Z4 to 911

[Moo]

Alas, it was time to move on from the fantastic Z4; we had quite the blast together. Until next time (or generation)...

Z4 sDrive35i


991 C2S

[nicknaz]

well done OP

Congrats on the new car

[2011CrazE89]

I hate you. Damn that thing is beautiful! Congrats

[rking117]

nice ride. I hope you miss your Z. hahaha

[BMWZ4RIDER]

That is a nice upgrade. Congrat's and enjoy the ride.

[ManiacGT]

Lovely upgrade... a car in a different league and price bracket!

[rezok]

I see myself doing that. Never!

Congrats!

[PopsnBurbles]

You love that color, huh? I didn't expect both cars to look great in that color.
Nice upgrade and congrats on your new ride.

Care to share some thoughts how the two cars compare to each other? I know, I know they're different kinds of animals.

[hiltonfa]

Great car, congrats on your new ride

[Nkc]

Congrats. I know these two cars are in totally different leagues but a comparison would be awesome!

[pmlnnrt]

The Z-4 has it all over the Porsche as far as style - Porsche looked like that back in the late 1950's - Z-4 has it all ! Style, Price, Unique !

[ManiacGT]

Originally Posted by pmlnnrt

The Z-4 has it all over the Porsche as far as style - Porsche looked like that back in the late 1950's - Z-4 has it all ! Style, Price, Unique !

Perhaps, but the Porsche has been refined until it is a very very good car. The e89 is simply not as refined or accomplished.

[Asbjorn]

Congratz OP!

I wouldn't just have switched because sometimes I like going sideways rather than fast through corners, and the Z4 is the better car for that! Ie less grippy, more torque, 50/50 weight distr., seating position further back etc. But I know the 911 is the gold standard in any other driving situation where comfort or oversteer isn't the highest priority, and you are very lucky to own one of these machines! But actually I think you should have kept both cars!

I wish the Z4 used aluminum the same was a 911 does. Even the 4 seat 911 convertible S is at least 40kg lighter than the Z4 if I read the specs correctly.

But in china the coupe S is already 1,724,000 CNY or 282,503 USD, ie twice the price of a new Z4 35i... it is insane.

[ManiacGT]

The Z4 does use aluminium/aluninum... fenders, bonnet, roof... the weight issue here is tech and hard top roof for the most part. That hard top roof may be aluminium but the rest of the machinery that deploys it is heavy/cast metal.

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

The Z4 does use aluminium/aluninum... fenders, bonnet, roof... the weight issue here is tech and hard top roof for the most part. That hard top roof may be aluminium but the rest of the machinery that deploys it is heavy/cast metal.

Isn't the "core" structure steel unlike aluminum in many VW-group cars? Ie the structure where the engine, suspension etc is mounted? And isn't this where most of the extra weight is hidden?

And isn't this the structure that will be made with the new i-series carbon reinforced material as of the next generation 7-series?

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Perhaps, but the Porsche has been refined until it is a very very good car. The e89 is simply not as refined or accomplished.

True enough. Porsche only makes a few models and they have it down with the 911.

[Moo]

Thanks folks. Hmm, ok some quick comparison points:

1. 911 is surprisingly more "comfortable" going over rough roads (with 20" wheels no less); however, the Z4 has M-Sport pkg with 19" RFTs, so blame me for not swapping out the RFTs.

2. Z4 at startup & idle sounds much nicer than 911 (which resembles a F30 328i at idle, WTF!); only once you rev the 911 over 3.5k RPM does it start to sound sweet... actually thinking about getting aftermarket exhaust for the 911.

3. 911 has the edge on fit & finish. The Z4 (of course being a vert) has squeaks and rattles that drove me nuts; in the 911, I can hear the sport chrono's clock hand tick at cruising speeds! (<2k RPM) It's a solid piece of machinery.

4. 911 interior is bigger but it's still lighter than Z4, certainly feel more nimble around corners. Hopefully next-gen Z4 will shed some weight.

5. turbo vs. n/a engine... Z4 feels more fun at lower speeds with instant torque. The N54 is just fantastic and I'm sure I'll miss the low-end "torque shove"

6. 911 has sharper steering & feedback than Z4 (although I most prefer the Cayman's overall "raw feel" as a pure sports car... ultimately got the 911 for the performance/comfort combination)

7. 911 has a great infotainment system... but my Z4 doesn't have iDrive/navi so not really a fair comparison.

8. DCT vs PDK, honestly both shift so quickly, I can't really tell the difference driving on public roads. I believe PDK holds gear much better than Z4 DCT.

9. 911 has loads more grip than Z4 (it had better be, with the longer track length/width and big-ass tires). Since the wheels on the 911 got pushed out more to the corners (hence shorter overhangs), the car feels a bit less tail-heavy compared to previous gen.

10. Chose the 911 hardtop for now b/c I had 3 verts and they all rattled.... however, driving topless through a curvy forest road is something that will eventually bring me back to a vert sooner or later, I just know it.

11. So far it appears that Z4 is more thirsty on gas. Must be doing it wrong with the 911

12. I think Z4 actually looks nicer (more aggressive & sexier curves/edges) than the 911 (more reserved)!


Once I get more familiar with the 991S, I will report back with some "long term" notes, cheers.

[Nkc]

thanks for the comparison

[ManiacGT]

An interesting comparison thanks for sharing.

[Innovative AutoConcepts]

Upgrade!

[Z4-35i]

Nice car, we had an 2000MY 996 C2 in silver many years ago.

We fitted a Fabspeed exhaust to our 996, sounded great and excellent quality, although as with everything else with Porsche you'll pay a premium for aftermarket performance parts.

[24601]

interesting upgrade. congrats! +1 on the rear wiper opt.