Z3's - Decent substitute for an E30?

[mach schnell]

Been considering a Z3.

What do you guys think? Do they handle comparably to an E30? Are they as fun on twisty roads?

Or should I look elsewhere?

Definitely welcome any comments.

Thanks!

[AlonzoS]

Lots of good info that I believe can answer your question here

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=358431&highlight=Z3+Miata

[stonea]

I own both a Z3 and a e30(s). The Z3 is a much more civilized e30, and I would daily a Z3 over a e30, but I enjoy driving the e30 much more.

[PKile]

I went the other direction...I used to have a Z3 coupe with the M54, Ground Control, H&R, Konis, etc. it went like stink, cornered like nobody's business, and was more plush inside than an e30, but my wife hated the sport suspension and it was tiring on long trips. I also have to say the car was jinxed...it was invisible to other drivers and in the 7 years I owned it I was rearended 3 times by clueless women in SUVs. I sold it, breathed a huge sigh of relief, and have replaced it with a 1992 325iC.

[flyboyx]

unless you get an "m" version, the seats pretty much suck. they hold their value better than a standard e36. they are fun to drive. if you are comparing cabrio to cabrio, there is less wind noise with a z3 when the top is down. i like them just fine, but i also prefer my e30.

if you need to replace a hood, they are very expensive and impossible to find. don't ever buy one with a bad hood unless its almost free.

[stonea]

Some non Ms got sport seats which are very close to M seats. I think it's just the pattern that's different.

But you're right about the hood. I'm extremly lucky insurance is taking care of my hood because I probably would have been screwed.

[djjerme]

..and they make great parts cars for an E30.

Like say you need a rear caliper bracket bolt for your E30 race car because one fell out somewhere along the line.

(not that I would no anything about that..)




Don't worry, we put the bolt back in the car after the race..

[flyboyx]

Some non Ms got sport seats which are very close to M seats. I think it's just the pattern that's different.

But you're right about the hood. I'm extremly lucky insurance is taking care of my hood because I probably would have been screwed.

somewhere around 2010 i bought a more or less running auto z3 for 600 bucks because it had no title. it was sold to me by this really sketchy lesbian. i parted it out right away and sold the hood for a lot more than i paid for the entire car. about 3 or 4 months later, she calls me saying that she needs to buy the car back and selling to me was a mistake. by then, the car was pretty much just a shell. she got really pissed and threatened to call the police. i said no problem. send them by. i will show them the bill of sale with your signature on it. she hung up and i never heard from her again. i had to cut the shell into pieces in order to scrap it out since i had no title. it was a pain but i made good money on that piece of crap.

[djjerme]

sketchy lesbian

New punk band?

[flyboyx]

hey! i like it!

[stonea]

Dinan SC or Dinan suspension and tune?

[djjerme]

Dinan SC or Dinan suspension and tune?

SC..

Not my car - teammates.

[mach schnell]

For me, the majority of E30's for sale these days have a ton of miles on them and many of them are pretty beat up.

There are a ton of Z3's out there with under 100k miles on them, for reasonable prices - so I was considering getting a Z3 purely because I'm struggling to find a decent E30.

But I only want to do it if a Z3 handles like an E30, because that's what I really love about E30's (especially the 318's).

[JRKOUPE]

Been considering a Z3.

What do you guys think? Do they handle comparably to an E30? Are they as fun on twisty roads?

Or should I look elsewhere?

Definitely welcome any comments.

Thanks!

Ive tracked an e30 over 10 yrs....I own a 99 z coupe..over 200k miles..orig owner......pm me!

[JRKOUPE]

unless you get an "m" version, the seats pretty much suck. they hold their value better than a standard e36. they are fun to drive. if you are comparing cabrio to cabrio, there is less wind noise with a z3 when the top is down. i like them just fine, but i also prefer my e30.

if you need to replace a hood, they are very expensive and impossible to find. don't ever buy one with a bad hood unless its almost free.

non M coupe seats are the same as M seats..just diff. stitching

I'm not sure about 2.8 and 3.0 verts......

but my non M seats are same as M...support, bolsters etc etc..and its a coupe