S2000 v Z3 2.8 v Z3 3.0. £6k to spend
Discussion
Alright. Here's the dilema: I have 6k to spend on a 2 seater convertible. Am after:
Rear wheel drive
Fun to drive
Comfy for a long drive around Europe this summer
Good for the odd track day
Not an MX5
My money would appear to buy: an S2000 60-80k miles/ a z3 2.8 60-80k miles/ a z3 3.0 80-100k miles.
Has anyone driven any 2 of these to compare? Is the 3.0 much different from the 2.8.? What about z3 vs S2000?
Which is better round a track/ more fun overall?
Thoughts and suggestions please...
Rear wheel drive
Fun to drive
Comfy for a long drive around Europe this summer
Good for the odd track day
Not an MX5
My money would appear to buy: an S2000 60-80k miles/ a z3 2.8 60-80k miles/ a z3 3.0 80-100k miles.
Has anyone driven any 2 of these to compare? Is the 3.0 much different from the 2.8.? What about z3 vs S2000?
Which is better round a track/ more fun overall?
Thoughts and suggestions please...
Can't comment on specific differences between an S2000 and 3.0 Z3, apart from what I've read would indicate the Honda the sharper handler on a track. The guy I now use for my Porsche suspension geometry use to work on the S2000's, but I doubt he's set up a Z3 up for track work. Have owned a 3.0 Z3 though and loved it. Thought it was much better than its reputation in the press. As for the engine, it's a belter. Typical BMW 6 cylinder smoothness. The Honda only gets going at high revs, whereas the Z3 pulls throughout, and sounds fantastic from the moment you turn the key. Has a bit more torque than the 2.8, tends to come with some more extras, and a revised rear end (wings, boot, lights). The sports seats are worth trying to get on the Z3.
I`ve had both cars;still got the Z3(2.8) ,which I suppose answers question. On track its definitely down to driver; cars are very (very) similar in performance. IMO Z3 is well underrated and S2000 well over.Both cars are tail happy but Z3 having flatter torque curve seems more docile/ predictable. When Honda comes on song it feels incredible but the BM has already gone.Honda feels quicker but it isnt !!!Its a pain keeping it on song (was for me!)
For an allround road car I`d choose Z3 ( even a 2.2 ;which is a cracking car)Mate has a 3.0 and there`s not much in it.All Z3`s are great on fuel.
Having said all that recently bought an oldish Ford Puma for daughter to learn track skills with. Its quite amazing. In twists it gives both Z3 and Honda more than a run for their money . Down straight it lacks power but its generally a more impressive car than either. Its more predictable , better on fuel and easier to drive (fast).(At a recent practice session only things keeping with daughter in twisty bits was an Elise)
I cant match her in BM through corners. (Seriously! and I thought I was better driver ! (Must be car !)
For an allround road car I`d choose Z3 ( even a 2.2 ;which is a cracking car)Mate has a 3.0 and there`s not much in it.All Z3`s are great on fuel.
Having said all that recently bought an oldish Ford Puma for daughter to learn track skills with. Its quite amazing. In twists it gives both Z3 and Honda more than a run for their money . Down straight it lacks power but its generally a more impressive car than either. Its more predictable , better on fuel and easier to drive (fast).(At a recent practice session only things keeping with daughter in twisty bits was an Elise)
I cant match her in BM through corners. (Seriously! and I thought I was better driver ! (Must be car !)
LeoSayer said:
Patrick Bateman said:
An S2000 will definitely be quicker than a 2.8 Z3.
240bhp and about 1250kg vs 193bhp and about 1360kg- taken from parkers.
That doesn't tell you everything though. The Z3 will almost certainly make more power below 6000rpm.240bhp and about 1250kg vs 193bhp and about 1360kg- taken from parkers.
I have owned both a Z3 2.8 and an S2000, and I have often thought about trying to buy a low cost open topped sports car at just the level you are talking about, or maybe a bit more.
I had a latish S2000 with the modified suspension and VSA. The steering is very quick and precise. It is comfortable and the cabin is laid out for the enthusiastic driver. It looks better than a Z3, by miles. The engine sounds great when you stretch it, but you get less opportunity to do that than you might think, and when you do you are making a proper exhibition of yourself which may not be a good thing. It is a lovely car, but it is not one that invites you to chuck it about. If you get into an oversteer situation in a non-VSA equipped S2000, and particularly an early one, you had better either a. Have the reaction time and car control skills of Lewis Hamilton, or b. Have your life insurance paid up and in force, because I seriously doubt if you will get it back in line.
The Z3 was harmed by the reputation it got in the motoring press, but what you personally think is much more important. What I personally think is that the 2.8 was light years better than the 1.8 or 2.0. It felt as if it had serious grunt and you always knew you were in a front engined six, a little bit like a six cylinder E-Type. The cabin is more conventional, almost like a saloon when the roof is up. The car however had a long nose, and seemed to pivot around your seat, which invites you to chuck it about. It's not a Boxster (and I also had one of them) but was fun to drive. The 3 litre six was a quantum leap forward, powerful, smooth, responsive, fairly economical, a total honey of an engine. The car is also built with characteristic German solidity, even if that was in Spartanburg in Carolina. A dog it certainly is not.
Your armchair enthusiasts will always tell you to go for the S2000, because on paper it is a 'real sports car' and the Z3 isn't, or so Tiff Needell and Jeremy Clarkson say anyway. If I were you however, I would pay the little bit extra, take out a loan if you have to, and find a nice late Z3 3.0.
I would also be looking at early Z4's, 2.7 Boxsters and Jaguar XKR convertibles. If you get an exhaust and suspension kit on a good 4 litre Jag there could be few better grand tourers for those of us (like me) who are financially challenged.
I had a latish S2000 with the modified suspension and VSA. The steering is very quick and precise. It is comfortable and the cabin is laid out for the enthusiastic driver. It looks better than a Z3, by miles. The engine sounds great when you stretch it, but you get less opportunity to do that than you might think, and when you do you are making a proper exhibition of yourself which may not be a good thing. It is a lovely car, but it is not one that invites you to chuck it about. If you get into an oversteer situation in a non-VSA equipped S2000, and particularly an early one, you had better either a. Have the reaction time and car control skills of Lewis Hamilton, or b. Have your life insurance paid up and in force, because I seriously doubt if you will get it back in line.
The Z3 was harmed by the reputation it got in the motoring press, but what you personally think is much more important. What I personally think is that the 2.8 was light years better than the 1.8 or 2.0. It felt as if it had serious grunt and you always knew you were in a front engined six, a little bit like a six cylinder E-Type. The cabin is more conventional, almost like a saloon when the roof is up. The car however had a long nose, and seemed to pivot around your seat, which invites you to chuck it about. It's not a Boxster (and I also had one of them) but was fun to drive. The 3 litre six was a quantum leap forward, powerful, smooth, responsive, fairly economical, a total honey of an engine. The car is also built with characteristic German solidity, even if that was in Spartanburg in Carolina. A dog it certainly is not.
Your armchair enthusiasts will always tell you to go for the S2000, because on paper it is a 'real sports car' and the Z3 isn't, or so Tiff Needell and Jeremy Clarkson say anyway. If I were you however, I would pay the little bit extra, take out a loan if you have to, and find a nice late Z3 3.0.
I would also be looking at early Z4's, 2.7 Boxsters and Jaguar XKR convertibles. If you get an exhaust and suspension kit on a good 4 litre Jag there could be few better grand tourers for those of us (like me) who are financially challenged.
I would have this over an S2000 -
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2590621.htm
But what's wrong with this, for example?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2547918.htm
It needs a sports exhaust, but then you are sorted with a capital 'S'. I guarantee that you will feel like the King of Europe when you hit the Cote d'Azur in this.
Or this, hand picked by the great Tiff personally, at £6,500. Gee Whizz I wish I had won it!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2076313.htm
Or either of these? I know they are not convertibles, but what a lot of car for the money! Just open the windows. Spend a little on the suspension, sports exhaust and you are grand touring in the fullest sense of the word. Today's Tip - Check out the dashboard and the view over the bonnet.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2619692.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2334882.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2590621.htm
But what's wrong with this, for example?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2547918.htm
It needs a sports exhaust, but then you are sorted with a capital 'S'. I guarantee that you will feel like the King of Europe when you hit the Cote d'Azur in this.
Or this, hand picked by the great Tiff personally, at £6,500. Gee Whizz I wish I had won it!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2076313.htm
Or either of these? I know they are not convertibles, but what a lot of car for the money! Just open the windows. Spend a little on the suspension, sports exhaust and you are grand touring in the fullest sense of the word. Today's Tip - Check out the dashboard and the view over the bonnet.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2619692.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2334882.htm
Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 23 March 09:15
KP said:
That XKR has a "Check Engine" warning on the dash display.
What does that indicate? Incidentally I am not advocating charging in blind, and wouldn't with any used car of any era. I have had quite a good experience buying used vcars to date, though I do tend to look at an awful lot, then have them checked by an expert.Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff