2025 BMW Z4 sDrive30i vs 2024 Mazda Miata Club ND3 - Head to Head Review!

[@rolandotillit2867]

Shout out to Fat Cat Motorsports, their videos on suspension tuning really highlights the difference in OEM setup of BMW vs MX-5. BMW has that rear rebound bias, NASCAR style jacking down of the rear end so it rides on the bump stops, that's what makes it feel like a pogo stick. The MX-5 let's you use that suspension travel with a compliant front end, and not too much rebound damping. The rotation you feel is the compression damping from the gas pressure in the mono-tube damper and the soft springs in the rear. If you've ever driven on a car with Fortune Auto coilovers you know the feeling, they have a lot of suspension travel, unless you spec the right bump stops.

[@frankdaelemans4488]

Which one is the best depends on what you want to do with them. MX5 is probably the better "driver's car" if you want to take it through the twisties on a weekend day. To live with as a daily driver or for longer road trips the BMW is better.

[@fmtien]

1000% correct!

[@Zarifzar4]

You should do a year end review of all the cars that you drove. Would be nice to highlight what you learned, what you prefer, and what you’re looking forward to in the new year.

[@soulside]

A brand new BMW is considered entry level? 😮‍💨

[@pain.497]

If it's the low trims yeah

[@powerboatguy2308]

Yes, it cost more than the Miata, but the Miata will probably still be on the road in 10 years.

[@alexkid408]

the z4 30i is entry level comparing to 40i ( inline 6 ) 😅

[@8DecadesLife]

If you want a new rear wheel drive manual trans roadster, what other choices are there? So yeah, their entry level.

[@recursion.]

KZbinrs are on a different bubble man

[@ramanapixelxl7572]

I actually did cross shop the nd3 and the z4(a CPO m40i) and I had the same feeling regarding the rear of the z4 being pogo-ish. Throttle house had the same complaint. Apparently the new manual z4 seems to have fixed the issue.

[@hihellohahaha2029]

I got them both, Z4 m40i and a miata club, to me they are equally good

[@web]

B48 have variants with 300hp in Mini Coopers, so BMW probably downplays the 255hp rating. A tune and you are golden

[@bestbrett]

My butt dyno thinks that 255 hp rating is a little low, but it might just be the flat torque curve.

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

Yes, and even the 300 is a bit underrated. A Clubman does 0-60 in 4.6, absolute insanity imo.

[@tanmanrico]

German automakers usually provide wheel horsepower figures. Crank HP (what everyone else usually provides) is at least 30 HP more, I believe. That's why German cars usually feel faster than their HP numbers suggest. Underrated > overrated!

[@4.wheel.therapy]

Soft top S2K and never look back. Amazing sound, reliability, fun, and resell value. S2K will only get more expensive as new cars get heavier and boring.

[@30hours51]

Funny how the nd3 is 500lb lighter than the s2k

[@enmass90]

I'm honestly curious how this Z4 stacks up with the 230i with the B48. You can get a CPO 230i for like 30 grand. I'm assuming that the chassis won't be as good but for basically half the price it seems like a bargain.

[@Zygrene]

Just drove a 230i 6MT today. Very well balanced and fun car for 1/3 the price of a new Z4 with the same engine.

[@enmass90]

@@Zygrene how did you like that car vs a current generation brz?

[@ms3ben]

I'd much rather have the Miata for my fun weekend car

[@sethanderson204]

@zygrene What are the top 5 or so feeling electric power steering systems that you have driven besides ND3? Can you rank them? You said ND3 is possibly in top 3. Thanks! And nice comparison!

[@Zygrene]

@@sethanderson204 off the top of my head: Spyder RS, GT4 RS, 991.2 GT3, ND3

[@Stephen-re4oy]

@@Zygrene Would you say any of the cars on the list come close to replicating hydraulic power steering?

[@ramanapixelxl7572]

No emira?

[@Stephen-re4oy]

@@ramanapixelxl7572 Emira is hydraulic power steering

[@sethanderson204]

I thought Emira too than realized it has hydraulic. I would be interested to know how it compares to that list though.

[@christophegimenez1601]

I wish that some day you try a Alipne A110: similar power (250 HP or 300HP) compared to this BMW Z4 , and a weight that is below the weight of the Miata (around 2200 LBs).... and a price range more that of the BMW...

[@RealAvus]

Light weight is such a RARE car feature even Lotus, Ferrari won't do nowadays. This gen MX5/BRZ-86 twin will become instant classic once Mazda/Toyota-Subaru stopping making them (or go electrification)

[@TheRealSnakePlisken]

Wow...apples and oranges. The only thing in common is two seats and a drop top.

[@bashar05]

@zygrene I have a z4 m40i and live close to you. But won’t be ready for you to drive until spring maybe

[@NAJMFAN]

Your Miata content is top tier!!!

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

waiting for the 2025 model year miatas to arrive in dealers so I can try to poach a discounted 2024

[@louKushh]

60k$ automatic. no thanks.

[@GeronimoBiggles]

miata begging for a high output V6

[@richardishikawa2993]

Go with the Miata stick shift over the auto Z4 any day.

[@Tomorrowwas]

Can you please help me decide between a c7 and mx5?

[@boneclubceo4531]

C7 base, and stingrays handle like a truck in the front end. The Z06 and zr1 ofc are far better but still use the same outdated suspension setup. NDs are just simply fantastic for turning and having fun. The base corvettes are much more straight line cars and alot less refined and fun as a miata. Really depends on what you do more. Daily highway driving, or fun backroads drivinf

[@Tomorrowwas]

@ thank you so much for the advice! I want to use the car for road trips around europe. So, I guess its a combination of twisty roads, long stretches of highway and drop top cruising. It seems that based on your response the mx5 is the way to go. Also, I love drifting and with c7 its a doddle

[@maximborodyuk3773]

c7 gs is big miata. Insane amount of grip with right wheels/tires/alignment. Enough power. way more practical than mx5 (boot size in c7 would put sedans to shame). MX5 is more engaging though, and trans ratio in c7 gs is dogshit made for highway cruising.

[@Tomorrowwas]

@ while I agree on boot size, i am worried about the size of the car in general for Europe. Mx5 is more practical to park and drive around the city, while highway comfort will suffer

[@maximborodyuk3773]

@@Tomorrowwas well, can't comment on that. I owned C7 GS, but in US. Owned GT350 before, and in european style cities in Russia you'd need to get used to parking (albeit it was my 1st car ever). If you're fine with boot size of MX-5 and if you're not higher than like 180 cm/not planning to track - I'd go with Mx-5.

[@tepes141]

Comparing apples with oranges... different classes, different options, different prices. Come back with an objective review after you've tested a Z4 30i with M Sport Brakes, M Adaptive Suspension, M Sport Differential.. 😉

[@gad63511]

Huge front overhang on these new z4s. Ruins the proportions

[@Love2Cruise]

Me: Between these 2, I’d take the Miata. B58 has entered the room with its buddy 6MT. Me: On 2nd thought…

[@joefisher7431]

I've had 5 bmws i can say in my experience they were as reliable as the 4 different toyotas I've owned.

[@Juergen_Mueller]

Off topic.

[@tractioncontroldelete]

That BMW sure wins on looks 🤩

[@maximborodyuk3773]

ND Miata > any bmw of the last 10 years

[@30hours51]

“Ultimate driving experience” if you have never driven a miata or lotus or anything like those sports cars

[@maximborodyuk3773]

@@30hours51 ultimate driving experience regarding BMW must be a biggest car joke ever, even bigger than jaguar going woke

[@30hours51]

@@maximborodyuk3773 yep 110%

[@z32luvr]

S2K > Everything

[@maximus9401]

I rented a Z4 30i. Man that thing was disappointing. Really the only cool thing about it was the convertible experience. Engine is just nothing special in my opinion. Forgettable. B58 is everything in this car

[@jonlee580]

To compare a BMW to a Mazda?

[@robertbohorquez6508]

To lease the bmw. Horrible reliability. Go for the Miata

[@effluent2]

If you’re comparing value l🔎👀MX-5 For what you pay, you’re getting a lot better driving experience.. and a better value$$

[@1labrinth]

Top down screaming out money ain't a thing

[@robertlewis9419]

The Miata is a joke with 187 hp. Its 2025. Not 1997. Until it gets at least 250 hp. It’s not even on my radar screen Sold my 2020 BBR club. Just too slow and too small

[@DonLee1980]

the mx5 is a car that guys like to drive. the z4 is a car that girls like to have as a lifestyle.

[@iKirby54321]

First

[@NoPrivateProperty]

pontiac solstice has power of bmw minus 400+ pounds at fraction of price

[@BMWWolf]

lol

[@boneclubceo4531]

And handles like a boul of soup. Will also fall apart, with one of the worst chevy interiors ever. Terrrrrrrrrible cars.

[@diabx0r]

Yeah, but then you'd have to drive a Pontiac, and the suspension is like my grandma's Buick.

[@Dano-MX5]

😂😂😂…this is satire, right?

[@Kekuahiwi]

Neither one of those cars are roadsters. I'm sure both cars are real fun to drive, but a roadster doesn't have roll up windows. Take the Porsche Speedster for exammple. Side curtains. These cars are cabriolets or as the British would say, a drop head coupe.

[@30hours51]

The NA Miata’s original name is Eunos Roadster. So what r u on about. Also the new 911 speedster do have windows on the ride lol. Did Porsche get it wrong too?

[@Dano-MX5]

Well….after owning 6 Miatas and 4 S2000s I can say all 10 are “roadsters”….your definition of “roadster” is so purist it comes off as disingenuous. But if it works for you, fine. My definition works for me and millions of others.