Z4 or S2000

Malc

Malc

Malc

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Since the beginning of March I've been looking at getting a S2000. I became fixated with them after going out in one of the guys from work and also wanting one since they first came out in 1999/2000.

I've been watching the prices of the early Facelift (04-06) S2000s and they've slowly crept up with it being the summer to a point where an equally aged and equal milage 3.0 Z4 is the same price. The thing is, with the Z4 you seem to get a lot more spec and potentially a more usable day to day car for your money.

I'm looking to buy at the end of August - beginning of September and I'm a bit stumped. I obviously need to test drive both and I'm sure I'll find that they're aimed at different demographics but the problem lies in the fact that I'm not really sure about which category I fit into. Relative comfort and high spec or high revving car that needs to be driven on the edge?

I currently drive a MK2 MR2 which I enjoy everyday I drive it. I love taking it up to the limiter and I do almost everytime I drive it. I also love the handling. However on my 50 mile per day commute, this accounts for about 1% of the time. I'm therefore thinking the S2000's capability wont be fully appreciated. Plus the interior on it is no better than my MR2's!

Advice?
I know quite a bit about S2000 spec levels (there aren't any!) and common problems etc but I'm relatively naive towards Z4s other than the M54 engine is in the one prior to 2006 and after that it's the better but potentially more costly N52. In my price range of 7k-9k I'd be limited to the M54 though.
 
Could you give me any advice on the Z4 i.e. what options to go for, what aids resale etc. I think I've picked up that your old man owns one doesn't he?
 
Basically you should go for fully loaded:-

3.0 Si (might be out of your budget, you may have to go for SE)
Sat Nav <--- Most people want the inbuilt Sat Nav
Xenons
PDC
Cruise control
Heated seats
Electronic folding mirrors
Upgraded Hifi (DSP)
M-Sport multi function steering wheel

for me the effortless 3.0 straight six yowl was proffered over the "ring its neck" VTEC.

Personally I found the dash/interior of the S2000 inferior to that of the Z4.
 
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Z4 suits a 50mile commute on boring roads. You will want the flexibility of the 3.0 engine

S2000 suits ragging down country lanes commute (Mine :D)

Bear in mind a 2005-2007 S2000 will be fairly soft compared to earlier cars, but much better interiors. Especially black/red
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They are very different kinds of cars, drive both. I hated the Z4's electronic steering and weight in comparison to sporty based cars but I can see why it would be nice to commute in and not want to make you blow your brains out like most daily driver cars.
 
Are servicing costs a consideration between these two? I can't imagine that an S2000 costs much more to service than a Civic Type-R, where-as the Z4 is a BMW..?
 
Simon said:
The early interiors are **** but if OP went in a 2000 model then the pictures of the 2004 (what hes looking at) may be useful.
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That's what I did. It was a 2002 model that I went in but I'm looking at between 2004-2006.

I'm going to try both over the next few months. It's difficult to find a 2004 S2000 at a dealer near me though. I may have to annoy a private seller but that's something I don't really want to do.

My commute is all A-Roads by the way. I can do 25 miles in 30-35 minutes most days so it's fairly quick and there are a few good sections.
 
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ci_newman said:
Are servicing costs a consideration between these two? I can't imagine that an S2000 costs much more to service than a Civic Type-R, where-as the Z4 is a BMW..?
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Good point. I wouldn't mind people's opinions of running cost differences between say a 2004 3.0l M54 Z4 and a 2004 S2000. It'll be serviced at either a main dealer or good independent.

I've ran insurance quotes and the S2000 is £730 for the year whereas the Z4 is £550 so not a decision maker. Tax is roughly the same.
 
Both are great motors imo

S2000 is much more "raw" feeling than the z4, you either want that or you dont really. As mentioned the z4 is refined enough to use all the time - not that you can't use the S2000 but I can see how it would be tiresome.

Whilst it's harder to extract the power from the vtec, it's more of an event for me but I also love the way BMW 6's sound and pull.

You'll probably find the S2000 costs more than or about the same to service as the z4, parts will be more expensive but to be honest nothing really falls off either car.

I take it there is no female influence here? My mrs hates the S2000 but would love a z4 - just because of the interior...snob.
 
As has been said, get a drive in both and I'd think it'll be pretty clear which one you want as whilst they are both 2 seater, rwd drop tops I'd imagine they drive pretty differently (I've only driven an S2000).

The Honda feels like a little go kart/racing car to drive, yeah it's not the quickest below 6k but it's by no means poor, and does sound good hitting 9k with the roof off :) In a funny way it reminds me of my folks old 911 C4S ride wise, how far you sit off the floor, the pointyness of it, just that it lacks the oomph :p

But then the straight 6 does sound good as well.

If you really couldn't make your mind up then for me it'd probably just come down to what was around when I wanted to buy.

I bought the S2000 not really having any specific criteria other than wanted something not too expensive to run to do a 300 mile a week commute over the summer, that was fun, and reasonably local to buy as didn't want to be chasing over the country for what was supposed to be a purchase of convenience (it was to stop me needing to get teh train everywhere for work) :)
 
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The facelift interior is much better, not just looks but it's a little more roomy due to slightly thinner door cards.

No it's not a premium interior with premium materials but leather bound seats, minimalistic and accessible switch gear. If Z4 is a concern for you be it comfort or apparent premium feel the Z4 is likely the better choice, but if you want the S2000 for S2000 type reasons the interior should not be all that much of an issue.

I retrofitted heating seats in my S2000, that's cheap and a big step towards a more luxury appeal! Nice in the winter/nights for top down drives :D
 
Its win/win imho.

I've driven both many times with the view to buying but both times I bought other cars.

The first time I bought a Boxster S, the second time a vx turbo.

I'd have been happy with any of them though.

Great cars, with different charms. You really just have to see which one suits you the best.
 
Would love a drive in the z4

My Honda is a 2000 reg, interior is OK.
I love how I'd doesn't have traction control etc its pretty basic, i commuted in it before my new job, but it was country roads, nothing like overtaking down a country road, drop to 3 and foot down! I wouldn't have it for boring commutes. Mines a bit oversteery but much better than a Fwd understeer!

Have had thoughts about swapping for a newer one. But dunno

More go kart than Bentley!
 
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