Which car?

PORTMYSTER · Post by **PORTMYSTER** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 17:32

As I have had my car a year now and I have come to a descision that in the latter half of this year, to upgrade the 2.8 Z3 on a 1999.

But which Zed, with a budget around 11-13k im torn between either looking for a fantastic Z3 M or Z4 3.0i

okay plenty of arguement about total different cars and very hard to compair the two. I know the Z3 m has the M badge and that engine but how does the Z4 3.0i stack up with sprint times ect. Would I notice the power increase from the 3.0 Z4 from my 2.8 Z3 or would I be disapointed

love to here your experience on this.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 18:44

The Z4 3.0 is a long way in front of the Z3 2.8 and the Z3M is a bit infront of the Z4

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 19:05

Portmyster, you can't bea actually driving the 2 cars and comparing yourself over the next few months, you will know without asking which is best for you

Personally with that budget I would go for an S54 Z3m rather than a 3.0 Z4 (if you can get one!). Besides performance I much prefer the retro looks of the Z3 and its a car that was not "replaced" as the current Z4 has been with the new model ie there is only one style of Z3

(for info I had a similar dilema last christmas and set myself a £15k - £18k budget to get a convertable. I preferred the Z3 to the Z4 for what I wanted (ie a fun car as a keeper) and ended up spending half my budget on a Z3m and am soooooo chuffed with it. My brother has the Z4m and I prefer mine any day, the Z4 is the better car in most respects, but the Z3 has the fun factor and character that cannot be matched

greg_ch · Post by **greg_ch** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:19

In my experience the S54 Z3 ///M and the 231hp Z4 3.0 offer very similar real world performance on road and track. The Z4's superior chassis nullifies the S54's extra power. The 265hp 3.0 Z4 is faster imo.

Ultimately it's a choice between the ///M badge and it's retro charm or the modern - roof, rear window, toys etc. - and practical - fuel consumption and luggage space - of the Z4.

There is no correct answer, just what's right for you.

PORTMYSTER · Post by **PORTMYSTER** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:58

I do like both body shapes and agree with modern comforts in the modern Z4, as I want a upgrade that does point to the Z4 but the Z3M roadster is a true car with great timeless looks.

Is the engine in the Z4 3.0 the same as in Z3 3.0 or does it have upgrades to meet upto date laws. Does the Z4 limited to 155 or can this be over come.

dario · Post by **dario** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 22:33

PORTMYSTER wrote:I do like both body shapes and agree with modern comforts in the modern Z4, as I want a upgrade that does point to the Z4 but the Z3M roadster is a true car with great timeless looks.

Is the engine in the Z4 3.0 the same as in Z3 3.0 or does it have upgrades to meet upto date laws. Does the Z4 limited to 155 or can this be over come.

where do you think you going to do 155mph. even in germany on the autobhans 140 odd is hairy just looking at who might pull out of teh slow lane and in to the fast lane.

i have a Z4 3.0 and its a good ral world car with a half decent boot for going away or getting the shopping.

you will still be able to loose your licence in a Z4.... and you will be able to go round corners quickly as well.

Dario

PORTMYSTER · Post by **PORTMYSTER** » Mon 20 Jul, 2009 22:58

Never its just that im a statistic kind of guy and numbers interest me

, would never give it a go on public roads, doesthe sat nav in the Z4 have europe or just uk? as it would be nice to have a built in sat nav

AussieZ3 · Post by **AussieZ3** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 01:44

You will not notice the difference in everyday driving between the two.
It will simply come down to preference.
Styling, looks, colours, comfort, exclusivity etc

Only you can decide on which you prefer to be in, and own.
For me nothing comes close to the Z3M, even if the Z4 came with the new M3 V8 engine, and was cheaper, I would still choose the Z3M. But that is only how I feel. Not necessarily what is the better choice.

Every BMW is limited to 155 from the factory, but this can be removed with software reprogramming. Most tuners require/request proof of some sort of racing class licence before they will do this.

Chris Xoe · Post by **Chris Xoe** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 12:23

The Z4 satnav covers Europe.

When you're bored, sitting in traffic, you can find out how long is would take you to get to Casino Square in Monaco....

... or is that just me?

321bhp · Post by **321bhp** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 12:59

honest opinion,the only z4 that does it for me is the zm4,when i brought my zm i just loved the way it looked,i had a z3 1.9 before that,like other people have said,where would you do 155 on these roads,even in germany,id be scared to take it up to that anyway,its about the styleing of the z3m for me the engine size is just what it is,if i had to choose say between a z3 and z4 3.0 car id go for the z3,but put a z3m and a z4m side by side ,im not sur what i would choose

greg_ch · Post by **greg_ch** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 17:05

PORTMYSTER wrote:I do like both body shapes and agree with modern comforts in the modern Z4, as I want a upgrade that does point to the Z4 but the Z3M roadster is a true car with great timeless looks.

Is the engine in the Z4 3.0 the same as in Z3 3.0 or does it have upgrades to meet upto date laws. Does the Z4 limited to 155 or can this be over come.

The M54 is the same unit fitted to the Z3 3.0. Both the M54 and N52 are EU4 homologated engines in the Z4. You'd need to spring for an E89 Z4 to get an EU5 homologated BMW Z Roadster.

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 17:24

I have a 2.8 Z3 and after a couple of years of owning it, I too thought I'd look at the Z4. I test drove a 3.0 Z4 and found that, for me, there wasn't a massive difference between the two as far as acceleration/power was concerned, however the Z4 was more 'sure footed' on the road. Due to the fact I didn't find the Z4 a massive improvement over the Z3, I decided to keep the Z3.

If I was looking to change now, I would look at either an 'as new as possible' 3.0 Z3 or a good condition Z3M.

You really need to test the cars yourself though.

PORTMYSTER · Post by **PORTMYSTER** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 21:47

its such a difficult choice as I sat Z4M in BMW show room in Huddersfield and the seating and wheel felt so right and supportive, but at £25k its alot of money and is it realy a huge difference in performance compaired to the Z3m, I dont know need to deff drive some cars to compair.

If any one is going to cars in the park September at Harewood it be great to have a good look ect around some other cars.

rgf · Post by **rgf** » Tue 21 Jul, 2009 22:06

Portmyster, there is a thread already running on the Harewood Cars in the Park event. At the moment there are five or six members of this forum going with Z3s. It would be a good opportunity for you to have a closer look at a range of models.
It would be nice to see you there.