BMW Roadster question "Fully Automatic Soft Top"

Neil,

Can you be more specific on which BMW are you talking about?

 

I can chime in on the Z3 - 2 quick latches & toss it back over your head (unless you are anal & want to install the window pillow). Total time - maybe 5 seconds with practice. Raising (if your arms are as long as mine) takes perhaps 15 secs to grab top, pull over head, fasten latches (can't be done with wind stop in place though).

 

Neil,

If you are looking at the Z3, please buy the M roadster. I drove a 2.8 the other day, car is nothing but a dog.

Out of your lists:

I would rank:
1) Elise
2) Boxter S--though they have some probs, read up on them
3) Z3--M roadster version

The others...eh.

 

Well the 1.9 is real dog. I didn't think the 2.8 would be that bad. But it was horrible. Car only had 31 K miles. Woman driven. Back window was yellow. It sucked.

The 3.0 is much better. I would get that, IF I couldn't get the M. And in your price range, you can get the M.

The Boxter S has better suspension, and to my seat of the pants it handled much much better. However, if it was my $$, I would get the M roadster. Reason being, our office here has 5-6 of them, and 3 of the Boxter S needed new engines, left owners stranded, and myriad of other problems.

I would personally just get the M Coupe with the S54 motor, but that is another beast altogether.

Good luck.

 

If you haven't gotten an answer about the Z4 yet, the top is "fully automatic." Push a button and it goes up or down. You can also lower it from the key from a distance.

From what I hear, the Z4 is a significant improvement over the Z3.

Good luck!

 

s52--240hp

s54--315 hp

the s54 blew up in some cars..when first introduced..but bmw gave a 6 years/100k warranty i believe.

 

depends on roadsters or coupes.

s52 coupes--20s

s54 coupes--30s

s54 is newer

but both are great cars

in that price range..i would take a used nsx or a used s54 coupe

both rare..u dont see everyday

 

fly out and buy one....
i am sure plenty in toronto and vancouver

good luck

great cars

i liek to be different

 

Then that is what you should do, young grasshoppa

 

I am almost positive that the M Coupe and Roadsters do not have adjustable steering columns. S54 is '01 yes....and no clue on oregon leather....you looking at M Roadsters or Coupes?

The coupes have a subframe issue you need to be aware of.


the roadster isn't that hard to work on. much easier engine access than boxter s

 

Whatever you need Neil, let me know. GOod luck, brotha.

 

Interesting comments by LAfun2 on the 2.8 - my car is a '97 2.8, and while it doesn't have the punch my 928 S4 had, it sure seems to keep most traffic behind me when leaving a stoplight. I have heard that the later 2.8s gained a fair amount of weight...plus he mentioned he drove a woman's car: maybe her purse was in the trunk adding a couple hundred extra lbs...

Wouldn't dispute the advice to look for an M though (especially a coupe if you don't need a drop top). The M is quite a monster & the coupe will probably do quite well dollar wise in the future.

For $10K plus or minus, a 2.8 is a hell of a lot of fun for the dough. Make sure you have a Strong Strut (and if possible a Butt-Strut & X brace too) for
max rigidity.

 

David,

My apologies, if I offended you. My daily driver has 400hp, so I was speaking relatively.

Another reason I mentioned to stay away from the 2.8s is because he said he was looking at Boxter as well. I know you can't get those for 10K.

So for his budget, I think the M is a better car.

I have a friend, bought a 3.0 Z3 Coupe (pretty rare). I told him to get a M. Didn't listen. Had the car 3 months, put 2K miles on it. Lost 3K$ on the trade in, and now has a estoril blue s52 coupe.

Lesson learned, unnecessarily. Was trying to help Neil out.

Again, no offense meant towards your car.

 

Neil go drive them yourselves. Reviews mean nothing. Your seat of the pants, is imp. You are paying the $$, not the dumb magazine writers.

Rear end is not spooky. BUt remember, lots of power (if s54) in a little car. Thus very very fun! Also the quad pipes are orgasmic.

Maybe spookie for a novice! But a miata with low power, in the rain, and rwd, can be spooky for some drivers.

Boxter S is a great car no doubt. Read up on the engine probs before you buy. Educate yourself. Great handling, and superb brakes.

Different than the roadster (bmw) since its mid engine. I would say much better handling.

THe interior SUX! Cheap, low quality. THe 996tt is cheap(i can attest to it personally), and the boxter is cheaper!! One thing I hate about the car. Though the new one is MUCH improved, and better.


If you are on a budget, buy a bimmer and be done with it.

If you want the ultimate handler amongst these, ,get the boxter.