Guys, I have a 00' Cosmos M Coupe and a 99 740il and a new Denali. I'm about to move out of state and want to consolidate to 2 cars. I have the 7 on the market but not getting lots of nibbles. So I'm considering trading the 7 and M Coupe for either an M3 or some car that nicely embodies both cars. Now the Z4 is still a 2 seater but it's quite refined and looks really good.

I drove one today and was impressed by its fun factor. The best part is that I can get a 3.0 for about 40K used. What I hate is that its not an M and therefore lacks the rarity, and mean nature. I suppose I could supercharge it if need be (though my rep and friend assures me its as fast as my s52 coupe and that it beat a boxter S).

What do you guys think? Would a car nut like me be selling short by getting a Z4 3.0? No offense to Z4 owners - in fact I want your feedback. Do you feel the car is percieved as a cruiser and not a real sports car?

Look at some of my past cars and you'll see why I'm asking...

http://www.cardomain.com/id/amacc

Nice stable of cars you've had before....personally I would think that you would be selling yourself short by trading the 7 and M coupe for a Z4. Maybe what you need would be an E46M3 or maybe better E39M5. I know the replacement is near the corner but still both cars embodies both the 7er and Mcoupe in terms of comfort, practicality, sportiness, rareness and panache. Yes the Z4 is great and supposedly handles better than a boxster S but I think it lacks the "rarefactor" and "meaness" of an M car. I know it is stretching it but how about trading both for a Porsche GT2, maybe GT3 or a Turbo Cabriolet???

At least in my area Z4's are nearly as rare as M coupes, so I havn't found "rareness" to be much of an issue. :)

Also, IIRC the Z4 3.0 is faster than the Boxter S- I think C&D tested all of the new/fairly new roadsters and teh Z4 came out on the victor re: speed.

I personally love the Z4- its definitly more refined than a Z3 roadster/coupe imo. But obviously no were near a 7er...

I don't think you can go wrong w/a Z4 imo(though I doubt it would compare to a ZO6 or 968...).

:)

OMG !!! you got a freaking nice collection!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Could I ask u a personal question?? what are u doing for living??
I would look at the E46M3, I have seen it on the road today, it's freakin awsome ...

A couple of weeks ago a dealer posted over at Roadfly on 13 Z4s 3.0i at $35K. Check out this link.
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e85/forum.php?postid=3987188&page=1

I think they may have meant Z4 2.5's. 3.0's don't MSRP at 38K to my knowledge...

Hate to bust you Z4 owner's bubble.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36469&item=2436421296

brand new Z4 at $31,000. Reserve met. I don't think Z4 is selling like hot cakes.

I was just looking at Z4 this weekend. BMW of Honolulu was asking a whopping $48K for a 3.0 with Sport package. I just about fell over. Beautiful, beautiful car, but I wouldn't swap my Coupe for one, much less my Coupe and a 7 ! :eek

Do what you want though, for better or worse, that is one of the luxuries a little money can buy you :)

Z4 is not as sporty as a coupe... Personally I dont think it's as nice. You also loose a lot of trunk space and the admiration of others.

Remove the electronic safety and you dont even have a limited-slip differential to enjoy... I wouldn't do it just for that. But it feels nice inside if you like the alu look. It's definitely not as warm and cozy...

I've also read from many that the M3 is not as fun as the MCoupe...

Just my 2 cents...

Up to you...

why not get a S54 M Roady??? :dunno i mite have one for you

i had the 3.0 Z4 (matic) for a month now :evil2 . the car runs great!!! I love the first and the second gear, the torque is enormous on the two first gear.based on my personal experience driving the car, this is definetely a cruise car, but it can handle like a sport car if you want it to. however its lack of power once it is above 60mph certainly disappoint me (didnt meet my expectation) but i guess it happens to most of V6 car, unless u have V8 or your car is M3 or m5 heheheh. not to mention this car is a sure head turner. hope this will enlighten you

ps if you thinking of buying Z4, get a stick shift. it's crazy im telling u, peace

www.cardomain.com/id/hanny

get an e39m5.

i'd only get the z4, if i could drive with my eyes closed.

Originally posted by Evoking
(though my rep and friend assures me its as fast as my s52 coupe).



Sorry to hear about your friend's crack-smoking problems...

Don't get rid of the Coupe for a Z4. Just get rid of the 7, and enjoy the Coupe's raw fun, and keep your Denali.

Put down the pipe and let the 7 go....under no circumstances should you part with that coupe.....EVER!

I know what you all mean about panache and rawness. I'm thinking the only thing I could replace the M Coupe with and be happy are a 993 C2, 964 Turbo or even the original 930 turbo as they have great raw lines and driving experience.

Or an M3.

Yeah well, if you get a Porsche, it'S fine (although reliability could be an issue, along with parts prices). But not a Z4, please!!!

anyone who thinks a Z4 is not sporty would be advised not to show up an any autox event I am attending, wouldn't want to see you get carted off to the sanitarium to be treated for a nervous breakdown:

http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL36/454183/1469471/36248543.jpg

unfortunately you can never mention Z4 here without it turning into a bash-fest, that's why I migrated to Bimmerfest and just drop by for the occasional gander. Handling wise a Z4 will dance circles around a Z3/M chassis, dump the runflats for a premium conventional tire and it's no contest, but that's just my meager inexperienced opinion

2003 Z4 sales greatly exceeded BMW's expectations. There are heavy incentives currently for remaining '03 Z4's because both winter and the '04 production are coming. All convertible sales hit bottom during the winter months.

peace

TeamZ4
(formerly TeamM3, TeamZ3c, TeamZ06)

Z4's are ugly, Monkey butt like cars. I like that one. Monkey Butt I think I'd like to coin that phrase.


MONKEY BUTT!!!!

Evoking- Very nice stable of past and present cars. Please don't rewin it with a Z4. I like the 993, 930 idea.

Originally posted by StouffvilleZ3
Z4's are ugly, Monkey butt like cars. I like that one. Monkey Butt I think I'd like to coin that phrase.


MONKEY BUTT!!!!

Evoking- Very nice stable of past and present cars. Please don't rewin it with a Z4. I like the 993, 930 idea.

It's not that ugly !! Most probably the designers of the Z4 are the same designers of the Z3 !! unless BMW did layoff all Z3 designers.. So if you think Z4 is ugly, may be it's just a small design glitch but it's not that bad!! We should respect it the same way as it's considered the big sister of our z3.. and we shouldn't deliver this idea to non-BMW owners :nono

I'm sure some guys out there also hate the Z3 and say it's a Monkey butt... So it all comes to the personal taste, what u like and what u don't like..

so Evoke: yah porschaa is a good idea ,, just take your time..

Monkey Butt, monkey butt, monkey butt!!!

No question about it.

You can't honestly say you saw it for the first time and went---ohhh, nice carrrr---.

Like I said MONKEY BUTT!

I'm usually much more PC, but god damn- monkey butt.

Originally posted by tasmisr
It's not that ugly !! Most probably the designers of the Z4 are the same designers of the Z3 !!

Dead wrong. Chris Bangle designed the Z4. Not the Z3. Bangle is hated by 99% of BMW enthusiasts.

The ugly-ass trunk of the new 7? Bangle.

The timeless lines of the E36 M3? Not him.

The efficient but cold (and ugly) design of the Z4? Bangle.

The sexy, classic lines of the Z3? Not him.

The Accord look-alike called the new 5 series? Bangle.

Those un-BMW-like headlights on the 7, the 5, the Z4? Bangle.

The idea that coupes are to be given an even number and sedans an odd number (killing the legendary «M3» name to make it a 4 series/M4 in the future)? Yeah, Bangle.

He's an ass, period.

Here here.

Tribute where it's due- to the Monkey Butt maker.

Time to get flamed....


I've never been a big fan of non M Z3's. In fact when they were introduced in 96 I thought they were pretty unfortunate looking :(

It wasn't until 98 when I saw my first Estoril M Roadster that I warmed up to the looks. Even now I dislike my own cars smiley face front...

The Z4 is a bit on the trendy side of things, but its a pretty nice design and looks good haunched down on a nice set of 18" rims (IMO of course). The 16's and 17's look a little dinky on it.

http://www.coastalgalleria.com/FinerDetails/z3.jpg
c'mon be honest, this is the 98 lb. weakling of the BMW world with a face only a mother could love :D As one magazine said, "a car for the steno pool" ;) Try reading some European opinion reviews of the Z3 sometime, pretty harsh stuff.

If thats your Z3 in the picture, I'm sorry....I'm really, really sorry :D

i love what chris bangle did to the new 7series the z4 but not on the new 5 series. bmw definitely has a radical new look these few years. so for conventional bmw fan, this is not a good news :stickoutt
it tooks me sometime to get used to the new design of BMW but man it turned for the better. peace peace

Lynch me now, but I like the Z4! the 7! especially with some nice wheels, and I do in fact dig the new 5er!

Enthusiast and Bangle fan! so there, Hugo! :D now go find 99 haters. ;) :D

Well the 7 had to grow on me and the 5 looks very nice with wheels (or ugly with little ones). So I guess as much as I hated the 7 when I first saw it, a designer is doing a great job when he takes a bold step and it grows on people.

If you love it too much at first it could get stale faster. The Z4 flat out tromps the Z3 in terms of stying and substance of car. The Z3 flexed and had no real aggressive pressence. Even the M (back in 00' I bought a 00 M roadster) aside from the deep wheels and rear fenders it wasn't onimous. Why? Because the car was just too narrow. WHen you saw the lights in you rearview mirror you thought it was just a compact car.

But the Z4 is wide, long, xenons, etc. If it had 4 exhaust pipes and a slightly wider rear it would be one of the slickest cars on the road.

With 18's on it, even us hard core carphiles have to give the Z4 its props for being unique, trendy, and a slick performer. Not to mention the price is reasonable (particularly on 2.5 which I personally wouldn't buy)

I would take a M anyday, IMO.

do u have a link to the sale of your 7? price?

Well, in the end it's a matter of opinion. I saw the Z4 up close, sat in it, read everything about it being a better performer, etc... but I still want to puke when I see it. It's fugly as hell, cold, etc...

Here is a link to my 7

http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=20684&sortby=&dir=

Maybe Gary would want it, he already has two 7s. Maybe his old one needs to be replaced... :)

No offense to the Z3 owners out there, but for the longest time, I hated the Z3 Roadsters. I thought they were half assed BMW's attempt to make a roadster. Not only were they feminine looking, they also lacked the horsepower.

It wasn't until when I saw the M Coupe was when my thoughts and views all changed. I was driving around in my S4 when I ran into a Silver M Coupe and I fell in love ;)

To date I still don't like the Z3 Roadsters, the M Roadsters I can tolerate and maybe even desire.

As for the Z4 -- the interior is substantially nice, however the exterior design is very lacking. The suspension on the Z4 is more advanced than ours, but that alone does not make up for the appeal of the car.

The front headlight droops giving it a sad look, the taillights are way too small, and the lines on the car flows like molasses.

Since Bangle infested the BMW design, my views on BMW forever changed -- I don't think I will ever be purchasing another BMW after the Coupe.

Originally posted by M powered

As for the Z4 -- the interior is substantially nice, however the exterior design is very lacking. The suspension on the Z4 is more advanced than ours, but that alone does not make up for the appeal of the car.

The front headlight droops giving it a sad look, the taillights are way too small, and the lines on the car flows like molasses.

Since Bangle infested the BMW design, my views on BMW forever changed -- I don't think I will ever be purchasing another BMW after the Coupe.

WORD.

Basically it has been Bangled! :mad:

wow, that is a lot of miles on the 7er... ah well, I had some very slight potential for another car..... the pics are nice tho... :)

Sirtiger, not sure what kind of math you are doing but the last time I checked 13-15K was average per year. A 99 is going on 5 years old so it has averaged 13K per year. Even if you call it 4 years old that is still 16K per year which is right there.

There are lots of these cars with 85 and 90K for sale which would be in the high mile range.

u r correct... I am not a high mileage driver anymore...but u r correct... my error.... Would u believe I have 10K on my 00 Lex since new? :)

Honestly I dislike both the Z3 and Z4 equally. They both share the same impracticality and lack of comfortable room for large drivers.

Looks wise the Z4 looks better (mostly because of its wider stance) until you look at the sides and the surface looks all tortured and strained.

Evoking: With the money you have ditch the M Coupe and roll in a proper roadster -> Z8.

Brian

I haven't driven a Z4 yet but our local dealer is lending us one the next time my wife's Z3M Coupe is being serviced. So far the M Coupe is my favourite Beemer. Sharp steering,strong brakes, LSD,no traction control,321bhp and that lovely wail between 6000rpm and the red line...it just BEGS for you to floor the throttle and play! The M3's are heavier so fractionally slower.The latest model is a great car but it lack the sheer raw fun of the Coupe. I haven't tried the M3 CSL yet but that is getting rave reviews in the British car mags.No demo cars are around so I'll have to wait until someone buys one locally then ask very nicely!
Do the Beemers in the US and Canada have the same spec as UK cars?

Originally posted by R1 GOOD
I haven't driven a Z4 yet but our local dealer is lending us one the next time my wife's Z3M Coupe is being serviced. So far the M Coupe is my favourite Beemer. Sharp steering,strong brakes, LSD,no traction control,321bhp and that lovely wail between 6000rpm and the red line...it just BEGS for you to floor the throttle and play! The M3's are heavier so fractionally slower.The latest model is a great car but it lack the sheer raw fun of the Coupe. I haven't tried the M3 CSL yet but that is getting rave reviews in the British car mags.No demo cars are around so I'll have to wait until someone buys one locally then ask very nicely!
Do the Beemers in the US and Canada have the same spec as UK cars?

Completely different specs. Starting with the orientation of the dirivers seat right down to engine power and safety features.

The 321 hp M coupe never made it to the US neither did the M3 powerd by this engine.

In 2001 and 2002 they stuck the S54 in the M coupes giving 315 hp.

Brian

In these days of electronic trickery I suppose you could modify or replace the ECU's to improve the power output. The latest M 6 cyl in UK has 346 bhp at a heady 7700rpm. My wife won't let me mess with her Coupe so it stays at 321.

I had the chance to thoroughly tesdrive a Z4 together with other current BMW models (M3 SMG, 330, 745, X5) at the Spartanburg performance driving center. The result is that I came back extremely impressed of the way it handles when driven at the limit. In other words I loved it. It was way more fun and closer to what I expect from a performance car than even an M3. It almost feels almost as well as my coupe. It is a great convertible.

Now I am warming up even to the looks. There are a few colors that make it look better and I think that it is not so ugly as I initially thought.

The only 2 big complaints about it are the price (if I were to have a roadster I would definitely go with an S2000 or the upcoming Elise because even if Z4 is a great car the price is way off line) and the steering feel (not precision that is superb).

Florian

Team Z4 the only one who turns it into a bashing contest is YOU!!! You come and try and defend the Z4, when obviously enough, looks are relative, and those who choose to like it, will say they like it. GET OVER YOURSELF

I'm with ya phatty. I realize there are plenty of peole out there who don't like the Z3's--but thas O.K., too bad he feels the need to defend the Z4 from the world.

There's much to consider. Styling aside, speaking about driving dynamics, which appeals most to you as an individual??? Have you taken an extensive test drive of the Z4 and then gone on the same route with your Coupe for direct and immediate comparison?

Also, do you want a convertible? Sounds silly, I know, but it's a question you need to seriously consider, cuz a rag top comes with it's own set of "issues" and "limitations" versus "Coupes"...

Originally posted by Phattydave
Team Z4 the only one who turns it into a bashing contest is YOU!!! You come and try and defend the Z4, when obviously enough, looks are relative, and those who choose to like it, will say they like it. GET OVER YOURSELF

I quit bashing the Z4 because I did not want to piss on anyone's choice. But, yeah, I kept my criticism on the looks. I've never said it was a crappy car. Everyone knows it is extremely stiff and the suspension is greatly improved.

I'll also say bad things about the Acura inspired 5 and the Edna inspired 7. The common link?

The haughty Bangle.

BMW should drop Bangle like a bad habit and rehire E39 5 series and Z3 designer, Joji Nagashima.

No doubt it is not a crappy car. I'm sure in time they'll fire Bangle and build attractive as well as well built cars.