[caycep]

Maybe this goes in the Z4 forum. But I'm just curious, how does a sportline/Msport 2 series compare with a Z4? I know the Z4 is supposed to be a roadster and entirely different, but philosophically, as a roadster, it is supposed to be the purest form of driving car while the 2 series coupe with sport suspension is touted as the purest BMW driving car period. That being said, it does seem to get a lot of hate or at least polarizing opinions. I'm a bit naive to this - what are the positives/negatives of the Z4?

The assumptions are that one is the single driver of said vehicle with maybe 1 passenger for most of the time.


(note, I happen to think it's a beautiful design, and wince whenever I hear the nickname "clown shoe")

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by caycep

Maybe this goes in the Z4 forum. But I'm just curious, how does a sportline/Msport 2 series compare with a Z4? I know the Z4 is supposed to be a roadster and entirely different, but philosophically, as a roadster, it is supposed to be the purest form of driving car while the 2 series coupe with sport suspension is touted as the purest BMW driving car period. That being said, it does seem to get a lot of hate or at least polarizing opinions. I'm a bit naive to this - what are the positives/negatives of the Z4?

The assumptions are that one is the single driver of said vehicle with maybe 1 passenger for most of the time.


(note, I happen to think it's a beautiful design, and wince whenever I hear the nickname "clown shoe")

I love the Z4...clown shoe or not. Its overpriced in my opinion.

[mike@tpc]

we have a 2010 Z4 35i and an m235i. The automatic in the 235 is a better daily driving transmission than the DSG in the Z4, as its much smoother. The Z4 seats are very low and it can be slightly uncomfortable on long drives. Not too bad, but it hurts my legs a little, and its a little harder to get in and out of with the top up.

However, when it comes to style, the Z4 has tons of it. I have tracked both of them a little bit and they both have good performance.

[AyoTrev]

Being that i'm actually looking for a new car at the moment, I have explored these two options. What I ultimately came down to was that the m235i was the better choice. Here were my reasons.

Z4:
- easily one of the better looking convertibles on the market with or without the top u but the design is outdated
- listed at one hell of a price. If i speced out a sDrive35i to my liking, it'd be around 80k ($CAD) out the door. For that price, there are so many other cars out there i'd rather have (used caymans, used m3s)

M235i:
- design and technology is modern, a design that wont become obsolete any time soon
- price point is very appealing, just shy of 60k out the door ($CAD)
- comes with a xDrive option, so I can live with it as a daily in these harsh Canadian weathers

[mfourn20]

Never driven a Z4 but a lot of reviews I've read say its not a sports car and its very soft..may be way every single one I see is driven by an elderly/near elderly.

Great looking car though.

[BMWZ4]

I sold my '11 Z and moved to the 235. Totally different car in so many respects, but my preference is with the 235.

[BMW269]

So much dislike for Z car, thus low sales, thus BMW doesn't see the point to spend more on improving it, thus worse car, thus even worse sales, thus no point in building Z car. Sad.


When before almost every car was a roadster, today almost every car is a "S"UV or "Crossover". The irony: todays there are more paved roads are far better than before.

[WWM]

Originally Posted by AyoTrev

Being that i'm actually looking for a new car at the moment, I have explored these two options. What I ultimately came down to was that the m235i was the better choice. Here were my reasons.

Z4:
- easily one of the better looking convertibles on the market with or without the top u but the design is outdated
- listed at one hell of a price. If i speced out a sDrive35i to my liking, it'd be around 80k ($CAD) out the door. For that price, there are so many other cars out there i'd rather have (used caymans, used m3s)

M235i:
- design and technology is modern, a design that wont become obsolete any time soon
- price point is very appealing, just shy of 60k out the door ($CAD)
- comes with a xDrive option, so I can live with it as a daily in these harsh Canadian weathers

I concur with the point about the Z4's price. An sDrive35is STARTS at 77,900 in Canada. That is more than a base M4. Even an sDrive35i starts at 63,900. Absolutely mind-boggling pricing.

[Cyberdemon]

IMO the Z doesn't offer anything in it's price range that I would want.

If I wanted a small 2 seat convertible sports car I'd easily pick something like a Corvette which has much more value, a Boxster that has proper handling chops, or a Jag F type that has all the emotional credential.

The 235 vert is much more car for the money. You get a reasonable trunk, back seats (which are semi worthless for humans if you're above 5'8, but if nothing else can hold some cargo or a suitcase on a long road trip).

It's fun to drive, reasonably efficient, and offers more practicality than any of the other cars at a reasonable price point when you consider a 435i convertible is much heavier and creeps into the M3/M4 price range very quickly with options.

[BMWZ4]

..."The 235 vert is much more car for the money. You get a reasonable trunk, back seats (which are semi worthless for humans if you're above 5'8, but if nothing else can hold some cargo or a suitcase on a long road trip)..."

This ^...exactly why I unloaded the Z after 4 seasons. Reasonably fun to drive, but nothing like the 235. Definitely more value with the 235 IMO.

[sakitnyatudisini]

Originally Posted by AyoTrev

Z4:
- easily one of the better looking convertibles on the market with or without the top u but the design is outdated
- listed at one hell of a price. If i speced out a sDrive35i to my liking, it'd be around 80k ($CAD) out the door. For that price, there are so many other cars out there i'd rather have (used caymans, used m3s)

M235i:
- design and technology is modern, a design that wont become obsolete any time soon
- price point is very appealing, just shy of 60k out the door ($CAD)
- comes with a xDrive option, so I can live with it as a daily in these harsh Canadian weathers

Good comparison!!

[Pyewacket69]

I sold my 2007 Z4 coupe and replaced it with a 2014 M235i.

I liked the Z4, but I have lower back issues, and each time I drove the Z it simply wrecked my back. It got so bad that I dreaded getting into the car. Once in, however, it was a great ride. The feel of driving the Z was much more like sitting in a performance plane cockpit... High hood, little sideways movement possibility, sort of like sitting in a hole. The M235 is much more like a 3/4 series seating position.

Also, the Z4 sits lower, and it's extremely easy to drag the front end bodywork on high speed bumps or driveways that have a moderate rise (angle of attack) when turning in off the street.

[gaijin]

The best of both BMW world, a Z4 ragtop and a fixed roof M235i.

[Merc for hire]

Z4 is too expensive. Not worth the price

[xtlwulf]

I had leased a 2007 Z4, and a 2011 Z4.

I absolutely hated the 2007 but loved the 2011 model.

My dad would drive it time to time and always complained about lower back problems, although I personally never experienced any.

I still love the (e89) Z4 but I'd have to agree that it is way overpriced for what it is.

I only leased the 2 Z4's cause I had a decent deal on them.

[caycep]

ah screw the Z4...WOOOOHOOOOO!
http://jalopnik.com/here-are-driving...ata-1707506888

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by caycep

ah screw the Z4...WOOOOHOOOOO!
http://jalopnik.com/here-are-driving...ata-1707506888

New Miata looks to be pretty exciting compared to the last gen. My only hope would be that I actually fit in this one. My sister had a 2nd gen that I couldn't drive without my head sticking into the top. Maybe they've finally made the low-padding "tall person seats" a factory option.

[vladberca]

M235i is a better overall value.
Also, more options for upgrades from BMW Performance or other shops

[OpenAir]

The Z reminds me of the old Triumph TR4's and 6's with that long snoot. I do not like the looks of the Z, so for me there is no comparison,; regardless of capability.

[M_Proper]

The Z is quite overpriced in my opinion. Also the trunk is about useless.

When I bought my 235 convertible both the dealerships I visited had 0 Z4's on the lot.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by caycep

(note, I happen to think it's a beautiful design, and wince whenever I hear the nickname "clown shoe")

An E89 Z4 is not called a "clown shoe". The E36 Z3 coupe is a clown shoe, and owners of those cars embrace the name.

Personally I have a 15 M235i and an E85 Z4 (never driven an E89) and I love them both. The only thing they have in common is the number of cylinders and the Roundel on the front and back. The Z is a pure sports car and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. The M235i by comparison is a small GT. It's fast, comfortable, practical, safe etc etc. I love it, but the Z is more fun.

[chaswyck1]

Last October BMW was offering a 70% residual on Z4's. 70% shoots down almost every argument in this thread, especially the "too expensive" one! Sorry I missed that one.