Hi, guys.
Well today was an incredibly tiring, but fun day.. me and my dad actually spent some time together eye shopping for cars, got ready and headed out at 11am and ended up coming back at 7pm. We went all over the place comparing deals and other cars and what not.
So as we were driving around the various dealerships, we decided to make a stop at the BMW area and look around not even thinking about buying one, but we stumbled across the used car areas and a dealer comes to assist us. We see a line of Z4s and he tells us it is about 29k with about only 8-10k mileage on it.

Surprised we ask why its only racked up 8-10k mileage and returned; he proceeds to reply alot of the higher ups ride these things for a month at max and move on to their next new toy, so these things are still in pretty much perfect condition. So I would like to know if this is something I should jump on or stick with the option of a Z.
Btw, dad thought the 350Z was pretty nice looking, but loved the Z4 and its pricetag. Opinions anyone ?

 

z4............




too many z's are on the road

 

One of the things that I am all too painfully becoming aware of is that you need to consider the TOTAL cost of ownership, not just the initial price tag of the car. Granted, the Z4 has a tremendous marque and image value over the 350Z, but the hassle of taking care of a German car is a bit too much for me, personally speaking. The Z4 is probably a better car, but for overall ownership purposes, especially if the car is going to be a DD, the 350Z is the better choice.

Just my thoughts

 

Hehe michael, aside from the 'too many 350z's on the road; which I still appreciate as an opinion/comment' could you tell me a bit more of why or how you see it.

Paredyme: Yeah I've noticed BMW's seem to have some problems here and there, but aside from that they offer a nice coverage especially cause it was a used car. Even with only 8-10k mileage on it.

 

I would have gotten a Z4 coupe if I could afford it. It's such a great looking car (maybe the best on the market), theres less of them than there are Z's and the performance is better.

 

Cavallino: Yeah, so I've heard. Their performance is great, but their reliability is a bit on the questionable side apparently. Oh and by the way I forgot to say, the year models I am looking at are 04's and 05's

 

I don't know what it is about the look of the z3 and the z4, they just don't do it for me. It's not that they look bad, they just don't catch my eye. The z8 on the other hand..... and the m6, I'd just about sell my soul for one of those.

 

Yeah I don't know I doubt reliability will be that bad. It seems like most cars that are "unreliable" aren't as bad as their hyped up to be. Maybe look on a BMW forum? Many consider the 350Z unreliable.

The Z4 is just such a beautiful car even if it was slower than a 350Z I'd still take it just because it looks so incredibly good. Both are great cars you can't go wrong here.

 

i think more recent BMW models dont really have any electronic problems or whatnot. at least i'd say it's unlikely that ull run into them. my family has owned a 3, 5 and 7 in the past 5 years and no problems at all. i think the Z4 drives and handles better than the Z, turns more heads, isn't any less reliable and is a lot nicer overall.

that said, i chose the Z cuz of price and brand. sounds funny, but being a 20 yr old student, i dont wanna be driving a bmw roaster around. it just draws wayy too much attention. also cuz the z is easier to mod and is a great car itself.

 

test drive both, see which one you like more..then buy that one.
I test drive a Z3 M-power (M roadster) when i was thinking about a 350Z. Personally, I think the M roadster is much better car than a Z4 3.0. M-roadster got more power while being lighter, its suspension also tweak for better road holding.
Anyway, I like 350Z more...so i just go ahead and buy a 350z. So, just drive both see which one is better

Don't think too much, all brand of cars as long as they not exotics or MSRP below 50K are all the same

 

Cavallino: Yeah, usually when people complain about a cars reliability, it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Today when I saw this z4 it definitely made my choice on a new car alot harder.

Hehe, I think I would love the attention I got my car turned heads. Oh, on another note, about in comparison, (talking manual here) ; How fast is a Z4 compared to a 350z? any ideas on the guess-timate?

 

The Z4 was actually my first choice but the cost was prohibitive. If the coverage is good then i'd say get the Z4. BMWs aren't really known for their reliability...but if you can get a good warranty on it then thats a very viable option

 

Z4 looks small to me & cramped. But I'm 6'2" & about 210 lbs.

Drive both; choose one.

You might look up what owners say on MSN auto site. And check Consumer Reports.

 

Just ask yourself which car your hairdresser would drive.

 

which one is faster?

 

Z4

 

by a lot? My gf has a Z4....she always tries to tell me her Z is the REAL Z...haha

 

I think the ZR gets just as much attention as the Z4 vert. Not that I'm really looking for that. Dollar for dollar, the ZR is a lot more car for the money (comparing the Z4 3.0 to the ZR).

Mind you if I went the the dealer and they were offering both cars for the same price, I probably would have got the Z4. I traded in a 3 series for my ZR and I do miss the solid fit and finish of the bimmer. But I don't miss the extreme price premium that has to be paid to get that.

 

Saying the Z4 outperforms the 350z is a laugh. Then again, magazine racers are always good for a laugh.

 

So roast, just curious; but why would you say otherwise? Do not take this question offensively, I'm just curious because you are the first person that has said otherwise on the Z4 beating a 350z on performance.