Cupra 300 vs Z4 3.0si vs Ibiza FR..
Discussion
I currently drive a BMW Z4 3.0si. It's a great car but there is just something about it that I can't quite get used to after owning it for a year. Previous to this I owned a bog standard very sensible Ibiza FR (2017 1.4TSI (150HP) for 4 years, having owned various sports cars before that.
I really liked the FR for the most part and it beats the Z4 in many departments. The FR was such an easy car to drive and I could sling it round the country roads without any real effort, I'd go as far as saying it was more fun than the Z4 on the twisties, I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
I miss the newness and tech of the Ibiza, the running costs and how easy it was to drive as a daily, The Z4 is more of an event whenever I get in it but it's a poor daily driver in my opinion, compared to the Ibiza it's not an easy car to drive and the maintenance costs are starting to add up more and more now as it's 14 years old.
Bad points regarding the FR are it was far too slow, much less powerful than the Z4, it didn't look half as good and of course the sound of the inline 6 is unbeatable. I want a new car, something that compares to the power of the Z4 and looks just as good, without all the negatives of the Z4... but with all the good things from the FR. Basically I have narrowed it down to a 3 door Cupra 300 DSG and I'm really struggling to find any bad points about them other than the engine sound (compared to my Z4) and with it being FWD does will it put down the power as well as the Z4.
Would be good to hear peoples opinions on my predicament, even better if you have driven all three cars or if you've been in a similar situation and ended up getting the Cupra.
Thanks
I really liked the FR for the most part and it beats the Z4 in many departments. The FR was such an easy car to drive and I could sling it round the country roads without any real effort, I'd go as far as saying it was more fun than the Z4 on the twisties, I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
I miss the newness and tech of the Ibiza, the running costs and how easy it was to drive as a daily, The Z4 is more of an event whenever I get in it but it's a poor daily driver in my opinion, compared to the Ibiza it's not an easy car to drive and the maintenance costs are starting to add up more and more now as it's 14 years old.
Bad points regarding the FR are it was far too slow, much less powerful than the Z4, it didn't look half as good and of course the sound of the inline 6 is unbeatable. I want a new car, something that compares to the power of the Z4 and looks just as good, without all the negatives of the Z4... but with all the good things from the FR. Basically I have narrowed it down to a 3 door Cupra 300 DSG and I'm really struggling to find any bad points about them other than the engine sound (compared to my Z4) and with it being FWD does will it put down the power as well as the Z4.
Would be good to hear peoples opinions on my predicament, even better if you have driven all three cars or if you've been in a similar situation and ended up getting the Cupra.
Thanks
Driven all on your list. Had a few Cupra's too previously, and my wife currently jumps about in a 2021 Cupra Leon eTSI 1.4 245bhp.
It sounds like your missing the mod cons and usability of a modern hatch, so the Cupra 300 is a very good shout. Seems like a logical step up from the FR you had previously. Strong engine that responds very well to tuning if that is your thing too. The Cupra will be noticeably quicker than the Z4 too.
It sounds like your missing the mod cons and usability of a modern hatch, so the Cupra 300 is a very good shout. Seems like a logical step up from the FR you had previously. Strong engine that responds very well to tuning if that is your thing too. The Cupra will be noticeably quicker than the Z4 too.
Have previously owned a Z4 3.0, a Cupra 300 and a Cupra 290. I can relate to what you are saying as the Z4 ride quality is compromised, it's a great car and I miss mine but show it a bumpy A/B road and it gets a bit uncomfortable (literally).
The Cupra is such a fantastic all rounder (a cliche perhaps). Its practical, has the necessary tech and can be enjoyed sedately or when pushing on. I love that you only see 1 Cupra for every 10 GTI/R/S equivalents, and it can surprise others as it doesn't look too different from an FR (especially the black edition ones).
Now that you can tell I rate them, I'll answer your questions. Swap tyres to PS4S's and it will put the power down far better than the awful Contis they come with. The 300 is the best for noise as it was pre GPF and it was notably louder than later 290. If you want pops and bangs, you'll definitely get them even in stock format. Add a res delete and your neighbours will hate you (if that's your thing).
I've genuinely not got anything bad to say against it. Definitely go DSG as the manual clutches are known to be a weak point.
If modifying is your thing, search Littco Cupra to see what is capable. Also search for xthilox on YT to see how capable they are on track
The Cupra is such a fantastic all rounder (a cliche perhaps). Its practical, has the necessary tech and can be enjoyed sedately or when pushing on. I love that you only see 1 Cupra for every 10 GTI/R/S equivalents, and it can surprise others as it doesn't look too different from an FR (especially the black edition ones).
Now that you can tell I rate them, I'll answer your questions. Swap tyres to PS4S's and it will put the power down far better than the awful Contis they come with. The 300 is the best for noise as it was pre GPF and it was notably louder than later 290. If you want pops and bangs, you'll definitely get them even in stock format. Add a res delete and your neighbours will hate you (if that's your thing).
I've genuinely not got anything bad to say against it. Definitely go DSG as the manual clutches are known to be a weak point.
If modifying is your thing, search Littco Cupra to see what is capable. Also search for xthilox on YT to see how capable they are on track
Edited by wilbo83 on Friday 7th January 15:49
FailingBlue said:
I currently drive a BMW Z4 3.0si. It's a great car but there is just something about it that I can't quite get used to after owning it for a year. Previous to this I owned a bog standard very sensible Ibiza FR (2017 1.4TSI (150HP) for 4 years, having owned various sports cars before that.
I really liked the FR for the most part and it beats the Z4 in many departments. The FR was such an easy car to drive and I could sling it round the country roads without any real effort, I'd go as far as saying it was more fun than the Z4 on the twisties, I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
I miss the newness and tech of the Ibiza, the running costs and how easy it was to drive as a daily, The Z4 is more of an event whenever I get in it but it's a poor daily driver in my opinion, compared to the Ibiza it's not an easy car to drive and the maintenance costs are starting to add up more and more now as it's 14 years old.
Bad points regarding the FR are it was far too slow, much less powerful than the Z4, it didn't look half as good and of course the sound of the inline 6 is unbeatable. I want a new car, something that compares to the power of the Z4 and looks just as good, without all the negatives of the Z4... but with all the good things from the FR. Basically I have narrowed it down to a 3 door Cupra 300 DSG and I'm really struggling to find any bad points about them other than the engine sound (compared to my Z4) and with it being FWD does will it put down the power as well as the Z4.
Would be good to hear peoples opinions on my predicament, even better if you have driven all three cars or if you've been in a similar situation and ended up getting the Cupra.
Thanks
The problem you have with your Z4 is two fold in standard form the ride & handling are compromised on the Z4 the lack of travel in the suspension has always been a bugbear for me & is one of the reasons I rate the 370Z more highly, the second is it sounds like you like a few mod cons these are very easily added to the Z4 so you can have Android auto/Apple Carplay/streaming etc but it doesn't solve the first issue.I really liked the FR for the most part and it beats the Z4 in many departments. The FR was such an easy car to drive and I could sling it round the country roads without any real effort, I'd go as far as saying it was more fun than the Z4 on the twisties, I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
I miss the newness and tech of the Ibiza, the running costs and how easy it was to drive as a daily, The Z4 is more of an event whenever I get in it but it's a poor daily driver in my opinion, compared to the Ibiza it's not an easy car to drive and the maintenance costs are starting to add up more and more now as it's 14 years old.
Bad points regarding the FR are it was far too slow, much less powerful than the Z4, it didn't look half as good and of course the sound of the inline 6 is unbeatable. I want a new car, something that compares to the power of the Z4 and looks just as good, without all the negatives of the Z4... but with all the good things from the FR. Basically I have narrowed it down to a 3 door Cupra 300 DSG and I'm really struggling to find any bad points about them other than the engine sound (compared to my Z4) and with it being FWD does will it put down the power as well as the Z4.
Would be good to hear peoples opinions on my predicament, even better if you have driven all three cars or if you've been in a similar situation and ended up getting the Cupra.
Thanks
If it has to be auto the Cupra 300 makes a lot of sense & is a good choice, the only alternative would be the Megane RS280, they're a step ahead of the Seat chassis wise but are more expensive.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...
If you could live with a manual then the 308 GTI 270 PS is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
FailingBlue said:
I currently drive a BMW Z4 3.0si. It's a great car but there is just something about it that I can't quite get used to after owning it for a year.
I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
Is your Z4 still on runflats? If so, that could be your entire problem.I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.
I’ve had three BMW 130is - which are quite similar under the skin to the Z4, with the same engine - the first of which was on runflats. It had about half of the grip of the other two on proper tyres and simply didn’t ride properly. I’ve just had Bilstein B12 Pro suspension fitted to my current one - which is considered relatively firm - and I still find it comfortable and more than good enough on bumpy roads.
If your Z4 isn’t on runflats and you still find it firm, why not consider a 130i? It should be more comfortable, has the six-cylinder engine you like, only weighs 50kg more despite the hatchback format and is still rear-wheel drive. I’ve driven the Ibiza and Cupra and the Cupra is impressive but ultimately bland and half the challenge is preventing the front wheels from spinning like Catherine wheels, which can becoming frustrating.
The interior and media system are pretty underwhelming for the price of the Cupra, too, and if that were important to me, I’d be looking at a Golf R or S3 instead or even an M135i/M140i.
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