Would a Z4 MSport 2.5 ltr be a good daily user?

[richy176]

HI,

New here and looking for some guidance.

My youngest lad is graduating from Uni soon and starts work in September and wants to replace his 1.1 Seat with something more fun.

He had a test drive in a Mazda MX5 2.0 ltr and had a grin all over his face. Then tried a 2.0 Z4 but found it a bit under powered. Earlier today he took out a 2.5 MSport and found it far better the the smaller engine.

Does anyone use their Z4 as a daily car or are most weekenders? Are there any problems with the MSport compared to the more standard models (if there is such a thing). The one he tested was a 2011 with about 35k on the clock and was about £12.5k - does that sound in the right ballpark?

Thanks for your help
Richard

 

[philbo909]

Sounds to me like he wants the mx5! I don't know about e89s, but generally with bmw msport>SE mostly because of the better seats and nicer arch gap

 

[RustyZ4]

Im guessing if it was an E89 he took out and probably a 2.3 and a six cylinder, as opposed to a 2.0 four cylinder the Msport is mainly cosmetic mods and stiffer suspension, and is a great everyday car, the reliability is the same for an Msport or a "standard"
£12.5 k sounds about right for a reasonable spec, good condition and service history
The MX5 is good fun to drive no doubt about that, and im guessing for his age cheaper insurance, and I am thinking probably cheaper to run and maintain, but the Z is a more serious car

 

[richy176]

Thanks for the replies.

He preferred the MX5 to the 2.0 Z4 but would chooses the M Sport over both.

May have been the e89 but not sure. It was a 2.5 ltr and has SDrive2.3l in the description. Insurance was not too bad at £800. The MX5 probably would be cheaper to run but from what I have seen on the forum, the roof motor and electrics seem to be the main issues but I guess if reliability was really poor then prices would crash.

 

[RustyZ4]

Thanks for the replies.

He preferred the MX5 to the 2.0 Z4 but would chooses the M Sport over both.

May have been the e89 but not sure. It was a 2.5 ltr and has SDrive2.3l in the description. Insurance was not too bad at £800. The MX5 probably would be cheaper to run but from what I have seen on the forum, the roof motor and electrics seem to be the main issues but I guess if reliability was really poor then prices would crash.

The roof motor on the E85 was prone to water issues with the pump, the E89 (which is the one your son drove) are much more reliable, although a micro switch has been a culprit on a few of them, that's not a bad insurance quote

 

[dhobbs]

My car is a daily drive, mostly motorway miles though. Been like that for 5 years and enjoyed it all. All other cars seem boring in comparison.
Mine is the older e85 but these cars are built to be driven.

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

What year was the MX5? Just thinking regarding running costs. I don't think there will be much in it tbh.

 

[mr wilks]

What year was the MX5? Just thinking regarding running costs. I don't think there will be much in it tbh.

Even if there was much in it ultimately its a choice between driving / owning a Mazda MX5 or a Bmw Z4 :? id happily pay much more not to have to drive the Mazda

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

What year was the MX5? Just thinking regarding running costs. I don't think there will be much in it tbh.

Even if there was much in it ultimately its a choice between driving / owning a Mazda MX5 or a Bmw Z4 :? id happily pay much more not to have to drive the Mazda

Snap!

 

[richy176]

What year was the MX5? Just thinking regarding running costs. I don't think there will be much in it tbh.

Same year and similar mileage but about £2k cheaper. Think the insurance quote was a little less and road tax is lower but overall he prefers the 2.5 ltr M Sport. He will be putting in some motorway miles which is also a factor. If it was going to be all country roads then the MX5 would probably win.

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

What year was the MX5? Just thinking regarding running costs. I don't think there will be much in it tbh.

Same year and similar mileage but about £2k cheaper. Think the insurance quote was a little less and road tax is lower but overall he prefers the 2.5 ltr M Sport. He will be putting in some motorway miles which is also a factor. If it was going to be all country roads then the MX5 would probably win.

Sounds like his mind is made up. And a good choice! Tell him to get on here with lots of pics if he buys a Z.

 

[ph001]

Yep, the 23i is the N52B25 engine (2.5l straight six) kicking out 201bhp and 0-60mph in 7 sec dead. I think it's a much more grown up car compared to the MX5. A little surprised he felt the 2l was underpowered though as that is a 4cyl turbo with 15lbft more torque than the 23i, power is similar at about 180bhp iirc but supposedly slightly quicker to 60mph. Also, the 4cyl turbo is very tuneable and 250bhp is no problem at all for £300 or so.

I wonder if it was the 18i he drove? That is still the 2.0l turbo but detuned to just 154bhp but they didn't come out until 2013.

All the cars from 2009 onwards with the retractable hardtop are known as the E89. The earlier ones with the softop are E85 and then the fixed roof coupe was known as the E86.

The E89 is a completely different driving experience compared to the earlier cars. The earlier ones being much more direct / raw, very go-kart like, and probably closer to the MX5 in terms of fun factor. The E89 are very accomplished cruisers, certainly more cosseting and maybe the better option for motorway miles.

 

[richy176]

I wonder if it was the 18i he drove? That is still the 2.0l turbo but detuned to just 154bhp but they didn't come out until 2013.

It was the 18i he first tested registered in October 2013

 

[ph001]

Ah, that would make sense then. Still, you can get that to 250bhp for the same £300 so in that respect it's a bit of a bargain. Insurance issues aside.

 

[AndyS]

I would suggest trying a 20i as more of a comparison to the 23i
It's still a 2.0l 4 cyl engine with slightly better performance than the 23i with lower tax
I use mine as a daily driver and love it

 

[paullyjay]

I drive my e85 daily - it's fine, a little bumpier than my last car (5 series) and quite a bit more thirsty!

 

[Marekdawg]

I use mine as a daily mostly (either the Zed or the RR). Mine is the 3.0i E89 so more on tax and insurance - but every time I get out I have a smile and have to look back as walking away! It is going to be more expensive to run and drive than the MX5 but definitely well worth it in my opinion!
Suppose the questions at the end of the day are - what does he prefer and does he have the budget?

 

[richy176]

I use mine as a daily mostly (either the Zed or the RR). Mine is the 3.0i E89 so more on tax and insurance - but every time I get out I have a smile and have to look back as walking away! It is going to be more expensive to run and drive than the MX5 but definitely well worth it in my opinion!
Suppose the questions at the end of the day are - what does he prefer and does he have the budget?

Now the proud owner of an E89. He managed to get finance from `bank of dad' until he starts work in September. Next step is flat hunting around Coventry and find a local specialist for servicing etc.

 

[Marekdawg]

Now the proud owner of an E89. He managed to get finance from `bank of dad' until he starts work in September. Next step is flat hunting around Coventry and find a local specialist for servicing etc.

Brilliant, Congrats to him! ( I'm sure the 'bank' should also take it for a spin or two.. )
Now some say its forum law to get some photos up...

Hope to see either of you two around for a future meet!

 

[ph001]

Cool. Which engine?