Replacement for a Z4

[coldel]

So I do like to try cars out, im not really wedded to any particular brand but I do have a few needs in a second weekend/fun car.

I'm currently driving a Z4 3.0si coupe. Its a cracking car. So overlooked and underappreciated. Prior to that I have had in order...

VX220 turbo
Celica GT4 ST205
Skyline R33
VX220 NA
Nissan 350z
VW Scirocco 1.4TSI

Prior to that going back into my yoof numerous Fiestas/Orions/Corsas etc.

Im really enjoying the Z4 but I know at some point I will look to try the next thing, but what is the next thing? I like the power it has, sub 6 second sprint time and great in gear acceleration. I am not into hot hatches at all, the idea of a Golf GTi as my second car fills me with dread, it has to be something that would turn heads as its not a common hatchback box. I dont have a drive so I am not looking for something that would need to be up on stands half the time being restored, it has to be bought and driven. If I was to move the Z4 on and stick ten grand on something next, what would it be?

I dont like the idea of of a 986 boxster, and I would be scraping the barrel of any cayman purchase. I dont feel excited as I say looking at Golfs and other hot hatches. Ive read a few horror stories of MX5 conversions so looking to stay away from those. I feel a little stuck like I am running out of 'next cars' to have.

[Sycamore]

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

[Earthdweller]

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really ?

[coldel]

Drove a GT86 and it was fun'ish. But the frustration of its limitations outweighed the fun bit.

[jm8403]

Earthdweller said:

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really ?

Surprises me too. Z is a much nicer engine with more power too.

[Panamax]

coldel said:

I'm currently driving a Z4 3.0si coupe. Its a cracking car. So overlooked and underappreciated.

The obvious answer seems to be "keep it".

[jm8403]

Panamax said:

coldel said:

I'm currently driving a Z4 3.0si coupe. Its a cracking car. So overlooked and underappreciated.

The obvious answer seems to be "keep it".

This. Until you can afford something better, i..e f type, Z4M, e46 m3, exige, 370z...

[coldel]

I can afford something better, I just set myself a rough 10k budget as a weekend play car (thats been agreed with the missus!)

I dont see the 370z as that much a step up from the 350z to warrant owning that chassis again.

I am thinking keep it a bit longer, but I am certainly not in the 'keeper' camp, I see cars as experiences and not something where I end up driving the same one for years on end.

[Mr Tidy]

After 5 years of 3 litre Z4 Coupes I bought a Z4M Coupe 3 years ago and am still loving it!

Probably not massively quicker but the soundtrack from the engine makes it feel that bit more special.

If you do change I hope you enjoy whatever you get.

[jm8403]

coldel said:

I can afford something better, I just set myself a rough 10k budget as a weekend play car (thats been agreed with the missus!)

I dont see the 370z as that much a step up from the 350z to warrant owning that chassis again.

I am thinking keep it a bit longer, but I am certainly not in the 'keeper' camp, I see cars as experiences and not something where I end up driving the same one for years on end.

look for mk2 mr2 with 190bhp if you want something lighter?

[Sycamore]

jm8403 said:

Earthdweller said:

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really ?

Surprises me too. Z is a much nicer engine with more power too.

Of course the engine is nicer, but the GT86 was more fun to chuck around.

[Belle427]

370z is a lovely thing, sounds tremendous with the right exhaust too and looks great.

[jm8403]

Sycamore said:

jm8403 said:

Earthdweller said:

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really ?

Surprises me too. Z is a much nicer engine with more power too.

Of course the engine is nicer, but the GT86 was more fun to chuck around.

That surprises me too, there isn't much in it with weight so perhaps a better overall set up. Never driven one in anger so will take your word for it.

[Networkgeek]

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really? There's not a chance in hell a flat four, 2.0 N/A engine would be more fun than a smooth, torquey 3.0 IL6.

I've driven both (on road and track) and the GT86 is really not to my taste. Underpowered, sound like a wet fart, but they look cool (when modified). The Z4 is a far superior car, both in terms of performance and design.

However, a turbocharged GT86 is a different kettle of fish. It's just what the car needs, anyone who says otherwise is some kind of croc-wearing, beardy weirdo. 250+ BHP is exactly what the 86 needs, if I was looking to spend 15k on a sports car, I would be very tempted to buy one (pre-modified)

[Sycamore]

Networkgeek said:

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really? There's not a chance in hell a flat four, 2.0 N/A engine would be more fun than a smooth, torquey 3.0 IL6.

I've driven both (on road and track) and the GT86 is really not to my taste. Underpowered, sound like a wet fart, but they look cool (when modified). The Z4 is a far superior car, both in terms of performance and design.

However, a turbocharged GT86 is a different kettle of fish. It's just what the car needs, anyone who says otherwise is some kind of croc-wearing, beardy weirdo. 250+ BHP is exactly what the 86 needs, if I was looking to spend 15k on a sports car, I would be very tempted to buy one (pre-modified)

Shock horror, there's more to a car than the engine.
The GT86 engine is st, the Z4 engine is awesome.

All I said, was that I found the GT86 more fun to chuck around.

If we all liked the same thing, life would be boring

Relax old chap

[jm8403]

Sycamore said:

Networkgeek said:

Sycamore said:

I went from my 3.0 Z4 to a GT86.

Won't have the sound and speed, but GT86 was much more fun

Really? There's not a chance in hell a flat four, 2.0 N/A engine would be more fun than a smooth, torquey 3.0 IL6.

I've driven both (on road and track) and the GT86 is really not to my taste. Underpowered, sound like a wet fart, but they look cool (when modified). The Z4 is a far superior car, both in terms of performance and design.

However, a turbocharged GT86 is a different kettle of fish. It's just what the car needs, anyone who says otherwise is some kind of croc-wearing, beardy weirdo. 250+ BHP is exactly what the 86 needs, if I was looking to spend 15k on a sports car, I would be very tempted to buy one (pre-modified)

Shock horror, there's more to a car than the engine.
The GT86 engine is st, the Z4 engine is awesome.

All I said, was that I found the GT86 more fun to chuck around.

If we all liked the same thing, life would be boring

Relax old chap

Hahaha, he definitely needs to chill. I dont find the Z particularly amazing on b roads, especially tight ones so not going to get excited by another viewpoint.

[cerb4.5lee]

Networkgeek said:

However, a turbocharged GT86 is a different kettle of fish. It's just what the car needs, anyone who says otherwise is some kind of croc-wearing, beardy weirdo. 250+ BHP is exactly what the 86 needs, if I was looking to spend 15k on a sports car, I would be very tempted to buy one (pre-modified)

A turbocharged or supercharged GT86 was going to be my suggestion too. I'd love one myself because they are the size/weight that I really like, but as standard they just aren't quick enough for me though.

[jm8403]

cerb4.5lee said:

Networkgeek said:

However, a turbocharged GT86 is a different kettle of fish. It's just what the car needs, anyone who says otherwise is some kind of croc-wearing, beardy weirdo. 250+ BHP is exactly what the 86 needs, if I was looking to spend 15k on a sports car, I would be very tempted to buy one (pre-modified)

A turbocharged or supercharged GT86 was going to be my suggestion too. I'd love one myself because they are the size/weight that I really like, but as standard they just aren't quick enough for me though.

Usual challenges of dealing with that though (temp management, etc)

[Sycamore]

jm8403 said:

Hahaha, he definitely needs to chill. I dont find the Z particularly amazing on b roads, especially tight ones so not going to get excited by another viewpoint.

That's where I felt my Z fell down too. More of a GT/Cruiser rather than something you'd fly down a B road with.
I bought it purely off of the sound to begin with anyhow. The first time I booted it on the test drive, I was sold
I took out a piece of foam from the 'sound generator' pipe that runs from the airbox into the cabin too, which made it better.

I didn't even get it home however before I went and got 4 new tyres put on. The run-flats that they come with as standard are terrible.

[djglover]

How about mods to the Z4

I have racing coil overs, strut brace and an LSD on mine and its set up same geo as M3 CSL, its absolutely brilliant on B roads

Also Porsche will come with much higher bork factor risk and day to day maintenance, I've also been there! never again