I was going to buy a Z3 2.8 but I guess the RX spoiled me: the Z3 seemed a little sloppy for a "sports car" IMHO. Maybe it's the tuning, or perhaps the rear suspension from the 3-series that was discontinued about a decade and 3 generations of improvements ago.

Glad you had fun, but coming over to the E39 board to gloat is rather suspect. If we wanted a Z we'd be driving one. Maybe you should go mess with the SLK / Miata / S2000 crowds, huh?

Just got back from a 2 day trip in the mountains with (my wife’s) Z3 2.8. WHAT A BLAST! Do whatever you want to your 5-series, NOTHING can touch a sports car/roadster for road feel in the twisties.

On one stretch I had a Lexus GS 430 on my ass for a bit until we hit some tight curves. After some spirited driving for a couple of miles it was GONE in my rear view mirror. Once things straightened out the Lexus caught up so I pulled over to LET him pass. LOL, I didn’t want him to think he took me all on his own. I shoulda' brought the 540. :-)