I know we all like the 944 but....

[Andy97]

This is quite tempting:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201231480608576

 

[Catamax944]

Well it's a much younger car with better technology, more modern interior, more toys ,probably cheaper to maintain but a 944 Turbo will still kick it's but all day long and look much better doing it.

 

[scam75]

Couldn't have put it better myself Catalin!

Stuart

 

[ukmastiff]

I hope no one here owns one but to me that looks like something either a pimp or a drug dealer might drive [8|]

Mas

 

[PSH]

Can't say much about the Z4 but if it has the same chassis as the Z3 I'd stay well away, a friend of mine had the big Z3, 2.8l I think, don't know much about these cars so not sure. We used to go out with the wife's for meals and pub trips etc, no alcohol I hasten to add, naturally driving could get a little lively at times as you would expect. Of course the Z3 is a lot slower car but I would have expected it to be good in the handling department, I couldn't have been more wrong. My friend tried a number of things to make the car safer, stiffer suspension, struct braces, better tyres etc, all to no avail. The reason I say safer rather than just better was due to an incident one evening on the M40< I was following, a safe distance behind I'll add so could see everything, we were.. er not hanging around and accelerating on a downhill section when a coach decided to change lanes to the middle, no signal, no reason but he did it anyway. I watched as my friend braked and changed direction towards the outside lane just as the road dipped and was horrified to see the car loosing it's balance and snaking down the road like a wild thing, now I would expect this sort of thing from a 911, but from a BMW Z3?? My own car more or less performing the same manouver didn't bat an eyelid and negotiated the added danger of the Z3 with ease, I wouldn't buy an Z3/Z4.

Pete

 

[edh]

Z4 is a very different beast - I think Z3 was v old suspension tech (E30 rear ?)

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: PSH

I wouldn't buy an Z3/Z4.

Pete

I would, love the Z4! - well it is Lin's and a roadster but a great little car

 

[Copperman05]

I think its a decent car, prefer the roadster over the hardtop though. Not sure if I like the image of BMW's mind, especially in London, most are driven by complete n*bs. (not referrring to you or Lin, Andy[])


Edd

 

[Frenchy]

Ed, BMW does not really give that image up here, owned loads including M and Alpina cars, one of the best is the E30 318 iS which is a baby M3 brilliant little car, my E38 735i was fantastic.
Most dicks drive around in MG (Rover) things and think that they are race cars, in these parts.

 

[andy watson]

Ed, trouble is mate there are a lot out there that think nobs drive Porsche's too!!

Oh oh .....I own both getting worried now! [][]

 

[Fat Albert]

I drove a friend's breadvan (M Coupe) and whilst it made a nice noise (Though not as good as his DB9 I drove just before) I found the gearbox gate very narrow, so kept getting 5th instead of 3rd, the engine was a bit peaky and didn't feel like 100bhp more than my 220 and it creaked a bit which surprised me as it was considerably younger than mine.

He had bought it to replace his 968CS station car!

 

[944 man]

Your 220 creaks now, with PU bushes and solid castor mounts, it sounds as though the dashboard is doing St.Vitus's dance!

 

[Andy97]

I thought this would be a controversial post, but it makes a change from the usual! I still want another 944, preferably a T and preferably a race car, but I saw this ad by accident and it did get me thinking.

The Z4 is a very different chassis to the Z3 - the 4 has multilink suspension; I've not driven one and as an Audi owner and former 944 owner I am definitely not a BMW fan but its always worth looking at the competition once in a while.

 

[Neil Haughey]

Very true Andy and it's always interesting to see what is available. However the strongest competition comes from within the same brand, 2.7 Boxsters can be found easily around 6K, spend a bit more and loads of 3.2S box's around, couple of grand more and early 996 becomes an option. Spend a bit more and the 987 box then the Cayman come into reach.

Personally if I was jumping ship it would be into something completely different such as a V8 bruiser or an MX-5/elise type of light weight gig.

 

[Andy97]

Neil, absolutely right and Boxsters are an obvious alternative but IF I was looking for something in that price range I am not too keen on convertibles and I do actually like front engine RWD. I'm just day dreaming anyway!

 

[Hilux]

ORIGINAL: edh

Z4 is a very different beast - I think Z3 was v old suspension tech (E30 rear ?)

Very definitely

A well driven Z4 is not slow at all meet one on a track and you`ll be very surprised

 

[edh]

ORIGINAL: Fat Albert

I drove a friend's breadvan (M Coupe) and whilst it made a nice noise (Though not as good as his DB9 I drove just before) I found the gearbox gate very narrow, so kept getting 5th instead of 3rd, the engine was a bit peaky and didn't feel like 100bhp more than my 220 and it creaked a bit which surprised me as it was considerably younger than mine.

He had bought it to replace his 968CS station car!

I don't think those engines really come alive until well over 5k rpm, and don't have the 944t torque. - I drove an E36 M3 evo at donington a few years ago, and needed to be reminded by the owner/passenger that it revved to 7500 - a glorious engine when you work it! Of course the 3.0's had slightly less power, but not that much in it. My 944 turbo (near enough 300hp) was very evenly matched with the e36.