Opinions on Z4's?

[wafers]

I appreciate I'm asking this on an MR2 forum, but here goes anyway. Does anyone own/ drive a mk1 shape Z4? They keep on catching my eye, and I wondered what they're actually like. I'm tempted to test drive one to find out for myself, but thought I'd test the water on here first.
My thoughts so far:
MR2: I like the looks, handling, economy and general go-kart feel. I don't like the knackered roof, rattly interior and dash and lack of power.
Z4: I like the looks, the idea of a six pot for a nice soundtrack/torque, and the interior, including heated leather of a sports model appeals. I'm not convinced about the mpg, and wonder if it would feel bloated and too bland compared to the '2.
Any help appreciated!

[JoeCool]

I've driven one briefly and had a lift across the continent in it. I really liked it, it was a 3 litre m sport one though. Very small interior, like a '2, and you sit right over the back axle (or that's how it feels).

Not for me, but they're good cars.

[lamcote]

I had a look at one once, my only comment is that it seemed a very big car, which I don't like, but others no doubt will prefer.

[MR TWO]

My thoughts so far:
MR2: I like the looks, handling, economy and general go-kart feel. I don't like the knackered roof, rattly interior and dash and lack of power.

If you like tan handling now, throw a few hundred into suspension upgrades and you will love it.
With a new mohair for less than 300 fitted, why is your roof still knackered?
The best way to improve the power is with an engine change, Turbo/ SC or ideally both!

Z4: I like the looks, the idea of a six pot for a nice soundtrack/torque, and the interior, including heated leather of a sports model appeals. I'm not convinced about the mpg, and wonder if it would feel bloated and too bland compared to the '2.
Any help appreciated!

I used to feel similarly to you although I was thinking Boxster. Instead I spent  money on my roadster. You can add all the BMish things (though I haven't upgraded the dash yet) but you cannot make a Beemer/ Porsche give you the go kart feeling and that was a deal breaker.

[1979scotte]

Fix your roof add heated seats and then get a V6 sawp.
Simples.

I would give a boxster a try over a z4 personally.

[mrzwei]

I owned a Z3 after the 2, it was a 2.8l straight 6. Fantastic engine with good performance and masses of torque to the point where it didn't really matter what gear you were in when you put your foot down.
More of an autobahn cruiser than a sports car though and despite new front tyres and shocks and spacers on the back, after the 2 the handling was crap.
It also became a swift money pit.
As a touring car, built essentially for the American market, great but as a sports car then no comparison.

The Z4 I think had the same concept design brief but moved away from the three series saloon base so I suspect the handling was more sorted.

Basically a dragster so the bigger the engine the better.

I would buy one.

[Markb]

I had a neighbours 3 litre 2006 for a few hours...very disappointed,it felt dead,my V6 Mondeo felt alot quicker and it was like driving a rowing boat lol,maybe the big alloys he had on it?...nice looking car though apart from the soft top when it's up which looks crap although the extra cabin space was nice...the newer convertible hard top is much nicer although I have read comments about other people saying that even these just don't drive/feel right on the road???

For a budget sports car the MR2 is hard to beat imo.

[cptspaulding]

I drove my colleague's 3.0 V6 & it certainly felt much more solid/luxurious than the MR2. It weighs 420kg more than the roadster so it bloody well should.

I believe he said he was getting about 27mpg in his so a lot less than the stock MR2. In a straight race I reckon a 2zz roadster would beat the Z4. Power to weight ratios would be getting very similar. I would like to be able to compare handling but with it not being my car I didn't want to push the BMW thru the corners.

If you want the luxury & the grunt of the V6 then BMW (or Boxster). If you want cheap, no frills, great fun, agile roadster then MR2.

[wafers]

Thanks all. Only just spotted some of the replies. I think I'll stick with the '2 for now - it's  not worth a pile and it sounds like the Z4 would feel pretty lardy in contrast, as I thought.