Cupra 300 vs Z4 3.0si vs Ibiza FR..

[cryptowhale]

I currently drive a BMW Z4 3.0si. It's a great car but there is just something about it that I can't quite get used to after owning it for a year. Previous to this I owned a bog standard very sensible Ibiza FR (2017 1.4TSI (150HP) for 4 years, having owned various sports cars before that.

I really liked the FR for the most part and it beats the Z4 in many departments. The FR was such an easy car to drive and I could sling it round the country roads without any real effort, I'd go as far as saying it was more fun than the Z4 on the twisties, I know some of you may be thinking wtf, considering the Z4 is more of a "drivers car", more raw and engaging... but with the state of most roads in the UK it is just not enjoyable and you can't really drive it to its full potential, the slightest bump in the road shakes you and unnerves the car, and if the road is uneven the car tramlines and can be a real pain to control.

I miss the newness and tech of the Ibiza, the running costs and how easy it was to drive as a daily, The Z4 is more of an event whenever I get in it but it's a poor daily driver in my opinion, compared to the Ibiza it's not an easy car to drive and the maintenance costs are starting to add up more and more now as it's 14 years old.

Bad points regarding the FR are it was far too slow, much less powerful than the Z4, it didn't look half as good and of course the sound of the inline 6 is unbeatable. I want a new car, something that compares to the power of the Z4 and looks just as good, without all the negatives of the Z4... but with all the good things from the FR. Basically I have narrowed it down to a 3 door Cupra 300 DSG and I'm really struggling to find any bad points about them other than the engine sound (compared to my Z4) and with it being FWD does will it put down the power as well as the Z4.

Would be good to hear peoples opinions on my predicament, even better if you have driven all three cars or if you've been in a similar situation and ended up getting the Cupra.

Thanks

 

[BigJase88]

I find fast BMW's a pain in the backside. RWD ones anyways. Those runflats too. Hit a bit of uneven road and its bum twitching time.

Fair enough if you have the skill of Lewis Hamilton yeah you can get more out of RWD but I will be the 1st to admit i do not have the required skills to drive one to anywhere near it's limit or gain pleasure from it. Constantly worrying when the rear will next step out.

FWD you are safe. Car is planted. Get in a bend too hot then you understeer which is much less un-nerving than a twitchy rear end.

I had a remapped 330d. Was epic in a straight line but on a twisty backroad i could go faster in a work van

The Cupra will be ideal for what you require. That assuming you are willing to accept the interior is not that of a BMW

 

[Raven]

I have a Cupra 280 Hatch (5-door) driven various, Mini Cooper, Cooper S and Works. If you want a fun, nimble car that you can toss around as you did with the Ibiza FR I'd look at Cooper S / Cooper Works in the latest generation (F56). The Cupra still feels a bit Slugish compared to the F56 platform and should have come with 18" rather than 19" stock especially if the roads are bad. I'd also take a look at at a BMW 140i just for comparison.

 

[jcbmally]

I get your thinking regarding the Ibiza. The wife has one and it’s a hoot to drive, even though it’s only 110ps it feels much quicker. The Leon Cupra is a great car and you get lots of kit, yes the interiors are a bit bland but they are well screwed together. When you look at initial buying cost the Seat is good value, however don’t do it yet as part ex values are low at this time of year. The used cars on the forecourt are also inflated due to current issues. IMO go for the Leon as you’ll get power, practicality and bang for your buck.

 

[martin j.]

I have a Leon fr and a Honda S2000, if I want a fun drive the Seat get parked on the roadside to get the S out the garage, different cars totally, if your Z4 handles so bad it might be worth getting it checked out, tyres- suspension- and 4 wheel alignment to see if has a problem. I have been driving almost 50 years so maybe I have a better handle on rwd, that what I grew up with. Horses for courses.