MX-5 to Z4

T

Theo86!

New member
 London NE
Welcome everyone,
I currently own a early Eunos which I know if I sell I would eventually regret. I am looking at getting an Z4 and have been researching engines and models and am a bit of a cross roads.
I was just wondering who has moved from MX-5 ownership to a Zed and what were you findings. The little Mazda is great for short journeys but would like something more comfortable and a bit more grunt. Anyway all feedback is welcome.
Theo
 
Had a NA before my 2.5 e85

Things I like:
  • Cabin is just all round nicer place and more comfortable, I’ve driven 6+h journeys in mine and would never do that in an mx5
  • Much more power
  • Easier to work on in my opinion
  • Straight six sounds great

What’s worse:
  • Gearbox feel
  • Steering feel and it’s generally not as agile
  • No popup lights :)
If you sold the mx5 you will miss it, but that’s not to say you won’t end up loving the z4
 
I also had an nb mx5 before my z4 3.0i. You'll be glad to hear the z4 still feels very much like a small car, but with nearly twice the power, which is great. Early mx5s were not fast.

Creature comforts of a z4 are good, a/c, cruise control and comfy seats make long journeys easy. Oh and an electric roof!

Things you might not like... gearchange isn't quite as good, but clutch and gear lever are nice and light. Electric power steering lacks a bit of feel.

Also... a z4 rides and steers nicer on square 17s... which might feel better than the bigger 18s, especially if you're used to an mx5 on 14s or 15s.
 
I adore my Z4 2L 2008 Manual - it's sheer pleasure even after driving 175miles without a break!

Just can't get enough of it.... as they say 'once driven a BMW it's hard to move on'
 
For further background this is my seventh MX-5 and I also had a Porsche 986. I'm really after a convertible drivers car and after much soul searching want to try a BMW.
Thank you all for your thoughts. Sounds like the steering feel which is electronic might be a slight weakness. Also interesting that @vmnetBMW mentions he loves his 4 cylinder Z4. The overall package and especially the engine sounds like a good fit for me.
 
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Interesting you had a 986 boxster... what were your thoughts on that?

I went from a z4 to a 986, and I did prefer the 986, though mine was an S with the 3.2, 6 speed box and bigger brakes. More power, lovely noise and back to hydraulic steering puts the porsche ahead of the bmw for me. And a 987 is better again. Only thing porsches don't do is tail out antics, but the short wheelbase of a z4 means it isn't particularly great at that either.
 
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