28 replies to this topic

[gobern01]

Has anyone owned or driven the bmw z4 coupe 3.0 sport. Im stuck between deciding on getting the vxt or z4coupe. slightly swaying towards the vx at the moment.Im going to test drive both on the weekend which will probaly make my mind up. Like to know anyones opinions who have maybe owned both. cheers adam

[nicollow]

Plush or fun, that'll be what it comes down to

Edited by Nicol Low, 12 April 2011 - 07:14 PM.

[Judderman]

you'll overtake in the vx, get the beemer and you'll be compelled to tailgate

[theotherjonnymac]

Both are alot of fun. The VX is rare, the BM is common. The VX rattles and the BM is well built!

[2.2_na]

The VX is rare, the BM is common.

The VX will get a lot of attention - even from the few people who know what it is. Personally, I wouldn't look twice (or even once!) at a BMW.

[NickCG]

By comparrison they are common but to be fair you don't see that many Z4 coupe's. They are quick, nearly 200bhp / tonne so not a million miles away from a VXT. Having owned 3 BMWs, dad has 1 and had a couple of BM's for hire cars, I can say that the build quality is great, they drive superbly and they can also be a lot of fun. A while back I thought to myself I wouldn't have another BM because I've been there and done that, but even just having the 320d M Sport on hire for a few days last week I've found myself retracting that thought ... I'd definitely have another, they are so good at everything. The VX is a different sort of fun though, I was looking at the Z4 convertible & boxster when I got my VX. As soon as I drove the VX straight after the boxster it made the porsche seem boring by comparison, I also thought the BMWs I've had drove better than the boxster - it was a 2000 x reg though so maybe they've improved some since then. Coming up to 3 months of owning the VX I do sometimes find myself pining for my 330Ci Sport back, just because of all the rattles etc, not really being able to hear the radio, not very controllable heater, slight leaks from roof, noise etc. I think you've got to try and see it for what it is though and look past any triveal little things like those if you are to enjoy the VX. The chances are it will lose less value too so when you do come to sell you'll be in better shape financially. So far, the VX has been fun, the practicality hasn't bothered me much, economical, reliable and I haven't had to do anything to it yet (touch wood!) except take the daft egr valve off. Anyway, that's my 2p worth, hope you come to a decision! Nick

[nicollow]

By comparrison they are common but to be fair you don't see that many Z4 coupe's. They are quick, nearly 200bhp / tonne so not a million miles away from a VXT. Having owned 3 BMWs, dad has 1 and had a couple of BM's for hire cars, I can say that the build quality is great, they drive superbly and they can also be a lot of fun.

A while back I thought to myself I wouldn't have another BM because I've been there and done that, but even just having the 320d M Sport on hire for a few days last week I've found myself retracting that thought ... I'd definitely have another, they are so good at everything.

The VX is a different sort of fun though, I was looking at the Z4 convertible & boxster when I got my VX. As soon as I drove the VX straight after the boxster it made the porsche seem boring by comparison, I also thought the BMWs I've had drove better than the boxster - it was a 2000 x reg though so maybe they've improved some since then.

Coming up to 3 months of owning the VX I do sometimes find myself pining for my 330Ci Sport back, just because of all the rattles etc, not really being able to hear the radio, not very controllable heater, slight leaks from roof, noise etc. I think you've got to try and see it for what it is though and look past any triveal little things like those if you are to enjoy the VX. The chances are it will lose less value too so when you do come to sell you'll be in better shape financially.

So far, the VX has been fun, the practicality hasn't bothered me much, economical, reliable and I haven't had to do anything to it yet (touch wood!) except take the daft egr valve off.

Anyway, that's my 2p worth, hope you come to a decision!

Nick

Good 2ps worth Drove my 325i M Sport to work today. God its soooooo comfy and quiet. However, Ive got to sell it as I cant afford to run two cars. I would never for a second think of keeping it over my VX though... Says a lot I suppose. Depends where your priorities lie though

[NickCG]

That does say a lot mate and I can see why. I've changed my cars pretty frequently lately, the last 6 cars I've had were all for less than 2 years and I've got to say I'm less tempted to part with the vx despite it's 'character' than any of the others! Is your 325 an E46 or 90? My dad's got a 320 msport coupe which is really nice, I tried to persuade him to get a 6 cyl at the time as I had my e46 330 but he wouldn't listen! Even the thought of winter isn't putting me off really, like you I think it's not cost effective running 2 cars so I sold my Clio 172. If push comes to shove I'll just buy a really cheap, reliable run around for winter and tax use for 6 months of the year - that'll make the vx even more special when I get back into it. Driving BMWs taints your view a bit sometimes because as I said they are just excellent cars. I think the Z4 3.0si Coupe must be good. I loved my 330 but the Z4 Coupe has the improved 265bhp engine and is substantially ligher. Don't think you'd be disappointed Adam! As I said, for me, the test drive sold the VX - even the n/a which has quite a dull engine really, I've not driven or been in a VXT but can imagine it will sell itself very well as soon as you get behind the wheel! It'll be difficult to resist, just try to imagine living with it day in, day out, the build quality could well put you off but if you can look past the insignificant things you may take the compromise and put up with that for what you get in return!

[nicollow]

Its an E46 Touring. I freakin love the thing, but needs must I did try and drive it last winter in the snow and it was freakin dire. Ive just put an LSD on the VXT though, so hopefully it'll be a wee gem in the snow now Must say, the new shape Z4s look great. As a one-and-only car (if i had a few more quid per month!) they would be ideal. Think me and the girlfriend are getting an A3 or something together come winter time so lookin forward to that. Shes a doctor so needs to get a 4WD/Quattro for the snow, otherwise we'd be keeping the Bimma

[NickCG]

Yeah they aren't the easiest to drive in the snow. Quattro will be good - see you're stuck with the German quality now! LSD should improve the VXT I guess. I wondered whether it'd be worth investing in winter tyres / wheels. Someone at work has just got some for his E90 330d M sport and swears by them, he said it's made the difference between literally not being able to move (automatic aswell) to driving quite happily.

[Jonnymito]

I can probably answer this for you. I had my VX for 6 and a half years and I loved every single moment of it.(Well when it was working!! ) I was so sad to see it go that when I traded it I put it somewhere where I couldn't see it! I was in a position where I had to go down to 1 car and I looked at a few different beasts before I decided on a Z4 Coupe 3.0si. It is a loveley place to be but is no where near as striking to look at in the VX and to be frank I feel a bit anonymous in the Z4. It is not nearly as quick of the mark as the VX but once it is actually moving it is a quick machine. I don't think that it is ultimately as quick point to point as the VX but it is a whole lot more comfortable. I miss my beloved VX and if my circumstances had been different I can guarantee I would still have it. I have never had a car for longer than 18 months prioir to getting the VX and still now as I type this I am remembering all the good times and great people I met as a direct result of having it. In conclusion I would say that the Z4 is the sensible boring option and that VX ownership is something that every true car enthusiats should experience as nothing else I've ever driven gives you so much reward for so little outlay.

[NickCG]

Some great points there Jonny - surely compared to a lot of cars the Z4 isn't boring though? Yeah, I think you've got to be a true car and driving enthusiast to enjoy the beauties of the VX, otherwise you could get sick of it pretty quickly!

[Jonnymito]

Some great points there Jonny - surely compared to a lot of cars the Z4 isn't boring though?

Yeah, I think you've got to be a true car and driving enthusiast to enjoy the beauties of the VX, otherwise you could get sick of it pretty quickly!

I was fortunate enough to work in the motor trade for a few years and got to drive a great deal of different cars. On reflection your probably right and I am being a bit harsh calling the Z boring but in the context of the VX I honestly do feel like it is a bit boring.

My VX always seemed to have a bit of pantomime about it and when you were going fast in it you really felt like you were going fast!


The Z4 on the other hand seems to do everything without too much effort or fuss. I've only done about 7,000 miles in the Z so I'm still getting to know it. 1 thing that I can say is that you really feel the weight of the Z4 when you start to push on as the brakes start to go off really quickly.... or maybe I'm just used to getting away with rediculously late braking in the VX!


If your in a position to have a VX, even just for a summer, then do it. If you buy it right you'll not lose much money and and you might even fall for its charms!

Edited by Jonnymito, 13 April 2011 - 02:50 PM.

[NickCG]

I was fortunate enough to work in the motor trade for a few years and got to drive a great deal of different cars. On reflection your probably right and I am being a bit harsh calling the Z boring but in the context of the VX I honestly do feel like it is a bit boring.

My VX always seemed to have a bit of pantomime about it and when you were going fast in it you really felt like you were going fast!


The Z4 on the other hand seems to do everything without too much effort or fuss. I've only done about 7,000 miles in the Z so I'm still getting to know it. 1 thing that I can say is that you really feel the weight of the Z4 when you start to push on as the brakes start to go off really quickly.... or maybe I'm just used to getting away with rediculously late braking in the VX!

If your in a position to have a VX, even just for a summer, then do it. If you buy it right you'll not lose much money and and you might even fall for its charms!

I know exactly what you mean with all of the above. That's the rationale I used for buying it - I was literally going to buy the boxster but at the last minute I just though, hey, this is a bargain, if I really am sick of it I could sell it before the end of summer, probably make money but certainly not lose any and there are any number of boxsters I could buy anytime should I feel the urge. The urge for the boxster hasn't come back, partly as you say, it felt a bit boring in direct comparison with the VX and I think I've decided the BMWs I've driven have been better than the boxster!

Anyway, hopefully should be some good points here to help Adam decide!

[gobern01]

cheers for the advice an opinions, im going to look at a vx at the weekend and a z4. i will let you know how i get on

[ghand]

When i get to 75 may be 80 years old i will think of a nice comfy car like a z4 for the old bones.At the moment cant see me getting rid of the vx,it makes me happy and feeling alive.But if you cant do extreme forget it.The z4 coupe is a great motor.

Edited by ghand, 14 April 2011 - 04:19 PM.

[theotherjonnymac]

I swopped to a BMW 330d Conv about 9mths ago. I did keep the VX for 3 months but an opportunity to use the money the VX was worth was too tempting. Nothing compares to the rawness of the VX and the awesome acceleration but the BMW is a better car overall for everyday use. It is plenty quick enough, is laden with comfort and extras and even now the better weather is here, I don't miss the VX like I thought I would. If I chose to invest my cash in cars then I would have both but there is little justification when the BMW ticks most of the boxes for me.

[gobern01]

Ive made my mind up and im going for the bmw purely on the fact i dont think im hardcore enough to live with the vx through our long winters.maybe in a few years when i have the money and can afford two cars id definatley get a vx for the summer and weekend fun

[2.2_na]

Ive made my mind up and im going for the bmw

Shame on you.

Well anyway, all the best with your German wagon.

[forgotmepassword]

Enjoy. I think they're great looking cars. Saw a black Z4M coupe today. Likey!