Good afternoon from a very wet Lancashire

Ethansdad · Post by **Ethansdad** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:41 pm

Another lurker here and refugee from Z4um. Have to say, it feels like home here already. The man Spectre has done a damned fine job.

Would love to post a pic before somebody says so, but I'll be damned if I can remember how! I've got some on that photobucket thing, advice would be welcome.

Anyway, she's a 2005 3 litre SE in Black w/black leather, heated M seats, Hi-fi, bluetooth, and some other bits and right now she's a filthy little minx but it's persisting down so much I think she might stay that way for another couple of days.

Be gentle with me.

Cheers

E's Dad

Post by **sp3ctre** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:44 pm

Welcome!!

This is what you are after:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30

Section 5 is the bit you want, I believe!

ovrkll · Post by **ovrkll** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:50 pm

Welcome to the Forum! Posting of pics is not that difficult, just copy and paste the url, in most cases. Enjoy.

WLH · Post by **WLH** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:10 pm

Ethansdad · Post by **Ethansdad** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:11 pm

TThanks for the help. Okay, here goes:

Does it work?

ovrkll · Post by **ovrkll** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:12 pm

Nice looking Z4! I think a vacuum is in order though!

Ethansdad · Post by **Ethansdad** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:13 pm

It works! Sorry about the last one, looks like I forgot to resize it.

Ethansdad · Post by **Ethansdad** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:13 pm

And vacuum it, thanks.

Post by **sp3ctre** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:14 pm

Hehe, that is almost identical to my Z4 (looks out of window to check it's still there)

ovrkll · Post by **ovrkll** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:15 pm

there you go E, blame Sp3ctre for getting the floor dirty

takedown8 · Post by **takedown8** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:18 pm

Is that your RX-8 too? How does it compare?

Ethansdad · Post by **Ethansdad** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:04 am

Hey Takedown8, the RX8 is the wifes, but it's also the "family car". I think I've got the pretty much the best of both worlds havng that and Z4.

On paper, performance is very similar, 230bhp, 0-60 around 6 secs etc, but the delivery is totally different.

Whereas the Z4 has beautiful smooth power all the way from 1500rpm, you've got to use the 8's rev range, particularly top end to get the best out of it. Bear in mind this thing red lines at 9000rpm (with a hander beeper when you hit it!), and it saves it's real pull from around 7000rpm. It makes you push it harder, which is fun in its own way, but I'm always glad to get back in the Beemer.

The '8 is fairly practical, decent size boot, although the opening is a awkward shape, the back seats can cope with 6 footers and it's got all the bells and whistles that BMW make you pay extra for (leather, heated seats, BOSE, Xenons etc).

The other main difference between the two is the Mazda rides like it's a limo comapred with the Z4 and er, the fuel consumption. Whilst I average 30mpg with my 3 litre Z4, we get just 22 for the RX8! Best I ever got on a 400mile round trip was 28! She likes a drink!

To be fair though, this is the downside of the rotary engine, forget all the scare stories of oil use; I've had two Alfas and they got through as much of the black stuff; around 1 litre/1000 miles, at least I know it's always clean! Also the Mazda dealer I use is the best, bar none, of any manufacturer I've used for service and assitance with warranty claims etc. (arrogant BMW dealers take note!)

All in all, I would recommend the RX8 to Z4 drivers, its a different car for sure, but can still put a smile on your face, especially when you scream it up to 9000 in the first 3 gears!

Cheers

E's Dad

Post by **Wondermike** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:26 pm

Ethansdad wrote:...I average 30mpg with my 3 litre Z4, we get just 22 for the RX8...

Shocking! I get 22 from my Z4 (lots city) so what would I get from the RX8 - about 15

Having had 2 MX-5s I like Mazda, the dealers are pretty good, I would have been tempted by an RX8 if it had a normal engine, say the 2.3 turbo from the 6 MPS

takedown8 · Post by **takedown8** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 4:59 pm

Ethansdad, thanks for the RX-8 review. I find the Z4 requires about 5000rpms before you feel her power though.

flyboyaj · Post by **flyboyaj** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:41 pm

takedown8 wrote:Ethansdad, thanks for the RX-8 review. I find the Z4 requires about 5000rpms before you feel her power though.

I disagree, I find the same pull from 1500-6500. If I'm in third @ 1500 it takes me the same time to get to 80 if I just kick it vs. downshifting to 2nd and back to third after redline in 2nd with sport engaged. Although, it feels different and is more fun to downshift and get the kick in the pants, same time.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com

Good afternoon from a very wet Lancashire

Good afternoon from a very wet Lancashire