Traded in a Z4? I really love the looks of that car. If I didn't have a MINI, I'd have a Z4. Why did you switch and please give a little comparison of the two.

 

BTW, I'm on my second MINI, may the first one rest in peace. Had 23k on her and not one, not a single issue, not even minor.

Love my 09 MC just as much.

 

 

I loved the car too and unfortunately I traded it for economic reasons. It is the fastest car I've owned (around a racetrack) and had just brutal acceleration off the line. It's the 3rd M car I have owned and the fastest up to about 120mph, where I think the E39 M5 was faster. I averaged 19mpg (95% Highway) on the street and 6.5mpg at the track. Another thing that was bothering me was the lack of a roof since I used it as a track car. I am a NASA instructor and HPDE group leader in the Midwest region and do a lot of track days. I time trialled the car on Hoosiers for two years and the speeds (while I was competitive) were pretty scary fast for the class it was in.

The M Roadster is a spitting, snarling beast of a car that lives for the 8200rpm redline in all gears. Around a track like Road America it kept up with Supercharged Mustangs, C5 Z06 Corvettes etc. and was faster than all but track prepped E46 M3s. On the street it was fairly well mannered albeit very impractical two seat roadster. The sport seats are comfortable for about three hours before numbness sets in but are great for track use. It is a car that is difficult to drive from the regard that its steering and suspension are twitchy enough that it demands your 100% attention. It isn't a car you can relax in, and it's a car that can easily "get away from" inexperienced drivers with DSC off. I did winter drive it in Chicagoland with snow tires and it was a handful in deep unploughed snow.

I loved the car, I ordered it to my spec and picked it up in Spartanburg SC at the factory. Letting it go was definitely bittersweet and I may own one again some day.

Here's some eye candy to complete the thread hi-jack:

 

I looked at the Z3 and Z4's for a very long while in my quest for a fun all around car. The problem with them, is its like being strapped to an engine and a luggage bin. Very small environment, more than half the car is engine bay.

The mini seems to have more space and FUN. the Z's were fun to drive, but NO SMILE factor.

 

We love MINIs enough to be on our 3rd and 4th. Almost 5 years and 70,000 miles later we have every intention of continuing to have MINIs exclusively. They haven't been totally trouble free but the problems are minor and fixed* by the dealer without hassle.

(*with the exception of Quentin's A/C which blew too cold, but it was difficult to pin down even what that problem was.)

 

My '08 Blackjack Cooper S is the best car I've ever owned.
Bar none. I love it.

 

We are on our 2nd and 3rd MINI's, and love em all. The personality of the MINI, along with the tight knit community will keep me coming back! Best bang for your buck, imho!