z4 2.0 Sport - Opinions & Performance

[un1eash]

I test drove one the same day as the Z4, cant believe i was actually thinking MX5 or Z4.

[Mik]

The engine in the 2.0l is british built aswell

I think its a great little engine, just enough power and performs well in the twistys. Compared to the 2.0l in the MX-5 sport and its awesome, the MX-5 sounds like a diesel.

I hate MX5.

I hated my 2.0 sport 07 plate so much I sold it back to Mazda after 7 weeks at a huge loss after just buying it brand new from them !

[ksher]

The engine in the 2.0l is british built aswell

I think its a great little engine, just enough power and performs well in the twistys. Compared to the 2.0l in the MX-5 sport and its awesome, the MX-5 sounds like a diesel.

I hate MX5.

I hated my 2.0 sport 07 plate so much I sold it back to Mazda after 7 weeks at a huge loss after just buying it brand new from them !

Was it because of the cheap looking interior? Why was it so bad?

[Mik]

Yep the cheap interior. the way the drivers footwell for RHD cars is really cramped and your legs are pushed to the right and offset (although Japan are RHD there biggest market is going to be LHD so they design to favour that) Also the hand brake dug into your left leg if you were nt one for keeping your foot on the footrest left of the clutch. They sit too high. The carpet looks like a piece of felt and aircon was an extra.... Oh... and the sales guy was a To55er

[paddy wright]

Yep the cheap interior. the way the drivers footwell for RHD cars is really cramped and your legs are pushed to the right and offset (although Japan are RHD there biggest market is going to be LHD so they design to favour that) Also the hand brake dug into your left leg if you were nt one for keeping your foot on the footrest left of the clutch. They sit too high. The carpet looks like a piece of felt and aircon was an extra.... Oh... and the sales guy was a To55er

so y did u buy it then?

[ksher]

Yep the cheap interior. the way the drivers footwell for RHD cars is really cramped and your legs are pushed to the right and offset (although Japan are RHD there biggest market is going to be LHD so they design to favour that) Also the hand brake dug into your left leg if you were nt one for keeping your foot on the footrest left of the clutch. They sit too high. The carpet looks like a piece of felt and aircon was an extra.... Oh... and the sales guy was a To55er

I can only say most Japanese cars are reliable. Very few have performance (GTR, Evo). But they all have cheap plastic interior. And their exterior and interior design cannot be matched with German and Italian. I will never buy Japanese/Korean motors.

[Mik]

Yep the cheap interior. the way the drivers footwell for RHD cars is really cramped and your legs are pushed to the right and offset (although Japan are RHD there biggest market is going to be LHD so they design to favour that) Also the hand brake dug into your left leg if you were nt one for keeping your foot on the footrest left of the clutch. They sit too high. The carpet looks like a piece of felt and aircon was an extra.... Oh... and the sales guy was a To55er

so y did u buy it then?

Good question ! I think it was because I had a Mk 1 and that was my starter roadster and had fond memories of it. Plus I had an ageing Boxster that still had enough money in it to swap foa brand new MX5 so that was the lure

[ksher]

Yep the cheap interior. the way the drivers footwell for RHD cars is really cramped and your legs are pushed to the right and offset (although Japan are RHD there biggest market is going to be LHD so they design to favour that) Also the hand brake dug into your left leg if you were nt one for keeping your foot on the footrest left of the clutch. They sit too high. The carpet looks like a piece of felt and aircon was an extra.... Oh... and the sales guy was a To55er

so y did u buy it then?

Good question ! I think it was because I had a Mk 1 and that was my starter roadster and had fond memories of it. Plus I had an ageing Boxster that still had enough money in it to swap foa brand new MX5 so that was the lure

I would rather have the ageing Boxster. Proper driver car. New car is nothing if it is rubblish.

[un1eash]

I too found the MX-5 very cramped on the drivers side, the interior wasnt that bad though i thort. Wind noise was bad at anything above 50 and having a manual roof was abit pants. I test drove a fully kitted 2.0l sport and it felt very harsh over the bumps and the steering is very heavy at low speeds compared to the Z4.

[WLH]

Spikey, welcome to the forum...

[Spikey]

Hey guys thanks for the comments and support
The first thing I did was get rid of the run flats, put a set of BM 18" split rims on and some pirelli 35 profiles, this has made a difference, the only slight problem is that it tramlines on poor roads (not a big problem)
I would like to put the ac split rear spoiler on, I think it's really cool - has anyone done one of these, is it easy enough.

Thanks again

[deagle]

So what did you do with the old Run Flats.. were they worn out or did you just chuck them away ? I don't find them too bad on my 2.0 sport.

Biggest problem with the MX... which I did look at seriously, was that they ruined the handling in the current model - something that is reckoned to be fixed in the recent facelift. I also had a ist gen MX5 with the popup headlights - lovely little car.

[Mik]

So what did you do with the old Run Flats.. were they worn out or did you just chuck them away ? I don't find them too bad on my 2.0 sport.

Biggest problem with the MX... which I did look at seriously, was that they ruined the handling in the current model - something that is reckoned to be fixed in the recent facelift. I also had a ist gen MX5 with the popup headlights - lovely little car.

Totally agree with that deagle,my first roadster was a pop up headlight MX and was so chuffed with it. Kept it three and a half years before getting an MR2 roadster

[sammyz]

At present the last of the Z4 2 litres can be had for similar money to a new MX5 sport. I like the MX5 especially now they have sorted the ride height out but the engine feels gutless compared to the Z4. The interior on the BMW is miles ahead and there's that badge

Should be a no brainer!

[DannyBoy]

Problem is, and what is a potentially big attraction in some people's eye, the Z4 is an "old" model now with the arrival of the new car whereas the Mazda (platic like as it is!) is a current shape car. The Mazda also has the pedigree in terms of being a 2 seater sports car and on this basis will appeal to the more mature buyer dreaming of wind in the hair motoring.

That said, I'd had niether a 2.0 Z4 nor a MX5 and would spend the money on something more performance based whether that be new or used.