'03 325Ci vs. '03 Z4 2.5

[Aaron318iS]

The used prices for both seem to of balanced out at the moment. Stock for stock, which would you go for? I've come up with 5 positives and negatives for each:

325Ci
+ Good handling balance
+ Massive aftermarket to choose from
+ Facelift front and LED tails are sexy
+ Reliable mechanicals
+ More interior space

- Outgoing model, price will continue to drop?
- Too common?
- Interior is starting to look old
- E92 makes the E46 look ancient
- I'll probably wish I bought a 330Ci instead

Z4
+ Sharper looks, more road presence
+ Much lighter than the E46
+ No replacement until '09 = better resale value?
+ Same solid mechanics
+ Top down fun on sunny days would be hard to beat

- Crappy aftermarket.. make that really really crappy
- Is it too girly?
- No folding metal roof (like the SLK)
- No boot space
- Higher insurance

Feel free to add to my list, especially if you own(ed) either car. Would also like to here some comments on Z4 vs. E46 handling and build quality too.

*edit* I forgot to add both cars will be manual

[Etez]

Tough one Aaron. Depends what you want, a convertible or Coupe? But things you said about the E46 are right. You can pick a up a fairly new 325ci manual fully loaded for a good price. If you a manual, just as quick as a 330ci auto. There's so many things to mod on the E46 as well like you said.

Z4 is a good car, and handling would be great, but if you're going to get a 2.5, get the E46. Still a tough choice, But I voted 325ci.

[Sephanite]

im a z4 driver so i will be biased with the z4. 3 series too common

but what i like in the 3 series is that u can sleep in the car while u cant do that in the z4

[Etez]

Originally Posted by Sephanite

im a z4 driver so i will be biased with the z4. 3 series too common

but what i like in the 3 series is that u can sleep in the car while u cant do that in the z4

LOL. Sleep in the car ?

[Scott_H]

I have looked at this decision many times personally, and it gets hard to pick a winner at times, but i really have to put the E46 as the car i would have.
To me, individualising a car is everything, and therefore the aftermarket entourage of manufacturers/parts crushes the Z4s chances quite early in the peace, although the E46 doesnt have it all its own way.
The thing i like best about the Z4 is that it had a far later arrival into the marketplace, meaning it certainly looks like a much updated car, and succeeds in makin the E46 look a bit like an antique. The Z4 can look a bit awkward on on certain angles, which does subtract from its overall appearance, however i think it has to win the exterior battle.
However, when it comes to interiors, despite the fact that it is starting to look a bit old hat, there is something about a driver focused cockpit that i just cant seem to go past. So the E46 has to win the interior battle.

Cliff notes for the above:
Interior battle: E46
Exterior battle: Z4

Ok, this is starting to get too lengthy, so ill cut it short;
The Z4 would have to be a better production car to suit a young person's lifestyle, BUT is that worth the frustration of having a BMW and not being able to mod it?

BTW, i think another appropriate negitive for the Z4 is the fact that it only has 2 seats, just something to think about.

[Aaron318iS]

Lots of good points Scott, thanks for posting

Originally Posted by Scott_H

BTW, i think another appropriate negitive for the Z4 is the fact that it only has 2 seats, just something to think about.

I'm not too worried as I rarely carry more than one other person in the car

[Sherv]

aaron, the Z4's looks... sure they arent bad, but the faclift 3 is much better (esp with sports pack), even if it is more conservative. one problem with our 325 is the ride... with the M suspension and 18's its pretty crappy, however it looks better than most things on the road (on a normal road at least ) the interior, if its the right combination of leather colour and trim stlye, you can have it looking pretty shmick, but i would take the retro Z4 interior any day. imo, bmw shouldve replaced the dash in the facelifted 3. its a tough decision, but the 325ci isnt as slow as youd expect, and going from a 318 to the 325, would be a big difference in performance. you can actually feel the intertia in a 325
id take the 325 as its more practical (seats 5), would probably come with a TV (the facelifts came with them after a while. (sephanite, this would be a plus if you need to sleep in it )), looks better (imo), has the potential to look awesome with aftermarket bits, just like your E36, and the big plus, it would be easier to sell when you tire of it
good luck, oh and LEDS!!!!!

[Etez]

Uh, No one has actually mentioned the most important thing. How the Z4 drives compared to the 325ci. I think that may have something to do with it dont you think?

[Aaron318iS]

Originally Posted by Etez

No one has actually mentioned the most important thing. How the Z4 drives compared to the 325ci.

That's it, really would like to hear opinions on both drives Maybe I should of posted this in General..

[NSM]

Driven both... The feel of the z4 on the road is a much better feel. It goes back to the roots of BMW driving.. The ultimate driving machine. You really feel every aspect of the road and not in bad way. The z4 goes back to the connectedness of the previous generation cars ie the e36 and e30. I loved it when I drove it and when the z4m came out I regretted my decision of getting a new car whole heartedly. Drive the z4 you won't be disappointed. Oh and as far as the e46. It is definitly a nice driving car and you can have fun with it but, it does not have the connected feeling as the z4 does. That is the one thing that has been holding me back from buying the e46 m3.

[maxx]

who needs the rear bench?

[Aaron318iS]

NSM: Thanks for your reply, exactly what I was after.

Looks like the Z4 is catching up in the poll

[Sephanite]

because i know u are leaning towards the z4 more i am going to say this. there are times when a convertible is useless. Like if its cold u dont want to open the roof cause you will be freezing. when the sun is out you will get sunburnt. when its raining is a no chance. so when do u open it? when its warm, no rain, and no sun. how often is that?

[Aaron318iS]

Originally Posted by Sephanite

so when do u open it? when its warm, no rain, and no sun. how often is that?

Pretty often in Sydney! Melbourne gets all four seasons in one day

[MADV12]

Originally Posted by Aaron318iS

325Ci
- Interior is starting to look old
- E92 makes the E46 look ancient

much better than the new ones (I think)

for fun I would go for the Z but for every day driving (+mods) def. the 3
I vote for E46's (the best looking of all 3 series)