiser.
Finding a decent supercharged MX5 (fairly common these days) will be faster than a 2.8 Z3 (up to 100mph ish)
This is interesing....Finding a decent supercharged MX5 (fairly common these days) will be faster than a 2.8 Z3 (up to 100mph ish)
Athlon said:
If you are tall and leggy there is not a great deal of room in a Z3, I am 6'3 with a 34" leg and I fit in the 5 better!
As is this, I would have imagined it to be the other way round, I am 6'1 about 31" legRiff Raff said:
Athlon said:
If you are tall and leggy there is not a great deal of room in a Z3, I am 6'3 with a 34" leg and I fit in the 5 better!
So what have you done with your other leg?A friend who likes his E36s has a 2.8 Z3. Seems to go ok but he has an additional chassis brace which he reckoned improved the 'feel' a lot
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