Who has the Z4?
Discussion
As the Mrs' MR2 it using oil at an alarming rate, the engine is not long for this world. As there are numerous other little things wrong, the thought of spending a grand on a new one for a £1500 car seems daft, so time for a change.
Car is used for a 2 mile each way trip to work, bit of shopping, and the odd run to Plymouth. If we go any distance we take the Maser (or the old Carina if we need to make sure we get there
)
The option seems to be MX5, Boxster, or Z4 (or TT or SLK, but we won't confuse her with too much choice)
If it is a droptop, it must have a leccy roof, which negates the MX5 unless she really likes it. I remember someone coming to a couple of PH runs in a Z4, and wondered if he'd mind sharing his experiences with it, good or bad.
The dowside of her getting a Boxster (or a Cayman) is she'll put a "my other car is a Porsche" sticker in the Mas.
Thanks
Car is used for a 2 mile each way trip to work, bit of shopping, and the odd run to Plymouth. If we go any distance we take the Maser (or the old Carina if we need to make sure we get there
)The option seems to be MX5, Boxster, or Z4 (or TT or SLK, but we won't confuse her with too much choice)
If it is a droptop, it must have a leccy roof, which negates the MX5 unless she really likes it. I remember someone coming to a couple of PH runs in a Z4, and wondered if he'd mind sharing his experiences with it, good or bad.The dowside of her getting a Boxster (or a Cayman) is she'll put a "my other car is a Porsche" sticker in the Mas.
Thanks
your thinking about John (BuzyG) but his is the Z4M with the engine from the e46M3, so probably not what your looking at.
Everyone will tell you to buy what they have !
By the way, the Mk3 MX5 did have an electric folding hard top version, if that helps.
Z4's are a little firm and have a long bonnet out front, otherwise quite a good car.
MX5 very well balanced but low powered ( we've had 2 of em)
SLK is an auto, so naff
Boxster - I so want to like them, but every time I sit in a Porsche im struck by how dull they are
Hard to make a decision without a budget or engine requirements
All personal opinion of course
Everyone will tell you to buy what they have !
By the way, the Mk3 MX5 did have an electric folding hard top version, if that helps.
Z4's are a little firm and have a long bonnet out front, otherwise quite a good car.
MX5 very well balanced but low powered ( we've had 2 of em)
SLK is an auto, so naff
Boxster - I so want to like them, but every time I sit in a Porsche im struck by how dull they are
Hard to make a decision without a budget or engine requirements
All personal opinion of course
I ran a Mk 2 MX-5 from 2000 - 2005 then upgraded to a 2.5 Z4. At the time each was my only car, and my initial impressions were that the BMW was the better car. Fast forward 10 years, with a Passat as my daily smoker, and I am looking to get out of the Z4 and return to a Mazda.
Why? Japanese build quality (& materials) are superior to US, maintenance costs are lower, Z4 hood has cost me a fortune - it is well documented that the motor is in a well where drain channels get blocked and motor floods & seizes. Mazda is far more entertaining at sane speeds ( UK & French enforcement is more severe nowadays), that lovely mechanical gear shift.
I will miss some of the toys (but most are available on MX-5), the creamy smoothness of the straight six.
Hood-wise, the 5 is as quick (possibly) quicker to drop than the 4, almost as fast to raise.
Hope this helps
Why? Japanese build quality (& materials) are superior to US, maintenance costs are lower, Z4 hood has cost me a fortune - it is well documented that the motor is in a well where drain channels get blocked and motor floods & seizes. Mazda is far more entertaining at sane speeds ( UK & French enforcement is more severe nowadays), that lovely mechanical gear shift.
I will miss some of the toys (but most are available on MX-5), the creamy smoothness of the straight six.
Hood-wise, the 5 is as quick (possibly) quicker to drop than the 4, almost as fast to raise.
Hope this helps
Think you must indeed mean John's silver M roadster that Giles has mentioned, as I've not seen any Masers on the few PH runs I've been on. But experience thus far (9-months) with my 3.0 coupe has been mostly very positive. Anything specific you want to hear about?
Have been tracking running costs in my profile if you want a look, albeit a bit of a skewed view, as I've spent some money in the first 6-months getting it how I want it. Depreciation thus fur appears to be about zero.
The standard runflats are hateful things, so don't discount one on the basis of its ride if it's still wearing them, as the improvement with regular tyres is night and day.
Which model are you looking at / what sort of budget?
Have been tracking running costs in my profile if you want a look, albeit a bit of a skewed view, as I've spent some money in the first 6-months getting it how I want it. Depreciation thus fur appears to be about zero.
The standard runflats are hateful things, so don't discount one on the basis of its ride if it's still wearing them, as the improvement with regular tyres is night and day.
Which model are you looking at / what sort of budget?
Thanks for the replies and info. It was John's roadster I'd seen.
Tim, you might see the Maser out soon - wife's parents were both 90+ and in nursing homes and quite ill for the last couple of years, so we were emptying/selling the house and sorting them out most weekends. Now they've both gone and everything is out of the way we're amazed how much free time we seem to have.
Back to the car, she likes it to be nimble and nippy, but drives very sedately so it doesn't need to be fast, the 2.0L Z4 would be perfectly adequate. Budget is flexible - she hates changing cars, and really hates losing money on them. So whilst she was perfectly happy to let me spend £33k on an ex-Silverstone F360 and keep the Maser [1], she won't spend £15k on something that will be worth half that in 3 years. Consequently we're probably looking at something 5-7 years old for an MX, a couple of years older for the Z4 or Porker.
Running costs aren't really a problem, once it is bought she keeps them and maintains them. Besides, anything would be cheaper than the Mas
Things it must have are 3 pedals, a proper handbrake lever, and a steering wheel that isn't covered in buttons. It must be simple, and have simple controls. Anything with a touch operated menu driven multi function self leveling arse activated intelligent interface automatic ipad connector won't even be considered. Good seats are important as we both have bad backs. Something that is £30k+ new is going to have better interior than something nearer £20k, and I got her looking at a Boxster at weekend that was quite comfy.
I didn't know about the hard top version of the MX5 - that could really be an option assuming the boot wouldn't fill with water when it is parked on our steep drive (which seems to be about the only common fault I can find).
She really does like the look of the Z4 coupe, though the nearest one I've seen for sale is over an hour away. Might be getting time for a Sunday meet near Exeter if Tim is out and about
P
[1] I didn't bother in the end, we hardly had time to use the Mas, so a 360 would spend most of the time stuck in storage. I did wonder about getting one and then swapping both for a Gallardo, but I'm not allowed a Lambo as "they might be expensive to run"
Tim, you might see the Maser out soon - wife's parents were both 90+ and in nursing homes and quite ill for the last couple of years, so we were emptying/selling the house and sorting them out most weekends. Now they've both gone and everything is out of the way we're amazed how much free time we seem to have.
Back to the car, she likes it to be nimble and nippy, but drives very sedately so it doesn't need to be fast, the 2.0L Z4 would be perfectly adequate. Budget is flexible - she hates changing cars, and really hates losing money on them. So whilst she was perfectly happy to let me spend £33k on an ex-Silverstone F360 and keep the Maser [1], she won't spend £15k on something that will be worth half that in 3 years. Consequently we're probably looking at something 5-7 years old for an MX, a couple of years older for the Z4 or Porker.
Running costs aren't really a problem, once it is bought she keeps them and maintains them. Besides, anything would be cheaper than the Mas
Things it must have are 3 pedals, a proper handbrake lever, and a steering wheel that isn't covered in buttons. It must be simple, and have simple controls. Anything with a touch operated menu driven multi function self leveling arse activated intelligent interface automatic ipad connector won't even be considered. Good seats are important as we both have bad backs. Something that is £30k+ new is going to have better interior than something nearer £20k, and I got her looking at a Boxster at weekend that was quite comfy.
I didn't know about the hard top version of the MX5 - that could really be an option assuming the boot wouldn't fill with water when it is parked on our steep drive (which seems to be about the only common fault I can find).
She really does like the look of the Z4 coupe, though the nearest one I've seen for sale is over an hour away. Might be getting time for a Sunday meet near Exeter if Tim is out and about
P
[1] I didn't bother in the end, we hardly had time to use the Mas, so a 360 would spend most of the time stuck in storage. I did wonder about getting one and then swapping both for a Gallardo, but I'm not allowed a Lambo as "they might be expensive to run"
Midlifecrisis71 said:
your thinking about John (BuzyG) but his is the Z4M with the engine from the e46M3, so probably not what your looking at.
Everyone will tell you to buy what they have !
SLK is an auto, so naff
Pretty sure you can get the SLK 350 as a manual, whether it's a good box or not is another thing...!Everyone will tell you to buy what they have !
SLK is an auto, so naff
This is PH anyway, has to be an MX5 powered by Red Bull
Well based on all that and if she already likes the look of the Z4 coupes (for which I naturally commend her taste) I'd certainly say one could fit the bill. Prices have not really moved in the year I've been watching, so no worries on the losing lots of money front. Generally £8-12k for a non-M, depending on what you go for.
Whilst earlier convertibles had multiple engine choices, coupes only ever had two: the 3.0 si and the 3.2 M. Then there were two trim levels: SE and Sport, the sport getting slightly lower springs, nicer seats and a chunky sports steering wheel (albeit multi function I'm afraid! but not especially cluttered or complicated). Controls all pretty simple and intuitive. For the enthusiastic there is a sports button which sharpens throttle response and makes steering a little heavier, and a traction control button with two settings, but both can just be ignored if you simply wish to drive. So for the most part yes, simple.
More than happy for you to have a poke around mine.
Whilst earlier convertibles had multiple engine choices, coupes only ever had two: the 3.0 si and the 3.2 M. Then there were two trim levels: SE and Sport, the sport getting slightly lower springs, nicer seats and a chunky sports steering wheel (albeit multi function I'm afraid! but not especially cluttered or complicated). Controls all pretty simple and intuitive. For the enthusiastic there is a sports button which sharpens throttle response and makes steering a little heavier, and a traction control button with two settings, but both can just be ignored if you simply wish to drive. So for the most part yes, simple.
More than happy for you to have a poke around mine.
Hi Paul
Yes it was indeed me. We have been talking about your 4200 over on the Z4 Forum the past few day. A chap on there was looking at 3200's I think we may have talked him out of it due to running costs. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&a...
Any way the Z4... Has to be a Roadster, as that's what they were designed to be. MrsG happily drives mine down to the gym, once I get it out the garage for her.
Reliability seems very good. The only expensive fail that has occurred on several forum Z4's is the roof motor. It's not protected properly from water ingress. Not such a problem for sunny day cars but if it's been a daily and parked out side then beware. The rear springs also fail but they are cheep to fix.
The 2.0 E85 model is a cracking car. A grown up MX5. Most owners will have swapped out the OEM run flats, the ride and handling is much improved without them. But there is no spare, so check there is a can of goo and a compressor in the boot. Standard on the ///M as that never had run flats.
The Coupe has a stiffer set up than the Roadster, but IMHO that only serves to spoil the ride, unless your better half is planning several track days.
As mentioned there are several engine variants. the 3.0 ltr units appear to be the most popular and return good mpg plus solid bang for your buck. They are certainly the most prevalent. The ///M I have is a pussy cat to drive slowly and a lion to drive quickly, so you can't lose.
Happy to take you out for a spin at the weekend if your around.
Good hunting.
Yes it was indeed me. We have been talking about your 4200 over on the Z4 Forum the past few day. A chap on there was looking at 3200's I think we may have talked him out of it due to running costs. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&a...
Any way the Z4... Has to be a Roadster, as that's what they were designed to be. MrsG happily drives mine down to the gym, once I get it out the garage for her.
Reliability seems very good. The only expensive fail that has occurred on several forum Z4's is the roof motor. It's not protected properly from water ingress. Not such a problem for sunny day cars but if it's been a daily and parked out side then beware. The rear springs also fail but they are cheep to fix.
The 2.0 E85 model is a cracking car. A grown up MX5. Most owners will have swapped out the OEM run flats, the ride and handling is much improved without them. But there is no spare, so check there is a can of goo and a compressor in the boot. Standard on the ///M as that never had run flats.
The Coupe has a stiffer set up than the Roadster, but IMHO that only serves to spoil the ride, unless your better half is planning several track days.
As mentioned there are several engine variants. the 3.0 ltr units appear to be the most popular and return good mpg plus solid bang for your buck. They are certainly the most prevalent. The ///M I have is a pussy cat to drive slowly and a lion to drive quickly, so you can't lose.
Happy to take you out for a spin at the weekend if your around.
Good hunting.
Edited by BuzyG on Wednesday 24th June 00:59
Read this with a bit of interest. A few years back we were looking at doing the same sort of thing, we ended up with a last of the line Z3 2.2 which is now 12 years old. Has been brilliant, usually used in the nice weather but easily an all year car, totally reliable, not especially quick but sounds nice and very comfortable. We went for an auto as thats the preference in my house.
Marmite looks (she loves marmite!) and properly cheap now but if that's anything to go by, the Z4 should be excellent.
Marmite looks (she loves marmite!) and properly cheap now but if that's anything to go by, the Z4 should be excellent.
Tim, John, thanks for the offers for a poke around, we're in Cornwall this weekend, but around most of the weekends until the Silverstone Classic. Are you boys local to Exeter?
Ann's not in any rush to swap, she's probably in denial that the MR2 will ever die, but knowing how long it takes her to sort out getting a new car (she really hates the unknown of a new vehicle) then it makes sense to me to actually narrow down what he wants to buy before we get to the point of needing to make a decision.
I didn't realise the coupe only came with proper engines, I was more interested in the relative boot sizes for the wine raids to France (the Mas holds 100 bottles in the boot if you pack carefully, but then gets stuck if the ferry chap makes you go on the top deck).
Ann's not in any rush to swap, she's probably in denial that the MR2 will ever die, but knowing how long it takes her to sort out getting a new car (she really hates the unknown of a new vehicle) then it makes sense to me to actually narrow down what he wants to buy before we get to the point of needing to make a decision.
I didn't realise the coupe only came with proper engines, I was more interested in the relative boot sizes for the wine raids to France (the Mas holds 100 bottles in the boot if you pack carefully, but then gets stuck if the ferry chap makes you go on the top deck).
BuzyG said:
Yes it was indeed me. We have been talking about your 4200 over on the Z4 Forum the past few day. A chap on there was looking at 3200's I think we may have talked him out of it due to running costs. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&a...
The 3200s are a bit more fragile, but really they suffer from lack of use. I only do about 4000 miles a year in mine, and I reckon it costs about a quid a mile all inclusive.We find the boot on the Roadster is fine for a weeks touring. We do travel light though. It's reasonably deep, for a sports car, due to lack of a spare wheel. No room for larger items though. The hood takes up less room than you might expect. If you do look at the later E89 model, be aware the boot shrinks dramatically when the hard top is folded away.
We live in Saltash Cornwall. I'm out in the Zed most weekends, just driving, so let me know if your nearby.
We live in Saltash Cornwall. I'm out in the Zed most weekends, just driving, so let me know if your nearby.
Thanks to TDJ and BuzyG for letting us prod and poke at their cars.
We are off on a roadtrip in a couple of weeks taking a 3 day scenic route to the Silverstone MotoGP looking for a Z4M.
Coupé.
Ann figured the increased practicality, coupled with the fact the roof is a possible weakspot and the car will live outside on a slope, means it is a better bet.
I was sold when I saw it had a double bubble roofline.
We are off on a roadtrip in a couple of weeks taking a 3 day scenic route to the Silverstone MotoGP looking for a Z4M.
Coupé.
Ann figured the increased practicality, coupled with the fact the roof is a possible weakspot and the car will live outside on a slope, means it is a better bet.
I was sold when I saw it had a double bubble roofline.
Sortie 10 said:
I ran a Mk 2 MX-5 from 2000 - 2005 then upgraded to a 2.5 Z4. At the time each was my only car, and my initial impressions were that the BMW was the better car. Fast forward 10 years, with a Passat as my daily smoker, and I am looking to get out of the Z4 and return to a Mazda.
Why? Japanese build quality (& materials) are superior to US, maintenance costs are lower, Z4 hood has cost me a fortune - it is well documented that the motor is in a well where drain channels get blocked and motor floods & seizes.
I'd actually disagree on the MX-5 build quality, had a Mk2 MX-5 years ago and considered getting another as a daily driver alongside my Elise - looking at one again was illuminating!Why? Japanese build quality (& materials) are superior to US, maintenance costs are lower, Z4 hood has cost me a fortune - it is well documented that the motor is in a well where drain channels get blocked and motor floods & seizes.
They rot, EXTENSIVELY. Even if the sills and arches look clean get it up off the ground and check the chassis because once it starts to go the whole thing can go to hell.
Roofs tear in the corners where they stretch over the frame, happened to mine and every one I looked at was showing signs of wear in the same area.
Looked at a few private ones for sale and walked without driving them. Wasted an hour driving up to a dealer who had a 'mint condition' one (which was completely trashed, bolts missing from the brace behind the seats, holes in the sills and arches, split roof), but a short drive in it was enough to tell me I didn't want another one, felt completely gutless and a horrible lack of body control when changing direction which lead to it rolling in to over-steer even in the dry. The drive home in my Subaru Forester was more entertaining.
Maybe a drive in a genuinely good condition one would change my mind (although thinking back to my old one it suffered a lot of the same negative handling traits), but I simply couldn't seem to find any when I was looking. A lot are just bought by people who want a cheap convertible and don't really care about maintaining it.
DevonPaul said:
Thanks to TDJ and BuzyG for letting us prod and poke at their cars.
We are off on a roadtrip in a couple of weeks taking a 3 day scenic route to the Silverstone MotoGP looking for a Z4M.
Coupé.
Ann figured the increased practicality, coupled with the fact the roof is a possible weakspot and the car will live outside on a slope, means it is a better bet.
I was sold when I saw it had a double bubble roofline.
Any time Paul. If it's living out side then I have to agree with your choice. We are off on a roadtrip in a couple of weeks taking a 3 day scenic route to the Silverstone MotoGP looking for a Z4M.
Coupé.
Ann figured the increased practicality, coupled with the fact the roof is a possible weakspot and the car will live outside on a slope, means it is a better bet.
I was sold when I saw it had a double bubble roofline.
We are driving up to Skye, at the end of the month and as our Roadster has lived in the Garage all it's life, it could be in for a shock with all that wet stuff that falls from the sky up there.
Last Sat we spent 6 hours up and down the A303, and placed a deposit on this one.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&a...
I was instructed to find something "not silver or black", low mileage, heated seats, Nav, 6CD, parking sensors, etc and so it meets nearly all the criteria we set out except for Cruise, and having a roof nobody will think she works at Tony and Guy (or should that be Tony and John )
Just the thing for Ann to commute the 3 miles each way to work.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&a...
I was instructed to find something "not silver or black", low mileage, heated seats, Nav, 6CD, parking sensors, etc and so it meets nearly all the criteria we set out except for Cruise, and having a roof nobody will think she works at Tony and Guy (or should that be Tony and John
)Just the thing for Ann to commute the 3 miles each way to work.
Edited by DevonPaul on Monday 30th November 13:48
Looks very fine indeed, nice find Paul. Few more bhp than Ann's little MR2. Now we need a run out.
DevonPaul said:
Last Sat we spent 6 hours up and down the A303, and placed a deposit on this one.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&a...
I was instructed to find something "not silver or black", low mileage, heated seats, Nav, 6CD, parking sensors, etc and so it meets nearly all the criteria we set out except for Cruise, and having a roof nobody will think she works at Tony and Guy (or should that be Tony and John )
Just the thing for Ann to commute the 3 miles each way to work.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&a...
I was instructed to find something "not silver or black", low mileage, heated seats, Nav, 6CD, parking sensors, etc and so it meets nearly all the criteria we set out except for Cruise, and having a roof nobody will think she works at Tony and Guy (or should that be Tony and John
)Just the thing for Ann to commute the 3 miles each way to work.
Edited by DevonPaul on Monday 30th November 13:48[/footnote]
[footnote]Edited by BuzyG on Monday 30th November 19:22Gassing Station | South West | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff