Speaking as a z3 m sport owner… in you sell your z3, you’re going to absolutely kickings yourself in the arse in 10 years… z3 was the LAST truly analogue car from BMW, ULTIMATE driving machine! 😍
I had a Z3. When it was launched cars were more angular and its curves weren't popular at the time. However, its looks have aged well and it is now a lovely looking, classic BMW car. I agree that the Z3 suspension set up (particularly at the rear) is an older design. People often say the Z3 suspension/steering is not good but that's usually an opinion based on an old car with tired suspension. I refreshed mine with all new shocks and poly bushes and it made a massive improvement for modest cost. For a weekend, top down, fun car they are great.
Thank you! I was waiting for a good review between the Z3 v Z4.I got to say I'm still leaning towards the Z3. Always loved the Z4 but recently I'm appreciating the looks of the Z3 more. Still debating and will be buying soon.
Excellent review. Very thorough and it’s exactly the type of information I was looking for. The very fact that you started with the weights made me know I was in for a treat.
I had a Z3 and loved it. It was written off when an old lady reversed her SUV into it. I looked long and hard for a replacement Z3 but couldn't find a tidy one. Then a friend asked me if I'd like to try his Z4... Suffice to say, I stopped looking for a Z3 and bought a Z4. The later car is in a different league.
I own a Mercedes Slk 55amg; a BMW 135i, and 2 Fiat Coupe 20vt's, Passat w8, Abarth 500 and more... I think a z3 3.0 manual is a good choice for a working man with an endless passion for cars, and too many bills. I am confident you guys and gals can appreciate that. I look forward to seeing how the Z3 goes, I am sure I won't have the ability to our drive it to anywhere near its limits. At my age I think beauty out weighs down right performance. Great review, I look forward to more reviews, who knows what I will buy next....
I have this exact car. E85 Z4 2.5si. An important factor in this review is the si trim came with both the higher tuned N52 so we get a triple Vanos (variable intake timing, variable Intake length and variable tuned variable exhaust) The Si trim also gets the M sports suspension which makes the handling much sportier. We also get the sixth gear. This gives us closer ratios resulting a far sportier gearbox. All in all the si is a bargain and the 2.5si seriously rivals and earlier 3.0M54. I still kinda want a 3.4 Boxster S. Luv and Peace.
As a Z3 owner, I’m surprised you find your self sitting up to high. My car has an adjustable height feature that moves close two inches up and down. I’m well nestled down in the car when it’s all the way down, and do notice when it’s in the full up position. It is an older car and that’s the first thing I noticed when I bought it, but it is a lot of fun to drive which is why it’s mine. I have the 2.8 so it doesn’t lack too much in the power department. It has just enough to keep things exciting when I want.
Joel I have a manual 2000 z3 3.0 and the seat sits well and low, the power is fantastic. I just feel the z3 is so much more stylish than the z4. So much so the z3 will always be in a bit of a class of its own.
I think the seating position was a common complaint when they were new, it’s one of the things that put me off a z3 over a z4, the flip side is the z3 is much more pretty
I’m voting Z3! I think its retro looks and curvy design stand the test of time better. The lines of the Z4 have made it look dated already - inside and out - although, by no means unattractive. The Z4 might be more sophisticated in its driving…. but, I like a car that has quirky imperfections and needs to be driven!
Very nice and honest comparison. I will go for the Z3 all the same. Just love the design. Truth be told, if I had no limits in cash the Z8 would be my ultimate choice. But value for money the Z3 will do nicely 😊
I just bought a 2004 Z4 2.5 and I love it. It is so much fun, and I think much better looking than the Z3, which was great when it came out, but looks dated now.
Great review, I also looked at the z3 when looking for a 2 seater a few weeks back (as well as mx5, boxster and slk) but I settled for a 2005 2.5se z4 and I'm loving it, not the quickest thing I've driven, but the sound more than makes up for it. If I had the money I'd have a z3 too, was never too sure about the z3 styling but it's definitely grown on me the more I looked at them.
good video, currently got a 2.8L Z3 the biggest issue is the economy, with the fuel going the way its going it gets a bit much for a daily, also the lack of just space to put your belongings can get annoying but the Z3 is good looking in most angles and driving the Z3 just puts a smile on your face especially when you get the tail out.
Sorry cannot agree with you, would not change my 2.8 Z3 for all the tea in China. Z4 in my opinion looks like a jelly mold, but of course its all subjective, we all like different things good video, thank you.
Hi, very interesting. I bought a Z3 3ltr 2001 last year and have had fun making it mine. It was a barn find, stored in a container for 12 years, so mainly it needed to be used. During this year I removed the clutch damping valve, as I didn't like the general vagueness, especially during take off. It's much better now and I only found this mod by accident while watching a video on RU-vid. Secondly my car came with a hard top, which I fitted recently for the winter months. I would recommend you take my car for a spin - the difference is day and night. The clutch is now a real clutch and the body is so ridged I find I am holding the car back, so good. I will not rush to take the hard top off, also I kind of love the look.
The ergonomics of the z3 arent wrong, you are just too tall for it. The ergonomics are correct for a person like me at 5'10 because I am average height
I haul used car's up in Washington State. A few weeks ago I hauled the first z3 with the hard top I'd ever seen. I always liked the little car but was a bit scared of a BMW to be honest. Well i had to have it so i bought it right off the Truck lol. I'm so happy I did. We have snow on the ground now and just tonight I took it for a drive to the store. If you want to get some looks in your roadster this will do it. Great review of both car's and I cant wait till summer gets here. Enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Merry Christmas to you all.
I appreciate your honesty. I don't have either car yet but I think I would prefer the higher seat. Many sports cars look uncomfortable for the longer-legged and sitting low on the road is a bit dangerous and hard to handle after one gets used to the view from a pickup truck.
Fantastic review! You've got a real talent for this, very in depth analysis. Regarding your closing statement, specifically the z4 being a knock out in a boxing match, I would have to agree, from a pedestrian perspective the z4 is the superior car. With that being said, the e30 rear suspension can be tamed for about $1500 usd, and similar money will buy you sport seats similar to your z4 seats. Once you overcome those 2 hurdles, the z3 becomes the superior car on looks alone, in my opinion.
Never noticed the bonnet shutline in the Z4 until I saw this review. Now I’ve seen it, don’t think I can un-see it. The Z3 with its clamshell is bang up the better looking car.
The Z4 is a much better looking car IMO. The Z3 just looks like something out of the BMW surplus parts bin! 😂 (Yes i own a Z4 Coupe so i am slightly biased in my opinion!)
Hey, awesome review. In the US with a 2.5i Z3 now, and been tinkering with the idea of an upgrade. Enlightening stuff, gotta drive one next I think! P.S. You could do an AWESOME Chris Eccleston impression, I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you this hahaha.
Your absolutely right. When I just purchased mine it came with a cat back and a cold air intake n loweing spings..But Bmw makes it sound really good with a BMW engine..Honestly out of the other cars I've had over the years this one actually does get complaints more then the Tesla I've had .But I've moved to england 🇬🇧 and in America they over price everything so here in England I could of got the z4 for the same price but because I'm kinda impatient and really wanted this ..I got a nice blue M sport roaster 2.8 and in england i spend most of my time in 3rd gear because of the village town I live in on the coast but heads turn everywhere...These cars are gonna go up in value because there are only so many that actually exist it seems but I'm gonna use this one as my project car and add little features such as under glows and definitely a Better sound system to bang out on the highway cruzing while getting passed by idiot's with egotistical ego's trying to test me which is korny .I just wanna chill and hear the roar of this engine ..But if anyone is looking to buy the z ..Definitely get a catback and manifold with intake system ..You will not regret it
The Z3 is ageing well, but after owning one, the fact you sit so high in it is totally at odds with being a sports car, and when you see other people out in them it looks slightly comical. The Z4 is much more masculine in its appearance and is very much of its Bangle Era. When sitting in it, you feel like you are in a proper roadster.
Not sure if the Z3 has it, but I drive a Z3 M Roadster and the seat can be adjusted UP and DOWN with the same control that moves the seat forward and back. I don't feel that I'm sitting ON the car as opposed to sitting IN the car with my M Roadster. Another reason some may feel they are sitting high on the seat is the fact that the doors are low, giving the impression that the seat might be higher.
The same with mine - the seat is adjusted for height through the electrical switches but the lowest setting just isn’t low enough in relation to the steering and the top of the windscreen! Mine didn’t have sports seats though which may have been a reason for it perhaps not going lower!
If you are going to review a Z3 vs Z4, then at least drive the 2.8 or 3.0 Z3, not the 2.2 and complain that it’s lower on power. Also no idea what you mean about sitting high - my wife’s Z3 (2.8) has electric seats that go down low. I’m just under 6’ and don’t feel like I’m sitting on it at all. Yes, it’s small inside with the roof up, but it’s a tiny car.
I thought that the 2.2 and the 2.5 were a good match for the test. And the seat was on its lowest setting but still felt too high, especially after back to back drives in the Z4!
@@FastandFun Late to the party, but you are not wrong. As far as I can tell from a limited amount of quick research. The 2.2/6 in the Z3 is the same motor as the 2.2/6 in my '04 Z4 2.2. That engine makes 168hp... Not sure why you thought it was 40 odd hp down on the 2.5 Z4. That engine only makes a bit more power... 21 bhp more than the 2.2, and a similar amount more torque. It's significant, but probably not that noticable, particularily when you take into account the extra weight of the Z4.
Great video. Talking of weight, the earliest 2.5 Z4 weighed in at 1335kg. The 2.8 Z3, 1380kg according to autocar, both hit the ton in 17.3 secs. I fancy a z4 myself. Amazing value in the current inflated market.
Buy one. Pay special attention to whether you're buying an SI or an S. The S has the older M52 engine which is an excellent engine but makes less HP per litre. The SI models get the newer N52 engine with the magnesium alloy block which revs much more freely and makes a noticeable amount more poke. You also get the M package which gives you six gears. The excellent M Seats and M suspension and alloys. All in all the 2006 2.5si is almost as quick as the earlier 3.0s with the older engine.
Wise decision it's much better, Look at the back of the Z3, Looks like an mx5 ffs, How people can say the Z3 is better looking I have no idea, Drop the Z4 30mm on some eibachs and put some deep dish 19in wider rears and the Z4 looks incredible, I don't dislike the Z3 but the rear is hideous, interior is absolute shite, The only bit I like is the front lol.
Your Z3 seats are the basic model , the sports seats option is better the next is the Z3M Sports seats. Is your seat lowered to its lowest position ? I’m 5’ 9” and have no issues seat a little raised for comfortable driving. The 3 litre six is the one to go for in my humble opinion.
When the Z4 was released, car magazines praised the lower seating position and improved ride and handling from the rear Z-axle (instead of the primitive rear suspension on the Z3). But it got a fair share of criticism too. The electric power steering was numb, the car tended to understeer rather than be playful and the looks were polarizing, to say the least. Personally, the Z3 is too flawed and the Z4 is too ugly and boring to buy. I'd go for an older Boxster over either one. If I had to get a BMW cabriolet, I'd probably get an M3 cabrio, which has the same suspension as the Z4, even more power and is less ugly to look at (more practical too). Older M3s are still pretty cheap to buy.
I might be bias, but the Z4 Coupe is significantly better looking than both of these. The side indicator on the 4 is quite ugly, but you didn't mention the fact it has the lines of an actual Z which shows up better on other colours
Z4 has no road feel at all. its more comfortable to sit in, but way less fun and engaging to drive. Z3 - well maintained and suspension properly set up - is so much more fun a car. thanks for the reviews
Utter shit. I've owned both z3 and z4 both 6 pot and tbh the z4 very uningageing.. designed for women snd the younger generation. The z3 was from the era where if you don't know how to "drive" you shouldn't be driving one!
I went to Japan 4 yrs ago bought 4 vehicles 1 Z 3 can't remember the yr maybe 2001 6 cylinder I've had so many car's in my life. It had ONLY 50, kms immaculate condition you won't believe how much $ 1,300. Canadian dollars I could only resale for 7 K but import and Mechanical inspection turned into $ 4 k ☹️💰 the Z 3 love the looks I think the Z 4 is UGLY !!
