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BMW Z3 opinions needed please - Page 3

post #31 of 40
4/18/07 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by persid View Post
He's talking about Toyota's 2ZZ-GE engine used in the Matrix. The very same engine, in a slightly different state of tune, is used by Lotus in the Elise.

I know what the engine is, I was commenting on why he even brought the Matrix into discussion.

He was trying to talk about the power to weight ratio and how street friendly this vehicle is. Unfortunatley, there is more to it than that. This engine produces almost all of its power at a very high rpm and has very little torque. Regarless of the cars weight, you will have to drive it around town at 6-8k rpms (not much fun). The engine produces less torque than some motorcycles at the rpms of street driving. Yes, you will be shifting frequently to keep it in powerband regardless of what he says about weight. Keep in mind, this car has no isolation and is quit the buzz bomb while driving as well. I have already mentioned some of the ergonomic issues so no need to revisit that. SGladwell may find it a fun car for street driving, I sure wouldn't.

The Lotus put down 151 hp on a dyno, only 111 ft lbs of torque. It doesn't even break 100hp until 5,500 rpms. Dyno is in the link.
http://www.puresportscar.com/gallery...oto=86&cat=506
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post #32 of 40
4/18/07 at 6:58pm
It doesn't really need to break 100 hp as it weighs so little that even such a small amount of power gets you around town. If you wish to really go, all you have to do is drop down a few gears. There's really not much to it. The car is built around the concept of sacrifice. You sacrifice a certain amount of comfort and instant power at any rpm for immense enjoyment when running hard, or semi-hard. It does not suit everyone's driving style or needs. Some like GTs with lots of power all around and heated leather seats. Some don't. Those who don't have a new god...her name is Elise. It has displaced our God of the 90s, the Miata.
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post #33 of 40
4/18/07 at 8:11pm
If you're 6' +, skip the Z3.

My stepmother let me borrow her car a few months back when mine was in the shop - I could only drive it with the top down and was thankful when i brought it back to her.
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post #34 of 40
4/19/07 at 4:09pm
delete, please
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post #35 of 40
4/19/07 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSeca View Post
SGladwell, I think you get all of your auto information by reading magazines.
Projection, much?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSeca View Post
I know what the engine is, I was commenting on why he even brought the Matrix into discussion.
If you're too stupid to realize that a high-rpm screamer with little torque down low may be an absurd engine choice for a heavy wagon but perfectly appropriate and more than perfectly streetable in a 2000lb exotic, then I cannot help you. You just don't have the experience base to fall back on, so you persist in idiotic delusions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSeca View Post
He was trying to talk about the power to weight ratio and how street friendly this vehicle is. Unfortunatley, there is more to it than that. This engine produces almost all of its power at a very high rpm and has very little torque. Regarless of the cars weight, you will have to drive it around town at 6-8k rpms (not much fun).
Now it's beyond a doubt obvious that you've never driven a car that's a civilized weight. Last time I drove an Elise, I went through about 3 miles of stop-and-go traffic. Until I hit an onramp and was able to open it up a bit, I never exceeded an indicated 3k rpm, which is also my normal in-town shift point in my Miata. (Maybe a little more midrange grunt, but also ~500lbs more to carry around.) Let's just say that keeping up with traffic shifting at 3krpm is not an issue in a Miata and was that much less an issue in the Elise. Stop masturbating to the horsepower numbers you find in car magazines and get some experience behind the wheel. You might actually learn something.
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post #36 of 40
4/19/07 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGladwell View Post



Matrix was already mentioned by someone else. The S2k came in because it has (to me) the best seats in the class. If you were too dense to realize that, then everything else I've written has obviously gone over your head as well. Given your responses, that does not in the least surprise me.

Good to hear we cleared it all up. I am sure the Lotus talked to you about how great it is as a daily driver, you sure do know alot about cars!

EDIT

I see you edited your post. I now know you must be an expert with this car after you added "keeping up with traffic is not an issue at 3k rpm", I am sure it was not difficult for you to handle the 55 hp the car produces at this rpm (see the factual dyno from my earlier post). "Until I hit an onramp and was able to open it up a bit, never exceeding 3k rpm..." haha, you are a joke.

Nice job with the insults, I guess this is the only thing you can do when you can't prove your point. I apologize for frustrating you with facts.
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post #37 of 40
4/27/07 at 2:23am
I have a 2000 BMW z3 2.5. It's a wonderful car, beautiful in every respect except (as some have mentioned) the interior finish. I have the sport package, so the accents are motorsport, but still come off as cheap.

Nonetheless, if you let a girl in the car, the last thing she's worried about is the interior finish and likewise when you gun the car with the top down it's a true pleasure to ride (granted it's not as fast at my parent's 740iL of the same vintage).

I'd say get it!
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post #38 of 40
6/4/08 at 7:26pm
I have been droven all Japanese Cars (Acura, Nissan, Lexus, Mazda....)since I started to drive. However, 2years ago I switched to BMW 3serise and it gave me a whole different experiences!!!!

If you switch to Z3... I tell you that you would love to drive!!!

Just one thing...as a lot of people pointed out,,,, maintanace costs would not be cheap as Japanese Cars.

If one thing has a problem that means you gotta spend about $1000 for sure.

so be aware before you buy
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post #39 of 40
6/4/08 at 8:19pm
The Z3 was regaurded as a failure by most BMW and general car enthusiasts. It was heavy, handles poorly for a sports car and also suffered from alot of reliability issues.

If you want a drivers car get a Honda S2000. It will drive better and be more reliability.

If you want to be a badge whore just get a slightly older porshe boxster

Or get a MX-5.

The Z4 mostly fixed what was wrong with the Z3 buy is only generally impressive as in the Z4M but it is more a euro muscle car than a tossable performer.
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post #40 of 40
6/5/08 at 7:53pm
The Z3 is a truly "gay car," maybe even more so than a Miata. Although I believe the ultimate winner of that award is the MR2. I worked landscaping many, many years ago and had a very homophobic boss who liked small cars (had a collection of Triumphs), and he went off and bought a Z3. Sold it a few weeks later, as he was utterly outraged that men would cat call him in traffic. Quite amusing, really. In any case, you Z3/Miata/MR2 drivers must have more testicular fortitude than I. I would feel like I had been neutered if I were driving one of those cars. Definitely a poser-mobile for someone in college. I was in class with a guy who drove one, he was a bit taller than me, 6'3" or so, and he looked like such an ass clown getting into his 90s Z. A small, cheap, inconvenient BMW for a college student just looks dumb. There's no wonder they have dismal resale value for a Bimmer. Plus, your budget puts you in for one around a decade old, and I would never buy a BMW out of warranty unless I could fix everything on it myself. The Z4 is light years ahead. But you can't afford that yet. Buy something reasonable, reliable, and fun like an RSX. Always time to buy a roadster to pick up the guys with as a 2nd (or 3rd) car in a few years.
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