Anyone driven a Z3? Compare to a 944?

scottmandue · 04-24-2003, 01:05 PM

On my way into work saw a sweet Z3 coupe and it looks like a fun ride. So has anyone driven one and if so how does it compare to a 944. I presume it is a more comfortable ride but what about performance? If I traded my 944 for one would I be disapointed? I also presume the six cylinder engine has more get up and go.

Ideas/Impressions/recommendations?

schnellfahrer · 04-24-2003, 02:24 PM

I've tried the Z3 with the M engine. 320HP. It was a very fun car to drive, and very tail-happy. Could be because of all that power fed to the rear wheels :-) . My 944 definately handles better. What I love about the 944 is that it's a practical car. In the Z3, I couldn't even find anywhere to put my wallet (I stuck it under the seat). As for looks, the 944 is much better looking.

scottmandue · 03:32 PM

Yeah if I did go for it I would get the M coupe, I hear they don't have a spare tire!?!
Is the M engine the high maintenance unit that requires special oil and dealer tune ups?

85944na · 85944na's Garage

The M-Coupe is amazing, only a few of the very last ones made had 315 hp, most of them had the e36 M3 engine which is still nothing to laugh at. They are very fast, handle very well and are comfortable. As for no place to put your wallet? Don't think so, there is a glovebox, door pockets, and a fairly large hatch area. I've driven every varient of Z3, and the Z4, I like all of them for various reasons.

ilikemy944 · 04-24-2003, 02:55 PM

I got a ride in one of those M Coupes... Suspension was not stock, fully adjustable stuff, very nice. The ride was at an autocross... That was the scariest thing I have ever ridden in!!! He destroyed my times

Of course I wasn't that good either, was only like my 2nd auto-x...

MrPants · 04-25-2003, 12:32 AM

the new z4 has the same suspension set up the the m3. they are supposed to be very similar in handling, if that tells you anything.

afx · 04-25-2003, 01:35 AM

I have only driven them for short periods at a time (working as a valet) but they were pretty cool car. The M roadster definatly had a lot of "go" to it. Overall they were quite small and I had some trouble with my foot working the clutch. My shoe is sorta big so it would get stuck while trying to release the cluch and made me ride the clutch a whole lot. I do also have the same problem with the clutch in my 944, but not nearly as bad.

schnellfahrer · 04-25-2003, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 85944na
As for no place to put your wallet? Don't think so, there is a glovebox, door pockets, and a fairly large hatch area. I've driven every varient of Z3, and the Z4, I like all of them for various reasons.

Sorry. The one I tried was not a coupe. It was a Roadster (cab).

scottmandue · 07:45 AM

I forget the magazine but someone did comparison of the Z4 to a Boxster. Bottom line They said the Z4 had a nicer interior and was more comfortable but the Boxster kicked it's butt on the track. Then again I think they said the Boxster was more $$$

Anyway a Z4 is DEFINITELY is not in my budget! However a 1999-2000 Z3 or a M coupe maybe...

SlowToady · 04-25-2003, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Sorry. The one I tried was not a coupe. It was a Roadster (cab).

What he said still stands, my dad has a Z3 and there are door pockets, glove box, center console, and the "fairly large hatch". My old man also attatched a pretty sweet looking cargo net type thing on the passenger side (near where said passengers left leg goes) and we have all the maps and what not in there.

Definately fun cars. Padre bought the 2.8L in 97' and it's been sooo much fun. Great lil' car

Plenty of go, handles good, stops fast, and with a Dinan chip and K&N air filter it makes awesome sounds. If a 99/00 M or Z coupe is in your budget, by all means buy one.

Nabeel · 04-25-2003, 12:22 PM

Porsche makes better sports cars, while BMW makes arguably the world's best sports sedans. For the same price as a late-model used Z3, you can get a 951 AND a 968. The six-cylinder Z3s are a little tail-happy thanks to a rear suspension design fron the E30 3-series. The 4-banger is better balanced but cannot outrun a 944 n/a. The coupe is supposed to be a much better handler than the roadsters, thanks to the much stiffer body structure.

I have a great deal of respect for BMW, and I come from BMW family. But the company's forte is building sport-sedans. Porsche still holds the edge in sports cars.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

"I forget the magazine but someone did comparison of the Z4 to a Boxster. Bottom line They said the Z4 had a nicer interior and was more comfortable but the Boxster kicked it's butt on the track. Then again I think they said the Boxster was more $$$ "

ROAD & TRACK did this comparo a couple months back; the Z4 won the test only because of the Boxster's higher price tag. In every British publication (EVO, CAR, TOP GEAR, GT et al), they prounounced that the Z4 was a huge improvement over the Z3, but the Boxster is still the king.

scottmandue · 04-25-2003, 01:07 PM

Maybe I should be shopping for a Boxster, eh...
Hee hee...
Then again I don't think a mid engine design is best for me, the good old 944 has saved my a$$ many a time when I over cooked a corner. I just love scarring the piss out of myself... tires howling... a little scoot sideways... suddenly she reattaches to the road and away we go!

Thing is I see these cars on dealers lots and I start thinking "well I could give them the 944 (yes I know they won't give me a dime for her so I do mean give) get some quick financing and [bang zoom] have a shiny new toy."

Selling any car is such a PITA and then the 944 is such a specialty market when I'm ready to move on I may just give it away.

rammstein · 04-25-2003, 01:20 PM

Let me second what Scottmandue said about the forgiving nature of our cars. At my first DE this past weekend, I repeatedly went on the brink, being as unexpereinced as it gets, and the car is probably the reason I stayed on the track. I am upset to say I spun it sideways once, luckily I stayed on the track.

BTW- spinning out may have been the best part of the weekend, because I'll never forget the reason why I spun out- I was driving jerky, stabbing the gas, jabbing the brakes. After that spin out (which really was just a 1/4 turn) from that point forward I slowly got on the gas, progressed into the brakes, felt like I was going slower, but low and behold, although there was less drama, my lap times went down a lot, and I started really driving. Having an instructor also gave my learning curve an incredible jump forward. "smooth, smooth, smooth". After a few times out, I started listening.

The Z4 is a very strange looking car, I can't make up my mind about it.

SidVicious · 04-25-2003, 02:10 PM

Scott don't just give your car away. I'm looking for a tub to track per 944-spec series specifications. I'm hoping that sport will spread this way. I just looked at a sad '83 last night. And I do mean sad. But hey, if you're gonna give it away, let it die and go to track heaven!

I haven't been to California in years. I could stand a road trip...

gdjones6 · 04-25-2003, 05:06 PM

I have one of each, a 1997 Z3 2.8 and 1983 944. I love my porsche but there is nothing like the Z3 in the colorado mountains in the summer. My biggest complaint is that ther is no room at all. The wife and I can barely go away for the weekend in it and take or luggage. It is a tight fit. The porsche is currently in the paint shop and when I get it back and finished I will post pictures of both. If I had a choice between the Boxster and the Z3 or Z4 I would take the BMWs. I have driven a couple of Boxsters and I really do not care for them. At 6'4" the boxter doesn't fit like the Z3. You have to love those german autos.

Greg

schnellfahrer · 04-26-2003, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SlowToady
[B]

What he said still stands, my dad has a Z3 and there are door pockets, glove box, center console, and the "fairly large hatch". My old man also attatched a pretty sweet looking cargo net type thing on the passenger side (near where said passengers left leg goes) and we have all the maps and what not in there.

Well I'm not lying. The car I tried had no place to put anything. It was a Z3 M Roadster Euro; probably an 1999 or thereabout. I think it was a 3.2L. It had 320 HP.