Just curious.... followed the thread on comparing the ZR with S2K and Boxster, interesting. Anyone have any experience with the Z4? I'm perfectly happy with my ZR, but I did consider the Z4 origionally and now I'm wondering what Z4 experiences there are...

John

 

It's not even close.

After selling my 78' 911 Turbo, I looked at / drove the Z4 before getting my 350 roadster. Aside from it's fairly ugly redesigned appearance, it's too tight inside for a tall person, underpowered, and overpriced for what you get. The throttle response is isn't even close to the Z's. I also drove an S2000 and a Jag XK8.

I think the 350 roadster is the bargain of the decade for the killer performance and style. You made the right choice.

 

Actually, I like the style of the Z4 MUCH better than the Z3.
That's just my taste, though. I still bought a 350, though!

 

I was on the edge between a Z4 and a 350Z. (partly because of the LONG delay getting my ZR) I had to compare the Z4 3.0 since the smaller engine is TOO SLOW. Loaded up like my touring roadster the Z4 was like $48K. (gulp)

These are some of the pros an cons as I see them.


The Z4 has a nicer interior (IMO)
The ZR looks better outside. (not bangled, the Z4 looks dented to me)
The ZR is cheaper by nearly $10K
The ZR is cheaper to insure
The ZR is cheaper to repair/maintain (Nissan dealer vs BMW dealer)
The ZR is not a BMW (there is that whole "It's a beemer" thing that turns me off)
The ZR is faster and handles more like a sports car
The Z4 is suspension more comforatable, more like a sport touring car
The Z4 stereo doesn't suck as much as the Blose.
The ZR has a cooler tonneau cover and better air managment. (less buffeting)
The ZR has more room (I am 6'2")

They are both really nice cars, but I am glad I went with the ZR.

 

When roadster shopping, I was originally looking to buy the Z4. I have two BMW motorcycles(which are great bikes), so I figured another BMW in the garage to go with the bikes was a good idea. Test drove the 2.5 motor. Oops, way too slow. Then tried the 3.0 motor, which felt better, but not really what I was looking for. A friend told me to try out the 350Z Roadster. Now that's more like it! Oh well, two beemers in the garage is enough.

 

C&D recently tested the Z4, 350ZR, S2000, Boxster and some other thing. The Z4 had the best 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

That said, the record shows that the Z4 makes bigger numbers on the test track than any of the others, if only by a shade. The 5.3-second 0-to-60 squeaked ahead of the Honda by 0.1 second and out front of the Nissan by twice that. The quarter-mile blurs past in 14 seconds flat, again 0.1 second ahead of the Honda, and this time, 0.3 up on the 350Z. All three clock an identical 99 mph in the distance. The BMW leads in top speed at 152 mph, with the Nissan and Porsche close behind at 148. The governed Audi hangs back at 125 mph.


I never considered the Z4 3.0 because I just don't like the way it looks. The S2000 is a neat package but that engine needs to rev over 6K before it puts out. That can get tiring on a long road trip. For me it was a choice between a Boxster S and the 350 ZR. A comparably equiped Porsche would be ~60K. So I ordered a 350 ZR (SS/OR w/NAV, 18's). I've never driven the 350 ZR so I hope what I read is close to the truth. I test drove coupe twice and was impressed. My FX 45 is also built with the FM chassis and I've been impressed. Can't wait 'til the ZR arrives in Jan or Feb.
Rich
'03 FX 45 w/tech, Black/Brick
'96 911 C4 Cab 109k miles (all mine) and still ticking.

 

It's wierd, the Z4 shows comparable or better 0-60 and 1/4 mile times than the 350ZR, but when you drive them both the ZR has much better torque off the line and just "feels" faster. In everyday driving it is just more fun to drive the ZR.

 

As far as the Z roadster being cheaper to maintain I beg to differ, BMW offers full maintanence for 4 years 50000 miles I believe as well as free break replacement during that time span.

 

I'm attractor. I ended up with a Z4 . BMW was doing 5000 off. so I got the car for 33 K!. Yes it feels slower than the ZR. But the interior rocks and the styling is to my liking. plus it's nice to know that for the next 4 years I have no maintenance. i'm 6'4" and I fit fine. The bolstering on the seats of the ZR were too narrow for my shoulderS. But the insurance is more expensive by 50 a month. Overall, I'm happy but the 3502 brochure is still on my coffee table so that's telling you something

 

Don't worry, I don't think they throw Z4 owners off this site!

You must have purchased the 2.5 motor, right?

What tranny did you get, and did you try the SMG? I tested a 2.5 Z4 with SMG and thought the tranny made the sweetest match-rev downshifts I had ever felt. However, the upshifts were clunky and awful. It's a shame too, as I was really serious about getting a Z4 with SMG.

Anyway, nice car and I also like the styling of the new Z4.

 

i would get the ZR
the Z4 is too much of a cruiser than a 'sports car'
to me , the ZR would be much better of a perchase
the Z4 has the better interior though

 

Hey ShaftEd,

I got the 2.5 with the year end promo they were running. I got the 5spd , I liked the SMG downshift but didn't like the upshift like you. Sometimes I wonder about the 3.0. I'm 23 so I have time to play maybe a 350Z coupe to match my other Z!

 

I also considered the Z4 beforeI got my ZR what sold me on the ZR was the preformance, a much better more aggresive look, infinte amount of after market improvements, but more than that what sold me was Z heritage, drive upto another Z owner on the road and you become best friends, its like a brotherhood being a Z owner. Pretty cool.

 

I ended up with the ZR after seriously considering the Z4. I think the Z4 is a great car, and would have been quite happy with one. I, like those above, liked the zippier feel of the ZR and the better value. Now, if the Z4 was 5K less (say, <40k for the 3.0L) it would have been a much tougher decision. However, I am glad that I did not have to face that temptation, because the Z is actually less common then the Z4 (around here, anyway), is more fun to drive, and (by a fine margin, imo) better looking. Also, probably more reliable, and definitely cheaper to maintain. Now, if all things had been equal, I really would have bought the Boxster S, but to me it was definitely not worth the price difference.