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MG MGF Technical - 'MGF VVC' VS. 'BMW Z3'


Except for MGF VVC looking much much better than the Z3 and having a larger trunk that fits a golfbag, what are the differences? motor capacity? Can a VVC win over a Z3 in a drag race?

Cheers

Philly!

Philly

Having had a bit of a go in both, the big advantages of the Z3 are:

- space for huge engines, if you can afford them

- teutonic build quality, if you beleive in it

- the boot seems pretty big to me. Not as big as the F, but pretty good

The main advantages of the F are, in my order of importance:

- mid engined layout: the weight distribution in the Z3 is sh*te and I constantly felt that I was having to lumber this enormous engine around the place in front of me. I did NOT get that feeling in an MX5, though. The Z3 makes cornering the F seem wonderful!

- feels much faster, and indeed is much faster that it should be on paper vs. the Z3. Again, this may say more about the Z3 than the F!

- it's gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Outside and in (if you chip in a few hundred quid).

- oh, and loads of other stuff.

Before I would consider a Z3, I would consider an F, MX5, Elise, S2000, MR2, or, most importantly, a convertible BMW 3-series!
David Bainbridge

Hı guys,

The Z3 wıll be replaced by the end of thıs year by Z4,
nıce desıgn, however, no 4cyl engınes. only 6 straıght. By the end of 2004 a news maller Z-car wıll be added to the range wıth smaller engınes 1.8etc. I thınk BMW wants to take on the Boxter ın a seperate league ınstead of compete wıth the Z3 M serıes whıch was basıcally a pumped up basıc Z3.
So you should be able to get a bargaın. ıf a z3 ıswhat you want ;-(

Davıd
Davıd P

As David has already menioned, the Z3 comes with a large choice of engines that covers 1.8, 2, 2.5, 2.8 and 3+ litres.

A VVC driven by your aged granny should have not problem seeing off a 1.8 or 2 litre. With a bit of effort then the 2.5 is beatable. After that it would seem polite to let the Clown's shoe go and pretend that you were not interesting in anything so childish as a race anyway.

If however the road has bends in it, it is likely that the Z3 driver will not be able to cope as he will not be used to taking these at any speed.

AS for the teutonic build quality, surely they are made in South Carolina which is not noted as being very German.

Cheers

Patrick

Patrick

I have the pleasure of being able to "test" not only my VVC but also my Mother's Z3 1.9 and my Sister's MX5!

In terms of the Z3 Vs VVC question I see it as "horses for courses".
My VVC is fun, feels quick and is really chuckable into corners, but for long journeys the noise can be a bit annoying (or so my wife tells me!) and the build quality does leave a bit to be desired!.
The Z3 excels at other abilities - it immediately feels well built (may just be a feeling!), it is very quiet (good for long journeys!), it feels quite relaxing to drive, but does not feel very quick and the handling is very sure (big wheels and tyres etc.) means you can corner quickly but it does not feel very chuckable.
When my Mother drives my F she always comments on how "sporty" it is and how she likes the sound.
I expect the larger engined Z3s to be a bit different, but then they are not really a direct comparison to the MGF.
Jason H
Jason H

I think we should all write in to Chris Bangle at BMW and congratulate him on his efforts to restyle the Z3 replacement, the Z4.

No really.

The Z4 is unbelievably ugly - a clown's shoe that's been mauled by a hungry dog and then run over with a flymo.

So thanks, Chris, for making MG's life easier.

May be he's actually a secret MG fan?

Cheers! :o)
Rob Bell


Hi everyone.-

Well, just wanted to say that I have a MGF VVC- and do not want to exchange it to a Z3 Z8 Z4 or any other car. The VVC´s look and the pure tahiti blue colour makes me and the ladies go crazy. It is just perfect.

Also, the VVC is quite, or very, rare here in Sweden. so it is magnifique.

Cheers

Philly.
pHILLY

>>The Z4 is unbelievably ugly - a clown's shoe that's been mauled by a hungry dog and then run over with a flymo.<<
A great description !
Obviously not the same dog that 'redesigned' the front of a TVR by biting a chunk out of the mock-up (that one had a sense of style).

Steve
Steve

>that one had a sense of style).<

Nah - just indigestion and he heard that clay was good for that!

Ted
Ted Newman

>>>As for the teutonic build quality, surely they are made in South Carolina which is not noted as being very German.

A-ha. Didn't know that.
David Bainbridge

Yep

Hill Billy machines

Ted
Ted Newman

Billy-Bob-Beemers
Andy Gilhooley

On modern cars the build quality is pretty much engineered in, so it shouldn't matter a great deal where they are assembled as long as the equipment is properly maintained.
George B.

David Bainbridge (above wrote):

>>> the weight distribution in the Z3 is sh*te and I constantly felt that I was having to lumber this enormous engine around the place in front of me <<<

Unusual observation David particularly in view of the crux and thrust of many recent BMW UK advertising campaigns being the ideal "balance" of their front in-line engine rear wheel drive arrangement.

Saul B.
Saul Bollox

Interesting you mention that. I must admit I was surprised - the Z3 aside, I think that smaller BM's are excellent cars to drive. (Wouldn't know about the big ones!)

I don't know. That's just how it felt to me. Perhaps it was having just jumped out of the ever-chuckable F, but then again, I didn't have the same impression of and MX5.
David Bainbridge

i doubt there’s many Fs around that can see off the Z3 roadster - you know, the not so common one with the four pipes at the back and something like 250-300bhp. that one’s a bit different to the 1.9 etc.
tony

This thread was discussed between 10/07/2002 and 12/07/2002

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