Looking for advice on a 3.0si roadster or coupe

R

R9MPO

Member
Hello all,

Just joined the forum after rediscovering the z4 especially the coupe some what. My brother had a 04 3.0 manual roadster about 10 years ago and I remember it being awesome especially compared to my 1.8 focus at the time.

I currently have a 2016 Audi TTRS and a golf 1.9tdi daily.

I'm looking forward into the future and next year I'm thinking ill cut down on my out goings to travel more while I'm young and sell the TTRS but I want to replace it with something fun and something that feels to be an occasion to drive. I've also done track days in the past so I would like to be able to do some light track work with it.

I have been drawn to the facelift roadster and also the coupe mainly the later engine. I love the look of the coupe but after having a z4 roaster of the latest generation last year as a curtesy car there is a big appeal to have the roof down as I've never owned a convertible in my long list of cars.

as opposed to the obvious is there any huge differences in the drive of a later 3.0si roadster and the coupe? I've heard of a flexy feeling in the roadster compared to the coupe but is this something you'll only notice driving the two back to back?

Is the coupe going to be so much better on a back road hoon or track day? It probably wont be a daily car but it certainly wouldn't be hidden away in the garage.

With regards to the N52 is there any worthwhile mods for the engine? I understand its an NA lump so gains are hard to come by but wasn't sure if there was really any great mods I should look at or plan to do it if I purchase a e85/86.

Lastly im 6'4 so I feel i need to probably try and sit in a z4 at some point to make sure its actually drivable for me or do you think there's no chance it'll be comfortable?

Thanks in advance :D
 
Morning,

The 3.0si is a reasonably quick car but, having owned a TTS convertible myself in the past, neither version is going to compare to a TTRS. The TTS was comfortably quicker, especially for back road blasting, so the TTRS would be further ahead again.

Having said that, for me the Roadster is more of an experience than the E86. It’s fun to drive at more modest speeds when the sun’s out (or anytime when it’s not raining).

The E86 looks great, but it’s too compromised for me being a hard top with only two seats… putting the windows down just isn’t as much fun as putting the roof down.

I’ve owned a number of 3.0Si’s and I can’t say I’ve noticed much in the way of chassis flex, but the coupe is stiffer. I guess a question would be how much time are you going to be spending on track compared to fun road driving. If it’s 10% track 90% road… roof down option wins for me.

In addition, the fun of ‘roof down’ will compensate somewhat for some of the loss of power compared to the TTRs, the sensation of speed when pressing on down a country road is greatly enhanced by being exposed to the surrounding environment :thumbsup:

Tuning options, Supercharger is about it… not a lot to be gained by doing anything less dramatic.

Height, can’t help you there I’m afraid…. I tell my kids ‘’I’m tall for my height’’ but my 6’2’’ step son calls me a 5’7’’ Hobbit :poke:
 
Thank you for your response True-Blue.

I appreciate what you're saying about the TTRS i'm itching to tune it as well before my NC500 trip coming up so it'll be closer to 500 bhp. But i want to go back to analogue with the next car. I had a GR yaris before the TTRS and while i loved it for a blast i struggled with the money i was paying for the overall interior and normal driving. Also the lack of any sound at all killed it for me! With the Z4 i feel the interior is still of good quality but equally id probably be spending 10k max and not 35k so less is expected plus the straight six makes a great sound too.

probably sounds silly saying I'm going to map the TTRS but I'm happy to go back to half the power next year I guess :lol: but i do completely understand the TTRS's power tuned or not is just not usable power. around 250bhp seems perfect for everyday fun. Plus i dont see much else front engine rwd and manual on offer.

i think ill need to get out and try and fit in a Z4 at some point before i look too much more into them!
 
I think True-Blue has pretty much covered it!

If you give an indication of where you are based there may be someone local on here who can let you have a test fit.

Anyway welcome to the forum and good luck. :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
If you give an indication of where you are based there may be someone local on here who can let you have a test fit.
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thats a good point im in the colchester essex area.

Appreciate the welcome :)
 
Im a lanky 6'4 and fit perfectly using my z4 si Roadster as my daily, its a great companion for my 30 mile round daily commute, if you're prepared to rev these out they are decently quick, ill be honest ive got a vx 220 turbo as my weekender and that thing is seriously impressive bringing a lot more laugh out loud moments but they both do there jobs perfectly for me fulfilling a different role.
 
I'll add my opinion having owned my E86 since February.

A week after I bought my car a friend got a 3.0Si E85 so very easy for me to compare. Both cars are the same spec and run standard suspension but my E86 has genuine M Z4M 224 wheels and has had the geometry set to Z4M E86 parameters.

I think the coupe feels a lot harsher than the roadster and seems to highlight any squeaks/rattles that the cars can have. However I've only really been in my fiends car with the roof down so you get more wind noise.

My daily car is a 640d and would leave the Z4 standing but it's the way the Z4's sound and drive that make them a fun car.

I can see why some people go for the roadster but I got the coupe as a long term car hoping that it retains it's value over the years.
 
curvature said:
I can see why some people go for the roadster but I got the coupe as a long term car hoping that it retains it's value over the years.
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This is another thing ive considered if i did keep the z4 coupe i imagine i wouldnt loose much money im not sure how the roadster compares really?
 
eddietiv1 said:
Im a lanky 6'4 and fit perfectly using my z4 si Roadster as my daily, its a great companion for my 30 mile round daily commute, if you're prepared to rev these out they are decently quick, ill be honest ive got a vx 220 turbo as my weekender and that thing is seriously impressive bringing a lot more laugh out loud moments but they both do there jobs perfectly for me fulfilling a different role.
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Ah good to know im not what youd call lanky to be honest.
I struggle to fit in my friends mk1 mx5 but i imagined the z4 would be far bigger?

My daily will stay as the 1.9 tdi golf which gets great mpg at around 65-70 but its only 105 ps so even my friends audi a1 feel quick compared with it :lol: im hoping a 265 bhp z4 would feel quick too
 
R9MPO said:
This is another thing ive considered if i did keep the z4 coupe i imagine i wouldnt loose much money im not sure how the roadster compares really?
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Coupes do seem to hold their value pretty well, possibly because only 2,189 were registered in the UK, but 3.0Si Roadsters are rarer with just 963 finding homes here so as 3.0Si models go I doubt there will be much difference.

You just see more Roadsters around because there were 3 years of pre-facelifts and there were other facelift engine options, 2.0i, 2.5i and 2.5Si. Coupes were all 3.0Si facelifts 0 if you don't include Ms!
 
R9MPO said:
Mr Tidy said:
If you give an indication of where you are based there may be someone local on here who can let you have a test fit.
Click to expand...

thats a good point im in the colchester essex area.

Appreciate the welcome :)
Click to expand...

You're more than welcome to see if you can fit in mine, I'm in Takeley, Essex. Near Stansted Airport :)
 
R9MPO said:
eddietiv1 said:
Im a lanky 6'4 and fit perfectly using my z4 si Roadster as my daily, its a great companion for my 30 mile round daily commute, if you're prepared to rev these out they are decently quick, ill be honest ive got a vx 220 turbo as my weekender and that thing is seriously impressive bringing a lot more laugh out loud moments but they both do there jobs perfectly for me fulfilling a different role.
Click to expand...
Ah good to know im not what youd call lanky to be honest.
I struggle to fit in my friends mk1 mx5 but i imagined the z4 would be far bigger?

My daily will stay as the 1.9 tdi golf which gets great mpg at around 65-70 but its only 105 ps so even my friends audi a1 feel quick compared with it :lol: im hoping a 265 bhp z4 would feel quick too
Click to expand...

I also own a 1.9 Golf tdi. The E86 is a good looking car, but the Z4 was designed as a roadster of which it fulfills its job very well - as you say there is virtually no choice around £10k for a front engine/rear drive sports car. In todays market the E85 or E86 represent exceptional value for money compared to their opposition, that being the Boxster and Honda S2000. Having driven both, I know my preference!

To make the Z4 into a track car, would cost quite a bit of money - not forgetting that the car would lose its main purpous as a fun road car. British roads are not suitable for track focused cars (potholes etc, etc, that we a know very well and love).

I have just purchased another 2006 3.0si roadster (Auto - don't laugh), which was quite a difficult task due to the 3.0si rareity - especially being low mileage car and owners. These cars are a "Great place to be sat in with the Sun Shinning and Roof Down".
 
griffnut said:
To make the Z4 into a track car, would cost quite a bit of money - not forgetting that the car would lose its main purpous as a fun road car. British roads are not suitable for track focused cars (potholes etc, etc, that we a know very well and love).
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To be honest i wouldnt be going for a full on track build i would just like to take it on track to explore the full performance i cant safely on the road. I agree though track mods are far to stiff for the UK B road!
 
With regards to tuning in the E85/86 3.0 si can you still change the rear diff to aid in gear driving?

Do any of the after mark LSD help at all aswell as with traction?
 
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