[F87LUV]

Hi all. Let’s just preface this thread with the fact that I’ve had..five Z4s and regret selling my most recent E86 6mt coupe. I just put a deposit on a 2016 E89 6mt in sparkling brown with super low miles but it’s a 28i.

Of course, we finally got the announcement on the manual G29 and I couldn’t have timed this if I tried.

I have yet to drive a newer Z4 but I’m a bit partial to the older models. I’ve had two E89s. The dealer is pressuring me to take delivery like yesterday so I don’t have much time to decide. Currently, I have a 2016 M2 and a 718 GT4 that’s on the chopping block because I never drive it.

Has anyone had both new and old Zs? Which do you like best?

[MisanoblueZ4]

If you need a faster answer, dig through some of the older threads, lots of people came from an older gen Z4 and purchased a G29 in 2019/2020. From what I read there wasn’t regrets from moving up to the G29.

[Balr14]

I can't help you on the old Z4, but I have a fair amount of seat time in a 718 (Boxster S). The G29 Z4 is more relaxed than the 718. I feel like I have had a real workout after about 45 minutes in a 718, while the Z4 is fine for hours. The engine location has a lot to do with it. The 718 front feels lighter and will rotate on it's axis quicker, which is a somewhat unsettling feeling, until you get used to it. The Z4 is also much roomier inside. Performance-wise, I think the GT4 would be much quicker. I have not driven a Cayman. I tried sitting in one a few years ago and it felt like climbing into a MRI machine.

I'm 80 years old and my reflexes are not what they used to be, plus I don't drive much. So I notice things that make me feel less secure than younger drivers would care about. So, take that into consideration about my comments.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by F87LUV

Has anyone had both new and old Zs? Which do you like best?

I have NOT, but will mention that theoretically the upcoming manual will allegedly (Autoblog review for example) have changes to the suspension, shifting, steering, and so on. And so anything you are concerned that you might lose with a new Z4, could potentially be brought back.

In a sense you're making predictions on a car no one here's driven yet, one that is supposedly going to have a number of changes in areas that you're probably interested in, as am I.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I can't help you on the old Z4, but I have a fair amount of seat time in a 718 (Boxster S). The G29 Z4 is more relaxed than the 718. I feel like I have had a real workout after about 45 minutes in a 718, while the Z4 is fine for hours. The engine location has a lot to do with it. The 718 front feels lighter and will rotate on it's axis quicker, which is a somewhat unsettling feeling, until you get used to it. The Z4 is also much roomier inside. Performance-wise, I think the GT4 would be much quicker. I have not driven a Cayman. I tried sitting in one a few years ago and it felt like climbing into a MRI machine.

I'm 80 years old and my reflexes are not what they used to be, plus I don't drive much. So I notice things that make me feel less secure than younger drivers would care about. So, take that into consideration about my comments.

Will add at 82 in 3 more days & former 718-S owner I agree with what Balr14 has posted 100%. Never had any interest in the prior Z versions. That said the 2020 Z4 is my favorite long distance ride.

Only additional item is I have been extremally fortunate in my overall health to still be driving at a pretty good level & am able to run an AutoX without embarrassing myself.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Will add at 82 in 3 more days & former 718-S owner I agree with what Balr14 has posted 100%. Never had any interest in the prior Z versions. That said the 2020 Z4 is my favorite long distance ride.

Only additional item is I have been extremally fortunate in my overall health to still be driving at a pretty good level & am able to run an AutoX without embarrassing myself.

I'm reasonably sure I WOULD embarrass myself at AutoX, at least until I had about 20 practice runs!

[F87LUV]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I can't help you on the old Z4, but I have a fair amount of seat time in a 718 (Boxster S). The G29 Z4 is more relaxed than the 718. I feel like I have had a real workout after about 45 minutes in a 718, while the Z4 is fine for hours. The engine location has a lot to do with it. The 718 front feels lighter and will rotate on it's axis quicker, which is a somewhat unsettling feeling, until you get used to it. The Z4 is also much roomier inside. Performance-wise, I think the GT4 would be much quicker. I have not driven a Cayman. I tried sitting in one a few years ago and it felt like climbing into a MRI machine.

I only have 1700 miles on the GT4 and I’m always stressed over parking or where I’m driving it to, etc. I’m not enjoying it as I should. I’ve tracked my M2 A LOT so I’m not as worried about performance since it’s really a weekend cruiser and the M2 is a daily/track car for the time being.

Aesthetically, I prefer the E86 coupes more than anything which is why this is a more difficult decision. I’m not in love with the rear design of the G29. I would kill for the shooting brake concept that’s supposedly going to be limited and well into the six figures.

That being said, I gave up the E89 today and I hope I don’t regret it going for something new.

[perryinva]

I never had an E89, but did own a MT 2.3 Z3, for 9 years, through 2008, and drove the first gen Z4s a lot (went to Homecomings for years). Even back then, the improvements in creature comforts were very apparent but I preferred the down to earth feeling of the Z3. Back then. When I test drove my ‘22 3.0, I was amazed at the difference, visceral and comfort, compared to the Carrera I had been driving for almost 15 years. I don’t miss the extra power, to be honest, and though “only” 66, I don’t miss rowing the gears like I thought I would. Sonage had a lot to do with it, IMHO.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by perryinva

I never had an E89, but did own a MT 2.3 Z3, for 9 years, through 2008, and drove the first gen Z4s a lot (went to Homecomings for years). Even back then, the improvements in creature comforts were very apparent but I preferred the down to earth feeling of the Z3. Back then. When I test drove my ‘22 3.0, I was amazed at the difference, visceral and comfort, compared to the Carrera I had been driving for almost 15 years. I don’t miss the extra power, to be honest, and though “only” 66, I don’t miss rowing the gears like I thought I would. Sonage had a lot to do with it, IMHO.

I had an 09 Carrera S cabriolet and the M40i power is very similar, but the M40i has much more low-end. The M40i is easier to live with.

[GerryC]

I've had all three generations of the Z4; a 2004 3.0i, a 2016 28i, and a 2023 M40i.

I enjoyed the E85, especially the naturally aspirated engine and driving dynamics. Cabin was comfortable for driving but had no useful amenities. Cupholders were crap, music was relegated to an Aux Input, and storage was at a premium. Today, it's a cheap reliable ride.

The E89 was a solid, fun drive with the sport package and adaptive suspension. While the N20 was quick, it wasn't inspiring. And fortunately the 2016 has the revised chain guides that were self-destructing in earlier years. The hard top makes for a comfortable drive in inclement weather when top up, but it has three big drawbacks. 1. It's heavy. 2. It eats up a lot of trunk space. 3. When it breaks, it's expensive to fix (and there's no manual reversion.) If you're lucky, it's just the wiring harness or the associated switches and hall sensors. If the hydraulics go, it's a very expensive problem.

The G29 is a huge step up in comfort and utility. It has a truly useful trunk (no difference in space, top up or down.) And it's really quiet when up for a soft top. Handling is excellent and the ride quality is much better than the E89. And the B58 engine is a dream. The ~130 hp bump from the 28i is impressive. Absolutely no regrets about moving to this from the E89.

I've had auto trans in all mine for family reasons, but I've driven stick versions of the E85 and E89. Can't say the choice of trans makes a huge difference when comparing generations. I will say that the auto trans in the newer generations are better. Drive whichever you like. If you're a gotta have a stick guy, the upcoming G29 manual is definitely enticing and I wouldn't hesitate if I was comparing it to an E89 28i. To be honest, with the ZF8 I don't miss driving a stick.

[Horseman]

Something to be said about the aggressive stance, appearance and sound that the G29 commands on the road.

[khp3655]

I have owned both, a 2010 e89 and a 2022 g29. I love them both and they are daily drivers. Both were base level cars with some extra options. Here are a few quick comparisons.

1. The g29 is a nicer car, hands down. It is literally years ahead in its cockpit and the integration of the technology.
2. The seats in the g29 are the most comfortable I have owned. The e89 seats were comfortable, but not at the same level.
3. There is no substitute for the fun that 6MT brought to the e89. I miss that and that fun factor is the one place where the e89 is far ahead of the g29.
4. The e89 had a little more road feel. It felt like a smaller and slightly more nimble car. The g29 rides better and feels more planted. The handling on the road is similar, but the feel of the cars near their limits is different.
5. The soft top is much better than the hard top. The time to put it down/up, the noise factor (top up and down), and the ability to raise/lower the top at speed all favor the g29 The e89 top did look cooler when in operations. And the loss of trunk space if using the top was a hinderance.
6. The g29 gets better gas mileage, if that matters.
7. I bought both lightly used. The g29 was a better value for the $, but also less of a car.
8. The g29 is the quieter car all around. The e89, top down on the highway was almost deafening.
9. The g29 is more livable as a daily driver, but I made both cars work.
10. The g29 is a bigger car. It feels like a bigger car, drives like one and parks like one.
11. Top up, the g29 has large blind spots. The e89 did too. The blind spot monitors make life easier in the g29.

I hope this helps. Of the 20 cars I've owned in my life I would rank these cars 1 (g29) and 2 (e89).

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by khp3655

I have owned both, a 2010 e89 and a 2022 g29. I love them both and they are daily drivers. Both were base level cars with some extra options. Here are a few quick comparisons.

1. The g29 is a nicer car, hands down. It is literally years ahead in its cockpit and the integration of the technology.
2. The seats in the g29 are the most comfortable I have owned. The e89 seats were comfortable, but not at the same level.
3. There is no substitute for the fun that 6MT brought to the e89. I miss that and that fun factor is the one place where the e89 is far ahead of the g29.
4. The e89 had a little more road feel. It felt like a smaller and slightly more nimble car. The g29 rides better and feels more planted. The handling on the road is similar, but the feel of the cars near their limits is different.
5. The soft top is much better than the hard top. The time to put it down/up, the noise factor (top up and down), and the ability to raise/lower the top at speed all favor the g29 The e89 top did look cooler when in operations. And the loss of trunk space if using the top was a hinderance.
6. The g29 gets better gas mileage, if that matters.
7. I bought both lightly used. The g29 was a better value for the $, but also less of a car.
8. The g29 is the quieter car all around. The e89, top down on the highway was almost deafening.
9. The g29 is more livable as a daily driver, but I made both cars work.
10. The g29 is a bigger car. It feels like a bigger car, drives like one and parks like one.
11. Top up, the g29 has large blind spots. The e89 did too. The blind spot monitors [...]

Don’t forget the huge amount of storage you have in the G29’s trunk!

[khp3655]

Agreed. The trunk space is nice. And the car I had between the two was a Miata, which was tiny as well.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Now that a new Z4 can be had with a manual, those wanting the level of engagement the E89 had puts another check mark in favor of the G29.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by khp3655

Agreed. The trunk space is nice. And the car I had between the two was a Miata, which was tiny as well.

Nice is an understatement!

[khp3655]

That is a lot of pictures of junk in the trunk! I suppose a Z4 boot fetish is within the realm of being a passionate Z4 owner.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by khp3655

That is a lot of pictures of junk in the trunk! I suppose a Z4 boot fetish is within the realm of being a passionate Z4 owner.

How many roadsters are out there where you can do a long road trip with 2 carryon pieces of luggage in the G29's trunk and still have a little more room to squeeze more stuff?

[Argo]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

How many roadsters are out there where you can do a long road trip with 2 carryon pieces of luggage in the G29's trunk and still have a little more room to squeeze more stuff?

I'd say in the Boxster it's completely reasonable to do one in each trunk. But other than that, none.