Quote:
|
Originally Posted by abrcrombe Nice collection of cars and good work on the MR2. What do you think of the z4 compared to the 3 series?? ( I realize they aren't that similar, but just curious) |
Thanks! The Z4 is a fun car. It's got quite a lot of creature comforts for a roadster, and a surprisingly large trunk. The canvas top has good insulation so road noise is minimal for a vert. But you still hear sqeaks and rattles here and there. The sound system works well to drown those noises out.
The car feels balanced, light and nimble. The chassis is surprisingly stiff considering it's a vert. We have the sports package which has 18" low profile run flat tires. But I find the ride uneccessarily stiff. Non run flat tires should make a huge difference. When sport mode is turned on, throttle response sharpens and the steering feel gets a bit heavier, but I still find it too light. My wife thinks it's perfect. The engine is torquey and has a smooth linear pull. The 6speed tranny feels very positive and has the perfect amount of throw. The exhaust has a nice low deep note to it too, on low rpm's. Despite having only 225hp, it runs neck and neck against a 350z roadster, but the brakes feel better on the Z4.
The things they could improve on would be: a heavier steering wheel feel when sport mode is turned on, better materials used on the dash (it feels kinda rubbery), the use of non-run flat tires, and better sport seats.
Compared to the Z4, the 3 series, at least the m3, feels heavy. The good thing about that is that it feels better planted on the road and more sure footed. 85mph feels fast on the MR2. 115mph feels fast on the Z4. To get that "i'm going fast feeling" on the m3, you're looking at about 140mph. Anything less than 85mph feels numbing. Keeping it at 65mph is tough to do on this car - no joke. This car was really built for high speed touring. The same goes for canyon carving. What feels fast on the Z4 feels mellow on the m3. It's just too predictable and planted.
The interior is pretty plush. The sport seats with adjustable side bolsters are good, but they could do better, like say the VW R32 seats. The exhaust makes a metallic raspy sound. The Z4/350z's/G35's/R32's sound way better. The Getrag tranny used on the M3 is terrible. It's clunky, notchy, beefy and truck-like. I installed a short shift kit with a weighted rod, urethane tranny mounts and Royal Purple synchro mesh. It made a huge improvement, but the Z4's tranny is still much better. The differential/tranny is noisy. Driving in parking lots is awful when you're staying on 1st gear and are on the gas pedal, then suddenly you have to push the clutch in. You'll soon be all too familiar with the M3/M5 tranny/diff "clunk". Steering feel and throttle response is dialed in on the M3. I have Bilstein PSS9 coilovers on the M3 and am set lower than the Z4, yet the ride is more comfortable. Both cars have about the same amount of body roll.
I think what really makes the M3 impressive is it's engine. It will throw you against your seat with a big grin on your face all the way till it's almost 8000rpm redline. Despite the 6yr old technology, there are not too many cars it can't keep up with, if not blow away in both straigh line speed and handling. It's a track worthy street car.
To sum it up, both cars have their goods and bads. The Z4 is fun when the weather is nice and you want the wind in your face. The M3 answers proudly when you call for raw power and are pushing your and the cars' limits. Plain and simply put, its a Euro muscle car. A non-m3 3 series may be the perfect compromise.
Sorry for the novel
here's a close up
Linear Mode
