Very pleasant surprise...Z4 = fun!
Discussion
Right, before I start, I need to confess that I have had an almost hatred of BMWs for years. The 3 series just such a default choice for every company car driver that I probably see more of them on my commute than any other car. Never seen one being driven properly either, although I'm guessing most of them are debadged 316s. I'd always said I'd never have a BMW, and that they were for cocks. Anyway...
I had to go down to one of our warehouses in Dorset yesterday, and as I'm on good terms with the transport manager he gave me a BMW Z4 2.0 convertible. I wasn't expecting much from it tbh, bottom of the range (was someone's company car until they left), but I thought I'd cruise down with the top down and enjoy the sunshine.
Was a very pleasant cruise, kept it in 6th most of the way. Felt a bit underpowered but with a surprising amount of feedback from the chassis. Not quite as involving as say, a Mk1 MX-5, but very similar to a Mk3, and certainly better than an S2000. It was very quiet though, hit the limiter a couple of times in 2nd as it's much shorter than 2nd in my car, coupled with a shorter rev range.
Anyway, had a nice drive down, then back home. Got a bit sunburnt, etc. etc. Would be happy to give it back.
Later on my missus was going out with the girls, so I thought I'd take my mate out and make the most of the evening sunshine. Took some tight and twisty B roads rather than the open flowing roads (covered in traffic) of earlier in the day. What a revelation! It felt smooth and supple, soaking up the bumps but letting you know they were there. Felt a bit hemmed in by the traction control, until I found the DTC button. I understand that this isn't a "TC off" button, but it certainly changed the dynamics. It gave me just enough slip out of junctions and round tight bends to make it interesting.
On the tighter roads I was working 2.0 engine more, and managed to keep it in the power band more of the time. The limited slip of the traction control made me look like a driving God, which given the longest I've driven a RWD car for is about half an hour in total is obviously down to the car.
My mate was suitably impressed, and bought me dinner on the condition that I drove "normally" back home...
This morning driving it back into work, I decided to go the back way. Without the 18 stone weight in the passenger seat, and a bit less fuel on board the car was amazing. There are flies in my teeth still from smiling all the way here. I reckon it could do with a bit more power, or perhaps a little less weight, but for a bog standard car that I had previously thought was just for poseurs I was very impressed.
So, I am converted. Sign me up. I could probably afford a Z4 if I took out a small loan, but looking at prices I could buy a Z3 for cash. Are they fairly similar in terms of handling? I prefer the looks of the Z3 tbh...
I had to go down to one of our warehouses in Dorset yesterday, and as I'm on good terms with the transport manager he gave me a BMW Z4 2.0 convertible. I wasn't expecting much from it tbh, bottom of the range (was someone's company car until they left), but I thought I'd cruise down with the top down and enjoy the sunshine.
Was a very pleasant cruise, kept it in 6th most of the way. Felt a bit underpowered but with a surprising amount of feedback from the chassis. Not quite as involving as say, a Mk1 MX-5, but very similar to a Mk3, and certainly better than an S2000. It was very quiet though, hit the limiter a couple of times in 2nd as it's much shorter than 2nd in my car, coupled with a shorter rev range.
Anyway, had a nice drive down, then back home. Got a bit sunburnt, etc. etc. Would be happy to give it back.
Later on my missus was going out with the girls, so I thought I'd take my mate out and make the most of the evening sunshine. Took some tight and twisty B roads rather than the open flowing roads (covered in traffic) of earlier in the day. What a revelation! It felt smooth and supple, soaking up the bumps but letting you know they were there. Felt a bit hemmed in by the traction control, until I found the DTC button. I understand that this isn't a "TC off" button, but it certainly changed the dynamics. It gave me just enough slip out of junctions and round tight bends to make it interesting.
On the tighter roads I was working 2.0 engine more, and managed to keep it in the power band more of the time. The limited slip of the traction control made me look like a driving God, which given the longest I've driven a RWD car for is about half an hour in total is obviously down to the car.
My mate was suitably impressed, and bought me dinner on the condition that I drove "normally" back home...
This morning driving it back into work, I decided to go the back way. Without the 18 stone weight in the passenger seat, and a bit less fuel on board the car was amazing. There are flies in my teeth still from smiling all the way here. I reckon it could do with a bit more power, or perhaps a little less weight, but for a bog standard car that I had previously thought was just for poseurs I was very impressed.
So, I am converted. Sign me up. I could probably afford a Z4 if I took out a small loan, but looking at prices I could buy a Z3 for cash. Are they fairly similar in terms of handling? I prefer the looks of the Z3 tbh...
I think that the Z4 is a bit underrated due to a lukewarm reception when it was first launched. They really need the 3.0 to feel like a sports car and work the chassis a bit.
I agree that the TC holds the car back quite a bit - If I'm going on a spirited drive the TC remains fully off (hold the button down for about 5 seconds).
You'd need to have a drive of a Z3. A had a 2.8 for about 4 weeks a few years ago. To sum it up it's a more raw, classic feeling roadster. I prefer the steering, but not the uncertainty of the rear suspension when you're pressing on. Perhaps this can be cured with some upgrades though? As a weekend car the Z3 is fine, but if you need more of an all rounder and a better handling car out of the box then go for the Z4.
I agree that the TC holds the car back quite a bit - If I'm going on a spirited drive the TC remains fully off (hold the button down for about 5 seconds).
You'd need to have a drive of a Z3. A had a 2.8 for about 4 weeks a few years ago. To sum it up it's a more raw, classic feeling roadster. I prefer the steering, but not the uncertainty of the rear suspension when you're pressing on. Perhaps this can be cured with some upgrades though? As a weekend car the Z3 is fine, but if you need more of an all rounder and a better handling car out of the box then go for the Z4.
Targarama said:
I just picked up a Z4 3.0L. It certainly is much better than I was expecting. They even sound OK. Plus I'm getting over 30mpg!
Have you pulled some of the foam out of the sound resonator yet?Edited by Targarama on Friday 5th June 09:54
The fuel economy is surprisingly good for a 3.0.
JimexPL said:
Targarama said:
I just picked up a Z4 3.0L. It certainly is much better than I was expecting. They even sound OK. Plus I'm getting over 30mpg!
Have you pulled some of the foam out of the sound resonator yet?Edited by Targarama on Friday 5th June 09:54
The fuel economy is surprisingly good for a 3.0.
Crikey it just started raining, time to put the roof up
Targarama said:
I just picked up a Z4 3.0L. It certainly is much better than I was expecting. They even sound OK. Plus I'm getting over 30mpg!
Thanks for the replies guys. How much did you pay for your 3.0 if you don't mind me asking? Does the engine weigh much more than the 2.0?Edited by Targarama on Friday 5th June 09:54
Looking at Z3s, it appears the 1.9 is very cheap indeed. I presume this is for a good reason?
I originally had a 2.2 Z4 and liked it except for the electric power steering and run flats, I also wished it had a bit more beef to compete with the memory of my previous griffith 500. I got a Z4M as soon as they came out and although not as torquey as the griff, was brilliantly fast, and without the runflats and electric power steering was a revelation. Brilliant and underrated cars.
glad you enjoyed it.
glad you enjoyed it.
I don't think the stock Z3 and Z4 chassis really bear comparison as the Z4 was always an open platform AFAIK, but the Z was based on ancient Z axle rear end and a tin top floorpan - so it wobbles quite a bit on less than smooth surfaces. If you find a Z3 with front, rear and body braces (a US company called Strong Strut do the best ones), you get back to coupe levels of stiffness and the chassis is quite good, except that rear end that is prone to lift off oversteer to say the least. The Z4 has strut braces as standard! All of the early Z3's came with crude/pointless ASC (anti spin only, for the heavy booted drivers on wet roundabouts only) which is nothing like the DSC that the Z4 has (and I rate very highly as you describe). The 1.9's aren't that powerful, but do have a better balance than the 6 cylinder cars, due to the light motor stuffed well back into the engine bay. Perhaps a lightly modified (chassiseise) MZ3 might fit the bill? Have a look on Zroadster.net if you'd like more info on Z'd of all varieties. HTH, Stu
HereBeMonsters said:
Targarama said:
I just picked up a Z4 3.0L. It certainly is much better than I was expecting. They even sound OK. Plus I'm getting over 30mpg!
Thanks for the replies guys. How much did you pay for your 3.0 if you don't mind me asking? Does the engine weigh much more than the 2.0?Edited by Targarama on Friday 5th June 09:54
Looking at Z3s, it appears the 1.9 is very cheap indeed. I presume this is for a good reason?
The 1.9 is 140hp I think. My brother has a 318is with the same engine and that makes very good use of the limited power/torque. Like all BMWs I'm sure a 1.9 Z3 would punch above its official power level.
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