I'm in the process of determining the fate of my fleet as we prepare to move. My weekend toy is the topic of this one. I had two NA Miata, I already sold one. I still have the one in my avatar, I love the car. However, it does not some rear suspension work. I could sell it, along with the hardtop and second set of rims w/new snow tires I have for it. If I did that, between the two cars sold and a few extra bucks I could throw in, I'd have about $5500-$6000 to spend on my toy.
My mind has always been set on another Miata. I've had several NA, and one NC, and love them. Never owned an NB. But as I was browsing CL, I realized that early Z3s in nice shape fall into that price range. I've never driven a Z3. Also have concerns about their build quality, but don't know.
Anyone owned both cars, or can draw a good comparison between them? Let's keep it to these two cars for the sake of this discussion. I still may keep my current Miata, as I'm very happy with it. But between the work it needs (which I'd have to pay to have done), the cost of shipping it to ATL and the GA tax I'd have to pay to register it, it may make sense to sell it and replace when I get there.
I have a Miata now (NC) and I have also driven Z3s over the years. This is just purely subjective but I never felt the Z3s were all that sporty, certainly not in the way a Miata is. They were underpowered, didn't handle all that well and just generally felt more like a cruiser than a sports car. I think BMW addressed a lot of those issues with the Z4 but by then it was way expensive, bigger and heavier. Don't know if that helps but just my opinion.
shocks, struts, and springs take care of the "not sporty" feel of the Z3. power is all subjective of the engine. they ranged from a barely adequate 1.9 up to an all singing all dancing aluminum 3.0
The Weirdest part of the z3 is the driving position. you practically sit on the rear suspension, so when the nose turns in, you find yourself 'waiting' that extra split second to feel any change in direction. the plus to this, if the rear steps out, you are the first to know
The 1.6 in the Miata is probably also best described at "barely adequate" too, so that's no worry. 
S52 Z3M Coupe. IMO it's BMWs coolest affordable car.
S52 to skip out on all the extra S54 maintenance and cost, cams away from equal power.
I've driven both; the z3 I drove was a 2.8 (m52?) powered car. It was way faster than a Miata, like no comparison. (Ie, Z3 2.8 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, 1990 Miata 0-60 in 9.4 seconds) It felt more like a grand touring car than a Miata, as in more "grown up" and more of a "real car." But that gets away from some of what makes a Miata fun. I am unimpressed that the early Z3s have a plastic rear window, but that's a minor detail. It'll irritate you every time you drive with the top up though.
The top is thicker than a Miata top so it is a lot quieter inside with the top up. Wind noise was much lower. It was a new car so I don't know how the long term build quality compares but Miatas are not exactly a Lexus when it comes to NVH and interior fit and finish either.
It comes down to what you want. Drive a Z3. It doesn't feel like as much of a toy as a Miata. But it's a comfy place to go fast and feel the wind in your hair.
I have to admit I've never driven one - but there were massive differences in the engines. The four cylinder had a worse power/weight ratio than the Miata of the same era, the sixes were a lot healthier. Given the feel of a BMW six, I can't see any reason to look at the 1.9.
I have to admit I've never driven many street miles in a Z3, but autocrossed one. The biggest issue I had with the Z3 was it felt tighter inside than my NA Miata at the time, with a slightly higher seating position. It also seemed to "flop" from side to side in fast transitions, but that could have been the particular example I drove. The 6cyl is of course BMW awesome, but short of the M version, I'd rather have the Miata. Now if it were a Z3 M Coupe, all bets are off, as that is one of my favorite cars.
I wouldn't even bother with a 4cyl Z3 unless your only concern is looks. The 6cyl engines are nice.
I've had the Z3 M Coupe. It was a fantastic car. Any lesser variation... I'd go Miata. Easier to work on. Cheaper maintenance. Better suspension.
Loved the Z3 M Coupe for the crazy - but then the Z4 M Coupe came out, and it's the best looking BMW since the E39 M5. Drool.
There's a guy in our local race group who runs a Z3 M Coupe. He's actually been talking about selling it for a Miata 
I have been lucky enough to autocross a factory NB Miata and a Z3 with the 1.9. I like the Z3 over the NA and the NB Miatas because I think that they rotate around corners better, maybe due to a better rear suspension. They also feel better balanced to me than the Miatas. I'm maybe 6'1" with long legs and the Z3 has more leg room if you need it. To me, they feel like a small, sports car version of an E36. The interior is understandibly similar. I have autocrossed maybe 9 or 10 different cars and shockingly, it is my second favorite car for autocrossing. But I wouldn't be able to get one for a toy for a while because the maintenance is much more than a Miata, and during the cold seasons when Miatas are sold for cheap, I see Z3's listed for thousands more. I haven't looked at KBB to see a good value for one. I haven't driven or rode with someone with the straight six version.
I guess I'm an oddball. 
But, you need to drive both versions to know what you like the best.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote:
I have been lucky enough to autocross a factory NB Miata and a Z3 with the 1.9. I like the Z3 over the NA and the NB Miatas because I think that they rotate around corners better, maybe due to a better rear suspension.
The Z3 has the semi-trailing arm rear suspension out of the E30, which most people would consider inferior to the Miata's double A-arms. How many Miatas have you driven? Perhaps they were set up wrong?
I agree on the undesirability of the 1.9 4-cylinder.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote:
I have been lucky enough to autocross a factory NB Miata and a Z3 with the 1.9. I like the Z3 over the NA and the NB Miatas because I think that they rotate around corners better, maybe due to a better rear suspension. They also feel better balanced to me than the Miatas. I'm maybe 6'1" with long legs and the Z3 has more leg room if you need it. To me, they feel like a small, sports car version of an E36. The interior is understandibly similar. I have autocrossed maybe 9 or 10 different cars and shockingly, it is my second favorite car for autocrossing. But I wouldn't be able to get one for a toy for a while because the maintenance is much more than a Miata, and during the cold seasons when Miatas are sold for cheap, I see Z3's listed for thousands more. I haven't looked at KBB to see a good value for one. I haven't driven or rode with someone with the straight six version.
I guess I'm an oddball.
But, you need to drive both versions to know what you like the best.
1.9 Z3 does not have the maintenance issues the 6 cylinder cars do. Yes, you should redo the bushings every 100,000 miles and same with the cooling.. but generally they are a pretty stout lump of an engine and do not have the torque or power to really stress anything else
dculberson wrote:
But it's a comfy place to go fast and feel the wind in your hair.
Thanks for reminding me that I don't have any hair, my friend. 
Maintenance is a factor for me. I don't have the skill set, nor the time, to do major upkeep. I'm not talking about oil change or brake pads, those are simple. But anything requiring more than basic skills would take me more time than I have. So I'm looking for something that's easy to work on...or cheap to have someone else do if need be.
honestly, when I had my 318ti.. the most exotic tool I needed was an inch pound torque wrench for the waterpump and thermostat bolts. Everything else was normal handtools (in metric)
On the six cylinder cars.. unless you are redoing the timing chains or replacing the cams, you really do not need too much in the way of exotic tools either. The E36 is a well thought out and logical car. Very easy to work on
In reply to codrus: I first test drove a NB Miata about 2 or 3 years ago with just some aftermarket wheels around my neighborhood. It was an okay car, but I was very underwhelmed because at the time, my car was a 97 Civic with Koni yellows and lowering springs. I just remembered about that test drive just now. I also autocrossed a properly prepped STS and a STR Miata. Surprisingly, both owners had Toyo Proxes R1R tires on them. Maybe the shocks on a stock NA or NB are too soft for my tastes, or the rear A-arm setup needs to be changed a little for me.
I have read about how semi-trailing arms aren't as good as double a-arms, and that's also partly why C5 Corvettes handle better than C4s. I should read about this more on a technical write-up.
I have owned both cars: 1994 Miata and a 2.5 liter Z3. In fact, I owned them both at the same time. Without question, the Z3 is my favorite car UNLESS your intent is to take it to the track. I loved it. It was my daily driver and I put 70,000 miles on it in a few years of ownership.
The Miata has better suspension and feels like it's having more fun, but it's just not as fast, the brakes aren't as good, and it's not as refined as the BMW. I have driven both M Roadsters (the S52 and the S54) of the Z3, the 1.9 I4 version, and the 2.5 liter version. I wouldn't want to own a four-cylinder Z, but I'd buy any of the 6 cylinder cars again. I've also driven all of the Miatas: I love them, but I still prefer the Z3. In fact, if I didn't have the Viper now, I'd be looking for an S54 M Roadster.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote:
I have read about how semi-trailing arms aren't as good as double a-arms, and that's also partly why C5 Corvettes handle better than C4s. I should read about this more on a technical write-up.
semi-trailing arms are -not- as good as a good set of double A arms.. but unless you are on the track or doing something stupid on the street.. the rear suspension on the Z3 is perfectly fine. On the track you just have to remember not to even think of lifting in a corner or the rear will come around to bite you hard
I have to admit a Z3 has always interested me and 1.9 gets decent gas mileage on regular (according to the EPA site).
Not sure if I would fit or not though.
In reply to 93EXCivic:
If you're 6'4" or taller, you would probably have to make modifications to fit.
I'm 6'3" and find the Z3 to be much more comfortable than the NA Miata, particularly in regards to legroom (my knees always kiss the wheel in Miatas), but I'm also pretty thin...so YMMV.
Had a few NA's, now have a 3.0 Z3. I think that the 4 cylinder Z3 will be disappointing so I'll stick to the 6 cylinder concept. The car is way nicer than a Miata. It makes an NA feel very sparse. That can be ok, but the Z3 is way more solid and upscale. My 2001 with 145k is still very solid, no creaks and rattles. It's definitely feels heavier, and more like a touring car than the Miata scalpel feel. Z3 is still good as an occasional autocrosser where the main purpose is street driving. The rear end of the Z3 is scary and will try to kill you, but only at DE type speeds. I still love Miatas but I am very happy with this choice. I thought this was going to be a quick transition car from NA to C5, but the Z3 is going to be with us for a while I think.
