Vs Top Gear: BMW Z4 sDrive35i vs. Nissan 370Z Coupe

[CarGuy]

Nissan 370Z Coupe

• Price: £26,900
• Power: 332 hp
• Torque: 366 Nm
• 0-62mph: 5.0 s
• Top speed: 155 mph
• Combined: 26.9 mpg
• Emissions: 220 g/km
• Top Gear Test Track: 1:27.5

BMW Z4 sDrive35i

• Price: £37,060
• Power: 306 hp
• Torque: 400 Nm
• 0-62mph: 5.2 s
• Top speed: 155 mph
• Combined: 30.1 mpg
• Emissions: 219 g/km
• Top Gear Test Track: 1:28.2

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[NarutoRamen]

I'd easily take the Z4. If I were going to track all the time then the 370Z makes more sense. If it was for everyday driving and livability, then easily the Z4. Not to mention the Z4 is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Merc1]

^^^^ My thoughts exactly. I want to like the Z for its unique market postion and friendly price, but I can't quite warm up to the look. The BMW is much more luxurious as it should be considering the price difference.

M

 

[Human]

The Z4 has such an inspiring design...IF BMW quits F1 we can expect more of this

 

[Zafiro]

Of course the Z4 is better car for everyday use and looks 10 times better but I love the gimmick 370Z have when you push the button on and change gear and you get the wonderful reeving noise. I wish you could to the same with Z4.

 

[MikeJ]

370Z, the Z4 looks too much like a cartoon character.

 

[martinbo]

As much as I like the Nissan it doesn't hold a candle to the Z4 - especially in the area of refinement and quality. I again drove the old 350Z (3rd facelift edition) last week and was disappointed in the coarseness and high-rev character of the engine. I doubt the 370Z will move the game on that much. It's definitely more appropriate for trackday use than the Z4 but that's where it ends. The Z4 is just on a different level when it comes to character, versatility, refinement, quality and all round good road manners.

As for SynchroRev control - they can keep it - I'll stick to heel-n-toeing myself. No matter how good the system really is.

 

[Zafiro]

As much as I like the Nissan it doesn't hold a candle to the Z4 - especially in the area of refinement and quality. I again drove the old 350Z (3rd facelift edition) last week and was disappointed in the coarseness and high-rev character of the engine. I doubt the 370Z will move the game on that much. It's definitely more appropriate for trackday use than the Z4 but that's where it ends. The Z4 is just on a different level when it comes to character, versatility, refinement, quality and all round good road manners.

As for SynchroRev control - they can keep it - I'll stick to heel-n-toeing myself. No matter how good the system really is.

Hey what can I do, I lost my toes in an accident many years ago I need this system

 

[ree]

Definitely the Z4! Much better looking, beautiful interior and you can open the roof!!

 

[bmer]

370Z, the Z4 looks too much like a cartoon character.

My pick would be just the opposite but for the same reasons. 370Z's styling is too busy for my taste, cartoon-like you could say. I prefer the 350Z.

 

[martinbo]

I've seen the 350Z and the 370Z side-by-side. The 370Z is far better looking.

 

[Merc1]

I do agree with that. They've cleaned it up and gave it some real character compared to the blobish 350Z, but it still just isn't really good looking for some reason.

M

 

[ateekt]

Z4 easy! Generic-looking 370-Z is nowhere near Z4's glory! Imo, 350-Z was a better-looking car!

 

[NarutoRamen]

I've seen the 350Z and the 370Z side-by-side. The 370Z is far better looking.

The 370Z is exactly what a successor to a car should be. It's more refined, lighter, and faster. What more can you ask for?

 

[martinbo]

The 370Z is exactly what a successor to a car should be. It's more refined, lighter, and faster. What more can you ask for?

Something other than its V6?

Seriously, the Zed's (350) engine, whilst potent always feels like its exhaust manifold is constipated. There's some good noise going out back but the sh!t's just not happening.

 

[rollo]

The 370Z is exactly what a successor to a car should be. It's more refined, lighter, and faster. What more can you ask for?

Absoultely correct.

In terms of the question of which would you rather have, assuming money is no object - Z4, if it is - 370Z. But in the states there is a huge price difference, especially when you load up the Z4. Value for dollar, absolutely the 370Z.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Something other than its V6?

Seriously, the Zed's (350) engine, whilst potent always feels like its exhaust manifold is constipated. There's some good noise going out back but the sh!t's just not happening.

Nah, the car is good enough with a V6, so why bother with a V8 that will add more weight? I actually love the sound the VQ series engine makes, it's very unique.

Absoultely correct.

In terms of the question of which would you rather have, assuming money is no object - Z4, if it is - 370Z. But in the states there is a huge price difference, especially when you load up the Z4. Value for dollar, absolutely the 370Z.

Yep, value for dollar the 370Z is the best choice. The most real thing is I don't think a person looking for a hardtop convertible is going to cross shop with a 370Z coupe, especially with the $15K price difference.

 

[martinbo]

Nah, the car is good enough with a V6, so why bother with a V8 that will add more weight? I actually love the sound the VQ series engine makes, it's very unique.

- I have no qualms with it being a V6. I just don't like the V6 in it.
- Again, sound out the back - no problem. It's just the way that the VQ engine makes its power; it feels strained. Like it's having to force its way through the rev range. Like a dude forcing a stubborn poo... nnnggghhhhh

 

[NarutoRamen]

...Like it's having to force its way through the rev range. Like a dude forcing a stubborn poo... nnnggghhhhh

Well, the exhaust/headers were tuned for that exact reason. I won't say it's a forced sound but Nissan engineers did work on the acoustics of that engine to make sure it produces a unique sound.

 

[rollo]

- I have no qualms with it being a V6. I just don't like the V6 in it.
- Again, sound out the back - no problem. It's just the way that the VQ engine makes its power; it feels strained. Like it's having to force its way through the rev range. Like a dude forcing a stubborn poo... nnnggghhhhh

Now that was harsh, and funny.