BMW Z4 vs Nissan 350Z
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
Yeah, I learned that from the video, too. Also, after looking further into it, I found the Z4 coupe. That's pretty impressive looking - and, in M-Spec, it's got to be a valuable contender. Still, though, the Z coupe is best.
Originally Posted by itsjiggajames
From an unbiased point of view, i'm damn sure a Z4 is better than a ZR at a track. The Z4 started as a convertible design from the start. The ZR was not. The coupe Z's structural strength is less prone to twisting of the chassis / movements versus the ZR, plus it weighs more. The z4 weighs much less and was built as a roadster to begin with, that plus a linear torque curve and 50/50 balance help make it an easy car to drive. In reality, it would go like this. Power / Straight line / top end goes to the 350zr. The handling goes to the Z4. Think of the Z4 as an equivalent to the S2k, but german and 6cyl.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Johnson city, Tn
Z4/z
The BMW is a very nice car. I came real close to buying one. The fit and finish is great, power top without any having to unlatch anything (on the higher end one's), very nice with the top up (the top has a headliner). All good things, but I just didn't get that kick out of driving it. Still its a great car I like the ZR better.
Originally Posted by Sunset350ZR
I disagree about the chassis. The Z4 may be better on a track but that would be after te brakes started togive out. Before that it would be all 350ZR. Upgrade brakes so they will not fade and the track belongs to the Nissan IMO. The car is very stable through swithbacks through the mountains at illegat speeds. The car performed without a hitch not even the brakes. On the other hand I can see where the brakes might be the achilles heal as with any car that is heavier than its direct competition. Ex. Viper v. Z06
Last edited by itsjiggajames; Oct 10, 2007 at 03:50 PM.
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From: North East
Originally Posted by Z_Driver
What threw me is when he said american built Zed 4. That was odd. I always think of a Zed as a Zcar and the BMW Z4 as a german car. I didn't know it was built in the states.
I would have thought the shoddy build quality might have given it away.
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From: North East
Brits love German cars. I think Tiff was looking at the handling and weight. I agree that his opinion may have been different if comparing coupes.
The Japanese really haven't cracked the market over there like they have here. German cars rule in England.
The Japanese really haven't cracked the market over there like they have here. German cars rule in England.
Originally Posted by Black Duck
I would have thought the shoddy build quality might have given it away.
they're assembled in north carolina. same with the z3s and old m roadsters/coupes
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From: Germantown/Knoxville, TN
Originally Posted by Z_Driver
What threw me is when he said american built Zed 4. That was odd. I always think of a Zed as a Zcar and the BMW Z4 as a german car. I didn't know it was built in the states.
http://www.bmwzentrum.com/
It also plays host to the 3 day BMW M driving school featuring the M5, M6, and M roadster, and at one time, the Z8.
As for the debate, I agree with many people here. The ZR was not originally designed with the roadster in mind...it's a coupe with the roof lopped off. And its weight suffers accordingly. It's still a fantastic value though. But the with the BMW, you get what you pay for. The 3.0si is very good car. Whoever said it's a mid-14 second car, you don't know what you're talking about. It's got 255hp, a 3100lb curb weight, and BMW's notoriously good gearing.
Take this Motortrend Test of the Z4 against an 06ZR and Pontiac Solstice GXP:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_pricing.html
Solstice took 1st, Z4 took second, and the Z took 3rd.
Despite having the highest lb/hp ratio, the BMW was the quickest with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.8 (to the Z's 5.8/14.3 and the Pontiac's 5.5/14.1).
The new 07 ZR's with the HR motor even things up a bit more in straightline performance, but the bottom line is, if you want a real performance Z, get one with a fixed roof.
A car's meant to be roadster from ground up is better than a car with a chopped off roof of a coupe that weights several lbs more and has less chassis rigidy IMHO.
Fifth Gear has the acceleration numbers all screwed up..they quoted 5.7sec for 07 coupe..
Fifth Gear has the acceleration numbers all screwed up..they quoted 5.7sec for 07 coupe..
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From: seattle, wa
A couple of clarifications.
The Z4 in the video doesn't have the sport suspension and has the non-sport suspension instead. So that might have played a factor on when they raced on the track. But then again, I'm not familiar with the 350Z so maybe the car they used also didn't have the best stock suspension set-up?
Some of you might be confusing the 3.0Si (with the N52 engine & 255HP) with the old 3.0i (with M54 engine & 225 HP). The old 3.0i was a 14.0 sec car as shown by many car magazines. The new 3.0Si is quicker than the old one. 13.7 sec~ 13.8 sec is more realistic; I don't know how some of you can claim the 3.0Si is a 14.5 sec car.
The Z4 in the video doesn't have the sport suspension and has the non-sport suspension instead. So that might have played a factor on when they raced on the track. But then again, I'm not familiar with the 350Z so maybe the car they used also didn't have the best stock suspension set-up?
Some of you might be confusing the 3.0Si (with the N52 engine & 255HP) with the old 3.0i (with M54 engine & 225 HP). The old 3.0i was a 14.0 sec car as shown by many car magazines. The new 3.0Si is quicker than the old one. 13.7 sec~ 13.8 sec is more realistic; I don't know how some of you can claim the 3.0Si is a 14.5 sec car.
Originally Posted by porschefan1013
If you've never been, it's really worth checking out...the BMW Zentrum plant/museum in Greenville, SC. It's where the X5 and Z4 are built.
http://www.bmwzentrum.com/
It also plays host to the 3 day BMW M driving school featuring the M5, M6, and M roadster, and at one time, the Z8.
As for the debate, I agree with many people here. The ZR was not originally designed with the roadster in mind...it's a coupe with the roof lopped off. And its weight suffers accordingly. It's still a fantastic value though. But the with the BMW, you get what you pay for. The 3.0si is very good car. Whoever said it's a mid-14 second car, you don't know what you're talking about. It's got 255hp, a 3100lb curb weight, and BMW's notoriously good gearing.
Take this Motortrend Test of the Z4 against an 06ZR and Pontiac Solstice GXP:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_pricing.html
Solstice took 1st, Z4 took second, and the Z took 3rd.
Despite having the highest lb/hp ratio, the BMW was the quickest with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.8 (to the Z's 5.8/14.3 and the Pontiac's 5.5/14.1).
The new 07 ZR's with the HR motor even things up a bit more in straightline performance, but the bottom line is, if you want a real performance Z, get one with a fixed roof.
http://www.bmwzentrum.com/
It also plays host to the 3 day BMW M driving school featuring the M5, M6, and M roadster, and at one time, the Z8.
As for the debate, I agree with many people here. The ZR was not originally designed with the roadster in mind...it's a coupe with the roof lopped off. And its weight suffers accordingly. It's still a fantastic value though. But the with the BMW, you get what you pay for. The 3.0si is very good car. Whoever said it's a mid-14 second car, you don't know what you're talking about. It's got 255hp, a 3100lb curb weight, and BMW's notoriously good gearing.
Take this Motortrend Test of the Z4 against an 06ZR and Pontiac Solstice GXP:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_pricing.html
Solstice took 1st, Z4 took second, and the Z took 3rd.
Despite having the highest lb/hp ratio, the BMW was the quickest with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.8 (to the Z's 5.8/14.3 and the Pontiac's 5.5/14.1).
The new 07 ZR's with the HR motor even things up a bit more in straightline performance, but the bottom line is, if you want a real performance Z, get one with a fixed roof.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: san diego
Originally Posted by itsjiggajames
Thats one thing why I never understand Vert owners in any car when they try to argue that their car can perform equivalent to non-verts.
Originally Posted by Strider619
They are the same performance wise however... the magic of ferrari
This reminds me of the magazine article when the '07 G35 sedan came out. They put it up against the 330ci I believe. The G35 won in every single category, in fact it blew away the BMW in acceleration. But they still gave the nod to the BMW because of what I call "intangible" characteristics. They claimed the BMW "felt more composed, and calm" at the limit. I've never driven a BMW, but I've rode in a few, and I'm not impressed.
Originally Posted by tranceformer95
This reminds me of the magazine article when the '07 G35 sedan came out. They put it up against the 330ci I believe. The G35 won in every single category, in fact it blew away the BMW in acceleration. But they still gave the nod to the BMW because of what I call "intangible" characteristics. They claimed the BMW "felt more composed, and calm" at the limit. I've never driven a BMW, but I've rode in a few, and I'm not impressed.
