S5 owner thining - what's next?

A

alonlif

New member
Hi All,

Nice to join the Z4 community!

I currently own a 2010 S5 and i am NOT HAPPY with it - heavy, not sporty enough for me, very heavy on fuel consumption. a looker though. :headbang:

Looking to change in a few months - and this time go for something which will have 'sporty' all over! the 4 options:

Hardcore - Nissan 370z (cheapest)
Hardcore+ premium- Cayman s (very expensive)
Staying in the family- Audi TTS (same price as the Z4 3.0)
Premium - Z4 3.5 or 3.0

Anyone had the same dilemma? any thoughts? Being on Z4 forum I guess i will hear Z4 praises - but I am interested to hear why -

Thanks!!

Alon
 
I had a similar dilemma when choosing a sports car.

I considered the Honda S2000 but wrote that off cos the design was starting to look at little dated, particularly the interior.
Nissan 370, considered for a while but the fuel economy wasn't great and I couldn't make myself like the looks of it.
The audi TT was just too pricey,
likewise for the Porches, and the service cost of these are astronomical!

So I settled for the Z4 as a good compromise between price, looks, performance and economy.

However, take that with a pinch of salt, as I wasn't looking at the top end performance as you are. But I've only heard good things about the Z4 ///M versions. :thumbsup:
 
IMO, the Cayman S and Z4 are the only ones that could truly satisfy your craving after moving from an S5.

- The Z4 is the only one here that truly respects the essence of the word ''roadster'' from it's origin; two seater, front engine, rear wheel drive, soft top.

- If a coupe was more to my liking, I would pick the Porsche because of it's incredible balance and improved practicality over the Z.
 
For me....

Nissan - The 370Z is just pig ugly despite being pretty good to drive. 350Z was a much better design. Rules it out entirely.

Porsche- The Cayman S is very expensive compared to the Z4, you easily need to spend £50k+ for a good spec and though brilliant to drive, they never feel like a £50k+ car to me. Drive a 2-3 year old 911 back to back with a Cayman and it feels like a toy IMO. But then a £50k 911 is going to be about 3 years old.

Audi - The TT is a reasonable enough car but like all Audis I've driven, I find the steering far too light and the whole driving experience somewhat 'disconnected', you do not have the feel or satisfaction I find in BMWs. I don't like the styling or the bath tub driving position either, feels odd.

And that leaves the Z, LOL. The new Z is more refined and has a far better interior than the old one - much more luxurious and substantial and much better than the current TT. It's very nice to drive, looks good, and the extra practicality of the folding hard top is nice to have. All for a fair few grand less than an equivalent Cayman or Boxster. (The SDrive35i is a 3.0 Turbo rather than a 3.0, just for your info)
 
Think mikedav has summed up my similar thoughts too. In replacing a S5, you not tempted with a 3 series Coupé / Convertible? I know there's a lot about, but in the right colour it does look great.

Get a brand spanking new Z4 35iS in the right colour & id say it attracts more attention than an S5.

Is the S5 a V8? Ive seen some V8s and some V6T's.. I love the noise, & I've had a good spirited M6 drive with one, but it's also not for me on grounds of weight, bloatedness etc.
 
I cant comment on the other cars you have listed as possibilities, because i have no experience with them.

But my Z4M is an outstanding car, for me, the perfect compromise of performance and comfort.

Take a test drive, but leave your wallet at home :D
 
I love the looks (and sound) of S5s - followed one around Glasgow city centre a few weeks ago, certainly wasn't standard exhausts, what a noise...

I've got no experience of any of those cars, but my thoughts on them are:

370z - FUGLY (couldn't live with the looks regardless of how well it apparently drives)

TT - only if it's the TTRS version

Cayman S - best option if you have the funds to buy and run it

E89 Z4 - might be a bit quiet compared to the S5, but overall might be a good compromise for something with sporty intentions but a bit more refinement than something like the Cayman S
 
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