350Z, Z4 or something else?

AndrewP

AndrewP

AndrewP

Soldato
Joined
27 Oct 2002
Posts
2,604
Location
Glasgow
I'm starting to look into a new (used) car now, broadest requirements: sports car (leaning towards the GT side); £10-12k; performance the same or better than my current Mondeo ST200 and no crazy running/potential maintenance costs like a TVR or something.

It will be my only car, 4-5000 miles a year which is mostly my 9 mile commute (I cycle in 1 or 2 days per week on average) and a few longer trips round Central Scotland. I'm ambivalent about coupe or convertible, can see the benefits of both, to be honest. The Mondeo is pretty useless in the snow too, so not particularly concerned about that either.

350Z GT and Z4 (probably 3.0 or 2.5si facelift) are top of my list, don't like the TT and SLK, have tried friends' MX-5 (mk2), S2000 and Elise and they're too raw/not refined enough for my liking - anything else I should consider?

To summarise what I see between those two main contenders then:

350Z
  • Better value
  • More reliable/cheaper to fix
  • Faster

Z4
  • Significantly better fuel consumption
  • Looks better
  • Better interior
  • Get a warranty (either Approved Used or <60k miles for a reasonably priced BMW one)

I'd be interested to hear from owners of either about must have options, common faults to look for and any other advice.

A few local examples that have caught my eye and I'll be having a look at, anything jump out at you about them?

Z4 2.5si - really need to see that interior in real life, 'Individual' is one word for it :p!
350Z GT - Seems good value
Z4 2.5si - Well specified, Approved Used

Thanks in advance for any input/feedback :).
 
The 3.0 Z4 isn't appreciably slower than the 350Z - at least, not so much that I noticed. The interior on the Z4 isn't exactly hugely better, though. It certainly isnt a car you buy for its interior as its cheap and nasty frankly - the Z4's were built in the USA not in Germany.

Other than the failing roof motors there isn't really anything worth seeking a warranty out for either - everything that goes wrong can be taken car of by maintaining a grand in a savings account. In over 3 years my parents Z4 has only needed a window regulator and roof motor.
 
For the 350z:

There are three main variants:

2003-2005 DE (276?)
2006 Up Rev (300)
2007 onwards HR (313)

From 2006 onwards the engine got a power hike to 300hp and a face lift. (Better interior - still very Jap, LED rear lights and cleaner headlights.

The 2006 engine was the same as the DE but had better intakes.

The 2007 engine was 75% new parts and is an improvement (easy way to tell is dual intakes and bonnet bulge)

2006 onwards has £465 road tax which is a bit of a bummer, but only an extra £200 for a better interior.

Get the GT pack, which adds leather, Bose (actually clarion and has a tape deck all the way though) and Rays forged alloys.

Prices are taking a bit of a hit right now, combination of winter and MPG averaging 20ish. Add the high road tax on certain models, and the need for winter tyres to be mobile, you can see why they aren't selling very well.

In terms of reliability, they are OK, some can have clutch problems (some people go through a clutch every 30k)
 
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[TW]Fox;20499470 said:
The 3.0 Z4 isn't appreciably slower than the 350Z - at least, not so much that I noticed. The interior on the Z4 isn't exactly hugely better, though. It certainly isnt a car you buy for its interior as its cheap and nasty frankly - the Z4's were built in the USA not in Germany.

Other than the failing roof motors there isn't really anything worth seeking a warranty out for either - everything that goes wrong can be taken car of by maintaining a grand in a savings account. In over 3 years my parents Z4 has only needed a window regulator and roof motor.
Click to expand...

So there are no standard BMW failing cooling systems etc? Or is that what you mean by having a grand spare should cover the costs of replacement?
 
[TW]Fox;20499470 said:
The 3.0 Z4 isn't appreciably slower than the 350Z - at least, not so much that I noticed. The interior on the Z4 isn't exactly hugely better, though. It certainly isnt a car you buy for its interior as its cheap and nasty frankly - the Z4's were built in the USA not in Germany.

Other than the failing roof motors there isn't really anything worth seeking a warranty out for either - everything that goes wrong can be taken car of by maintaining a grand in a savings account. In over 3 years my parents Z4 has only needed a window regulator and roof motor.
Click to expand...

You said "were" built in the USA.

Which year on did they start building them in Germany? and i assume the interior improved after this change over?
 
sigma said:
So there are no standard BMW failing cooling systems etc? Or is that what you mean by having a grand spare should cover the costs of replacement?
Click to expand...

You can replace the radiator in a Z4 for a few hundred quid. It's not bank breaking stuff. Replacing the entire system will run to about 500ish tops.

There are not numerous £1000+ bill opportunities as you'll find on an E60 diesel or similar.

Heck the worst thing you can do is grenade the entire engine and you can buy a low mileage M54B30 on Ebay for a grand now.
 
Oh you say an S2000 isn't refined enough. Test drive a Z4 because I certainly wouldn't call it refined. I can't be bothered to drive it unless I can have the roof down, with the roof up its dimly lit, noisy and just generally not that great a place to be.

Roof down and it's epic, though.
 
[TW]Fox;20499470 said:
The 3.0 Z4 isn't appreciably slower than the 350Z - at least, not so much that I noticed. The interior on the Z4 isn't exactly hugely better, though. It certainly isnt a car you buy for its interior as its cheap and nasty frankly - the Z4's were built in the USA not in Germany.

Other than the failing roof motors there isn't really anything worth seeking a warranty out for either - everything that goes wrong can be taken car of by maintaining a grand in a savings account. In over 3 years my parents Z4 has only needed a window regulator and roof motor.
Click to expand...

Ta, been something of a paper (Internet?) exercise so far this weekend, need to actually go test drive them - two of those examples are at the same local dealer so can conveniently compare back-to-back. I take it your servicing is done at a BMW dealer? There's one close to work (only have a 2.0 in stock) but I'll ask them about Inspections/Oil Service costs.

Sukh said:
For the 350z:

There are three main variants:

2003-2005 DE (276?)
2006 Up Rev (300)
2007 onwards HR (313)

From 2006 onwards the engine got a power hike to 300hp and a face lift. (Better interior - still very Jap, LED rear lights and cleaner headlights.

The 2006 engine was the same as the DE but had better intakes.

The 2007 engine was 75% new parts and is an improvement (easy way to tell is dual intakes)

2006 onwards has £465 road tax which is a bit of a bummer, but only an extra £200 for a better interior.

Get the GT pack, which adds leather, Bose (actually clarion and has a tape deck all the way though) and Rays forged alloys.

Prices are taking a bit of a hit right now, combination of winter and MPG averaging 20ish. Add the high road tax on certain models, and the need for winter tyres to be mobile, you can see why they aren't selling very well.

In terms of reliability, they are OK, some can have clutch problems (some people go through a clutch every 30k)
Click to expand...

Again, thanks. 20mpg is doable, getting 28 at the moment and snow = working from home. I would only get one with the GT pack - I'm too used to the heated leather Recaros in my Mondeo!
 
[TW]Fox;20499592 said:
You can replace the radiator in a Z4 for a few hundred quid. It's not bank breaking stuff. Replacing the entire system will run to about 500ish tops.

There are not numerous £1000+ bill opportunities as you'll find on an E60 diesel or similar.

Heck the worst thing you can do is grenade the entire engine and you can buy a low mileage M54B30 on Ebay for a grand now.
Click to expand...

Cool. Something to eye up for a future purchase I think!

Easier to justify the cost if it means relatively trouble-free motoring. :) I think I'd want an M version though, so no doubt prices rise sharply.
 
I was looking earlier mate, theres a Black 987 on Pistonheads for like 10k? Ok its done 85k I think, but still.

I think with the minuscule amount of miles you do I can't see you encountering any ridiculous bills?
 
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