Hello hello

i am currently looking for a replacement for my csx. i have test drove both cars: z4 M roadster and 335i coupe. both cars with all options included.

i really like the feel of the z4 over the 335i. but of course the 335i is a more practical choice.

what were the reasons you guys decided to buy a z4? and what other cars did you guys have as alternatives to the z4?

thanks

My answer is very parallel to yours, and a simple one: driver involvement. The Z4 conveys, in my opinion, a superior sense of visceral as well as physical involvement and satisfaction to the driving equation. I invariably look forward to, and truly enjoy the time I spend driving my Z4. That being said, my next Bimmer may well be the new M3 droptop when it gets sorted out price-wise. While I hate paraphrasing Cadillac ads, what matters most to me is the degree to which my car turns me on when I turn it on, easy stuff!

because of the silly a$$ grin on my face after 5sec behind the wheel of the M

Well being in the Z4 section you can sort of guess what our choice would be. It all comes down to whether you can live with a two seater or if you can't live without a two seater. As far as roadsters go, the Z4 has some of the best storage on the market. But it is low, it is cramped, and even good storage for a roadster isn't much storage.

On the other hand, the 335 is a very very nice car, with a backseat and a proper trunk. However, it doesn't exude the same feelings as an M roadster. The M roadster is an untamed monster where as the 335 is a domesticated tiger. Both are a lot of fun, but if I could live without the space in the 335, I'd get the M roadster.

My alternative for the Z4 was a Miata, so I'm not much help. :dunno you know, it really does help with a roadster to have access to another larger car sometimes. I have an X3 I can use when I need to haul things or people and it makes owning a Z4 a lot more practical.

because of the silly a$$ grin on my face after 5sec behind the wheel of the M
+1
i too enjoy that grin each and every day i fire that baby up.:)
it's for sure not very practical, so if that's a concern you might choose the sedan.

.......... you know, it really does help with a roadster to have access to another larger car sometimes. I have an X3 I can use when I need to haul things or people and it makes owning a Z4 a lot more practical.

+1 to that!
We also have an SUV & a pickup.

I agree with the reasoned well thought out post by silverbeam.
That said why'd I buy it -
"because of the silly a$$ grin on my face after 5sec behind the wheel "

Andy

+1 to that!
We also have an SUV & a pickup.

Explaining the use of an X3/X5 is very simple:

Person: X? .... Y? :confused
Z4 owner: Z :cool

Test drove both cars quite a bit. Twice got loaned a 335 while my previous bimmer was in the shop for work.

In the end I picked the Z4MC for:
#1: I am single, no kids and my income allows for the extra cost of the Z4MC.
#2: I like the looks of the Z4MC over the 335.
#3: Time was right to purchase and got a *great* deal on my Z4.
#4: I do not have to worry about stop and go traffic going to/from work. If that were the case, I would have purchased the 335 with a slush box.
#5: The 'M' badge. Been a dream of mine for over a decade to own an 'M' badged car.
#6: Finally...the obvious. The 335 is a shockingly amazing car....but the Z4MC is just more fun to drive. Period.

Different cars for different purposes.

I have a 750 motorcycle that I felt I couldn't/shouldn't drive as fast on the curves as I'd like to.
Our Miata was getting long in the tooth.
The Boxter hides it's engine, and I guess really isn't a roadster, which I like.
The Vette is made by Chevrolet.
The M roadster is great looking; has the spirit of a motorcycle/musclecar; is a BMW (which I never owned).

thank you for all the replies.

well i do have another couple of days before having to decide. definitely thinking another round test drive is necessary.

either way i ll let you guys know my final decision and put up several pics.

I bought the Z4 Coupe because it is fun to drive. All my kids have their own cars now. 2 seat is enough for me and my wife. If I need more cargo space, I just use my wife's 2006 GTI. We are close to retirement age and want to live and joy life which we delay while bringing up the family. And yes, every time I drive my Z4 Coupe, I grin and smile from ear to ear. Z4 Coupe is more fun and more power than my previous Z3 Coupes. :):)

If you are talking about a 335i convertible be aware that the trunk pretty much goes away if you take the top down, whereas you get the the same trunk on the Z4 with top up or down. So really, the 335i gets you a back seat.

I drove a friends 335i back from Austin on New Years Day and it is a very nice car but it's a completely different car from the Z4 (and I just have a 3.0si). The 331 is much more luxurious and comes with more bells and whistles than the Z4 does. It's was a neat experience and when it's time to buy my wife a new car (we just got her a new Camry) I will seriously consider a CPO 335i. But I don't want one... http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/icons/icon12.gif

because of the silly a$$ grin on my face after 5sec behind the wheel of the M

Bingo! Drove mine today and yet again couldn't help but grin. 70 degree weather and sunny in the middle of January in Dallas... can't complain and a great excuse to drop the top and let her rip! Smiled all the way to work.