German car magazine AutoBild compares the BMW Z4 3.0i & Opel GT 2.0 Turbo

[nascarnate326]

Why does it seam all GM leather seats get loose and look like crap.
GM should fix all the complaints and truly give the world a perfect car.
For the price though, Sky RL would double as my almost Corvette. Take the saved money and buy a GP GXP before they are gone.

[BigAls87Z28]

Thoes performance numbers seem a bit off....GT does look like a nicer car.

[Whitesky]

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

Why does it seam all GM leather seats get loose and look like crap.

Look closely at the BMW seat, same thing. It's just harder to see because it's black.

[bouda]

The opel looks much better IMO. I'd love one, you could have that engine over 300hp easily.

[AbsoluteSaab]

I've just been to the AutoBild site and read the test.

I confirms our own thoughts. The GT was never going to beat the Z4 but this was more of how close has it come.

A rough translation of the verdict for you, but I guess 'Du Spinnst' could to a full traslation...

Jan Horn
Zwischen Opel GT und BMW Z4 liegen ein einziges PS, über 10.000 Euro – und Welten. Weil der alltagstaugliche BMW Roadster ein richtiges Auto ist. Der Opel dagegen nur Drittwagen, faszinierendes Spielzeug, Motorrad-Ersatz. Mit tollem, dynamischem Potential und bestem Handling zwar, ebenbürtig wäre er jedoch erst mit mehr Sicherheitsausstattung, sorgfältiger Verarbeitung oder intelligenterer Verdeckmechanik

Between the Opel GT and the BMW Z4 lies marginal hp, over 10,000 Euro - and a world apart. Whilst the everyday BMW Roadster is the right car. The Opel in comparison is a 'third car', a fasination toy, substute motorbike, with great dynamic potential and better handling. It would have come first if it had more saftey featurures, better quality or an intelligent roof mechanism.



My own thoughts:
I was disappointed that the 2.0 turbo didn't perform as well as I thought it would. I also think that maybe the extra weight has made a bit of an impact. Perhaps Opel should have saved on the 18" wheels, which would have also changed the ride slightly. As for build quality that's something opel are never going to beat BMW with. Not because they can't but more to do with that 10,000 Euro price difference would be greatly reduced.
My final thoughts.
Extend the wheel base and make a Cadillac roadster out of it.
All of a sudden you now have a true Z4 / SLK competitor.
I bet it would sell better than the BLS and it could be offered in NA too.

Maybe GMI could do a little piece in this idea???

[superstreet]

Originally Posted by johnd89

6.3sec 0-100? that's nonsense. it should do 0-60 below 5.5

damn germans don't know how to drive. also, more hp from this turbo engine should be as easy as snapping your fingers at it

thats right, 6.3 its so slow for that car, and i dont care if is a bmw but the opel has the best looking

[GM lover]

Its sad that Opel was just a few points away from winning but then again the BMW does out class the Opel.

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by LoveMyCentury

Correct me if I'm wrong somebody, but I seem to remember a similar comparo with the Sky and Z4 in Motor Trend?

Yep, but it was the Sol and it won!

1st Place: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
Despite its sizeable warts, the GXP is a seductress blurred and standing still. The price of admission to big-league sports car performance and style has just been slashed

2nd Place: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
If you can afford the best, we're envious. The Z4 recalibrates your expectations of how involving a sports car can be--peerless in quality, with pinpoint accurate road manners.

3rd Place: 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster
A smart choice with generous helpings of fun and practicality--and serious good looks. And wouldn't a lighter, cheaper version sans the power top machinery be neat?

Lap times:

Solstice - 1:36.7
Z4 - 1:35.9
350z - 1:38.3

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

seems like the opel lost in every category almost

Yes, becuase the Z4 is more expensive, more refined car that is in it's 2nd generation. Do you remember how badly the Z3 was criticized for its chassis flex and relatively poor handling. It was a beautiful car but paled compared to the current Opel GT, which is in its 1st generation.

Also note 2 huge areas where the Opel GT equalled or beat the Z4. Handling was a dead heat with the Opel getting 27 points to the Z4's 28. That is a huge accomplishment. And MOST surprising to me, the Opel GT beat the Z4 in traveling comfort by a score of 18 to 16. Are you kidding me? A Saturn sports car is MORE COMFORTABLE to tour in than a BMW? Now that is a HUGE accomplishment.

Interior room was almost as good as a Z4. Seat & seat position was almost as good.

Even in most of the categories that the Opel GT got beat by the Z4, is was generally by less than a 25% margin, while the Opel GT is 25% less expensive than the Z4. I read this comparison as, the Z4 is better but not by a huge margin and the Opel GT is easily the best bang for the buck!

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

Yep, but it was the Sol and it won!

Not true. The Z4 won as the better car but they put made the Solstice GXP the winner based on bargain price. This reflects this Autobild comparison. Z4 is better, but not 30% better to go along with being 30% more expensive.

[Zbad1]

Originally Posted by tomprice

They blasted know how to drive better than any person in the UK and America!

Just take a look at their discipline - oh look, a middle lane only occupied when overtaking a lorry! Wow!

To quote Chris Tucker, "What the HELL did you just say?"

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Not true.

In the United States, 1st place is usually designated for what we call "da winna" And yes, like Motor Trend - value is ALWAYS part of my criteria.

[paul8488]

10,000 euros is a whole lot to pay for a droopy nose and wonky butt. On looks alone I'd pay 40,000 euros for the Opel before I'd pay 30,000 for the Z4. The Z3 was gorgeous... not so much the Z4. Part of the charm of a car like this is being able to impress people with it parked in your driveway. Since the Opel is darn near as capable as a sports car and a site better looking at a much better price, I'd say no contest for many people.

[PRO_USA1776]

They blasted know how to drive better than any person in the UK and America!

Just take a look at their discipline - oh look, a middle lane only occupied when overtaking a lorry! Wow!

Well I was stationed in Germany for 4 1/2 yrs and there were plenty of German drivers in the left lane (passing lane) in fact I was just there 45 days ago and the A-6 was full of left lane hogs....

[rueben44]

Ummmm anyone here comparing the pricing? The Opel should be thousands cheaper. Sure a thousands more car should be better I would hope. But does it warrant the price increase is the question!