Any Z3 or Z4 owners? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 02-06-2007, 01:20 PM

I'm considering a Z3 or Z4 for purchase (and eventual export).
Not really for my personal use but I'll be handling the purchase and any modding that will be done and then shipping the car to an overseas friend who I can't convince to go the Porsche route due cost of maintenance.
I do however have the Z4 coupe high on my list.
Any first hand experience? Track/Autocross? Would you have considered
yourself an enthusiast the same way you are a Boxster enthusiast?
I had a brief run in the both and I was happy with the feel of the car, more so the z4 of course.
There seem to be some good deals to be had.
How does the ownership experience from a repair/maintenance/gas consumption compare to the Boxster?

YellowJacket · 02-06-2007, 01:40 PM

Having driven the Z4 extensively before buying my Boxster, I will say that it's a solid car, fast, has the predictable handling and steering that you expect from BMW, but it's become too refined, closer to a Mercedes SL than to a Boxster. I'm a huge BMW fan, I've owned several, and I actually went in with the intention of preferring and choosing the BMW. But it just didn't excite me like the Boxster did.

Cost of ownership, the BMW definitely beats out the Porsche 100 times over, at least if my experiences with the 3-series, and 5-series models are any indication. And that's even factoring in my relatively few problems with the Boxster compared to many owners on this board. Especially w/ the 4/50k free scheduled maint.

Bottom line, if I were to recommend a 2-seater to my mother or sister, the Z4 would edge out the SLK for top pick. But for someone desiring perfect 2-way communication with his car, the Boxster beats it hands-down.

Brucelee · 02-06-2007, 02:20 PM

The Z3 is the Bomb, the M roaster is even better!

Love them both.

MNBoxster · 02-06-2007, 02:26 PM

Hi,

My buddy has the Z3 Coupe, just got it last Sept. It's a nice little car and the handling is great. I like it, but not so much the styling...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

AUDIOGUY · 02-06-2007, 02:26 PM

I have owned 2 prior M roadsters. Both were 2000 model years. I definately loved the cars. Handling was excellent, power was excellent, steering excellent.... why did I buy the Porsche??? It was a goal of mine and more of a "grown up" car. Anyway, they are great cars and very reliable. If you are going to find a Z3 non M then the 2000 and up 2.8 l or the 3.0 l will be the only one to get as the base Z3s were a bit underpowered in my opinion. I had tracked both cars in a few PDA events and one of my cars at the M performance center in SC. The M roadster was very traditional when it comes to track mannerisms. You can pretty much do anything you want with it... the tail will come out if needed, brakes are excellent for trailbraking and entering corners hot. There is a great Youtube video out there with one of the Top Gear drivers raving about the car. I loved the gearbox and short shifting action. I did pretty much the same minor mods ... intake, exhaust and software... with a strut brace and some wider tires. The car didnt need much.

Cost of maintenance was about 120.00 for an oil change with synthetic at the dealer.
No problems to speak of that were out of warranty. I had one car with 40k miles on it and another with 20ish... I believe you can have a nice M roadster with possibly the 315 horse engine for around 25k or so. They are somewhat hard to find.

I cant say much about the Z4... I drove one for the weekend before buying the Boxster and needless to say, ended up with the Boxster S. I didnt like the detached feeling I got from the car.

Hope that helps!

TriGem2k · 02-06-2007, 02:59 PM

Looks like my Shoe....

dmcutter · 02-06-2007, 03:20 PM

I like the lines of the shoe better...

Bavarian Motorist · 02-06-2007, 03:30 PM

The z4s are awesome.

Trust me, you'll love it

Not the regular version. Try to go for a 3.0l SI if it's in your range.

Soetekouw · 02-06-2007, 06:38 PM

I just traded in my 2005 Z4 two months ago. It was the most fun car I have ever owned. I was first owner and put on 30k miles in two years. You sit lower in the Z4 than you do the Boxster - very comfotable - it just forms around you. Very responsive and solid on the road. Shifting is smooth and positive. No reliabity problems in those two years. No squeeks or other issues. Also, BMW has great service. For 4 years/50K miles, everything is free. Oil change, wipers, etc. Also, I believe that the Z4 has more eye appeal than the Boxster.

Why do I have a 2007 Boxster S on order now? It wasn't my original intention. I was at the dealership upgrading my 2005 Z4 to a 2007 Z4 with a little more engine, but was turned off by a rude salesman. Since the Porsche dealership was right next door.................to make a long story short, decided to try one (and buy one). Since I only test drove the Boxster, I cannot say whether it'll be better than my Z4. Initial impression is that the Z4 is more spirited and a more comfortable ride for daily use, but the Boxster a little more elegant with race car performance, but a harsher ride. I believe each car has its own niche. One is not better than the other. It just depends how you will be using it. I'll be able to give a better comparison after I get my Boxster and start driving it daily. But if you do decide to get a Z4, I give it my highest recommendation - it is a super car.

super66 · 02-06-2007, 08:34 PM

Driven the Z3 plenty.....nice car but it is NO boxster, not even close....I would have maybe considered a Z4 if it wasn't for the downright awful styling....I always thought the Z3 was a great looking car...Z4 blah....if you must get a z4, get it in Black, the lines are hidden a lot better....

02-06-2007, 09:37 PM

I had a Z3 for 6 monthes. It drives fun, not good. There is a difference between performance and fun, lol. Like a go cart is fun, but its not fast. You can do donuts and burn outs in the Z3 and is so easy to fishtail. Styling is good, but the coupe of the Z3 is bad.

djomlas · 02-06-2007, 10:01 PM

i would take the coupe over the roadster z3 ANY DAY. especially if i can get my hands on M version.
if you can say something like this looks ugly then i dont know, this looks better than a z3 or a z4 if you ask me

but if you do decide to ger a z3, add this wing

FIG · 02-07-2007, 01:09 AM

Same Bat time.....Same Bat channel.....

John V · 02-07-2007, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djomlas

Wow, so BMW rice does exist!

Brucelee · 02-07-2007, 05:52 AM

The MZ3 coupe is supposed to be a great track car.

I drove my neighbors and it is sweet.

The looks depend, his is yellow and looks great to me.

Bavarian Motorist · 02-07-2007, 05:55 AM

Oh yeah. I would take a Z3 M (s54 engine only) over any regular z4.

porschegeorg · 02-07-2007, 06:05 AM

That shoe pic is hilarious! I always thought the front end was waaaaaay too long. I'll take the looks of a Box anyday over that BMW.

Wintermute · 02-07-2007, 11:04 AM

I hate the Z3. And I hate the Z4 more. I also hate the M version of the Z3 as well, partially because it looks like drunken clown-shoe designer stumbled into the BMW design room the night before the coupe design was going to be presented to board and drew all over the designs. That and my future brother-in-law makes fun of me for buying "the Porsche that you buy when you can't afford a 911." But he drives a 2000 Z3 M Coupe that he bought used with like 90k miles on it, which is what you buy when you can't afford the M5.

However, I LOVE the new Z4 coupe and Z4 M coupe!

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/z4/z4coupe30si/default
http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/M/Z4MCoupe/default

Perfectlap · 02-07-2007, 12:15 PM

does your bruder in law have any idea what he is talking about?

seriously, is he at involved any form of car clubs, autocross/DE's,
...video gamer? read allot of magazines at least?

(he probably thinks the Miata is just a chick car too).

Squelch · 02-07-2007, 02:55 PM

I am in the market for a roadster and have been lurking here and in the BMW forums doing my research. Check out these two threads about the a very large number of Z3 differential and subframe welds separating. It seems most of the Z3s are effected and it costs about $3000 to get it fixed. Seems like a bad enough problem to scare me off.

Repair strategy
Subframe and differential mount lawsuit