Z3 or 4

[007.2]

Looking for advice on which z3 is best to buy. Budget 5k

[Trevor555]

I'd buy on condition rather than model/engine.

The Z3 sills are bolt on/off, easy to replace, so you have to look past those.

Get right underneath and look for corrosion, that's what kills them off.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 4th May 13:45

[biggbn]

I really don't think the engine matters unless you have an attachment to a six pot. Buy on condition of body, subframe etc, buy the best you can afford, waxoyl it or similar and enjoy. Brilliant cars to own and run in my humble opinion. We had a 1.9 16v for years and it was brilliant, I'd love another.

[007.2]

Thanks for the reply.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Z4 in either 2.5/3.0 form, the four pots have a habit of cracking the manifolds.

As others have said buy on condition.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604241...

Later 23i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604301...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 4th May 17:46

[maz8062]

Get an E85 3.0i Z4, pre or facelift and enjoy. If you can stretch to a MY06 on 3.0 SI (or 2.5) it s the way to go.

[biggbn]

maz8062 said:

Get an E85 3.0i Z4, pre or facelift and enjoy. If you can stretch to a MY06 on 3.0 SI (or 2.5) it s the way to go.

I think z4 will fall further in value whereas Z3 are as cheap as they are gonna be. Depends how -'old school' feeling OP wants...

[Mr Tidy]

I'd be looking for a straight 6 in either of them - it makes them pretty unique.

I haven't had a Z3 but am on my 3rd Z4 (all Coupes). Z4s got BMWs first attempt at electric PAS and it isn't great. They also got run-flat tyres, but most owners bin them and fit normal tyres. Having said that a facelift 3.0Si is as good as it gets unless you splash out on an M!

To be fair I don't see values for either option dropping - they already look like a bit of a bargain for the performance on offer.

[biggbn]

Mr Tidy said:

I'd be looking for a straight 6 in either of them - it makes them pretty unique.

I haven't had a Z3 but am on my 3rd Z4 (all Coupes). Z4s got BMWs first attempt at electric PAS and it isn't great. They also got run-flat tyres, but most owners bin them and fit normal tyres. Having said that a facelift 3.0Si is as good as it gets unless you splash out on an M!

To be fair I don't see values for either option dropping - they already look like a bit of a bargain for the performance on offer.

I really loved the 16v four pot in our Z3, really sung through the revs and it handled really well if in an old school way, very throttle adjustable, big fun on damp roundabouts!!

[Matt_Zeus]

I went from a 1.9 Z3 to a 2.5 Z4.
I regret it in hindsight, but at the time felt the 1.9 was just a touch too slow coming from a 1.8 MX5 NB.

Interior of the Z4 was a really nice place to be and really enjoyed the engine. Z3 wins on "cool" factor.

I'd go for a 6cylinder Z3 if I had the choice now.

[maz8062]

For me, the E85 with the 3.0 engine in manual form, is one of the most underrated cars I’ve ever owned. That engine, the go-kart handling, the styling. The Z3 looks odd in comparison, and they’re not ULEZ compliant.

[nunpuncher]

biggbn said:

maz8062 said:

Get an E85 3.0i Z4, pre or facelift and enjoy. If you can stretch to a MY06 on 3.0 SI (or 2.5) it s the way to go.

I think z4 will fall further in value whereas Z3 are as cheap as they are gonna be. Depends how -'old school' feeling OP wants...

I bought a 3l Z4 for £7k back in 2012 and sold it a year later for £6500. I figured they were going to drop in value.

I've been looking at them again recently and seems like a similar car would be around 4-5k now. So only a 3k loss in 14 years. You aren't going to get a much more solid price than that.

I would definitely go for a 2.5 or 3l e85 at the OPs price. It is a much much better car than the z3 in every single way.

[biggbn]

nunpuncher said:

I bought a 3l Z4 for £7k back in 2012 and sold it a year later for £6500. I figured they were going to drop in value.

I've been looking at them again recently and seems like a similar car would be around 4-5k now. So only a 3k loss in 14 years. You aren't going to get a much more solid price than that.

I would definitely go for a 2.5 or 3l e85 at the OPs price. It is a much much better car than the z3 in every single way.

...as they should be, newer design, more efficient, faster, tidier handler, they just lack the charm and the looks for me although that is a subjective call.

[Trevor555]

The thread needs some pics.

Just three of the many I've owned.

Wish I'd kept the grey one.

Daughter wanted the brown one, I'm still in trouble to this day.

[biggbn]

Trevor555 said:

The thread needs some pics.

Just three of the many I've owned.

Wish I'd kept the grey one.

Daughter wanted the brown one, I'm still in trouble to this day.

Lovely!! I'd love another

[Trevor555]

biggbn said:

Lovely!! I'd love another

Thanku, me too.

The low use minters are demanding good money now.

I love the simplicty of the older cars.

I can't remember an engine light coming on in any of my Z3's.

Modern cars do my head in, delivered a Kia EV9 yesterday, 7 hours of beeps, warning bongs, assistance st. As well as faulty chargers at services.

Edited by Trevor555 on Wednesday 6th May 11:08

[Shappers24]

Would suggest the facelift Z4 is the way to go. With the 2.5si or 3.0si

Bought my 2.5si 3 years ago for £4K, and just sold it for £5K. Prices firming up, and already regretting selling mine. Not sure there is anything else out there which comes close for the price considering looks, performance etc.

[InformationSuperHighway]

Z3 for the styling.. I think they are iconic and unloved by most, but coveted by the people that know. Much like the MK1 TT.

Z4 for handling and refinement though, much better steer overall and much improved from the Z3.

So it depends if you want a drivers car or a car show / cruiser / design led car.

With mods the Z3 can steer well though... so you could end up with best of both worlds.

I realize the above is probably not that helpful

[honest_delboy]

I was in the same position and ended up with a z4 3.0 , i had a 328i touring with colling woes so didn't want another 2.8. it felt a bit more modern whilst not being a gin palace (that was my SLK 350)