Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare

"AM" <am01.RemoveThis@netvigator.com> wrote
> Many reviews of the Z4 - a great roadster in its own right - write that
> the
> car has a tendancy to understeer and for a sports car enthusiast lacks the
> feel that translates the road through the steering wheel.
>
> The new MX5 which obviously in a different price bracket, is more of a
> hardcore sports car, but of course gives up much of the refinement, beauty
> and quality that goes with the Z4.
>
> I would appreciate it if people could comment on this - and anything else
> they feel worthy of note. Unfortunetely where I am BMW dont have a Z4 for
> testing so I have no means of comparison. I am looking mainly at the
> 2.5siA.

Let's be perfectly clear about this: *EVERY* production car in the
world is engineered to exhibit understeer. (Well, a Lotus Elise might
not be... but we're talking fewer than a handful of cars.) Understeer
is a desirable trait for most drivers because it's generally safer for
them. Rear-engined Porsches exhibit understeer. My NSX and my
wife's Boxster exhibit understeer. Lamborghini's and Ferraris exhibit
it (according to C&D).

Given that, and having looked at the last MX5 review in Car & Driver
that says it has "benign understeer", I doubt that is a substantial
difference
in the amount of understeer these two cars exhibit. In fact, the Z4,
having more power, will be able to exhibit *MORE* oversteer (the
opposite trait). Buy what you like; I know lots of people like MX5's.
The Z4 is more powerful, faster and slightly plusher riding, and more
comfortable and quiet than the MX5. Only you can tell if the extra
$10K is worth it.

FloydR
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

2.5siA? As in automatic? Why bother. Both of those cars should be manuals,
that's most of the fun in driving them. The Z4 will be a much faster car, a
little more room, and looks better too. (yea, I know, but I actually like
Bangle's designs.)

"AM" <am01 RemoveThis @netvigator.com> wrote in message news:44817bce$1@127.0.0.1...
> Hi,
>
> Many reviews of the Z4 - a great roadster in its own right - write that
> the
> car has a tendancy to understeer and for a sports car enthusiast lacks the
> feel that translates the road through the steering wheel.
>
> The new MX5 which obviously in a different price bracket, is more of a
> hardcore sports car, but of course gives up much of the refinement, beauty
> and quality that goes with the Z4.
>
> I would appreciate it if people could comment on this - and anything else
> they feel worthy of note. Unfortunetely where I am BMW dont have a Z4 for
> testing so I have no means of comparison. I am looking mainly at the
> 2.5siA.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Alex
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

Thanks for your replies. As for the Z4 2.5A - I was of course referring to
the manual - but the price list shows 'A' - have no idea what it stands for!

One more question - do any of you know how the MX5 and Z4 compare in terms
of depreciation? (I realise several variables are at play here including the
country & the transmission, but any thoughts woud be appreciated - thanks!)
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

On Sun, 4 Jun 2006 00:35:11 +0800, "AM" <am01 DeleteThis @netvigator.com> wrote:

>Thanks for your replies. As for the Z4 2.5A - I was of course referring to
>the manual - but the price list shows 'A' - have no idea what it stands for!
>
>One more question - do any of you know how the MX5 and Z4 compare in terms
>of depreciation? (I realise several variables are at play here including the
>country & the transmission, but any thoughts woud be appreciated - thanks!)
>

I expect to see early Z4 prices plummet in the next couple of years as
more and more come off-lease onto the used market. And it's due to be
replaced in late 2009, which will further drive down prices. I could
be wrong - the press seems to be turning around on it's appearance,
and I've always gotten favorable responses to the car. It might be
more of a hit as a used car - it is certainly a great value as one.

epbrown
--
"Everybody wants a normal life and a cool car;
most people will settle for the car." Chris Titus
2003 BMW 325i Black/Black, 2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

"AM" <am01.DeleteThis@netvigator.com> wrote in message news:4481bc0b$1@127.0.0.1...
> Thanks for your replies. As for the Z4 2.5A - I was of course referring to
> the manual - but the price list shows 'A' - have no idea what it stands
> for!
>
> One more question - do any of you know how the MX5 and Z4 compare in terms
> of depreciation? (I realise several variables are at play here including
> the
> country & the transmission, but any thoughts woud be appreciated -
> thanks!)

Depends on where you are in the depreciation curve, but consider this...have
you ever driven the two cars with over 100K. The difference in them new is
very much exagerated.

Leonard
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

"AM" <am01.TakeThisOut@netvigator.com> wrote in message news:4481bc0b$1@127.0.0.1...
> Thanks for your replies. As for the Z4 2.5A - I was of course referring to
> the manual - but the price list shows 'A' - have no idea what it stands
> for!
A for Automatic.
Jim
>
> One more question - do any of you know how the MX5 and Z4 compare in terms
> of depreciation? (I realise several variables are at play here including
> the
> country & the transmission, but any thoughts woud be appreciated -
> thanks!)
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

Leonard Caillouet wrote:
> "AM" <am01 RemoveThis @netvigator.com> wrote in message news:4481bc0b$1@127.0.0.1...
>
>>Thanks for your replies. As for the Z4 2.5A - I was of course referring to
>>the manual - but the price list shows 'A' - have no idea what it stands
>>for!
>>
>>One more question - do any of you know how the MX5 and Z4 compare in terms
>>of depreciation? (I realise several variables are at play here including
>>the
>>country & the transmission, but any thoughts woud be appreciated -
>>thanks!)
>
>
> Depends on where you are in the depreciation curve, but consider this...have
> you ever driven the two cars with over 100K. The difference in them new is
> very much exagerated.

Personally, I can't see myself driving either one of these cars 100k
miles. Two seat roadsters are great 2nd or 3rd cars to take out only on
sunny days.

So unless you are buying one with high mileage, who cares. If you are
looking for a daily commuter car I'd be looking in an entirely different
direction...



--
-Fred W
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

In article <44817bce$1@127.0.0.1>,
AM <am01.DeleteThis@netvigator.com> wrote:
> Many reviews of the Z4 - a great roadster in its own right - write that
> the car has a tendancy to understeer and for a sports car enthusiast
> lacks the feel that translates the road through the steering wheel.

> The new MX5 which obviously in a different price bracket, is more of a
> hardcore sports car, but of course gives up much of the refinement,
> beauty and quality that goes with the Z4.

> I would appreciate it if people could comment on this - and anything
> else they feel worthy of note. Unfortunetely where I am BMW dont have a
> Z4 for testing so I have no means of comparison. I am looking mainly at
> the 2.5siA.

If you're looking for a sports car, the new Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport is very
close to the BMW 2.5 in performance, but beats it hands down in handling
and economy as well as being more fun to drive hard. The Z4 is a big
improvement on the Z3, but still more of a sporty tourer than out and out
sports car.

--
*I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met *

Dave Plowman dave.DeleteThis@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 08:44:28 -0400, Fred W
<Malt_Hound@*spam-me-not*yahoo.com> wrote:

>Personally, I can't see myself driving either one of these cars 100k
>miles. Two seat roadsters are great 2nd or 3rd cars to take out only on
>sunny days.
>
>So unless you are buying one with high mileage, who cares. If you are
>looking for a daily commuter car I'd be looking in an entirely different
>direction...


The Z4 is essentially a 2-seat version of the BMW 3-series; same
engines and running gear, stiffer chassis, a few tweaks to make it
sportier. There's no mechanical reason it can't rack up miles as
reliably as my 325i from the same year. High mileage cars aren't
common since they are usually 2nd cars, but they'd be no more
problematic than a 3-series with similar miles.
epbrown
--
"Everybody wants a normal life and a cool car;
most people will settle for the car." Chris Titus
2003 BMW 325i Black/Black, 2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

>but consider this...have you ever driven the two cars with over 100K. The
>difference in them new is very much exagerated.
>
>

Just curious... Do you mean that the differences are exagerated when they
are new and that they disapear over time making them less different, or that
the differences when new become even more exagerated when they accumulate
miles?

Thanks
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

The difference in build quality and ride is very much exagerated when they
are aging. We shopped last year for a used car for my son drove Mazdas and
BMWs. Wen ended up with a 97 Z3 with 80K miles. The Mazdas did not age
nearly as well. The newer product may hold up better, but I suspect the
trend will be similar to previous years. In general, my experience has been
that Mazda product ages out much more poorly. When I was selling used cars
I would be happy to sell a high mileage BMW, Honda, or Toyotal product. I
would stay away from Mazda.

Leonard

"Matt Warren" <muuarren.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uF5hg.32016$8G3.28758@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> >but consider this...have you ever driven the two cars with over 100K.
> >The difference in them new is very much exagerated.
>>
>>
>
> Just curious... Do you mean that the differences are exagerated when they
> are new and that they disapear over time making them less different, or
> that the differences when new become even more exagerated when they
> accumulate miles?
>
> Thanks
>
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

I have similar experience. I have looked at a lot of Miatas. Most of
them at 10years old have pretty ragged interiors and the motors are
suspect. I bought a base Z3 that had not been pampered and it was a lot
more car for only a little more money.

Leonard Caillouet wrote:
> The difference in build quality and ride is very much exagerated when they
> are aging. We shopped last year for a used car for my son drove Mazdas and
> BMWs. Wen ended up with a 97 Z3 with 80K miles. The Mazdas did not age
> nearly as well. The newer product may hold up better, but I suspect the
> trend will be similar to previous years. In general, my experience has been
> that Mazda product ages out much more poorly. When I was selling used cars
> I would be happy to sell a high mileage BMW, Honda, or Toyotal product. I
> would stay away from Mazda.
>
> Leonard
>
> "Matt Warren" <muuarren.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:uF5hg.32016$8G3.28758@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
>>> but consider this...have you ever driven the two cars with over 100K.
>>> The difference in them new is very much exagerated.
>>>
>>>
>> Just curious... Do you mean that the differences are exagerated when they
>> are new and that they disapear over time making them less different, or
>> that the differences when new become even more exagerated when they
>> accumulate miles?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare 

thanks for your responses.

Its really come down to the MX5 or the new Audi TT (launched as a '07 model
in the US I believe), but no matter how much the TT improves in the
enjoyment of the drive, I very much doubt it is a competitor to either the
MX5 or the Z4.

As someone already pointed out - the difference in RWD/FWD as a means for
oversteer is now harder to find since manufacturers put safety up first.
Still, the TT's FWD/Golf platform says a lot about its potential for
enjoyment, and how Audi believe the TT fits the segment - if at all.


"AM" <am01.TakeThisOut@netvigator.com> wrote in message news:44817bce$1@127.0.0.1...
> Hi,
>
> Many reviews of the Z4 - a great roadster in its own right - write that
the
> car has a tendancy to understeer and for a sports car enthusiast lacks the
> feel that translates the road through the steering wheel.
>
> The new MX5 which obviously in a different price bracket, is more of a
> hardcore sports car, but of course gives up much of the refinement, beauty
> and quality that goes with the Z4.
>
> I would appreciate it if people could comment on this - and anything else
> they feel worthy of note. Unfortunetely where I am BMW dont have a Z4 for
> testing so I have no means of comparison. I am looking mainly at the
2.5siA.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Alex
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Miata Mx5 - BMW Z4 Compare