However, weld in kits are available on the cheap. What makes a Miata so much more maintainable. I also upgraded from 1.6 brakes to 1.8 at cost of $250 (HP+ pads included) then I paid another $350 for my BBK (SS lines, 3 sets of HP+ pads included), so I got lucky with my prices. Since most BMW brake calipers are direct swap etc. For me running monoball shock mounts and 90a bushings probably isn't doing me much good. You should expect bias within this thread. To be flatly honest, neither the Z3 or Miata strike me as cars with personality ... but with time, effort, and TLC put into a car they can gain it over time :-). Find Used Convertibles. Dream Cars Sport Cars Race Cars. There is also more chassis bracing and a VVT motor that has a slight boost in power. 3.2 (//M) standard– Better, feels much more like a sports car should, but there seems to be room for … Could these hefty maintenance costs be evaded by choosing a car with a good owner? Maintenance and parts are also equal. A del sol could be an option since its a 2 seater convertable like the z3 but idk if op would be into it. full 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata review: Whether you consider a Z3 old, that's up to you. The little red JRSC'd fastback. I could get an open 1.8 diff for cheaper, but if I am spending the money, I'd rather get LSD. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, 2014 Cayman S , 1978 280Z: Both Manuals :). 1990 Miata, with V8 and BMW Z3 body panels. ... /r/Cars is the largest automotive enthusiast community on the Internet. Producers turned down the Volkswagen Beetle, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and BMW Z3 for not being “manly” enough. Re: Differences between Z4 2.5i and 2.5Si ... Used BMW Z4 Car for Sale in Singapore, - sgCarMart Used BMW Z4 Car for Sale in Singapore, Shuang Hup … hi all, apologies for starting a thread that has been done to death i have searched and searched but am still having bother with fitting some new seats in the old z. they are facelift seats and my car is a 97 i bought some second hand leather seats and re dyed them now i have come to fit them. The NAs are known for rotting from the inside at the rockers due to poor rain drains. If you want crisp suspension after the 75k mark be prepared to put in about $700 or much more if you want a good adjustable coilover. Our shop chargers 130 an hour.. but these cars a fairly simple to work on until you get into the electrical aspect. The engine choices are far better in the Z3. For reference, my 92 has a VLSD which is know to blow even on stock power and definitely after a turbo. The Z3 suffers from a weak trunk floor and a weak single differential mount. My dad has had a 98 Z3 2.8L for 11 years. Feels like I’m driving my Maxima. The Miata is well balanced when it comes to weight so it's fun to drive and it's reliable. I went a decade back in time and gave away 80 horsepower when I traded for my miata, and it's been a dream. Much cheaper, too! I personally just am not interested in how the Miata looks, and prefer the bigger engine in the BMW. Hey man, I have a 01 2.5i with the M package. 10 Important Things About the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 10 Hottest Sports Cars 10 Best Convertibles with a Manual Transmission 10 Best Convertibles for the Money 10 Cheap Roadsters with Style Build and Price a New Car. I would look at only manuals and hopefully one of the larger 6 cylinder engines for a very fun ride. This can be said about most cars though. I tried out the z3 and if I hadn't found such a good deal on a 325, I'd have driven it home. However turboing a miata normally requires upgrading driveline (diff, clutch, brakes) depending on the model you got (i.e. You can also rev em to hell. BMW 6 Series; McLaren 650S Spider; ... Miata, and Wrangler: the convertibles that sell in the biggest numbers are also kings of this data set. There were complaints, however, regarding the seats (too uncomfortable for long-distance travel) and the 53-liter fuel tank (too small for long distances). -NA (First-gen) Miata -FB (First-gen) RX-7-EF Civic -E30 3-series BMW-Old Porsche All would be more connected to the road, have more feeling, organicness, etc., than any of the three newer cars in the review. Saved from clubroadster.net. The build quality of the Z3 is higher. 2001 BMW Z3 / 2018 Audi Q5 2 years ago. I see young and old in Miata's but never young in a Z. I have an E30 and Miata, and honestly I feel more connected with the bmw. • /r/delusionalcraigslist • /r/Shitty_Car_Mods [r/shitty_car_mods] 1990 Miata, with V8 and BMW Z3 body panels. Heavy on handling and light on power, the Miata has come to define that old cliché that it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Ask away if you have any specific questions. I mean, it's still better than the non-turbo Miata, but not much until you start slapping some better parts/engine management on. It has a lot of power and torque, not titanic z06 numbers but it feels insane for a new driver. If you don't mind the constant flow of broken and breaking parts, then owning a 15 year old convertible sports car can be very rewarding. Check out the bimmerforums z3 section, one of the more active model specific forums on the internet, we would love to have you! Lieberman also noted that convertibles were usually avoided because it made it hard to hide stunt drivers’ faces (remember that Johnny Tran’s Honda S2000 was always shown with the top up). Very easy to drive. They're not half bad, and BMW's smaller motors are bullet proof. We serve as Reddit's central hub for vehicle-related discussion including industry news, reviews, projects, videos, DIY guides, advice, … The last thing you want is a sweet BMW you used all your money to buy sitting in the garage because you don't have the dough to keep it going. I also would be able to pick up a Z3 cheaper than a Miata. A Mazda Miata is a good and fine car, but it is not a BMW Z3 and thus is the inferior choice. But like you've been told, maintenance costs are high. By Jack Baruth … You can get yourself up to 230hp without having to pay for an ///M. My only complaint is the rattles, squeaks and noise. I don't recommend this. The Mazda Miata is a roadster. Feels like I’m driving my Maxima. While the RF is cool and better at keeping the cabin quiet, my ideal MX-5 sports a soft top. Best Used BMW Convertible - M3, Z3, 6 Series Back; Page 1 of 1 Next; Next Article; Share; Tweet; Cars featured in this article. I currently own a 1998 bmw z3 roadster. Z3 chassis is far superior an stiffer than even an NC. Jan 21, 2014 #6. TL;DR Z3 if you want a car, Miata if you want a toy, Thank you, I've learned loads from all this feedback :-). he did all the work himself. Engine wise BMWs are very solid and can easily rack up 200+k miles, it's other parts that go wrong, and in the 'modern' era it's mostly electrics and toys. It's old, there is a lot of plastic, what do you expect? Look long-term, particularly when it's a first car and it sounds like you're still in the beginning stages of an established, full-bodied career. They are great, fun, well built, and fairly reliable little cars and if you get one that's been well looked after it'll last 200+k miles easily. On a Z3 you just need new pads and SS lines. Anyone who tells you they're scary on maintenence is wrong. Good luck, have fun, and god help you if you ever buy a cheap Porsche. Thanks in advance! Searches the model and trim (AKA sub-model) names for the keywords you enter. On the other hand, for around the same price as a MX-5, you could buy a BMW Z3, which again, offers a less “smiley” look as well as great performance. Apr 23, 2020 - Explore Shaneel Bedasie's board "Cars!" it's had a few tiny niggles but they were all things that are easily fixable yourself and mostly cosmetic rather than mechanical (i.e the passenger seat rocking a little...tightening the mirror up, treating the rubber seals etc etc). It is a BMW so keep in mind BMW's, like all German cars, are pretty high on upkeep. The NA uses a single stage paint. Check out bimmerforums if you want the whole rundown. I bought a 2000 bmw z3 with the 2.8L engine in February. Maybe a little. It feels a little manic to drive especially when compared to a miata or modern sports car, but it's SOOOOOO much fun when you get it right. ReddIt AutoBild , recently did a comparison of the BMW Z4 and the Opel GT (Saturn Sky) in Europe to see if the cheaper by $14k Sky could hold its own against the Z4. A subreddit for all those who have owned, driven, raced, admired, or had anything ever to do with a Mazda MX-5. Search for or remove multiple models or trims at once using advanced keywords (e.g. Mx5 Nc Mazda Roadster Civic Eg Kei Car Bmw Z3 Mazda Miata. Whether you know it as the Mazda MX-5, Miata, Roadster or Eunos Roadster, this is the world’s best-selling two-seater convertible. ... Coming from a Miata, the standard Z3 shifter feels like a giant step in the wrong direction. Insurance rates are also comparable. I have '98 1.9 and it's been extremely reliable, I bought it with 90k on the clock about 18 months ago and it has 104k on the clock now and the only thing I have had to replace is rear tyres and brake pads. What you are looking at is the typical BMW Z3 armrest (part number 82-11-1-469-516). It will not be headache free but BMW was in a pretty good place during the Z3 years. I cannot in my E46 (nearly identical 5speed as the Z3). Much cheaper to turbo a miata than a z3. Wonderful community, I've owned over 5 years and look forward to seeing the Droks every year (dorkfest.org). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, '92 Classic Red(summer) & '08 PRHT GT LSD MDMA GHB PCP (winter). oh my god, when will my 1988 325is starting giving me problems ? Knock on wood - the Miata has proven totally reliable so far. Another western alternative is the Mercedes-Benz SLK which features a hardtop convertible roof as well as a much faster 0-60 time. Always been topless for the fun car and it's fun to be topless ... LOL. In fact the 2590lbs Z3 uses the same calipers as my 3200lbs 4 door 323i which can easily out brake a miata with 1.8 brakes. Definitely depends on what kind of driving you specifically have in mind, but personally on the used market I think a Z3 is a better value. I know it's become a bit of a joke around here, but why not for a cheap miata and upgrade later on? I can clutchless up/downshift revmatch into 2,3,4,5 without any issue. Roll bars are equally priced. Nothing more expensive than a cheap, old luxury car. 2.8 Standard– Effort to shift is very light, but the throw is enormous. The message boards are also very helpful and knowledgable. It's an old car, the convertibles will only get older and wear things out. /r/Cars is the largest automotive enthusiast community on the Internet. The Miata is the most fun, and has the best aftermarket, but it's also going to be objectively the slowest anywhere but an autocross course. I picked it over the Boxsters and despite being an objectively inferior car, I'm glad I did. First paragraph is sound advice. Back end likes to step out, but it takes its sweet time doing so. The smart answer is to buy a civic, or if you must, a miata, but you have to make concessions for what is going to make you happy. Coming from a Miata, the standard Z3 shifter feels like a giant step in the wrong direction. You can also filter out certain models or trims using minus signs (e.g. Think of it like a Miata with a straight 6 that howls like a metallic, raspy demon. Spent about £1k already in random stuff breaking. BMW Z3 / Z4 Differences between Z4 2.5i and 2.5Si. About The … Classic curves, wide booty and a spartan interior, all part of a very inspired design. Go to the library and open up the magazine rack for consumer reports, read up on problem years and recommendations. 5. share. Your dad drives a 2014, so certainly he hasn't run into the high mileage old age repairs yet. Mandatory maintenance has actually been pretty light for me since the 3.0 is a pretty solid motor if kept up with. The maintenance bills are very low, and the Mazda dealer service is good. Suddenly, the competition in the small-roadster sector (e.g., Fiat Barchetta, BMW Z3, Audi TT, Alfa Spider, even the contemporary Mazda Miata/MX5) looked somewhat outdated, not only because of their rag-tops, but also in terms of performance and usability. But also keep in mind the maintenence and reliability of the miata is much cheaper than a Z3. It will be more expensive to maintain than a Japanese or American car, but not THAT much more. This sub has helped me eliminate a lot of potentially bad cars and I was wondering what your thoughts on the Z3 were. It has actually been the most reliable car any of us have ever experienced. ... Lieberman originally suggested an E36 BMW M3 or Audi S4 for Jesse, who got a Mark III … he was really happy. Miata is a toy. The Miata is a great/best friend that'll always be there to have a good time and can talk to, but my bmw is a soul mate. (Info / ^Contact) Because I like them: E39 M5, E46 M3 ZCP, E46 330i ZHP, Z3 M Coupe S54, Z4 M Coupe, GT-R M-Spec Nür, Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR, Subaru WRX STi, Audi R8 4.2 manual, 996 Carrera 2 narrowbody manual, Honda S2000, Alfa 159, supercharged Mini Cooper S, Renault Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup, first-gen Ford Focus RS, Mazda Protege MP3, Mazdaspeed Miata, B7 RS4, … Much cheaper to turbo a miata than a z3. For those bugging me about insurance, I got a quote for about 200/month which is totally doable. Gas is over $8/gal here, not gonna happen! The Miata holds 1st,2nd,3rd place for lowest insurance. I had more fun in my shitty 240sx than I do in my 330ci because the BMW is too nice and I don't want to break it. Small Cars Jdm Cars. Ps. 166. With old BMW's, it gets to the point that if you have to ask/if you're concerned about maintenance bills, you probably shouldn't dive down that rabbit hole. Unless you can swing $1k/yr in maintenance at least, in addition to tires, etc it's not feasible. by Richard Dredge. As far as performance goes they are hardly lacking. We serve as Reddit's central hub for vehicle-related discussion including industry news, reviews, projects, videos, DIY guides, advice, stories, and more. I'm not fond of the styling of a Z3, the Miata wins there. Miata vs. S2000: The Less-Than-Eternal Battle Even though they aren't actually competitors, we settle the roadster battle once and for all. Thanks for the quick reply man. But it is a 20 year old car. Whether you want to use it occasionally or every day, the Z3 makes sense on so many levels. Without the Miata, it seems a lot less certain that we would’ve had the BMW Z3, Z4, Porsche Boxster, and Mercedes-Benz CLK either. -Cayenne or -touring). But again its all doable if you feel up to the challange. The cabin is actually a nice place to be for a car of it's age, and it's fairly comfortable, and being 6'3 and 230lbs I thought It would be a squeeze but I have plenty of room. The Z3 will fair a lot better with rust. Use this to narrow down your model selection above to a specific trim level (e.g. Upgrading to an LSD is cheaper on the Z3 because there are soooo many options from various BMW models. When I think of a Miata, I think of a tiny roadster that I can drop the top with one fluid throw of my arm. The Z4 is also fun to drive and the performance is great provided you go for the 3.0L. I'm mechanically adept, so would be working on my own car, and I'm in the UK if that makes a difference. I think you should go for the Z3. Maintaining is a little pricy but not horrific if you do it yourself. I think you're right about driving both, I need to find which one fits me better as a person :-), The NB is not much more of an improvement over the NA but it is more expensive. Are BMW engines usually just not made to last more than 100k miles? I figured I'd do a build thread. The handling of the Z3 is fantastic. Go to the library and open up the magazine rack for consumer reports, read up on problem years and recommendations. You will have to find something about it to love, just like a person. 3.2 (//M) standard– Better, feels much more like a sports car should, but there seems to be room for improvement. I recommend you buy something cheaper (but still fun and RWD) so you can learn/beat it up/crash the shit out of it without feeling too bad. I'm getting my license and working this summer to get a car. Seats, sound deadning and engine option could help deal with this. Autobytel Car of the Year Awards. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. The miata however is awesome. Excluding obvious wear parts like brake pads and tires, he's replaced the water pump, cam angle sensor, shifter linkage, rear window, and shock absorbers. 3l for about 8 months. Mazda Mx 5 Miata Mazda Cars Miata Mods Mazda Roadster Japanese Cars New And Used Cars Go Kart Cool … My friend's owned a 1 series 06 BMW (130?) Holy shit are there lots of squeeks. ... mazda Mazda MX-5 Mazda MX-5 Miata Mazda MX5 mazda mx5 miata mx-5 mx-5 miata MX5 mx5 miata. Can anyone who has owned both an MX5/Miata and a Z3 help me decide? My Dream Car. Two seats, denying rides to the throngs of people that want in is that much easier. The smart answer is to buy a civic, or if you must, a miata, but you have to make concessions for what is going to make you happy. 29-aug-2020 - Bekijk het bord "MX5" van Dossche Alain op Pinterest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q5SVHpN_CU. what about my uncle e34 m5, last summer it was at 495k miles, SHOULD I WARN HIM ? Some parts go NLA and the big ticket items are still BMW expensive. It will not be headache free but BMW was in a pretty good place during the Z3 years. its at 390k miles, should i flip out ? Having said that, I do not recommend any BMW or Porsche as a first car. Whack a new stereo in and it really modernizes the car too. They are at the point where they can't lose much more in value so when you're comfy and have some more cash you can get a newer z3. A subreddit for all those who have owned, driven, raced, admired, or had anything ever to do with a Mazda MX-5. EDIT: I guess it's not all about rawness, though. Pictures shown may not represent exact model specified. The Z3 is heavier by 390lbs minimum. He bought it with 60k miles and it now has ~120k. So in November of 2005 Hasan began to swap a 5.7L LS1 into a tiny 1996 BMW Z3. I dunno, I've lurked here a while and everyone seems happy to talk about the shortcomings etc, its a nicely mature group :-). Odd, I have an opposite experience. I also considered the Z3 before I got the Miata. GT | "Limited Edition" -base). It is also safer. BMW's of old just have more character, I can't really explain it. I wish every car had that trans. See more ideas about cars, bmw z3, porsche cars. It's a fantastic little car. The Bimmer is likely the most comfortable, but it's the "softest" in terms of sports car vs tourer. Moved from Miata to CLK200 to z4??? It's adequately fast and handles amazingly. It's utterly usable and well screwed together, although it isn't quite as sharp to drive as you might expect. The car only goes to the mechanic for scheduled maintenance - what mroe can one say. While the Miata LSDs are around $7-900 in my area. I own a Z3 as a weekend cruiser not a daily driver (I have a 2009 e60 as my daily driver), but honestly half of the people in this thread have clearly never owned or even driven a Z3. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Z3 is fantastic as a car-like roadster, quiet and comfortable, feels solid, smooooth low end power delivery from the 6cyl, its the kind of car you can really enjoy driving around town and commuting to work, and still have good fun on the weekends. Want to know more from people a million times smarter than me? Personally if it came down to NB vs Z3 I'd take the Z3. I'll start off with the first miata. I do must of the repairs myself unless I don't have the tools. That motor, the 3.0 has torque all over with a very healthy amount of power for the car. Stock is a lot better, but not great. With older BMW's, your worries won't be insurance, they'll be maintenance costs. Please excuse me while I replace my soft top, rear window, vanos, IHKA knobs, and repaint major body parts. Cooling system is a big one at around 50-80k miles, all BMWs of the era go through this. Bout $250 for parts. If i were you i would look till i found the right car. Don't take it from me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q5SVHpN_CU. The Miata is fun and cheerful and has its moments of struggle and I can talk to it, but the bmw has that and more. Be careful out there. on Pinterest. It's fun to drive, gas is not an issue, and now I have more money to keep it in the condition it deserves. Driving skill comes from experience. Why? How much of our car's life is really spent in the twisties or the track? what about my older 740il ? Aftermarket performance support for the Miata is much better than the Z3. Maybe a good? If you aren't prudish about your driving until you know it well, you will probably do something with consequence in it. Except this armrest has had the two plastic lids covered in nice black leather with padding installed underneath. Short version, after a bit time and a few hundred dollars, I love my little roadster. fuck your miatas, buy the Z3 OP! I see. "Grand Touring"). Thanks though, its all more food for thought! Coming from a Miata, the standard Z3 shifter feels like a giant step in the wrong direction. Thanks, that's all things that are worth considering! That is also the class of vehicle that the BMW Z3 occupies. There is less road noise, nicer interior and more luxuries. NC (06-15) | Mazda Miata MX-5 - TopMiata. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Prepping the car to handle the increased power was important to keep up handling. In fact NBs in my area are equal to Z3s in price. The NA 1.6 brakes are abysmal. Report Save. I agree that the e30 has a bit more charm in the vintage saloon type, but I find more love in and for my miata. Saved by Redcaps Roadster. Trim Search. However any of the straight 6 BMW engines are beautiful, reliable and super smooth. The -ish is only because I drove a hand me down e34 wagon for my first year or so, retrospectively a very good idea since it kept me out of trouble when I was a brand new driver. Research Convertibles. The leather wraps around the lid and the underside is lined with felt like cloth. Sweet Cars. He welcomed the challenge of putting the ROAR air-intake system against any other system designed for the BMW Z3. A BMW straight 6 will outlast the 1.6/1.8 engine by far. I would recommend year 2000 and up. The NB is not much more of an improvement over the NA but it is more expensive. But from time to time, Mazda has tried giving its small star a little more go, and the results have been interesting. It's got more soul. Brakes on the Z3 are much better, and there are numerous cheap upgrades. Hi there, if all goes well I'm going to be in the market for a budget sportscar later this year. For economy buy four cylinders and for fun choose six - while for the ultimate in fun, track down an M … Softtops for the Z3 are more expensive. Bekijk meer ideeën over auto's, motor, auto's en motoren. A.B.S Chassis Fabrication installs a Randy Forbes differential kit to strengthen the mount and trunk floor as well as make more room for a dual exhaust … But the Z has more of a mature styling.. a pre 93' or NB with Mazdaspeed brakes) while a Z3 diff/brakes will fair just fine with higher HP.