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johns6809

Member
Or...Hello all :D
Looking for a bit of advice. My wife has a 2006 MX5 2.0s and is now due a change. We (well me :roll: ) have decided she should get a two year old Z4. We like the 2.0 sport. But will it have enough umph? I would imagine that it will have broadly similar performance to the MX5? Which is ok. Only problem is, looking through the classifieds, the 2.5 or 3.0 models seem to go for around the same price as the smaller engined car? Is it because they are so much more expensive to run regarding fuel consumption and road tax etc? Insurance not really too much of a problem at our semi geriatric stage in life!
We would be most grateful for any advice.
 
running cost difference are marginal- i went for the 2.2 at the time as the 3.0 were a lot more expensive- now the 3.0 is the easy choice! That said my 2.2 keeps up in the real world so it depends what you want to do with the car. The 6cyl sound is worth the extra cash! :driving:
 
Welcome!

I doubt that you'll find the running costs of a 3.0 significantly more than the 2.2 (bear in mind even the 2.2 is 6 cylinder). You may lose 3 or 4mpg but unless you do a huge mileage then this will only make a slight difference to running costs. The insurance is a little higher but unless you're sub-25 and have low NCB then this shouldn't be a worry either, I guess from your description that unless you married very young you may not fall into this category!! :lol:

The 3.0 is a very solid engine and shouldn't really throw up any bills that a 2.2 wouldn't, what it does offer is significantly more torque and power than the 2.2, you don't need to rev the 3.0 to make progress at all, it's a much lazier to drive engine in my experience, when you do decide to rev it though she just goes and goes and goes :D
 
Get the 3 litre, every day of the week ! 8)

Reason I say that is that there have been numerous reports both on here, and other forums, that the 3 litre is just as good on fuel as the lesser models, but offers significant gains in power !

Get the 3 litre, and you won`t regret it.............I promise ! :wink:
 
+1 for the 3.0 - but as Paddy says the 2.2 keeps up well in the real world.

johns6809, whereabouts in the UK? Bound to be a forum member near you who could give you a spin and you can see for yourself.
 
I've just recently moved from a 2007 2.0 litre MX5 to a 2.0 litre Z4. :thumbsup:

I did look at some 3.0 litre cars - but they all had high mileage, and to be honest at my age, I wasn't that fussed about the extra performance.
I would say that the MX5 felt faster, lighter and all together much more fun - and I had great fun just chucking it into corners. :driving:

The Z4 feels heavier, and while it was easy to make last minute changes of direction or to apply some brakes mid corner with the MX5, the Z4 needs more consideration and lining up for corners.

The Z4 does feel classy though, and I'm very happy with it. :thumbsup:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/bmw/z4-open/full-review/23762-1
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-z4-2.0i-1004447.html
 
Having just recenly bought a 2006 2.0lt sport Z4, i have to say they are nippy enough, very comfy and good fun. Tyres etc are an issue and there is enough posts on the forum for you to make your own mind up on that. Fuel economy is good around 34 mpg (rural, we dont have big cities down here.) Boot is excellant space wise(even with the roof down. Had it a couple of months now and still smiling. Which ever one you choose it will be worth it. :D
 
drive a few and make your own mind up...

as others have already said not much in it running cost wise..

Welcome along :D
 
MalcZ4 thats a very good sum up of the difference between the 2.0 Z4 and the MX-5....bang on about the requirement to line a Z4 up through the corners in a way you don't need to do in an MX-5.

.... what made you go for the Z4 ? ...quality of the car; better dealers ?

what put me off going for another Mx-5 was the pretty poor dealership support in this part of the world.

I looked at both 2.0 ; 2.5 and 3.0 and came across a nice 05 3.0 which I think is stunning.... particularly the noise.
 
ZermattV said:
.... what made you go for the Z4 ? ...quality of the car; better dealers ?
.

We rent a house in the south of France for 4 weeks every summer and I've always wanted to take the car - but the MX5 boot was tiny.

So I was looking for a soft top with a big boot, and air con for those really hot days. 8)
 
Thanks for all the advice. It is the quality of the BMW compared to the MAZDA that appeals mostly. I think the thing to do is to look for the lowest mileage best condition Z4 we can find. Wether it be 2.0 2.5 or 3.0. They all seem to be good. I have seen a few "Edition Sport" models for sale. I take it this is a Sport model with a few extras thrown in is it?
If any of you are thinking of changing your car anytime soon, you never know. We could well be interested :)
Anyone after a very very low mileage 56 plate MX5 2.0s?
John
 
I have owned 2 MX5's and 2 Z4's - currently have a Mk2.5 MX5 Sport (2004) and a Z4MR. It would have to be the Z4 every day - its basically a grown up MX5 with creature comforts :thumbsup:
 
You could always do what I'm planning lol.
Bought the 2.0 lt which I use every day, looking for a 3.0 lt M everything for the weekends and holidays and trackdays ........... but that's because I'm a Z4 slut, got to be the best car on the road and 2 is always better than 1 .........
(latest update just got approval from herself for the 2nd Z4 ....... :D ..... and the young'un who has just passed his test thinks its a cool idea too ..... hmmmm wonder why ?)
 
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