Focus ST Vs BMW Z4 3.0 on Fuel

This thread is worryingly short on other considerations, as highlighted by other posters.

OP - there is a lot more to running a car than insurance, tyres and MPG...

Have you looked into the common issues associated with both cars? Considered what you want to be driving in 2-3 years time? i.e. will you be happy with either car and will you be looking to trade it in (residual value)

As Fox has mentioned, you're comparing chalk and cheese as oppose to two cars in the same segment.

Gentle advice would be to reappraise and make sure you are making a considered and educated decision.
 
FishThrower said:
Fuel costs is normally the main reason why people sell performance cars after realising how much petrol it drinks, I know somebody who was on a decent wage who had a M3, sold it after three months due to him filling it up every three days, he spent nothing else on it then.

I understand that roof motors are expensive, much cheaper than the Boxter ones though!
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I'm going to let this slide...but seriously?

The first paragraph smells a lot like opinion. Not to mention the accompanying anecdote.

(I might have just failed in letting that slide!)
 
I can see where the OP is coming from...he's not the only one that could be considering an ST or a Z4.

I've just started a thread trying to garner opinion on the Renaultsport Megane. I'm tempted. I'm also tempted by a Z4.....:-)
 
thanks for the replys all.

Just a update on whats going on, I have sat in a Z4 today to find myself being dissapointed as being over 6"3 I found it uncomfortable due to lack of leg space, and it was hard enough to get into the thing. I sat into my parents Cayman before hand and had the same problem, so I think two seater roadsters are out of the question as I would get annoyed with them after 6 months and wanting something else :(

I have also liked the new shaped Audi S3s (2007 model), Im prepared to wait for a extra couple of months as S3s are a lot more expensive than Z4s and STs. Does anyone know what the running costs \ service costs are like on the S3s? I have done some googling but not a lot of information has come up.

I have gone off of the idea of a Focus ST now as I would like something with more power and not having to worry filling it up at the petrol station on a regular basis.
 
Have you driven an ST ? I hate to say but I don't think you should be writing it off from what you've said so far. If you're really that worried about the power get it DS / Bluefin for not much money and it transforms the car..

You haven't yet said how many miles you do ? but you still seem obsessed with MPG for some reason despite what everyone has said. I'd wager that an older S3 isn't going to be that much better on fuel consumption and is still going to cost you way more to run overall than a much newer mint ST3..

Is there a prestige criteria that you want a premium marque and haven't told us ?
 
[TW]Fox;19002901 said:
If you are this worried about an 80 quid fillup then what exactly do you think of the £550 bill to replace all 4 tyres on a Z4? Or the £1000 for a new roof motor?
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I think you'll find it will cost a lot more that £550 for a full set of tyres. They are £215 plus per corner, if your on run flats. But apart from that my Z4C was cheap to run. Nothing went wrong in my 2 years of ownership, just one service @ about £300.
 
Sneaky Peaky said:
Have you driven an ST ? I hate to say but I don't think you should be writing it off from what you've said so far. If you're really that worried about the power get it DS / Bluefin for not much money and it transforms the car..

You haven't yet said how many miles you do ? but you still seem obsessed with MPG for some reason despite what everyone has said. I'd wager that an older S3 isn't going to be that much better on fuel consumption and is still going to cost you way more to run overall than a much newer mint ST3..

Is there a prestige criteria that you want a premium marque and haven't told us ?
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I havent driven the ST I have to admit, I will have to give one a test drive to see what all of the fuss is about (I could be suprised!).

I would be doing 5000 miles a year at a push, It will mainly be a weekend car as I get the train to London to work, but I would drive it a mile a day there and back from the car park. My girlfriend lives a hour away for me to (by car) You can pick up a v.good condition ST for around £9000.

I meant the new shaped Audi S3 260BHP earlier, theres a lot of people that modify even the new ones unfortunately and drive them like pillocks (just read audisport and theres loads of racing threads on there!) . I need to look at running costs for the newer S3s. They are lovley cars though
 
Your going to be doing 5000 miles a year.. at a push.. and you are worried about the mpg difference between these cars :confused:

Your probably talking a couple of hundred quid difference in fuel cost at the most if that is your annual mileage!

Let say the Z4 does 30mpg on average over the year. 5000/30 = 166.6 gallons. 166.6 gallons = 757.7 litres. 757.7 litres x £1.35 = £1022.9
lets say the ST does 24mpg on average over the year. 5000/24 = 208.3 gallons. 208.3 gallons = 946.9 litres 946.9 litres x £1.35 = £1278.3

With that mileage, the least of your worries should be mpg! Especially as you will pick up a much newer (and therefore most likely to be less prone to going wrong) Focus, with a good warranty for your money than you will a Z4.
 
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Odd thread just got odder !

Why on earth are you obsessing about MPG when you only do 5000 miles a year ?

Personally I think before you get anything you need to sit down and have a good think about what your criteria are for your next car and focus on the important things.

No insult intended, just that I think people here will be able to offer advice better if you can provide better info on what you need..
 
Sneaky Peaky said:
Odd thread just got odder !

Why on earth are you obsessing about MPG when you only do 5000 miles a year ?

Personally I think before you get anything you need to sit down and have a good think about what your criteria are for your next car and focus on the important things.

No insult intended, just that I think people here will be able to offer advice better if you can provide better info on what you need..
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I dont feel offended, you and Jono have made valid points.

I have decided that im going to get a performance hatch now, I will test drive a Focus ST and a Audi S3 in a month or so and see which one I like best, I need to do some research properly.

There doesnt seem to be a lot of info about the S3, and they are quite rare cars, im guessing its because the price?
 
Ok mate no worries, if you get a chance try an ST with Dreamscience / Bluefin or Mountune which will put it on more of an even footing with the S3. As I said earlier it transforms the car not only in the BHP department but the whole power delivery and feel of the thing..

Lot's of other options as well of course in that genre - what's your max budget for the car ?
 
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