2008 Z4 vs S2000

[kevan2001]

Looking at buying a ~2008 Z4 vs SLK 350 vs S2000. (In New York, USA)

I love BMWs and believe firmly that they do build 'The Ultimate Driving Machine'.

But my research is revealing questions I don't know the answer to:

Why does the Z4 loose its value so rapidly?

Year for year and mile for mile at ~4 years old its about the same cost as a S2000 (which was ~$20k USD cheaper new)

I fully realize that the Honda doesn't have the raw power, interior refinement, or badge of the BMW...

Is anticipated maintenance expense the reason? Reliability after 50K miles?

I genuinely appreciate your insights!

Cheeers

 

[Adamski]

Which Z4 are you looking at? 3.0si? 2.5si? ///M?

EDIT - just spotted this is your first post. Welcome to the forum

 

[tabbie]

welcome The only advice I can give is test drive them all. Its a close call between the Z4 and the S2000 in my opinion. I went for the Z4 as its got cheaper running costs as mine is a daily and the Z4 is a better looking car to me. But honda build extremely reliable engines and v-tec is amazing but thristy!

 

[Finisterre]

I suspect the BMW is deliberately overpriced to make buyers think it is a superior motor.
Then BMW offer surprisingly good finance deals to bring the costs down.
But I am a cynic and I may be wrong.

The S2000 is too manic for me. Nice though, I was very tempted when they first came out.

 

[Justlovethelook]

I've had an S2000 and it was brilliant.....until it rained....no traction control and 240 bhp is scary.......fish tailing up a country road is no fun.....this is when you realise that your not the driver you thought u were!

Call me a pussy but I prefer to know that I will get there in one piece.....having said that the 2.0 VTEC is just an amazing engine and it's very quick.....and as for the gearbox....it's a masterpiece. And you never get tired of 9000rpm.....these cars need to be thrashed as they have no torque........if your a better driver than me the S2000 is amazing.....but if your average joe....it's Z4 all the way for me.....tho the Honda also looks sweet too........and he roof is lightening quick.

Each to heir own....but the S2000 is one car I will always regret selling.....even if it did scare me to death at times !!

 

[Adamski]

I've driven the S2000 and 3.0 Z4. I agree with what's said above. The S2000 has little usable torque, and so 9,000rpm is the best way to get power out of it. However, if you're in the USA you'll be considering the ap2 Honda S2000, which only revs to 8,000rpm, and so the "fun zone" aka VTEC zone, is shorter

When I drove the UK Honda S2000, it needed roughly 40 mph to get VTEC in 2nd gear, and 60mph to get VTEC in 3rd. So, if you like to stay on the right side of the law, you can only really reap the benefits of the Honda in 1st, 2nd, and maybe 3rd gear. Not ideal.

Each to their own. Why not test drive each to see which you like best?

 

[wiseguy]

kevan2001, I can't comment on what my Z4 will be worth at 4 years old, but 1.5 years after buying my 2007 Z4 used (in 2010), it is still worth more than I paid for it, from a BMW dealer, certified pre-owned.

Check out the trunk in the S2000- their practically isn't one, compared to the Z4. My car is my DD, so that matters. If you plan to take any trips in your new ride, then it will matter for you too. Also, that partially-manual roof opening/closing wasn't for me. If you want a manual, then my next comment won't matter to you; the S2000 is only available in manual. My Z4 is auto, with manual shift on the floor gear selector and steering wheel paddles. The best of both worlds...

Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems to me that those driving S2000s stare longingly at my Z4 when I pass by... 8)

The local Mercedes Benz dealer treated me like a mook when I went to test drive an SLK, so I can't comment on it in comparison, as I never drove one. I now give that dealership all the free advertising (word of mouth) they never wanted.

 

[Stuart Truman]

Each to their own. Why not test drive each to see which you like best?

Sound advice. The roads in the US are different to Europe and the two cars are very different animals. I like both but glad I made the BMW choice.

 

[tomTVR]

Why does the Z4 loose its value so rapidly?

Year for year and mile for mile at ~4 years old its about the same cost as a S2000 (which was ~$20k USD cheaper new)

I don't think it's a Z4 thing, the SLK, TT, 350Z, Crossfire and even the Bosxter all depreciate down to scrap at a similar rate.

I think the S2000 is an exception, it's a commemorative 50th anniversary model for Honda and the only 'Halo' sports car the range has seen for a long time (NSX aside). So while the Z4 slots as a mid-range BMW, the S2000 is the daddy of all Hondas and there are a lot of people who have grown up with Civics who aspire to upgrade which keeps demand up. Well thats my view anyway.

 

[aquazi]

I had an s2k before my z4.... Absolutely loved it.... Much more wild, while the z4 is refined. Also much more usable power Ian the z4.... But while the s2k need serious rpm to go anywhere it's great fun in the process

However I eventually got tired of the s2k... And as said have to pay attention when driving in the wet.

 

[Darren M]

Test drove an S2000 with the removable hardtop fitted a while before getting buying a Z4 3.0Si Coupe. It went well but for me it's more suited to a weekend only toy. The S2000 gearchange was amazing but took some getting used to also. The Z4 makes a good weekend toy and depending on the engine is brilliant for daily driving too (ie, plenty of torque from the 3.0 and above engines especially). Considering the power and lack of torque from the S2000, it was only rated at about 25mpg if I remember correctly, a more powerful Z4 3.0Si is rated at 31+mpg. Note that these are the offical UK figures,sometimes you can better them or do worse.
Also the Z4 has a better cockpit, more classy and more space. I felt the S2000 was a little cramped even for my thin frame - I remember my right arm elbow lacking space. When I tested a Z4 for the first time knew immediately what to buy.

I like high revving four pots but if I was considering again a Z4 3.0Si or an S2000, the BMW would always be my choice. Might be a tougher choice if was considerign a 2.0 litre Z4 but as I prefer BMW's I'd probably still go for the Bimmer
Depsite what Honda say, there have been engine related failures especially as the cars age.

 

[lacroupade]

Each to their own. Why not test drive each to see which you like best?

Sound advice. The roads in the US are different to Europe and the two cars are very different animals. I like both but glad I made the BMW choice.

Exactly, I'm not sure they need steering over there LOL