Which would U prefer? SLK or Z3

[Honestmechanics?]

I'm getting rid of my 88 VW Cabriolet soon. Wanna get another convertible. Looking at Z3s or SLKs. Tell me how good or bad the lesser engines are ie 2.3/1.9. Or would U rather have an SLK? On Ebay for example you can get either car (98-2000) for $19k, which would pick? I also see some nice CLKs in this range.

[crayzayjay]

Neither the Z3 or SLK are great cars to drive. The BMW's six-pot engines are much better than the Merc's Kompressors, but I prefer the SLK's styling and it would probably hold its value better than the Z3 so that would be my choice. Plus the folding metal roof is very cool

[BP2K2Max]

i'd say look into a new mazdaspeed miata turbo. 350z convertibles are available now too. or maybe an audi TT.
of the choices provided i'd say go with the mercedes.

[crayzayjay]

350's rock. Audi TT's are the ultimate pose-mobiles

[Jimster]

The SLK has what is most likely the worst steering known to man (In the Roadster class at least), while the Z3 was always gonig to be half-baked.

350Z all the way or Audi TT's (Which remain a lot of fun, despite being dumbed down all those years ago)

[BP2K2Max]

true, $40K+ and it can't even break out of the 15's. handles like a mofo i hear.

[freakonaleash1187]

i also agree to get a 350z convertible. love the 350z's looks and plus, its a z car. and the 1/4 mile is in the hgih 13's. can't beat that, good looks and speed. oh, and yeah, audi tt's are nice too.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by Jimster

or Audi TT's (Which remain a lot of fun, despite being dumbed down all those years ago)

at least you can get the tail out in a Z3

[lateralgforce]

You really don't get much more for your money buying an 4 cyl Z3 than you do buying a regular Miata. If you're set on buying a used car and letting someone else take the depreciation hit, then go with a 99 SE if you can find one... best Miata driver's car on the used market. If you can swing a new car, the Mazdaspeed Miata is pretty sweet. Performance roughly equal to a BMW Z4 2.5i (I've driven both) at the price of a used Z3. Not a bad deal, with factory warranty too.

Cheers,
Brian

[DinanM3_S2]

why are you fools talking about the 350z convert, he wont find one near the price of the z3 and SLK hes talking about simply because hes talking used and the 350z convert is brand new.

The Mazdaspeed is probably a good choice if its preformance your thinking about, but isnt quite as nice as the z3 or SLK.

Im a big BMW fan and i like the styling of the Z3 over the SLK, or any other roadster for that matter. Not as fast as the Mazdaspeed but handles pretty damned well.

The SLK isnt very fast, and doesnt handle as well as the others, but is by far the cheapest retractable hardtop roadster ever made. The interior is also about on par with the 350z.

If you play your cards right and are willing to pay a bit more, i'd strongly suggest looking far and wide for a used Porsche Boxter. C&D top ten for a while, great handling, good interior, and its a Porsche...

[Jimster]

On the SLK being the cheapest folding tin-top- Wrong, the Peugeot 206 CC, 307 CC and Daihatsu Copen far under cut the SLK.

But if you could ever find a Boxster, it is by far the best choice.

[360spider]

Do you guys who bash Z3 (or SLK) actually own one? I owned both, and I still have Z3 (guess, what I prefer?). Z3 is a driver's car, SLK is a passenger's car. Simple as that.

Get the I6 engine though, 4 cylinders are not very powerful, or torquey. Z3 handles like a sports car, while SLK is more of a sedan/family car type. They are both nice, but I would take Z3 over SLK any time.

[Jimster]

That would have been lovely, had this thread not been out of date, please try and let old threads rest please, there's enough new ones as it is without old ones joining the ranks.