Newbie - Z4 or SLK or Cayman ?

G

Guitarman

Member
Hi Guys,
I've just joined the Forum. I've been saving for a new car and now have around £20k for a pre-owned Z4, SLK or Cayman.
That's the good news! :D
The bad news is that I've been used to Toyota levels of build and reliability for the past 15 years driving an Mr2 Mk1 and MR2 Mk 2. I bought both secondhand and used them every day all year round, and even when after many years the bodywork started to go they would always start first time in all weather and never ever let me down. No niggly problems or electrical faults EVER, and certainly no engine or drive train issues. My current Mr2 MK2 is a 94 reg that is still on its original factory exhaust!!! Yes after 21 years!!!! and 140k miles.

I've been researching on the web about possible sports cars and have been very disappointed to say the least with all the problems and design flaws with both Porsche Cayman and BMW Z4. Less so with the SLK.

I've had test drives in all three and liked them all in different ways and really don't know whether to take the plunge???

Maybe I should stick with Jap quality and get a 370Z ?? Any comments or thoughts much appreciated !!!
 
Thanks guys, well I work as a designer but have never understood why people rave about the Audi TT. Really do not like the looks at all I'm afraid, far too much like a beetle.

Looks wise I prefer the Z4, but am tempted by what seems to be a more bulletproof build of the SLK.
Haven't driven a 370z yet, but will try one soon, although a bit put off by the massive road tax and very low mpg.
On the Z4 test drive I did feel immediately at home with the driving position and feel which is very like my trusty old MR2!
 
I was going to buy a 370z until i drove one last week... Bloody awful thing,not that fast and the cabin noise was horrendous. I used to work for Nissan and like the product but i was very disappointed..That much that i walked from the dealership.

The Cayman you need needs to be 2009 on to avoid the engine problems...I think you may struggle with 20k to find something.

SLK and Z4..... similar cars,drive very differently though......

You need to have a go in both to see what suits..... What models are you thinking of ?
 
Merc bulletproof build ... have you owned a Merc ? Lol. They are far from bulletproof in my experience :cry:
 
Nothing is bulletproof anymore....... Merc and BMW no exception...

20k will get you into a lovely late SLK though,you would be unlucky to have issues with it..
 
What particular issues with the Z4 are you concerned about ? Perhaps we can help put your mind at rest... After all, you've joined for a reason :wink:

If you have £20k to spend and are looking at the e85/e86 (Bangle design era) as opposed to the newest (e89) version then that's very well looked after low mileage M money, and lots of change. You'll even get a low mileage good condition M coupé for that money.
 
Z4M-2006 said:
I was going to buy a 370z until i drove one last week... Bloody awful thing,not that fast and the cabin noise was horrendous. I used to work for Nissan and like the product but i was very disappointed..That much that i walked from the dealership.

The Cayman you need needs to be 2009 on to avoid the engine problems...I think you may struggle with 20k to find something.

SLK and Z4..... similar cars,drive very differently though......

You need to have a go in both to see what suits..... What models are you thinking of ?
Click to expand...

Hmmm, thanks, will have a drive of the 370 and see if I get the same reaction.

The Cayman engine failure horror stories have more or less finished any interest I had in Porsche, I'm totally disgusted by what I've read about Porsche's attitude to all that. I thought engine rebuilds due to basic design flaws was TVR territory not Porsche. Unbelievable really!

Was really wanting a 6 cylinder engine so thinking of SLK350 (not latest model) or Z4 3.0 sdrive . . .
 
Bing said:
What particular issues with the Z4 are you concerned about ? Perhaps we can help put your mind at rest... After all, you've joined for a reason :wink:

If you have £20k to spend and are looking at the e85/e86 (Bangle design era) as opposed to the newest (e89) version then that's very well looked after low mileage M money, and lots of change. You'll even get a low mileage good condition M coupé for that money.
Click to expand...

The issues I've read about are fuel pumps, cracked wheels, water leaks, and light cluster probs as well as a few roof problems. Also some turbo probs with the 35i ?
I know its very difficult to tell from the internet how widespread these things are because all the happy drivers dont make a fuss, and you only tend to hear about the unlucky ones who have had a nightmare.

Much prefer the looks of the current shape Z4 though, but if its going to spend lots of time having niggly faults fixed that will do my head in :(
 
There will always be issues I guess... Some are design faults like the back lights, some come on over time..

For your money you will get a lowish miles 3.0 ..

The issue with the 35 is the wastegate actuators... Not an expensive fix, but fiddly if you happen to fall foul..

High pressure fuel pumps can fail, this is accross the board and all manufacturers... It may happen once in the lifetime of the car.... Again unlucky if it happens..

The Z4 in a it's guises is a very reliable car..

The V6 merc engines, isnt there some kind of shaft issue with the engines???
 
I drove a 2014 SLK 350 for a couple of weeks last year and whilst I liked the folding metal roof, I found the car somewhat disappointing. It had lots of low down torque (almost too much on cold tyres) and the V6 sounded good, but it's not a driver's car like your MR2s and nor is it a luxury waft mobile. I'm not opposed to MB per se - my other half has an E Class coupe and I really quite like that - but the SLK is too soft to be a sports car and too noisy with too hard a ride to be a cruiser. Of course, I'm always going to suggest a Z4M Coupe, but I can't promise it will be reliable and it will certainly cost you much more per mile than your previous cars.
 
20k will buy a lot of Z4. Nice M\\\ Coupe for that money. E85/86models are turning out very reliable. Every one will mention rear springs and roof motors. But the engines are prety bombproof even the Vanos is proving reliable on the M\\\'s. Buy a flimper spec car. That's one with no Nav and few silly toys and there's not much to go wrong with the electrics either. So reliable and 170 mph what you waiting for. :thumbsup:
 
Ricey01 said:
370z ......come to the dark side ;-)
Click to expand...

Speaking of 370z's, I saw a white Nismo on the road yesterday and thought it looked very impressive. Never driven one though
 
My shortlist was SlK or Z4M. I have not regretted going for the M. So far super-reliable and enormous fun.

And finally, the people on the Z4-Forum are so much nicer. :D
 
I agree the SLK is not a sports car and has too much torque and the rears spin very easily. Much more comfortable though and I think it's more bulletproof than my Z4 was.

I only bought it because I wanted and needed a change
 
Z4M-2006 said:
I was going to buy a 370z until i drove one last week... Bloody awful thing,not that fast and the cabin noise was horrendous. I used to work for Nissan and like the product but i was very disappointed..That much that i walked from the dealership.

The Cayman you need needs to be 2009 on to avoid the engine problems...I think you may struggle with 20k to find something.

SLK and Z4..... similar cars,drive very differently though......

You need to have a go in both to see what suits..... What models are you thinking of ?
Click to expand...

The 370 absolutely HAS to have an uprated exhaust on it. It's far too quiet in standard guise.

350 for me was better looking and for its time better performance. Unfortunately that's probably a bit long in the tooth for the OP.

You can take an insurance out on the Cayman that covers for the major defects (IMS failure and bore score?) but it costs a good few quid
 
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