RE: Tell Me I'm Wrong: BMW Z4 M Coupe

[blearyeyedboy]

Since my Z4 Saving Account has now been raided and added to the House and Wedding Saving account, I'm trying to convince myself that I agree with Chris Harris to make myself feel better about my decision.

[Craikeybaby]

I haven't driven one, but I do like the looks of the Z4 coupes, especially the M, but personally I still prefer the E46 M3, it's a bigger/heavier car (normally turn offs for me), but there's just something about them that I like much more than the Z4MC.

[daz4m]

MarJay said:

I'm sure when I read this thread the other day someone said something about changing front uprights or lower arms or something? I can't seem to find it now.

Also, any Z4M owners know if there are geometry changes that can be made to 'dial out' the handling issues?

Look at my post the page before.

[Philz4mc]

Sorry mate you're wrong. I sold mine last year and i miss it. The car has soul. Yeah it wasn't perfect and was a bit of a beast especially in the wet but its the type of car that puts a smile on your face everytime you get in it, sounds great, there's hardly any of them around and IMHO looks awesome especially from the rear. From a lines perspective, i always thought the front would have looked smoother and better if the bonnet was connected to the front grill.

[Bruski11]

A lively debate if ever there was one. I actually quite like the new z4 roadster with the roof up. At a BMWCC track day at s'stone a year or so ago, ACS brought their schnitzered version of the nevergunnabeanmbecauseitsnotasgoodasacaymans35isdrive along. It was quite quick,looked smart and handled above par, although the driver was a div. I think the old Alpina z4 roadster looks quite nice but remain unconvinced on the coupe. I think when comparing the z3mc you need to note that most owners will admit the original suspension is a bit too GT for GTI driving and tend to swap it out for a myriad of options (coilovers, bilsteins, blah de blah). On looks alone, front of the z3mc looks old, rear of the z3mc looks aces. All IMHO of course as is everyones.

[MarJay]

daz4m said:

Look at my post the page before.

D'oh missed that! Sorry.

[jbtco]

Just voted with some of my piggy bank . From 2004 to 2008 I owned E46 M3, E46 M3 CS and Z4 MC from new. Having to run a 4 door these days I decided on invest in a weekend and holiday toy as well, my vote went to a Z4MC.

To me it looks fantastic in Midnight blue with Sepang leather and carbon dash. It shares the steering rack with the CSL and CS which I like a lot. has the great S54 engine in its final iteration and a wonderful exhaust sound. CSL brakes are good for road use. Ok the ride is a little harsh for the uk , care needed with the back end and it has the usual manual M car notchy gearbox but allin all it feels very special to get into and pretty much every drive is fun.

[Urban Sports]

I'd say Chris was wrong.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6623...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMCCpBX9lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FTcr2IFeg0

And isn't the Coupe supposed to be an even better car?

[cerb4.5lee]

Urban Sports said:

I'd say Chris was wrong.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6623...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMCCpBX9lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FTcr2IFeg0

And isn't the Coupe supposed to be an even better car?

Thats made me feel better thanks!

Only had mine two weeks & i was thinking my car was severely unloved & it is on here, but at least a few people like it!!

Nobody liked my TVR aswell, seems i like a left field choice then.

[Urban Sports]

cerb4.5lee said:

Urban Sports said:

I'd say Chris was wrong.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6623...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMCCpBX9lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FTcr2IFeg0

And isn't the Coupe supposed to be an even better car?

Thats made me feel better thanks!

Only had mine two weeks & i was thinking my car was severely unloved & it is on here, but at least a few people like it!!

Nobody liked my TVR aswell, seems i like a left field choice then.

A few people?

Probably the most listened to and respected motoring journalists in the country (deserved or not).

[Urban Sports]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

These are the words of Chris not me. Look at the title.

[cerb4.5lee]

Urban Sports said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Urban Sports said:

I'd say Chris was wrong.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6623...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMCCpBX9lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FTcr2IFeg0

And isn't the Coupe supposed to be an even better car?

Thats made me feel better thanks!

Only had mine two weeks & i was thinking my car was severely unloved & it is on here, but at least a few people like it!!

Nobody liked my TVR aswell, seems i like a left field choice then.

A few people?

Probably the most listened to and respected motoring journalists in the country (deserved or not).

Yes your right Urban, but the bottom line is who gives a monkeys what others think (journo`s or not) as long as we like them thats all that matters, we are the ones that live with them over time, only done 500 miles in mine but i have experienced enough to know i will love it!

Its only right the everyone likes different things, the MX-5 is worshipped on here & i struggle to see the appeal, everyone is different & very entitled to their opinion, it has made a quality debate though the Z4m!

[Urban Sports]

cerb4.5lee said:

Urban Sports said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Urban Sports said:

I'd say Chris was wrong.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6623...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMCCpBX9lM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FTcr2IFeg0

And isn't the Coupe supposed to be an even better car?

Thats made me feel better thanks!

Only had mine two weeks & i was thinking my car was severely unloved & it is on here, but at least a few people like it!!

Nobody liked my TVR aswell, seems i like a left field choice then.

A few people?

Probably the most listened to and respected motoring journalists in the country (deserved or not).

Yes your right Urban, but the bottom line is who gives a monkeys what others think (journo`s or not) as long as we like them thats all that matters, we are the ones that live with them over time, only done 500 miles in mine but i have experienced enough to know i will love it!

Its only right the everyone likes different things, the MX-5 is worshipped on here & i struggle to see the appeal, everyone is different & very entitled to their opinion, it has made a quality debate though the Z4m!

Wait until you have a couple of thousand under your belt in it, you will really get, I went for a late evening blast with my Brother who has an elise on Tuesday had me grinning from ear to ear!

Roof down, going dark, 8000rpm, awesome!

Fabulous machine!

[cerb4.5lee]

Urban Sports said:

Wait until you have a couple of thousand under your belt in it, you will really get, I went for a late evening blast with my Brother who has an elise on Tuesday had me grinning from ear to ear!

Roof down, going dark, 8000rpm, awesome!

Fabulous machine!

Cheers Urban, i have a lot to look forward to then!

Glad you love yours so much, i went through a tunnel today & that was the TVR`s party piece, but i was very impressed how the Zed sounded, i love the 8000rpm its intoxicating.

[toppstuff]

Performance cars with hatchbacks are very useful. Like a mini shooting brake.

Sunday morning routine. Take the dog up to the common or the gallops nearby for a bracing morning walk.

Pick up eggs and bacon from the farm shop. Have a hoon on the way home.

Can't do this in an M3 or M5 because there is no hatchback option.

Simple really.

[Urban Sports]

toppstuff said:

Performance cars with hatchbacks are very useful. Like a mini shooting brake.

Sunday morning routine. Take the dog up to the common or the gallops nearby for a bracing morning walk.

Pick up eggs and bacon from the farm shop. Have a hoon on the way home.

Can't do this in an M3 or M5 because there is no hatchback option.

Simple really.

If that ain't a reason to buy one I don't know what is!

[carl_w]

I wanted a car to replace my TVR Cerbera. Was tempted to buy an M3 but I didn't need another 4-door saloon, and I like a sports car to look like a sports car. Then the Z4MC came out, so I bought one.

Maybe I've only owned crap cars, but it's the best car I've ever had -- sufficiently so that I've had it for 5 years now and I can't think what I'd replace it with. Audi R8? Maser GT? Aston Vantage? All are a lot dearer.

[Dino D]

If you want 'driver confidence' read a self help book or buy an Audi. Stay away from a car like a Z3/4 that demands your concentration time and effort to get the best out of and gas scope to tweaked to your tastes.
There are plenty of dull alternatives available.

The Z3 was the last non M BMW to get an lsd as standard and now we don't even get a Z4M. It's quite sad to see the Z car starting out as something so different, raw, flawed, capable and unique turning into a car for the masses so to speak. Sure it'll sell more in current form but it's now a cruiser with a different kind of appeal...

[waters28]

Well I have to disagree with Chris. I think the Z4MC looks fantastic as time has gone on. Its also one of the newest, fastest, well-built cars around for the money. The M3 I had before was a great car, but jumping into it on weekends didnt feel special enough. I didnt sit any lower in the car compared my mondeo.
Dynamically the M3 is easier to drive on the limit than my Z4MC. You can hold easy powerslides through 2nd and 3rd gear corners in the M3 as in the coupe I wouldnt even attempt it because its travelling that much faster. Down a b-road and epecially on track I was amazed at the extra pace in the coupe. Yes when the back starts to break away it feels twitchy and a little bit nervous, but if your brave enough (on a track obviously) to get more opposite lock on for a bigger angled slide, that great balance and chasis is there.
Personal opinion but great car, great looks, great performance, not many around. In fact I'm surprised Chris Harris doesnt like it so much because it handles a bit like his beloved 911s, understeer a bit, excellent traction out of corners. In the dry only if your brutal can you un-stick the rear on these cars. I have been lucky enough to drive many cars including all generations of GT3 RSs and a 996 GT2 and are my favourite cars and the coupe reminds me of them a little bit, demanding concentration and driver input to reap the rewards.

[Mr Whippy]

I agree with Chris.

M3 Coupe or Z4 MR = nice.

M3 Conv or Z4 MC = odd.


It's like you get the worst set of compromises with the latter pair.

I actually liked the idea of the latter pair but in practice I thought the MC was dingy and weird for gaining a roof no better than the foldyone, but that wouldn't fold away
The M3 Conv unfortunately feels like you a driving a weird boat with the roof down, just like any 4 seat convertible I've been in.

Dave