An interesting thread from Z3 forum

[Blip]

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=290976

Does the MX-5 make its owners more adventurous than does the Z3, or are the more adventurous owners attracted to the MX-5? You tell me . . .

[CatchyD]

Was a very interesting read, I quite liked that most of the comments about the 5 were positive or quite knowledgeable ones and the overall attitude from the people was very tame (apart from one odd fellow who you most probably noticed).

Cheers for linking was a good read for the night.

David

[hks_kansei]

The Z3 was always ok, but never any more.

It looked fine when new, buy has dated badly. Whenever I see a Z3 today my first impression is an obviously older, slightly rundown car. (part of that may be that a lot of them aren't looked after)
Where an MX5 (NA and NB), while not as standout when it was introduced, has dated much better.

The Z3's proportions look off to me, the long bonnet which sits relatively high on the car looks fine, but from the windscreen back they sort of droop down. It looks like somebody at BMW had an MX5 sized car backend, and decided to just weld a 3 series nose on and say "good enough"

The Breadvan ones however, looked a lot better since the bulky rear suited the bulky nose a lot better. Much more balanced look.

[Vat]

There was a comment describing the MX as a 'parts bin special' which struck me as ironic given the Z3's near Frankenstein's Monster combination of contemporary and prior model 3 series suspensions, plus existing BMW motors.

[shuey]

I like the Z4, not so much the Z3.
Love German engineering (and ), but to me it's all about the dollars and cents.
Wouldn't mind owning one (Z4) in the future though

[plohl]

Parts aren't as available or as cheap as the 5. Might be a different case in deutschland

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[ManiacLachy]

I love the looks of both the Z3 and Gen1 Z4s. I think the Z3 went through an awkward phase, but is now quite classic. But when it comes down to money and maintenance they don't add up. Then if you add in driveability and customisation, well the MX-5 seems like a clear winner. However, there is always personal prefference to take into account, and a well loved roadster is always awesome.

Interesting points about the communities though. I wonder if it's snobbery amongst Z owners, many of them may not be enthusiasts, or is it simply a numbers game and being that there are more MX-5s on the road means there are more enthusiasts amongst them?

[Lokiel]

I was surprised to read so many positive comments for the MX5 since the Z3 was universally canned as a roadster and I would have thought that the only people who would still have them are BMW snobs that don't know any better. They're a lot better educated than I would have given them credit for.

In my younger days I knew a girl who bragged about her BMW 316i and lauded it over all her friends and everyone she met because she owned a new "German-Built" car so it was much better than any of our Australian or Japanese cars - when I pointed out to her that it was actually made in South Africa she just refused to believe it. She was the true definition of a snob.

I actually like the retro look of the Z3 but, like the 1968 Stingray Corvette that I also love, looks are about all it has going for it.

[hks_kansei]

like the 1968 Stingray Corvette that I also love, looks are about all it has going for it.

The Stingray also has sound.
What would you prefer hear and smell?

Carby fed V8 loping just enough to not stall.
Fuel injected 4cyl idling dead on 1000rpm.



But you are correct, there are unfortunately a fair few out there that seem to think they're better than others because they have a BMW/Merc/Audi.
It's actually quite pathetic when you hear somebody carry on about being "a BMW driver, because they're exclusive" and then you see that they've just got a 15 year old middling 3 series....

Not that there's anything wrong with a 3 series, lovely cars, but they aren't worth being a snob over since they're about the same price as a used Falcon now.


I have to admit though, I did take to calling people peasants whenever I was driving the GF's borrowed long wheelbase 7 series...
It's great, get cut off, instead of "ƒü¢k you" just yell out "how DARE you cut me off you peasant, I imagine you're in a rush to get back to that hovel you call a home!"
Makes you feel like a classy douchebag.


My next car is going to be European, but not classy...... it's about as far from "ultimate driving machine" as it gets.

[JBT]

Lada

[AntHarmer]

Megane RS?

[kalt]

I have to admit though, I did take to calling people peasants whenever I was driving the GF's borrowed long wheelbase 7 series...
It's great, get cut off, instead of "ƒü¢k you" just yell out "how DARE you cut me off you peasant, I imagine you're in a rush to get back to that hovel you call a home!"
Makes you feel like a classy douchebag.


My next car is going to be European, but not classy...... it's about as far from "ultimate driving machine" as it gets.

R.O.F.L! Steady on there hks_kansei! I've only been a mx5 owner for few months now but have yet to get any snotty remarks from beemer drivers.

Do keep in mind that not all Z3/Z4 owners gave their opinion in that thread, perhaps only 0.001% of the Z3/Z4 owning population posted a response. Perhaps only 1% of Z3/Z4 owning population signed up to a Z3/Z4 forum in the first place, and note only the car enthusiasts type owners posted their comments. Perhaps the other 99% of Z3/Z4 owners are far away from the keyboards, harvesting monies from their money trees (or spruiking some ridiculously expensive property somewhere)

[hks_kansei]

Lada

Bingo.

[davekmoore]

Z3 poo. Some Z4 ok.

[hejira]

One of them said that they didnt buy an mx5 because it would be a step down in build quality from a bmw. Hahahaha.