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

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...

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!

Soetekouw · 02-18-2007, 06:04 AM

I had a Z4 for two years (2005 model). Great car. Just traded it in last December and was planning to buy another Z4 (2007). A rude BMW salesman steered me toward a Boxster, instead.

The Z4 is quick, nimble, and responsive. It has a spartan interior (which I like) and it gives you that sporty feel. Has a lot of room to stretch your legs and I found the Z4 to be the least cramped roadster I tested. Reliability is outstanding; no problems, rattles, or sqeaks. BMW free maintenance plan and warranty is super. More than likely, I'll pick up another Z4 in a couple of years (at least by 2010, from what I hear, the model will change).