Fletcher

Hello everyone, happy 2010 . . . first act of the new year is to register to this site. Going through this "mid-quarter" life crisis and is considering 2 very different Z cars . . . it will NOT be a daily driver by any stretch . . .
Of course one of the car is an 05 vert with 70k miles, 2 owner car, don't know much about Z cars and I have learned a little trolling this site the past 3 days.

The other is a completely different car, but still a Z, its an 02 BMW Z3 MRoadster S54 engine (315 hp) . . . i know as I said very different . .. . has 75k miles and single owner. . .i am aware of the subframe and rodbearing issues with these cars . . .

sorry for the LONG first post . . . just trying to get input (understand may be biased) . . . happy 2010!

AdvanZ33

iTrader: (105)

As far as looks go, M Roadster. You're more likely to have better documentation on a single owner car as well.

Blooster

iTrader: (1)

Test drove '05 versions of both (in '05) before buying the Z.

For years, I thought I was in love with the Z3/Z4 ... until I actually drove it ... then I realized the 350ZR was better - for me, at least.

Hard to pinpoint determining factors. It was very close, but German engineering seemed generally more "stiff" than Japanese. Shifting was less smooth on the BMW and manual top operation was kinda uncomfortable. When I look at both now, the 350 lines are so much nicer.

But you'd probably get a different answer if you ask the question on a BMW forum

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Welcome.

It should be obvious but this IS a 350Z forum. Each of us had the opportunity to buy cars like the BMW, but instead choose the 350Z. Reasons vary but overall we believe that the 350Z is the best choice.

Fletcher

Thank you . . . one can make a point counter point arguement for both . . . the intent is strictly a garage queen, weekend driver, . . . . each will have its own "set of gremlins" . . . . thanks for everyone's opinion thus far . . . hope to make a decision by next week . . .

Blooster

iTrader: (1)

Also - make sure to check the top carefully before buying any used 350ZR.

Many tops have had to be replaced due to seam separation issues.

Sit in the car with the top closed on a sunny day and look for light pinpoints shining thru - especially in the top rear corners.

DocKill

I've actually owned both. I found the BMW to be more a car to be enjoyed at 9/10s, and it requires you to really pay attention to it, even just cruising around. This made it less enjoyable than the 350z about 80% of the time. Its narrower, more spartan, and edgier.
The 350z is more comfortable, driver friendly, and less problematic ( at least in my experience). I spent a lot of time fixing shortcomings on the BMW, and while it was fun, it really shouldn't have been necessary. The 350z has been more about tweaking and tuning because you want too, not because something wasn't done right the first time.
If I had to do it again, I'd still pick the 350Z.

jbh1

I drove both Z4M and 350ZR. I was really convinced I was going to buy the BMW but after a lengthy test drive it was not as comfortable as a semi daily driver, since I do drive mine on lengthy drives.

However the M engine was intoxicating. When I see one on the road I sometimes I feel like I made the wrong choice. But I was a little worried about maintenance on the BMW after the free part was over on the M engine. Plus the 350 was quite a bit cheaper.

Just remember that 315 HP is on a lighter car so it is definately faster than the 350. The Z4M was 334 hp I think on a close to 3,000 pound car so I can definately feel a big difference in power since my 350 is 600 pounds more with 300 hp.

But end the end i figured I could have the same amount of fun in ether car and the 350 was cheaper and easier to live with every day.

Fletcher

Thank you jbh1 - my thought exactly . . . no question that S54 is indeed hypnotic . . . but the little "quirks" it brings to the table may be a little more than what this "quarter life crisis" may have bargained for . . . as you stated at the end of the day, I may have just as much fun with much more "peace of mind" in the 350Z . . . . thanks again . . .

jbh1

Yes, the only reason I considered the BMW was the salesman convinced me to drive one after I drove a boxster s. I only considered the "M", not the regular Z4. And the only reason I considered the car was because of the engine, thats it. But I still miss that engine.

FYI, the boxster S was similar in power feel to the 350Z, maybe a little faster but very close. But boxster comes with that same german maintenance cost.

Fletcher

thanks . . . keep in mind I am considering the Z3 M Roadster, not the Z4 . . . that said, I know of the subframe and rod bearing issue . . .

myork

iTrader: (5)

Never liked the styling of the older bmw roadsters myself, and the interior is more cramped.
Plus now that it is getting a little older you have to deal with the inflated cost of bmw ownership as far as maintenance, repair and upkeep are concerned.

With the 350z you are not paying for the name or the status, just the car.

F34RL355

you say quarter life crisis... how do you know you will live past 2morrow? get what you want now and live everyday like its the last

el_z33

I wish I was old enough for that kind of "'mid-quarter' life crisis" you are in. Maybe someday. These are my 2centz-
If youd like more power and more expenses go for the German.
If youd like better looks and space go for the Japanese.
Both are good cars in my opinion. The z3 is a little to small 4 my taste tho
I own a 350ZR and luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv it.
Nissan/Datsun=The poormans BMW

Fletcher

Thank you for everyones input . . . and NO, I have NO idea if i will "live past
2morrow" . . . although I would very much like to and approached TODAY as if I will be around to see my kids mature as responsible, respected adults. . . i have a mortgage, retirement fund, college fund, well, at least no car payments . . . "live everyday like its the last" doesn't mean living it irresponsibly . . . . i just don't buy into that "now or never" . . . . tomorrow may never come mentality or approach . . . why go to work today then, i mean just drive the Z3 or 350Z all day since it may be DOOMS day tomorrow . . . wait that's not until December ??, 2012 . . . . back on topic. . . 02 Z3 M Roadster S54 engine or 350Z . . . thanks again!

Jennifer 2

Hi Fletcher, I have a 04 350Z roadster and one of my girlfriends has a 02 Z3 Three Liter model. I’m quite fond of her car, I feel the styling is tidy and timeless, and will never look dated. Like most of today’s sport cars the Nissan Z has grown too big and heavy with a very tall rear deck. One consequence of this trend is a lack of rear visibility. Having a glass rear window is nice, but its tiny size makes backing up in a dark parking lot a challenge.

I love the nimbleness of the smaller Z3 and having a foldable plastic rear window allows it to be much larger affording better rear visibility. (However, the plastic rear windows don’t last that long and are surprisingly expensive to have replaced.)

Of these two cars the 350Z is undoubtably the better daily driver with more up to date engineering and more creature comforts. Top down driving in the Z3 turns my hairdo into a rats nest, However, the careful aerodynamics of the nissan provides a superbly calm, quiet, wind-buffeting-free top down experience. You have no idea how much your wife will appreciate that. In the six and a half years I’ve owned my 350 the only repair needed was the replacement of one inexpensive light bulb. The car is still squeak and rattle free and has never caused any drama. Unfortunately the same can not be said for the BMW. In addition to suffering a cracked sub frame, the differential mount tore loose from the stupid undersized spot welds holding it in place. The tow truck guys give her the bulk rate as in addition to various mechanical disasters, electronic gremlins have also plagued this car leaving it dead on the roadside. Other than that it’s a peach This is not really a perfect comparison as my Z only has 16,000 miles on it, but with 50,000 miles on the clock the BMW has been inordinately expensive to own. She bought it used four years ago and has spent as much on repairs as the she did to buy the thing. (She does drive like a little hellion though).

Since you have stated that purchase will be a garage queen, don’t worry too much about practicality, just choose the car that appeals to your gut. The M Roadster is a very special model and will retain more resale value in the ensuing years, the 350Z will be easer and much cheaper to live with.

Fletcher

THANK YOU for a very thought out response . . . in the end, which is now, as you stated go with “your gut”, and for what our intentions are with the car, I believe
the 350Z is a better fit, both purpose and budget . . . . goal is to buy that Saturday or Sunday morning coffee from the Starbucks or Caribou Coffee 10 miles away, and not the one around the corner. . . take a leisurely summer or fall drive and enjoy the scenery and not have be overly concerned a CEL will come up (it could still happen in the 350Z however). . . resale goes to M Roadster, it is a very limited production for 2002 . . when this “quarter life crisis” is over, who knows what the 350Z value will be . . . regardless, let the search begin . . . thanks again!

Zeenut

I would definitely go with the Z. I bought mine for the exact same reason that you profess. My 2004.5 makes trips to the beach, wine country and mountains primarily on the weekend but sometimes I get it out in the evening just to air out my brain. I only put about 6000 miles a year but wouldn't hesitate to make a long trip because the car can also be a pretty comfortable cruiser. I looked at a Boxster, Z4 and Honda S2000. None of them compared favorably to the Z roadster in the total package. I love the looks of the BMW Z3 but stayed away from them because of the issues that you mentioned. We have a an impromptu club in my neighborhood called the Top Down Club (use your own imagination) that is made up of a menagerie of different convertibles. There are S2000's, Miatas, Boxsters, one Carrera, one other 350Z R, a Z4 and two Z3's. We like to head out on day excursions on the weekend and it's a rare day that both Z3's can answer roll. Seems like one is always in the shop waiting on parts or the specialist. You will fall out of love quickly with your car if it is never ready to go when you are. I decided to go with Japanese reliability and low maintenance costs and never regretted it. One nice thing about 350ZR's is anyone can work on them but no one has to.

F34RL355

you seem responsible enough, im sure you can make this decision on your own too, cause ultimatly comes down to what you want i mean obviously both are good cars and obviously bmw going to cost more to fix. drive them do you fit in the Z3? your asking which on a Z forum when in reality you should be searching this forum and finding out about Z's to further educate yourself in YOUR decision

Blooster

iTrader: (1)

Great choice Don't forget to post pics!