To BMW or not to BMW, that is the question !

[SamN01]

Basicaly I have seen a Z3M Roadster (The 2 door model) for sale at a very good price £18k for a 98/R and I am very tempted. The one thing that bothers me is I hear the ride is not to great is this true ??
My last car was a 450 Chimp how would the to cars compare ??

Thanks for your help.

[GreenV8S]

What are you after? Looks? Chimaera wins hands down IMO. Performance? Z3M isn't that fast, even when it was standard my V8S would see one of those off, a 450 should be significantly faster. Handling? Expect the Z3M wins on predictability but not so sure about fun. Reliability/Economy, Z3M will probably be at least as good and probably a lot better. Comfort? I would be disappointed with the Z3M if it wasn't more comfortable than a Chimaera. I guess if you want a two seater that is a bit faster than a typical saloon, the Z3M could be interesting. Otherwise, what's the attraction?

(Unbiassed of course!)

Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[samn]

Thanks for the help !!!

I must be of my head as I just bought an S2000 :-)

I drove the BMW but was not to keen on the ride.

I know the Honda is slow as Sports cars go but I was drawn to its practicality.

thanks again.

450 Chimp

[apache]

ok guys, how long before samn gets withdrawal symptoms

[Paul R]

2 Months! It took me about a month but then I bought a BMW.

[douglasr]

quote:
What are you after? Looks? Chimaera wins hands down IMO. Performance? Z3M isn't that fast, even when it was standard my V8S would see one of those off, a 450 should be significantly faster. Handling? Expect the Z3M wins on predictability but not so sure about fun. Reliability/Economy, Z3M will probably be at least as good and probably a lot better. Comfort? I would be disappointed with the Z3M if it wasn't more comfortable than a Chimaera. I guess if you want a two seater that is a bit faster than a typical saloon, the Z3M could be interesting. Otherwise, what's the attraction?

(Unbiassed of course!)

Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

I think yu are confusing a Z3M with something else. 321 bhp means its a lot quicker than a "standasrd saloon". One magazine reported in 0 - 60 in 5.1 and standing quarter in 12.2. Thats 4.5 Chim fast, and correct me if I'm wrong, faster that a standard V8S.

[douglasr]

quote:
Thanks for the help !!!

I must be of my head as I just bought an S2000 :-)

I drove the BMW but was not to keen on the ride.

I know the Honda is slow as Sports cars go but I was drawn to its practicality.

thanks again.

450 Chimp

An S2000 is not slow, just different than a TVR. You will enjoy the turnkey reliability and £100 - £300 service bills. Thats why I bought one...

[lrussell5]

....but it's got far less low down torque than the chim so it'll fell a lot slower in most driving conditions. despite both being two-seater cabs they really are two very different cars serving different purposes. you pays your money....

[douglasr]

quote:
....but it's got far less low down torque than the chim so it'll fell a lot slower in most driving conditions. despite both being two-seater cabs they really are two very different cars serving different purposes. you pays your money....

"most"? - I'm lucky enough to live 20 minutes from the Trossachs, so I dont notice the lack of torque s I manage to keep it in the power band on the quiet roads up here...noisy tho...

[lrussell5]

lucky you. by the time I hit 4000rpm I'm in the back of another mother in her mpv

[apache]

thats still illegal in this country you know!

[lrussell5]

think it depends which county you do it in (or is that america?)

[rory d]

i owm a 350i and e36 328 coupe and have had various other bmws, there great cars in every way except they dont deliver the thrills a tvr do, its not just about speed my bm has a better and safer more usable top end over 350 but is utimataly a bit boring