For the 2023 models, the BMW has roughly %50 more HP but also %50 more weight and twice as expensive. That gives a lot of wiggle room for the Mazda in after market upgrades like a turbo, brakes and suspension....maybe even an aero body kit for more downforce.
Have had both. 2014 Z4 20i mapped to 145 bhp, 2014 mx5 mk3 2 litre bbr super200 with coilovers. Thinking about getting another z4 but i think youve hit the nail on the head, mx-5 especially with the extra power and suspension sorted is such a fun car to drive. Z4 just felt big and heavy. Great for long journeys as definitely more comfortable. I also felt there was more tech to go wrong on z4. But they do look great. Difficult decision.
Still feel this way ? I’m looking at a 2013 Mx-5 vs some 2014-16 228’s. I love the 2 series it’s a blast. Scared of losing the power and handling of bmw if I go to Mazda but idk
Hi Max I looked at getting a 200 series bmw convertible, really nice cars but insurance cost killed it for me. Do i still feel the same? Was tempted to get another Z4. Yes they look great, yes they are more advanced tech wise, but i love the simplicity of the mx-5, great fun to drive, nothing flash or over complicated about them and with the number of speed cameras about 200 bhp more than enough power
Hey Ben, thanks for the honest review. I've owned a lot of cars in the past with track days and I have to agree, MX-5 is the most fun car I've ever owned and driven. Unfortunately it's the rust that kills them in the end, I've yet to find a rust free one. I absolutely love the look of Z4 and planning to buy a 3L 2006 model. It's such s hard decision to make because I will miss the super responsive sharp steering of the MX-5 so much, I bet the Z4 feels like a bus in comparison? I need a car that will last at least good 15 to 20 years and become a timeless classic. All indicates a Z4 as I really don't like the looks of a Boxter and both Lotus and TVR are over 10K.
I drove a Cayman (hard-top version of the Boxter) back to back with a couple of MX5s. The Cayman has fantastic handling but is not much quicker than a 2l MX5 and the MX5 has a better gearbox. The Cayman also has much stiffer suspension, which is great when you're throwing it around corners at high speed but makes for a rough ride in normal driving. The Cayman also has more practical boot space. On the whole, I'd take the Cayman for the badge / sexiness but you're not losing much with an MX5.
I’ve had this year two BMW main dealerships, one BMW Indy and a pro detailing company tell me (without asking) some of the Z4 e89’s are going up in value, particular spec 35i and 35is more so. So that’s another factor I guess. I have owned my fully loaded 35i for 8 years and won’t be selling it anytime soon , it does feel timeless, adding car play helped with what was becoming slightly dated Infotainment system 👍
You can't compare them. They have a totally different project approach: one is just about having fun for a fair price with overall good reliability. The other one is more about style, rep, comfy and just driving it normal.
I think the Z4 definitely has it’s appeal if you can afford the extra cost to buy and run it, the 3L engine is epic and it’s just much more car and better to live with on a daily basis I would imagine. But I wouldn’t turn down a nice MX5 for a grand or two, just a shame all the ones I’ve seen have been rotten underneath.
I've owned both. I've had two different 3.0l Z4, and loved them. I also had an NC BBR200 MX5. In my opinion, the Z4 feels like a boat handling wise compared to the MX5. But the Z4 has great low end torgue compared to the MX5. IMO the MX5 is better. But barely
LSD for the Z4 cost around a grand, with better tires comes better grip. In my country MX5's cost 1-2k less than Z4's and they are rusty as hell most of the time which is the most expensive job to do on a car. The power difference is huge btw
Nice to see you back behind the wheel 👍enjoy your content 😎the fire was totally gutting to see 😪but testament to you you’ll come back stronger and you have 😉fair play 😎I’m confident the R8 will be back soon 👍👍👍
I think its not about witch is better car because these cars you cant justify with sense. These cars speaks to your heart, not to your brain. Buy either one of these you cant really go wrong. Two awesome cars. I drive Z4 e85
Nice video. Agree with you on most points. Before buying Z4 I was looking at MX5. Really enjoyed it, but being taller (6'4") the Z4 was roomier. Good luck with the R8
MX5 over the Z4....Now I have heard it all. I have driven both cars and I'm still with a Z4 (Looking to find a Z4M) and there is no comparison at all unless you're speaking to that both cars are convertibles.
I've owned both and I would pick a 3.0i Z4 manual over the mx5 anyday of the week. Much much more car. Way better looking and that cracking six pot sounds great as well.
I had a 2000 miata and now a 2003 z4.. no comparisons lol.. I paid the same for the z4 after selling the Miata. Got a really good deal on the z4 with 100k for $4,500
Have had both. The Z4 is a different breed. Have a 3.0 6 speed manual. I would take the Z4 all day. I'm at 150,000 miles with no major issues
£1-3k for a MX5 or Z4, that's incredible. Both cost around 10-15k in Portugal.
Also his MX5 prices are way too low. You can't get a decent NB that's not completely rotting away for under 5k. NAs cost at least 7k.
For France today MINIMUM for drivable cars:
NC 110hp--> 8k€
Z4 3L 180k km -->15k€
Good to see you back on form👍
Facts.
I've never driven the MX5, but for me, I prefer the looks of the Z4.
but that's all I can say since I've not experienced the MX5.
I have one and its awesome
there is no fact in that fact
For the 2023 models, the BMW has roughly %50 more HP but also %50 more weight and twice as expensive. That gives a lot of wiggle room for the Mazda in after market upgrades like a turbo, brakes and suspension....maybe even an aero body kit for more downforce.
Have had both. 2014 Z4 20i mapped to 145 bhp, 2014 mx5 mk3 2 litre bbr super200 with coilovers. Thinking about getting another z4 but i think youve hit the nail on the head, mx-5 especially with the extra power and suspension sorted is such a fun car to drive. Z4 just felt big and heavy. Great for long journeys as definitely more comfortable. I also felt there was more tech to go wrong on z4. But they do look great. Difficult decision.
Still feel this way ? I’m looking at a 2013 Mx-5 vs some 2014-16 228’s. I love the 2 series it’s a blast. Scared of losing the power and handling of bmw if I go to Mazda but idk
Hi Max
I looked at getting a 200 series bmw convertible, really nice cars but insurance cost killed it for me.
Do i still feel the same? Was tempted to get another Z4. Yes they look great, yes they are more advanced tech wise, but i love the simplicity of the mx-5, great fun to drive, nothing flash or over complicated about them and with the number of speed cameras about 200 bhp more than enough power
Have driven both. No competition here. Z4 is in a different league. Way superior to the MX5. Comparing the E85 Z4 with the S2K will make more sense.
Finally some common sense! Z4 for the win
Welcome back, Z4 every day. Just added Apple CarPlay to my 35i for £172 👍
You should compare the mk2 mx5 to the bmw z3. Both from the same era.
Hey Ben, thanks for the honest review. I've owned a lot of cars in the past with track days and I have to agree, MX-5 is the most fun car I've ever owned and driven. Unfortunately it's the rust that kills them in the end, I've yet to find a rust free one. I absolutely love the look of Z4 and planning to buy a 3L 2006 model. It's such s hard decision to make because I will miss the super responsive sharp steering of the MX-5 so much, I bet the Z4 feels like a bus in comparison? I need a car that will last at least good 15 to 20 years and become a timeless classic. All indicates a Z4 as I really don't like the looks of a Boxter and both Lotus and TVR are over 10K.
I drove a Cayman (hard-top version of the Boxter) back to back with a couple of MX5s. The Cayman has fantastic handling but is not much quicker than a 2l MX5 and the MX5 has a better gearbox. The Cayman also has much stiffer suspension, which is great when you're throwing it around corners at high speed but makes for a rough ride in normal driving. The Cayman also has more practical boot space. On the whole, I'd take the Cayman for the badge / sexiness but you're not losing much with an MX5.
I’ve had this year two BMW main dealerships, one BMW Indy and a pro detailing company tell me (without asking) some of the Z4 e89’s are going up in value, particular spec 35i and 35is more so. So that’s another factor I guess. I have owned my fully loaded 35i for 8 years and won’t be selling it anytime soon , it does feel timeless, adding car play helped with what was becoming slightly dated Infotainment system 👍
You can't compare them. They have a totally different project approach: one is just about having fun for a fair price with overall good reliability. The other one is more about style, rep, comfy and just driving it normal.
Good to see you back bro
I think the Z4 definitely has it’s appeal if you can afford the extra cost to buy and run it, the 3L engine is epic and it’s just much more car and better to live with on a daily basis I would imagine. But I wouldn’t turn down a nice MX5 for a grand or two, just a shame all the ones I’ve seen have been rotten underneath.
Good to see you some what back to yourself mate
Camera is brilliant 🤩
I've owned both.
I've had two different 3.0l Z4, and loved them. I also had an NC BBR200 MX5.
In my opinion, the Z4 feels like a boat handling wise compared to the MX5. But the Z4 has great low end torgue compared to the MX5.
IMO the MX5 is better. But barely
LSD for the Z4 cost around a grand, with better tires comes better grip. In my country MX5's cost 1-2k less than Z4's and they are rusty as hell most of the time which is the most expensive job to do on a car. The power difference is huge btw
Nice to see you back behind the wheel 👍enjoy your content 😎the fire was totally gutting to see 😪but testament to you you’ll come back stronger and you have 😉fair play 😎I’m confident the R8 will be back soon 👍👍👍
MX5 is for chill fun driving. Z4 is for competitive performance driving. Can't compare them.
which year Mazda is this !!!!?????
I think its not about witch is better car because these cars you cant justify with sense. These cars speaks to your heart, not to your brain. Buy either one of these you cant really go wrong. Two awesome cars. I drive Z4 e85
Ben, I love your work mate! Where does your Boxster sit, in your opinion, compared to the Z4 and MX5?
Z4 and mx5 were definitely more fun cars to drive in my opinion
Nice video. Agree with you on most points. Before buying Z4 I was looking at MX5. Really enjoyed it, but being taller (6'4") the Z4 was roomier. Good luck with the R8
MX5 over the Z4....Now I have heard it all. I have driven both cars and I'm still with a Z4 (Looking to find a Z4M) and there is no comparison at all unless you're speaking to that both cars are convertibles.
I've owned both and I would pick a 3.0i Z4 manual over the mx5 anyday of the week. Much much more car. Way better looking and that cracking six pot sounds great as well.
Not everyone is obsessed with horsepower. Z4 is full 300 kg heavier, it's more expensive to buy, and it's more expensive to track.
@@davorzdralo8000 In truth, it's a poor comparison.
Predictable because of the short wheelbase???? 🤔🤔🤔
Hope the R8 buffs out 🙃😂
The Z4 is much more brutal, and therefore more fun.
The bmw z4 is better in every way
Car friend,, 👋 short back and sides please
Z4 all day long
I had a 2000 miata and now a 2003 z4.. no comparisons lol.. I paid the same for the z4 after selling the Miata. Got a really good deal on the z4 with 100k for $4,500
Wish I wasn't tall :-/
The Z4 is newer than the NB1 miata, of course its gonna be better
Nice review. But you are getting a bag of nails for a grand. You need to pay at least £2k to get a half decent mx5
I’ve since learned that 😂 got a 2k one now and it’s mint 👌🏼
NA.
First one here hahaha!
👀
no mx 5 in the video ...
My mx5 just died of rust problems yesterday 😪🪦
RIP 😭😭😭😭