I went to look at it. And for the same price of a 2.5 I can get the S, the justification isn't there. Also looked at the Boxster, again same problem more expensive - get less. Except for prestige

 

Here is my 2 cents.

Z3

Good Points

1. Nice torque in all engines but very sweet in the 3.0 (M is just too expensive).

2. Everybody knows what it is and gives respect.

Bad Points

1. BIG ISSUE - chassis that is not one, but two generations old, the S2000 chassis is state of the art.

2. Expensive, particularly if you want anything different. Example $1500-$3000 for dash and leather accents!

3. Pretty ugly rear end.

4. Everything costs more, just call the service shop and ask about maintenance costs.

These are my opinions so I'm not saying everyone has to agree.

 

I wanted to get the 3.0 Z3. I took the S2K out for a drive and that was it...I wanted the S2000 and instantly forgot about the Z.

 

"4. Everything costs more, just call the service shop and ask about maintenance costs. "

I have to disagree with this point. After buying my Z3 used I took it in for Inspection II (biggest maintenance), even though the Z had less than 40k on it I felt safer having it done. Inspection II is very similar to a 60k maint for Honda or Toyota, and it cost less to have done than the 60k service for my Camry.

Aftermarket parts are more expensive for the Z3 than Honda (just check www.dinanbmw.com- $700 for CAI) but routine maintenance is similar if not less expensive.

 

I was very interested in the Z3. My boss had one. He let me drive it and I fell in love. I loved the way it looked. He had the M version. When it came time to actually buy a car, I wanted the Z3.

Then I saw a car out on the road that I had never seen before. I didn't get a good look at it, but I did see what it was called.....S2000. I looked it up on the internet and I liked what I saw. I went to the Honda dealership before the BMW and my love affair with the Z3 was over. I had a new love. I bought it off the show room floor that day. This was early March 2000. I have been ecstatically happy since. Absolutely no buyers remorse on this one.

 

I canceled an order on an M Coupe to get the S. I'm glad I did, because I love the covertible, and I don't mind the extra 12k I saved. I wouldn't have bought the M Convertible as it has too much cowl shake and is too loose.



Hugh

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rdriver
[B]One of my friends has a Z3.

 

I considered a used 1999 Z3 2.8 I felt the chassis was its weakest link. Felt as if I was driving a "retro" roadster. When driven back to back with an S2000 the difference is like night and day. I feel that the S2000 is a much more solid vehicle, those complaints about lack of torque are ridiculous. One drive in an S2K and you'll wonder what the hell they were talking about. I came from a modified Porsche 944 Turbo that was making over 270 hp and torque up in the neighborhood of 300 ft.lbs. The Honda has better low end performance(idle-6000rpm) than the Porsche did out of its power band (idle-3800rpm)

 

Leg room. I bought a car in '97 (not a roadster), but went to the BMW dealer first stop to check out the Z3. I sat in it and couldn't comfortably shift. The steering wheel was too big, or something. I've got bad knees, and might have taken an automatic out for a drive, but they didn't have one. I didn't like my knee/thigh banging on the wheel every time I used the clutch. I don't have that problem in the S, although I've only had a test drive. The high door sill in the S gives me problems getting out of the car, though, as my right knee won't bend well to maneuver under the wheel and over the sill and through the opening. I don't remember that in the Z3, albeit that was almost 5 years ago. I was really disappointed that I didn't fit well in the BMW. It was an identical experience I had when I tried out an XK-E when I graduated from college--outright uncomfortable using the clutch. I wound up getting a Datsun 2000 then. Strange that the Japanese would make cars more fitting to tall people.

 

Drove a 3.0 roadster before the S2000. The Honda dealer had so much "additional dealer profit" on top of MSRP that I would have bought the Z3 first. However, I subsequently got a reasonable deal on a used '00 S2000 and I've never regretted it.

I've even almost gotten used to the dashboard.