Comments on: The Generations War: BMW Z3 vs. BMW Z4 vs 2009 BMW Z4

By: Rabbit

Rabbit — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Based on the 9 photos above I would say photos 2 + 8 reveal the carved out side door panels to be ugly and inferior in style to the original z3 in photos 1 + 7. Yes, I agree with most that the original z3 styling was both retro and cool. The newest z4 does look a bit like a MBZ; well, I cannot afford any of these, but a used 2002 Z3 might be within reach. It’s is good that the carved out or sculpted door panels of the z4 have been changed and smoothed out, as has the back hump, which was also ugly. So BMW basically wrecked the old z3 design for the newer z4 design.

Now the performance, handling etc, well, those ar all other issues I know nothing about. Enjoy your cool cars! I drive a Honda Civic which has 4 doors and it is 11 years old!

By: Rabbit

Rabbit — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Now the performance, handling etc, well, those ar all other issues I know nothing about. Enjoy your cool cars! I drive a Honda Civic which has 4 doors and it is 11 years old!

By: Bmw Z Drive | BMW Photos Blog

Bmw Z Drive | BMW Photos Blog — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:02:43 +0000

[...] bmw z drive bmwblog.com [...]

By: Bmw Z Roadster | BMW Photos Blog

Bmw Z Roadster | BMW Photos Blog — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:17:00 +0000

[...] bmw z roadster bmwblog.com [...]

By: Pics Of Z4 Bmw | BMW Photos Blog

Pics Of Z4 Bmw | BMW Photos Blog — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:31:33 +0000

[...] pics of z4 bmw bmwblog.com [...]

By: Bmw Z4 Test | BMW Photos Blog

Bmw Z4 Test | BMW Photos Blog — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:32:44 +0000

[...] bmw z4 test bmwblog.com [...]

By: Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:24:09 +0000

Z3 – classic and gentle styling which has undoubtedly dated. That said to my mind it is a great shape, not a straight line or slab looking panel anywhere on the car.

Z4 – aggressisive futuristic styling that took a bit of getting used to and a chassis which outperforms the Z3 by some margin. In M spec it closes the gap on the Boxster and SLK.

New Z4 – mmm. An undoubted beauty but again i’m noy sure about the hard top / roadster design. It just doesn’t work for me. Great interior, great performance.

My Z3 is dated and performance wise the newer models win hands down. But they just don’t have the soul of the early model. Call me old fashioned but there’s something about the sheer simplicity of the Z3 that appeals. Isn’t that what a roadster is meant to be about? Lazy Sunday driving with the wind in your hair? Surely if you want a track weapon there are faster offerings at substantially less money!

By: Teleny

Teleny — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:59:31 +0000

Z3 a real beauty, classic proportions, dated chassis-but classic roadster performance-9if you know roadsters, you understand0, but outsold all of the other zs by a zillion cars and will be a future classic.

z4 ugly flame surfacing, unattractive proportions, a styling disaster with sales numbers to match. A competent drive though…This era of BMW cars in general will be less collectible b/c of peculiar Bangly styling.

Z42 better styling than z4, but high cost, piggish weight (3,500lb roadster?) and HIGH price. Not impressed.

Winner: z3 by a landslide

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:18:34 +0000

Z3 – cool retro styling, inside and out
Z4 – more modern, still appealing
New Z4 – too futuristic. Does the bonnet need to be that big? Don’t like the lines of it either

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:23:11 +0000

The z3 = classic
It is still cool, even though retro. The handling is fun if not pinned down, it has a graceful shape and is so little, it is just….. cool.

The 1st gen. z4 = slow burn love affair.
At first it was a bit weird (not love at first sight) but over time it’s revolutionary design has kept it fresh and still one on the most modern vehicles on the road. It has aged beautifully, and the M version is stellar. After years of looking at it, it appears to be carved out of a solid chunk of metal, especially the side view. The class-leading chassis rigidity did wonders for handling. I prefer the looks of the soft top. The design approach looks pure.

The 2nd gen. z4 = one nighter
I really want to like it.
The front nose is weird – vertical, I guess for Europe pedestrian impact/ safety standards (just like the new 7). The rear takes cues from the 6 series, my least favorite series. yuck. Side view is overdone and the lines don’t have character…. they’re just…. there….
Good initial looks, but the more I study it, the less I like it. Kinda like a girl you date vs. the girl you marry. Will it improve with time?

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:50:57 +0000

Z3 hands down winner in styling. Yes it is retro. Great road feel as opposed to the lack of feedback in the z4s. Ergonomics much better in a Z3. BTW I am a 60 year old man that weighs over 250. I have no problem with the size of the cockpit and the Z3 is easier to get out of than my 325iC.

By: Brussels

Brussels — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:09:05 +0000

I limit my comments on the “look”:

I never liked the Z3.
I drive a Z4 1st generation and (of course) I like it a lot.
Some comments on the new Z4:
+ rear view: very sexy, better than before;
+ hardtop for those who prefer it;
- side view: too much pronounced lines, curves and other things;
- front view: too much pronounced lines and curves;
- a real roadster needs a softtop: even when folded, a lot of space in the trunk – when a hardtop is folded = no space in the trunk = no roadtrips;
- looks like an SLK from the side
Conclusion: no love at first sight … I guess it will have to grow

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:13:22 +0000

No because they look crap. You won’t see Porsche or Audi puting a heavy ugly hard top on thier cars. The simply fact is they do not look as good as a soft top, bottom line!

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:23:28 +0000

@Lee: How do you figure they "suck"? Because of the lack of road noise? Or because someone can't slash your top and steal all of your stuff? Or because they're less likely to fold like a house of cards should you ever roll your car?

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:54:37 +0000

Sorry if I have the same name as you.

Anyway as I said earlier hard top convertibles suck!

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:35:27 +0000

@bmwtechal:
I do dig the Z3 coupe… a lot. I hated it at first, but it grew on me pretty quickly.

For the record: The second “Lee” post wasn’t me. Must be an imposer.

By: clara

clara — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:32:22 +0000

@[;: What is your name exactly? It looks like a wingding :)

By: [;

[; — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:39:05 +0000

where’s Z1?

By: E46Mike

E46Mike — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:08:50 +0000

I’m disappointed in the E89. It looks fat, and besides, does the world really need another porky retractable hard top?

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:09:17 +0000

The new Z4 would have been the best by a mile but instead it sucks becuase of one thing. A hard top convertible never looks as good as a soft top. Now I have to by a Boxster or a TT instead. I hate hard top convertibles.