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10-27-2017, 11:10 PM | #1 |
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128i vert vs Z4?
Was thinking about either a 128i vert or an older Z4. Any thoughts on the matter. I've owned a 135i vert in the past. Wanted something similar, but more dependable.
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10-29-2017, 02:10 AM | #5 |
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Drives: 2008 BMW 135i (E88 N54 6AT)
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isn't the z4 si a n54? if so, as nice as it is, I wouldn't be choosing it over a 135i for reliability...
Do you want a proper roadster, or do you need four seats? The z4 (here anyway) is the more expensive option, but is more of a headturner than an e88. From what I hear, the z4 is more of a bastard to work on than a 1er. If you don't need 4 seats, I'd go a z4 or Boxter S. If you have a family, the 128i will be your choice. ... if you want the fastest speed in a straight line for the least money, a FBO 135i is hard to beat. |
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10-31-2017, 11:47 AM | #7 | |
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10-31-2017, 06:19 PM | #8 | |
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Drives: 2008 BMW 135i (E88 N54 6AT)
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Personally I think the N54 gets a bad wrap, but I've only owned it for a year and tuned the shit out of mine - so evidence might not be on my side. I'd take it over the N55 because of my preference for performance over reliability. My experience with the Z4 is only what I've read on the z4 forums - and I've made assumptions by the fact that the N54 is so easily tuneable, but so rarely tuned in the Z4 platform compared to that of the 135i and 335i. From what I've read, everything *should* be the same, but everything isn't quite the same and it's just a bit more difficult on the z4 platform. My best example is the Fuel-it bucket-less stage 2 - installation for us is remove an access panel under the pack seat and swap the pump. In a z4 you need to drop the petrol tank. ... and when someone raised this in the z4 forums, the response was along the lines of "hahaha, what do you expect, you've got a Z4. I'd have expected you'd need to remove the roof first!" I'm sure for regular maintenance it'd be same-same; and the smaller engines would have more space under the hood. But if you're looking for a platform to modify (and you may very well not be) - just expect to always be paying for the fact that you chose a smaller, more pure 'sports' chassis. All that said - There is something very sexy about a 2-seat roadster. If you're doing lots of miles, get a 3er. But if you're after a fun sports car - I've never heard anyone say their sports car is "Too small", "Too Powerful", "Too connected to the road" or "Too nimble". We all sometimes say to ourselves "damn, I wish this ride wasn't so harsh" or "that last modification really did make this thing too loud or too twitchy" - but rarely to other people The summary is that in descending order of 'pureness' and 'sexy' it's Z4, M3 vert, 1er vert, 3er vert; but in descending order of practicality it'd be 3er/M3, 1er vert, Z4. You loose a whole lot of practicality by getting only two seats, and you don't necessarily pick up a lot of speed or handling. The z4 is actually not a lot smaller or lighter than a 1er convertible - but it is soo much more sexy & connected to the road. The standard advice applies: Take both for a test drive, and see if one stands out above the other. For most people, 2-seats or 4-seats is an either/or mandatory requirement - - so they're not often cross-shopped. |
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11-01-2017, 10:35 AM | #9 |
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Wow thanks for that long comparison. For me I don't think of the extra seats in the 135 as much more than more storage space. I think in the years I had the 135 I put people in the back seats twice.
Guess I'll just have to go test a few Z4's and make some hard decisions. |
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11-07-2017, 12:43 PM | #11 | |
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Drives: '19 BMW X3 30i-'11 BMW 128i
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Good luck with the decision! |
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