SLK v Z4

The wife has got it into her head that she wants an SLK. Which means parting company with the Z4.

I've checked for signs of head injury, mental instability and menopause but nothing..... she seems quite keen on the idea of getting one. Not too bad I suppose because she quite liked that Boxster thingy but think I talked her out of that. But then again what do I know? - talked her into the Z4 but now she wants rid

Troubled times ahead methinks.

I like the new SLK and I'd certainly have one over a Z4.

The styling is much more aggressive than the last model and I've yet to read of one that comes out of a road test in a bad light - they seem to be doing very very well.

Quite what the now legendary poor Mercedes Benz build quality is like in them....I don't know.  Maybe they're the exception.

I had a Z4 3.0 for 2 days and it was a bitter disappointment.

The ride was the worst of ANY car I have ever driven.  It was truly awful.

The performance was good, though I felt it wasn't quite as good as people had previously made it out to be. 

I then realised that despite it's 231bhp that it's bhp per tonne was actually only 169. 

I've since heard people with Z4 3.0's say they've 'toyed' with M3's - and now I can say with total clarity that they have clearly been dreaming (especially now having driven one myself).

The torque felt reasonable and the drive itself was quite entertaining from a 'drivers drive' perspective. 

However, this was shattered as soon as you hit a pebble.  I'd heard about the ride but even I was surprised.  I'll give it 7-10 years before Z4's are falling to pieces on the road - they must be shaking their owners to death too.

On saying all this about the Z4 and the SLK I'd not even bother with either - I'd be straight into a Boxster, be it 3.2S or the cheaper standard version.  The only thing I'd consider as proper 'drivers' competition to it is the truly sublime Honda S2000.  I've only had 30 minutes in one of those, but what a 30 minutes. 

328Coupe wrote:   Wife has had Z4 for 9 months now and she has not really fallen for it as she did with her MX-5. Of course there is no comparison between the two but she is just not as keen on the Z4.

You're right there isn't, the Mazda is a great car that has consitently done very well in group tests since it's introduction and is the bench mark for affordable sports cars. The Z4 isn't, hasn't and is a perfect example of a missed opportunity!  

Applogies to any Z4 owners out there.

I know a lot of blokes who hate them. 'There just girls cars'. One guy even said that there not a real sports car like the MGB was!

The MGB, That would be the slow, unreliable, poor handling piece of rubbish that got more recognition than it deserved.

I have to admit I have been very tempted recently. The thought of a smaller car that is fun to drive with low running costs is very appealing. 

the new MX5 looks good - much more masculine.

I have driven a few and they are great fun! one had a supercharger kit and felt like it would leave its paint behind when booted...

For my mind the boxter is king and thats an end to it. Fancy living with a TVR? Tamora perhaps....

..but then the build quality and lack of driver aids... hmmm!

I was looking at the above tuscan S and boxster S before I moved and I would agree about the depreciation on the tuscan - £45k to 25K in 3 years!! ouch!

A mate has had quite a few problems with his boxster (not an S, 2.7) blowing gearbox oil seals, and the interior quality is not as expected (painted vents peeling, leaks) but I've not heard of any others with these problems.

Apparently TVRs are better under russian control...

Check out the latest issue of Evo magazine. Theres an MX5 in there with a supercharger and 230bhp.

Hmmmm TVR. I can't stand unreliable cars so I wouldn't buy one just the same as I would never buy an itallian car, even a Ferrari