Z4 vs s2000

Ferris · 31-07-2008 11:49am #1

Right lads, I think that I am finally getting close to deciding what type of car I want (sure its only taken about 6 months:o).

I started looking into a Honda s2000, and I want one with a glass rear window so it'll need to be 2002my on. Great looking and they have a fantastic engine. I know people will say you have to rev the nuts out of it but I've driven one and its quick before the vtec kicks in, and when it does - its manic. Concerns are that the s2000 might fall into the scanger brigade and the interior is not that nice.

I haven't driven a Z4. I like the looks of them though. Obviously it'd be a 6-cyl 2.5 or 3L so the tax will be higher than for the honda. It has a nicer interior, more cred and is unlikely to fall into skangerdom. Also these engine are peaches by repute.

I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

Alanstrainor · 31-07-2008 11:52am

I haven't driven either...But, i love the S2000, it's up there as one of my dream cars, great engine and styling is class. I wouldn't worry about dealing with the scanger brigade, just be happy in knowing you're driving a savage motor.
My 2cents...sorry i know it wasn't very helpful...

Biro · 31-07-2008 12:05pm

Ferris wrote: »

Right lads, I think that I am finally getting close to deciding what type of car I want (sure its only taken about 6 months:o).

I started looking into a Honda s2000, and I want one with a glass rear window so it'll need to be 2002my on. Great looking and they have a fantastic engine. I know people will say you have to rev the nuts out of it but I've driven one and its quick before the vtec kicks in, and when it does - its manic. Concerns are that the s2000 might fall into the scanger brigade and the interior is not that nice.

I haven't driven a Z4. I like the looks of them though. Obviously it'd be a 6-cyl 2.5 or 3L so the tax will be higher than for the honda. It has a nicer interior, more cred and is unlikely to fall into skangerdom. Also these engine are peaches by repute.

I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

I'd be of the opinion that the S2000 is more "frantic" in the way it delivers it's power than the Z4 might be. Have been in an S2000, not a Z4, so only speculating. Maybe go for the S2000 this year and change for a Z4 next year or the year after! That'd kind of be the natural progression I'd think - when you're looking for slightly more comfort and easier access to the power on tap.
Definately drive a 2.5 Z4 anyway to see, you'll get opinions on here, but it's your opinion that matters most. I don't think the S2000 will fall into skangerdom yet, too expensive still!

JHMEG · 31-07-2008 12:08pm

It's funny you mention cred. I see a lad driving an S2000 and I think "there's a lad that knows his motors". I see a lad driving a Z4 and can't but think that he would have bought a Z3 when they were on the go...

Ferris · 31-07-2008 12:14pm

JHMEG wrote: »

It's funny you mention cred. I see a lad driving an S2000 and I think "there's a lad that knows his motors". I see a lad driving a Z4 and can't but think that he would have bought a Z3 when they were on the go...

I see what you mean about the z3-z4 connection alright but I think 'those in the know' would see the 2.5 or 3.0L badge on boot and wing.

Both cars are beautifully engineered for a driving enthusiast, when I see someone driving one that what I think of.

Cosmo K · 31-07-2008 12:24pm

I see a lad driving a Z4 and can't but think that he would have bought a Z3 when they were on the go...

And? Whats wrong with a Z3? And don't tell me its a hairdressers car. I had the pleasure to drive a 2.8 Z3 for a weekend, pure fun to drive.

All this talk about .....oh thats not a mans car is ridiculous, the only "woman" or "hairdressers" car i can think of, is a pink Beetle Convertible....

JHMEG · 31-07-2008 12:35pm

Cosmo K wrote: »

And? Whats wrong with a Z3? And don't tell me its a hairdressers car. I had the pleasure to drive a 2.8 Z3 for a weekend, pure fun to drive.

All this talk about .....oh thats not a mans car is ridiculous, the only "woman" or "hairdressers" car i can think of, is a pink Beetle Convertible....

Why do people have to bring up hairdressers as soon as the Z3 is mentioned...

Victor_M · 31-07-2008 12:43pm

JHMEG wrote: »

Why do people have to bring up hairdressers as soon as the Z3 is mentioned...

Why do people bring up a Z3 when a Z4 is mentioned?

I've seen way too many threads spoiled by 'certain' people bringing up cars that the OP hadn't mentioned in the first place

JHMEG · 31-07-2008 1:02pm

Victor_M wrote: »

Why do people bring up a Z3 when a Z4 is mentioned?

Ferris wrote:

I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

Ferris doesn't have a problem with me bringing up the Z3. Why do you? (Don't answer that)

walshy123 · 31-07-2008 1:14pm

i reckon z4. beaut of a car, and i would imagine a hell of alot more torque.

defo go drive a z4 and see which is the better drive. i always loved the s2k but i feel its getting a bit dated.

i was trying to decide between an elise and s2k, ended up going for a vx220

LolaDub · 31-07-2008 1:22pm

Ah Ferris definitely test a z4, i've been in a z4 ut not the s2000, z4 is a beast to drive!

SV · 31-07-2008 1:25pm

S2000, hell of a lot cooler car, better looking too.

You're not going to fall into any skanger category with one..the only hondas that skangers can afford to buy and insure are civics(and in rare cases integras!)

You'll have more fun in an s2000 I reckon..

Cyrus · 31-07-2008 1:31pm

s2000 more fun id imagine but z4 a more complete package and would be my choice but with the 3 litre engine

Ferris · 31-07-2008 1:39pm

Cyrus wrote: »

s2000 more fun id imagine but z4 a more complete package and would be my choice but with the 3 litre engine

Me too, although I wouldn't turn down a decent 2.5 either, its still a great engine. I see that I have to test a Z4 sometime soon:D as my mind is defo not made up.

TCP/IP · 31-07-2008 2:18pm

Having just recently sold my Z4 3.0 litre I can honestly say it is a super car and cannot speak highly enough about it. Get the 3 litre its an animal of a car to go and also deffo get an auto box its a peach. I test drove a S2000 and the are not even in the same league as they Z4. If you are the type of person who like evos and scoobies then the S2000 is for you if on the other hand you are not then the Z4 is the one to go for.

Victor_M · 31-07-2008 2:22pm

ClioV6 wrote: »

S2000, hell of a lot cooler car, better looking too.

You're not going to fall into any skanger category with one..the only hondas that skangers can afford to buy and insure are civics(and in rare cases integras!)

You'll have more fun in an s2000 I reckon..

I've seen way too many S2000 Jap imports tarted up with body kits - Seems to be inevitable that all sporty Honda's get ruined by skangers.

S2000 is a nice drive, although I felt it was very highly overrated, having to keep the revs up get tiresome very quickly.

Never driven a Z4, but have driven all of the BMW 6 cylinders and they are fantastic. The Z4 is very good looking in the right colour wheel combination and if I was going for one I'd shell out for the 3L the tax is only marginally more as would the insurance and the depreciation of the bigger engine would more or less have them at the same price as the smaller engined ones.

Beta Ray Bill · 31-07-2008 2:35pm

S2000 Mate.... all the way

Hondas go forever! we have a 14 year old petrol lawnmore thats STILL going and its a honda... Flymo have nothing on them! LOL

but seriously
the S2000 is a great car

Ferris · 31-07-2008 2:36pm

Victor_M wrote: »

I've seen way too many S2000 Jap imports tarted up with body kits - Seems to be inevitable that all sporty Honda's get ruined by skangers.

Thats what I'm worried about alright.

I think I'll ring up about a drive in this one:

http://usedcars.sarsfieldmotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1117799

Cmar-Ireland · 31-07-2008 2:42pm

TCP/IP wrote: »

If you are the type of person who like evos and scoobies then the S2000 is for you if on the other hand you are not then the Z4 is the one to go for.

I think this nails it perfectly...

Vertakill · 31-07-2008 2:47pm

As big of a Jap fan as I am.. the Z4 wins this one I think. Slicker and more modern design, super engine and an awful lot nicer interior.

One other thing, skangers in S2000's? I've literally never ever seen a skanger in an S2000. Seriously, how would they afford one? They're not exactly cheap.

TCP/IP · 31-07-2008 2:47pm

Ferris wrote: »

Thats what I'm worried about alright.

I think I'll ring up about a drive in this one:

http://usedcars.sarsfieldmotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1117799

That is my old car mate

Victor_M · 31-07-2008 2:47pm

Ferris wrote: »

Thats what I'm worried about alright.

I think I'll ring up about a drive in this one:

http://usedcars.sarsfieldmotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1117799

Nice Colour.

If you do look at that one, make sure you get the VIN and ring BMW Ireland or one of the (remaining) main dealers and have the history full checked up on the car, particularly the mileage, just to be on the safe side.

Edit: Just saw TCP/IP's comment there, he can verify all that stuff for you.

Ferris · 31-07-2008 3:01pm

TCP/IP wrote: »

That is my old car mate

Unbelievable, it looks to be a nice car alright. Did you trade it in to them or was it passed on from a main dealer?

Furp · 31-07-2008 3:55pm

A relative just recently purchased a Z4 the 2.5Si edition with 18inch wheels in black, for a long time it was a toss up between an S2000 and a Z4.

I had a drive in it recently and it is very nice, good road holding, nice sound from the engine and a lovely acceleration feel right form low down in the rev range and this was before flipping the the sport button which tightens the suspension and increases the throttle response. the only other two seater I have driven was an MR2 but that had a very different feel partically due to the mid engine arrangement.

I think the Z4 can look really class with the right combination of colour and wheel size, go and drive them both and let us know what you think. for my money I think the Z4 would be my preference.

JimmyCrackCorn! · 31-07-2008 4:01pm

Just for the engine. It would have to be the S2000 every time.
I got a spin in one once and they are fantastic car.

Anyone who is looking for a convertible sports car should at least test drive the Honda.

Kamili · 31-07-2008 4:08pm

I've just recently bought the s2000, its AMAZING. I wouldn't be a fan of the Z4 as the tax would kill me on it being the bigger litre engine. The S has been voted the top gear most satisfying car to own since 2004. That said the clutch is hard to use in heavy traffic and I've quite often come out of the car with a very sore left foot. I think comfort wize and dublin traffic I would (If I could afford the tax) go for an automatic Z4 as the honda really doesn't like the traffic situation at all, its really a car that needs alot of high revving to keep the engine pristine. It is a fantastic car to own though above all that and it keeps its resale value too. I do love it to bits and would reccomend it to anyone!

I think the best thing to do would be to test drive both and take them out in heavy traffic and on a motorway as both the cars would drive very differently in both situations.

cpoh1 · 31-07-2008 4:12pm

TCP/IP wrote: »

Having just recently sold my Z4 3.0 litre I can honestly say it is a super car and cannot speak highly enough about it. Get the 3 litre its an animal of a car to go and also deffo get an auto box its a peach. I test drove a S2000 and the are not even in the same league as they Z4. If you are the type of person who like evos and scoobies then the S2000 is for you if on the other hand you are not then the Z4 is the one to go for.

Translate:If you are interested in looks and prestige go for the bmw if you like driving your car go for the s2000.

The only league difference between these two cars is the badge on the bonnet and the snobbery that goes with it. The S can match the Z4 in every department, looks, performance and build quality. The Z4 does have a nicer interior and the sound off the 6 cylinder with the roof down would be lovely too but to think they are in different leagues is waaaay off the mark (or should that be marque?).

Id be inclined to go with the Z4 if it was a choice between two newer versions and i had a big wad of cash to spend, however id just go away and buy a nicely depreciated 2000 model s2k for less than 15k. Half the price, just as much fun and less money lost on resale when the time comes. Cheaper to tax, insure and run on a daily basis.

Ferris · 31-07-2008 4:17pm

Kamili wrote: »

I think comfort wize and dublin traffic I would (If I could afford the tax) go for an automatic Z4 as the honda really doesn't like the traffic situation at all, its really a car that needs alot of high revving to keep the engine pristine. .

Good point, 90% of my driving is in Dublin traffic.

Ferris · 31-07-2008 4:24pm

cpoh1 wrote: »

Translate:If you are interested in looks and prestige go for the bmw if you like driving your car go for the s2000.

The only league difference between these two cars is the badge on the bonnet and the snobbery that goes with it. The S can match the Z4 in every department, looks, performance and build quality. The Z4 does have a nicer interior and the sound off the 6 cylinder with the roof down would be lovely too but to think they are in different leagues is waaaay off the mark (or should that be marque?).

Id be inclined to go with the Z4 if it was a choice between two newer versions and i had a big wad of cash to spend, however id just go away and buy a nicely depreciated 2000 model s2k for less than 15k. Half the price, just as much fun and less money lost on resale when the time comes. Cheaper to tax, insure and run on a daily basis.

I'm sure that the BMW is a great drivers car especially with the larger 6's.

I don't really care about badges and I don't think it really matters to the two cars here because they're both such good drivers cars.

If I was getting an s2000 it would be post '02 as these had a heated glass rear screen. The plastic rear screens are liable to split and that means a new hood most of the time. These are actually comparible in cost to the BMW.

Riche670 · 31-07-2008 4:31pm

In the same class and price range (roughly) you could get the Audi TT 3.2 DSG 2003. That would give you the comfort of the automatic in traffic, but the Top Gear team concur that it's a tad on the boring side when you put the foot down.. also the tax might be in the higher band, not sure on the emissions.

RobAMerc · 31-07-2008 4:36pm

It depends on what you'd be doing with it.

The S2000 is no doubt a class act - but it would probably drive you nuts if you've to take it on long spins and just day to day living. And the interior is pure "computer geek" special.

The BMW would probably be a better all rounder - easier to live with but less of an out an out blast at the weekends sports car, although its probably close and its gonna have a 6 pot for the aura drama ( it really matters in a drop top )

The S2000 is likely to depreciate less too.

But I am sure the BMW vs Honda brigade will make this one run and run.

Z4 vs s2000

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