MX5 NA to Z4 3.0 Mk1, good idea?

[nickd164]

Hi all,

I have a dilemma and any advice on it would be appreciated. Ok, I have a rather lovely Eunos with low mileage in very good condition and no rust (honestly). It’s a beautiful car and I really do love it, however I don’t have my own garage so the car is kept in friends garage exactly one mile away from my house. I even have a parking space, my own key so I can come and go as I please, a rather nice set up and he is indeed a good friend. I’ve had the car kept there for over 4 years and this situation will remain for the foreseeable. However it can be bit of a faff and the car has to be kept in the garage at night due to the classic car insurance. Also the spontaneity of just wanting to go for a spin can be diminished somewhat.

So I’m thinking that I could buy a manual 3.0 Mk1 Z4 roadster, a car I’ve always had an eye on and I think they look better now than they did on release. It would be a bit more useable as a second car and I wouldn’t have to garage it. My other issue though is that I think good MX5/Eunos are on the move price wise and I might regret it in the future. I do think the MK1 Z4 (more the coupe) will become a modern classic and maybe I wouldn’t lose too much when I come to sell. I use the MX a fair bit, jaunts up to the Lakes and Whitby, sunny Saturdays etc. My wide is a little concerned when I take our kids out in it, no abs, airbags so maybe the Z4 would also be better in that respect.

Has anybody had a similar situation?

Thanks

Dutchie

[thewarlock]

nickd164 said:

Hi all,

I have a dilemma and any advice on it would be appreciated. Ok, I have a rather lovely Eunos with low mileage in very good condition and no rust (honestly). It’s a beautiful car and I really do love it, however I don’t have my own garage so the car is kept in friends garage exactly one mile away from my house. I even have a parking space, my own key so I can come and go as I please, a rather nice set up and he is indeed a good friend. I’ve had the car kept there for over 4 years and this situation will remain for the foreseeable. However it can be bit of a faff and the car has to be kept in the garage at night due to the classic car insurance. Also the spontaneity of just wanting to go for a spin can be diminished somewhat.

So I’m thinking that I could buy a manual 3.0 Mk1 Z4 roadster, a car I’ve always had an eye on and I think they look better now than they did on release. It would be a bit more useable as a second car and I wouldn’t have to garage it. My other issue though is that I think good MX5/Eunos are on the move price wise and I might regret it in the future. I do think the MK1 Z4 (more the coupe) will become a modern classic and maybe I wouldn’t lose too much when I come to sell. I use the MX a fair bit, jaunts up to the Lakes and Whitby, sunny Saturdays etc. My wide is a little concerned when I take our kids out in it, no abs, airbags so maybe the Z4 would also be better in that respect.

Has anybody had a similar situation?

Thanks

Dutchie

I was quite disappointed by the 3.0 Z4. Not enough power for my liking, and it could do with a viscous/ATB diff IMO. Just felt a bit too dull.

The 3.2 was a different thing entirely, but they go for big bucks these days.

[nickd164]

Yes the M would be nice.... I would have thought the Z was safer on the A1?

[kambites]

Depends on how you value engine vs chassis. There is no denying that the BMW six-pot is a more charismatic engine, but there's also no denying that the BMW chassis is nowhere near as good as the Mazda one.

[PH User]

The 3.0 has decent power and decent performance figures when you compare it to boxsters and S2000s.

The steering is a little odd though and it feels more like a GT, especially when compared to a MX5

[UmpaLoompa]

I had a Mk2 MX5 and later a Z4 (albeit a Coupe)

The Z4 felt much more solid than the MX5 but then it did weigh c400kgs more. It was also much faster in a straight line. They were both good fun and i would have both again. On long journeys the Z4 was much more pleasant. I also took both on track and to be honest the MX5 was much more fun because you could rag it everywhere and a new set of tyres and brake pads cost around the same as one rear tyre on the Z4

So, i think it depends what you want. A more grown up classy and comfortable car - get the Z4. A lighter, slower but perhaps slightly more rewarding car with cheaper running costs - MX5. Can you get both?

[nickd164]

Short story, in the early 90s I had a 325i Sport, dolphin grey. On the first day I had it I went out with my brother, it was raining and I spun it. “Turn into it” my brother shouted. ThT evening I learnt what a red car is, I didn’t even know.... sounds daft, but it’s true. I do now appreciate it but I’m not the sort of driver who swings the rear end out. I don’t think I ever done that In my MX.

I do of course appreciate its lightness and handling.

[nickd164]

Could I get both, possibly. But I’m selling my wife’s Honda Jazz to get a Z4. The garage is just bit of a pain. I think you have well explained why I might be ok in a Z. I’ve never been near a racing track but can rag it every now and then.

[danllama]

If you love the Eunos keep it IMO. Where its parked will pale in significance when you miss it shortly after it departs, and for an occasional car it really isn't a big issue to have it stored a short distance away.

Perhaps you could keep it parked at home for the warm and dry months?

And yes good ones are appreciating finally. I don't own one but always like to keep an eye on them. Saw a beautiful one parked up in a drive the other day and it honestly stopped me in my tracks.

[thecremeegg]

I did this exact move a few years ago as I needed something more comfortable for my commute.

The Z4 feels far more modern and the 3.0 engine is an absolute peach. It's not as direct to drive as the MX5 but then everyone knew that. It'll cost a little more to run but as BMWs go, the Z4 is pretty cheap to repair and doesn't have a huge list of issues.

I still have the Z4, love it and it's a proper bargain now.

[Krikkit]

There's plenty of tweaks you could make to a Z4 to sharpen it up, but it will always beat the MX5 as it's straight-6 imho.

Context: Former NA owner and current 325Ti owner.

[nickd164]

[anonymous-user]

I recently picked up a cheap 3L Z4 in the last lockdown and am enjoying it bar for the gearbox, so have decided to sell it on and get another with a slush box, manuals aren't for me any more.

[nickd164]

That’s my car. Hard to believe it’s 27 years old.

[ZX10R NIN]

Not sure how much you're planning to spend but have you looked at the 350Z? Suspension wise I find them more composed as a steer you still have a 6 pot upfront & prices have firmed up nicely over the last few years.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105303...

[nickd164]

Vandenberg said:

I recently picked up a cheap 3L Z4 in the last lockdown and am enjoying it bar for the gearbox, so have decided to sell it on and get another with a slush box, manuals aren't for me any more.

Will you get another Z4 though?

[nickd164]

ZX10R NIN said:

Not sure how much you're planning to spend but have you looked at the 350Z? Suspension wise I find them more composed as a steer you still have a 6 pot upfront & prices have firmed up nicely over the last few years.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105303...

Thanks, I have yes. I like them. Just not sure about the interior.

[nickd164]

nickd164 said:

Thanks, I have yes. I like them. Just not sure about the interior.

Oh and about 10k

[ZX10R NIN]

nickd164 said:

Thanks, I have yes. I like them. Just not sure about the interior.

With a healthy budget like that I'd be looking at the 370Z which has a nicer interior & is another step on from the 350Z & Z4.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105042...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103240...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105303...

[un1eash]

I went from a Z4 to 350z and would have another Z4 again but not another 350z. Various reasons why but the 350z felt heavy, cost £500+ to tax, terrible mpg and more a GT car where as the Z4 felt more sports car. Just don't run a Z4 on run flats.