I can't decide which would be more fullfilling so I ask your opinions.....there is a third car though.....1973 Volvo P1800ES Sport wagon

Hi there.... you're in the wrong forum really!!

Move the thread to General Discussion ;)

Oh - and to answer your question.... New MINI!! :biggrin: The Z3 is poo!

Would it be a mini convertiable or tin top ?

Whats your budget

Gee, I reckon you should get the MINI :wink: :tongue: :biggrin:

If you want a roadster, the Porsche Boxster is superior to the Z3. The look of the Z3 may be more appealing to you however. I like all three marques (or two if you group the Bimmers with the Mini) but only certain models within the marques in question. I'd get the Mini over the Z3 without question.

The Z3 Coupe is about the same price as what I can get for a 2006 MINI S

Bob's Your Uncle, why would you get the MINI without a question. Whats in the car thats sells you on it so quick over the Z3.

Fun is an issue........

I've driven both on the track and they are quite different. The BMW is rear wheel drive, has a larger engine, a cockpit that feels cramped for space to me and an a less than pleasing style (for me) with the top up. When driving, looking over the long hood, the car felt larger and heavier than it actually is. The gearbox is good but not great, the engine power is adequate but not spectacular. If you want a BMW roadster, the Z4 is quite an improvement, the Porsche Boxster much better than either.

The MINI Cooper S hatch (I've not driven the convertible) is front wheel drive, has excellent handling, a surprisingly large interior for its size and a very nice six speed gearbox. The MINI is quick and tossable, the only way I can describe its character, the BMW doesn't come across this way- you have to purposely drive it to get it to respond. I hope that makes sense.

I'm not knocking the Z3, it's a nice car, but really different from the MINI, so its a matter of personal likes and dislikes. I would buy the MINI.

New MINI.

Ive driven both, and the Z3 is VERY dissapointing. Get the MINI. Trust me.

I have to admit it the looks of the Coupe(not the convertible or Roadster) that I like so much. I thought with tight suspension like Koni's it might be a good handling car as well. Your all saying it does'nt match up to the handling and the MINI is total fun. Thats a key issue for me.

generally people on here are obviously bias towards the mini but in this case the BMW doesnt have a leg to stand on! :D

Flame proof goggles on.....check
flame proof suit on.......check

The Z 3 is a girlie car if I ever saw one.......:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Flame proof goggles on.....check
flame proof suit on.......check

The Z 3 is a girlie car if I ever saw one.......:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

I'd have to disagree with that; not all Z3s are driven by girls.

Some are driven by hairdressers :p :D :D

What ever u do for gods sake dont buy a z3 go for a MCS or Z4 u nfeel the need for speed MCS is the way to go man:aargh: :aargh:

Bob's Your Uncle, why would you get the MINI without a question. Whats in the car thats sells you on it so quick over the Z3.

I'm a Porsche afficionado. I'm looking for either a 993, 996 or Boxster S (used), after I get the Mini. In a comparison (about two years back) of the Z4 against the non S Boxster, the Boxster could run circles around the former even though it was half a second slower 0-60. I'm also not a fan of the Z3's or Z4's look, although this is subjective of course. I fully understand the attraction to the Z3 as I do like the old 507 which was vaguely similar. Nothing wrong with either Z appearance-wise, just personal taste. The Z4 IIRC is supposedly a better handler than the Z3, and yet the basic Boxster out handles either. This is somewhat curious since the M series of the BMW sedans are very nearly the equal of the Porsche 911 and it's successors, and yet they're sedans! Go figure! Since I've always liked the original Mini, and the new one is far technologically advanced over the old one (still a great one) it's the natural choice for me. Handling is very important to me so it depends on what you're after. The new Mini S has performance (with a few tweeks), style, and economy at a reasonable price. But...It's your money and buying what would thrill you is what is most important. Hope this helps.

just go with common sense... MINI ALL THE WAY!!!!

Agree the Z3 is a great looker. With a better engine, some decent suspension, different steering geometry etc it could be a great car:)

The MZ3 was different though - better in all departments:D :D

We thought the Z4 would put right BMW's errors with the Z3 but we were wrong:( ;) :red:

I agree, excepting the appearance part which is merely personal taste. Bizarre they make the Z4 to compete with the top dog in class Boxster, and can't pull it off. The M series sedans (don't know much about the M roadsters) are so exceptional.
Mini content--all the hi-tech equipment at such a reasonable price, with go-kart handling to boot is just too good to pass up.

Ok
Look folks I have a MCSC , it went into the shop recently and I had a loan car of a Z4??????????????????????? Now being honest the onlt other car I wpould buy over the MCS is an S2000 does that sum it up. The Z4 is a nice car if you want to drive around in a BMW roadster. However if u want a car that gets u noticed get a MCSC. If you want a car that goes fast get a MCS JCW . Thats it more people let you out in a Mini and your not compensating for a small MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. The Boxster is for people who can't afford a 911( mmmmmmmmmmmmmm sounding to much like Clarkson there ) but I would still buy a S2000:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Are you saying its a "girlie" car and is that the same as a "gay" car about the Z3 Coupe.
Is'nt that the problem with the MINI too.....

Are you saying its a "girlie" car and is that the same as a "gay" car about the Z3 Coupe.
Is'nt that the problem with the MINI too.....

This whole thing of car gender/orientation escapes me. The Boxster had a rep as a "hairdresser's" car ("not that there's anything wrong with that") too. That image seems to be going away as it becomes known that it is Porsche's best handling platform until the Cayman becomes available. The Cayman is essentially a fixed roof, fastback Boxster. With less power than the 997 (current 911) prototypes are beating the latter around a racetrack or two. Somewhere around here I read that the Mini has a gay image too. :rolleyes: All the above are cars, and exceptional ones at that (excepting the Z3 performancewise). Get what you like and ignore the stereotyping.

I owned a 1998 Z3 Roadster 2.8 for a few years - it was a great car. I had loved the style from day one.

My current car is a 2004 Cooper (with an S on order, arriving this week I hope...).

Normal people certainly see the Z3 as cooler, sportier etc. I had many people ask me about it, tell me they liked it while buying fuel. Have never gotten that with my MINI.

As for performance the Z3 certainly had more power than the Cooper, but compared to the S I'm not sure who wins. I think the Z3 still had more low-end torque. I'm a big fan of the BMW inline-6 engine!

The Z3 handled well, but I think the Cooper has it beat in that department.

Both cars have been fun, but different kinds of fun. If money was no object, I'd have both. :-)

If you want to impress normal (not car buff) folks, it's the Z3 all the way. For reasonably-priced fun, the MINI is my choice.

I will say this - the only (under $50,000) car I'd abandon the MINI for is an M Coupe. Not sure if I'd do it for a non-M though.

Stereo in the Z3 was their upgraded version - it was much worse than the HK in my MINI.

MINI does much better in the snow, although the Z3 being very well balanced, did better than you might expect.

I also think the MINI owners are a little more fun and less pretentious, although it does disapoint me to see the standard comments about "girl cars", "gay cars", and "hairdressers cars" from the MINI crowd. I'd like to think we could stand united against our common enemy - the SUV. ;-)

I'm still not sold on the MINI, it s because of the looks.... no graphics are going to make the Mini come off as nice looking as the Z3 Coupe and as for handling I can imagine how nice the MINI is < I would expect it to be up there with the Lotus Elise. But I am still trapped in on the appearance of the Z3 Coupe over the MINI. If I get the MINI I would get all the options on heavy duty suspension so I get the performance the car is about. I'd like to hear more about the MINI performance sand whyits so much fun, fun, fun.. because thats what I would be buying it seems.

I admitted this at the beginning, theres a third car in the running to this final sale. Its a 1973 Volvo P1800ES Sport Wagon. Its not a bad looker and is in show quality inside and out, new interior, new paint, its been gone through very nicely. It will run forever if I like the looks of the car and don't mind sticking with it. I can't say that for these other two cars. Plus I can get everything I need for it without leaving town, nevermind having to driver 120 miles for the routine maintainance on the MINI or for services that will come with it eventually. So thats the selection MINI< BMW Z3 Coupe or a Volvo P1800ES the Volvo will cost me about $15,000 when I do the suspension over with Koni's and decent rims and tires. But its easy to work on and get to all engine parts and drive train. "Guiness Book of World Records shows a P1800 still driving with 2,700.000 miles on it. Hows that for an investment.

Now THAT is a car I'd be ALL over. I still regret not having bought one in my youth, it was a choice between it and a SAAB Sonnett, both wonderful cars and a choice had to be made. If in any sort of shape, GET IT! Plus it STILL looks modern!

Cayman > Boxster > Z4 > MCS > Z3

Box on wheels > any Volvo. Sorry :)

I'm a porsche afficionado as well, but I won't be able to afford one for a long time. MCS all the way. The Z3 isn't in its league unless you're just after the looks. The Z4 is a big step up I think, as some said, but at that point I think you'd be better off taking the extra step and going Porsche.

Pocketrocketowner, you say get the P1800ES It sounds like its no match to the others. I look at it as the same car as the Z3 Coupe only older styling, but easy to work on and bulletproof all the way through. I think the rear of the ES is as nice as any new car as well as the sides, but the nose is dated from an era gone by. I looked at custom headlights but i don't think that works to update the looks. Itsa been gone through and is in concours condition. Its metallic blue with a a brand new tan interior, heavy duty sway bars and bushings and bored out to put out 130HP. Still not much but it would be a nice highway car and have some fun on back roads with that heavy suspension and Koni shocks. I think the Z3 is its remake though and is in modern styles of car nowadays. The Mini on the other hand is a fun, fun, fun car and I need alllthe fun I can get after just going through a major 11 yerar court battle divorce. This is my treat to myself after that mess finally ends.

Go to P1800ES.com and they have a gallery of these cars with some nice photos. I would'nt call this Volvo a "box" but definitely true with the other 99.9% of them.

Go with the Volvo, for the resons you listed. I had one, a 1972 P1800ES, 4 sp. manual with the electric overdrive. It was BRG with a tan leather interior, wish I still had it...

I have owned both. Well, to be technically correct, I have owned a 2002 M Roadster, and I traded it in on a 2006 Mini S Convertible. I have never regretted the decision. The M was cramped, the Mini S is comfortable. Try putting your golf clubs in the Z3 anywhere but the passenger seat.

After I spent a couple of thousand $'s upgrading the M's suspension (contact me if you purchase the Z3 and find yourself needing front, rear, and body braces, I still have the ones off my M, and I'll make you a good deal), it still didn't handle as well as the Mini S. The Mini S is nimble, the Z3 is a hog in the corners, even souped up as an M. Granted, I can't go 155mph in the Mini S, but I only did it once in the M, and it was very scary. As a matter of fact 135mph in the Mini S is less scary than 135mph in the M.