Best of both worlds

[Dr Maths]

Hi,
We live in Carmarthenshire, and we have recently retired, so have more time to enjoy participating in various forums, such as this one. My wife and I have a Z3 (2 litre, topaz blue, bought new in 1999 - now having done 111,000 miles) and a Z4 (2 litre, space grey, bought new in 2012 - now having done 33,000 miles).
Although I like the comfort and security of a solid roof, you can't beat the sound of the 6 cylinder engine of the Z3 ! We have driven extensively in Europe, many times in the Z3, but this year decided to travel to Italy in the Z4 instead - only to experience tyre deflation on our return from Stuttgart, which proved to be a cracked alloy, not a slow puncture as I originally thought. We managed to drive home, stopping to top up the run flat tyre about ten times altogether between Germany and Wales ! We never had any problems when we drove abroad in the Z3. The guy who services my cars in Swansea believes that Z3's are better built than Z4's - perhaps he's right - what do other members think ?
Anyway, that's a little about myself, and I look forward to contributing, if I can, in future.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome, be happy to give some feedback between the two when we are back from the Goodwood meet...

Gaz.

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria. Can't really comment on either Z4 as I'm a Z3 owner, look good cars though, however ..........

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[t-tony]

What size wheels on your Z4? and what style? Two very different cars, I had 2.0 Z3 and now have a 3.0 Z4. Both great cars, just so different.
By the way welcome to the forum from me near Lincoln.

Tony.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome from me too

 

[Sean d]

Hi and welcome, yes your mechanic is correct, the Z3 is far superior to the Z4

 

[andyglym]

Hi and welcome, yes your mechanic is correct, the Z3 is far superior to the Z4

Standby .......

 

[ZTec]

Hello and welcome from The Vale of Glamorgan.

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[hard top]

Welcome on the forum from me too.

 

[mwpe]

Hi and welcome from Surrey, Having never tred a Z4, I cannot fairly comment but I will anyway. I love the Z3 and aesthetically do not like the Z4.
There are many other things which put me off it but an increasing number of forum members are moving to them.

 

[Sean d]

Hi and welcome from Surrey, Having never tred a Z4, I cannot fairly comment but I will anyway. I love the Z3 and aesthetically do not like the Z4.
There are many other things which put me off it but an increasing number of forum members are moving to them.

I can't see the attraction Mike, bloody awful things

 

[Jjim]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield

Looking forward to some pics

Sounds like you were unlucky with a cracked wheel.

 

[Nodzed]

Not quite sure how to comment Z3s are fantastic

 

[TaffZee]

Of course you will be biased if you own a Z3. they are not "bloody awful things" as mentioned, they are a good car but not as much fun as the Z3, owned both still have the Z4 which is a lot more refined than the Z3, but miss the Z3, still both good cars. Thought about getting another Z3, but the 4 is a lot more comfortable than the 3, so will stick to the 4 for now.

 

[BMBabe]

Welcome from Aylesbury

 

[Redline]

Am guessing you have the E89 Z4 with the standard 326 style wheels running run flat tyres. The rears at 9J and notorious for getting hairline cracks. Thankfully not had that yet with my wife's car but every pothole makes you cringe and hold your breath for a while afterwards.
The E89 is a fabulous car for touring but the boot space roof down is a bit limiting.
Not massively powerful but as well as the joys of top down driving is a great motorway cruiser.
It can be a bit of a bone jarring ride on 35%/30% profile tyres but you get to live with that.
I certainly wouldn't try and compare with a Z3. Different cars from different ages. You have to expect they will be quite different to drive.

 

[TaffZee]

E85 is better for touring though, ya can fill your boot and still put the top down One tip though put your top down then fill the boot Innit Mozza

 

[Sean d]

Of course you will be biased if you own a Z3. they are not "bloody awful things" as mentioned, they are a good car but not as much fun as the Z3, owned both still have the Z4 which is a lot more refined than the Z3, but miss the Z3, still both good cars. Thought about getting another Z3, but the 4 is a lot more comfortable than the 3, so will stick to the 4 for now.

My comment was obviously tongue in cheek, hence the smiley face, however IMO from the front the Z3 looks like it wants to eat you but the Z4 looks like it wants to give you a cuddle, got a good rear end though.