Please talk me into a Z4M Roadster
Discussion
Hello everyone,
New to this part of Pistonheads but know other parts of the forum pretty well.
As the name suggests I'm looking at TVRs but, as the thread title implies, I want to be talked out of it.
A bit of context - I've had a VXR8 as my daily driver for 3 years and spent a small fortune modding it. The commuting bit has been replaced by a Range Rover and so I'm looking for a weekend toy. I love most models of TVR but can't help but think I would use a Z4M more and more of its potential.
I'm right to be thinking Z aren't I?!
Thanks!
New to this part of Pistonheads but know other parts of the forum pretty well.
As the name suggests I'm looking at TVRs but, as the thread title implies, I want to be talked out of it.
A bit of context - I've had a VXR8 as my daily driver for 3 years and spent a small fortune modding it. The commuting bit has been replaced by a Range Rover and so I'm looking for a weekend toy. I love most models of TVR but can't help but think I would use a Z4M more and more of its potential.
I'm right to be thinking Z aren't I?!
Thanks!
Go over onto the TVR section and speak to some REAL owners who will definately talk you into buying one.. I love my BM's but the Tuscan is the most fun you can have in a car without having to win the lottery, I tour Europe in mine most years and guess what its been more reliable than my CSL.
I've owned a Z4MR and driven several TVRs (Tuscan, Tamora, Griff and Chim).
The V8 TVRs did little for me since they seemed to be all mid-range and no top end and I love a top-end flourish! The Tuscan and Tamora felt much faster and more wild and had phenomenal soundtracks.
However, the problem for me was that most (and I'm about to completely generalise here) Tuscans and Tamoras seem to need an engine rebuild every 30,000 miles whereas the Z4MR should need relatively little in terms of maintenance in its lifetime.
The Z4MR is a 10/10ths car, you can push it really hard and it becomes more fun the harder you push. It also makes a great noise too. However, it also has the ability to sit quietly in traffic in the rain without leaking, overheating or drinking much fuel (I averaged roughly 18 to 28mpg in my ownership).
The TVRs are like the Z4MR turned up to 11. They're louder, brasher, and a bit lairier at the limit. They will ultimately be more rewarding drives, but can you live with the worry and uncertain expense that goes with them?
The V8 TVRs did little for me since they seemed to be all mid-range and no top end and I love a top-end flourish! The Tuscan and Tamora felt much faster and more wild and had phenomenal soundtracks.
However, the problem for me was that most (and I'm about to completely generalise here) Tuscans and Tamoras seem to need an engine rebuild every 30,000 miles whereas the Z4MR should need relatively little in terms of maintenance in its lifetime.
The Z4MR is a 10/10ths car, you can push it really hard and it becomes more fun the harder you push. It also makes a great noise too. However, it also has the ability to sit quietly in traffic in the rain without leaking, overheating or drinking much fuel (I averaged roughly 18 to 28mpg in my ownership).
The TVRs are like the Z4MR turned up to 11. They're louder, brasher, and a bit lairier at the limit. They will ultimately be more rewarding drives, but can you live with the worry and uncertain expense that goes with them?
bennyboysvuk said:
I've owned a Z4MR and driven several TVRs (Tuscan, Tamora, Griff and Chim).
The V8 TVRs did little for me since they seemed to be all mid-range and no top end and I love a top-end flourish! The Tuscan and Tamora felt much faster and more wild and had phenomenal soundtracks.
However, the problem for me was that most (and I'm about to completely generalise here) Tuscans and Tamoras seem to need an engine rebuild every 30,000 miles whereas the Z4MR should need relatively little in terms of maintenance in its lifetime.
The Z4MR is a 10/10ths car, you can push it really hard and it becomes more fun the harder you push. It also makes a great noise too. However, it also has the ability to sit quietly in traffic in the rain without leaking, overheating or drinking much fuel (I averaged roughly 18 to 28mpg in my ownership).
The TVRs are like the Z4MR turned up to 11. They're louder, brasher, and a bit lairier at the limit. They will ultimately be more rewarding drives, but can you live with the worry and uncertain expense that goes with them?
Good post and good advice. The V8 TVRs did little for me since they seemed to be all mid-range and no top end and I love a top-end flourish! The Tuscan and Tamora felt much faster and more wild and had phenomenal soundtracks.
However, the problem for me was that most (and I'm about to completely generalise here) Tuscans and Tamoras seem to need an engine rebuild every 30,000 miles whereas the Z4MR should need relatively little in terms of maintenance in its lifetime.
The Z4MR is a 10/10ths car, you can push it really hard and it becomes more fun the harder you push. It also makes a great noise too. However, it also has the ability to sit quietly in traffic in the rain without leaking, overheating or drinking much fuel (I averaged roughly 18 to 28mpg in my ownership).
The TVRs are like the Z4MR turned up to 11. They're louder, brasher, and a bit lairier at the limit. They will ultimately be more rewarding drives, but can you live with the worry and uncertain expense that goes with them?
I'm lucky enough to have a Tuscan and it is insane!!
I've also got an Alpina D3 biturbo, which is lovely
It did cross my mind that a Z4m might be the best of both worlds, BMW build quality, reliability and relatively cost effective, together with proper performance and a special event to be in.
The problem I found was the Z4m I tried was abit......non eventful, until higher revs or road speed, which presents other risks (license mainly!).
Whichever you go for, enjoy it!
I've also got an Alpina D3 biturbo, which is lovely
It did cross my mind that a Z4m might be the best of both worlds, BMW build quality, reliability and relatively cost effective, together with proper performance and a special event to be in.
The problem I found was the Z4m I tried was abit......non eventful, until higher revs or road speed, which presents other risks (license mainly!).
Whichever you go for, enjoy it!
Z4MR with an aftermarket x-pipe and back boxes 
Iv got a Hayward and Scott system on mine.
I agree with the concensus that a TVR is more of an event but in the scheme of things the Z4M is relatively cheap to run, decent on fuel (30mpg+ can be achieved) and pretty bomb proof. I opted for the z4 over a TVR as the TVR would cost more to run especially if a rebuild was required ( I was looking at T350's or Tamoras).
£15kish ahould get you an AUC Z4M with two years warranty whereas Tamoras are a bit more and have no warranty. Also the M only requires servicing every 11-13k miles and an oil service is <£200 .
Iv got a Hayward and Scott system on mine.
I agree with the concensus that a TVR is more of an event but in the scheme of things the Z4M is relatively cheap to run, decent on fuel (30mpg+ can be achieved) and pretty bomb proof. I opted for the z4 over a TVR as the TVR would cost more to run especially if a rebuild was required ( I was looking at T350's or Tamoras).
£15kish ahould get you an AUC Z4M with two years warranty whereas Tamoras are a bit more and have no warranty. Also the M only requires servicing every 11-13k miles and an oil service is <£200 .
Edited by Froomee on Thursday 7th August 22:30
To the OP, if you've not swung towards the Z4M yet and need convincing, read a whole thread dedicated to "When should I worry about a Speed Six rebuild": http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=107...
Oh, and this one too:
http://www.tvrblog.com/speed-6-engine-is-one-rebui...
Oh, and this one too:
http://www.tvrblog.com/speed-6-engine-is-one-rebui...
bennyboysvuk said:
To the OP, if you've not swung towards the Z4M yet and need convincing, read a whole thread dedicated to "When should I worry about a Speed Six rebuild": http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=107...
Oh, and this one too:
http://www.tvrblog.com/speed-6-engine-is-one-rebui...
or make sure you buy a speed 6 rebuild by Dom at tvr power. 100k warranty...now ask BMW to match that on a 10 year old engine!Oh, and this one too:
http://www.tvrblog.com/speed-6-engine-is-one-rebui...
the speed 6 can now be rebuilt reliably, so if you buy wisely or figure in the cost of a refresh, its no longer the issue it once was.
saying that as I'm handy in the garage so when i bought a tamora with a tired engine i opted to fit a 500hp ls...
Edited by SteveSPG on Saturday 9th August 14:42
Edited by SteveSPG on Saturday 9th August 14:42
Listen to the doom merchants and miss out on the most exciting/ adrenaline induced cars for sensible money ever more.... The Z4M is a great car but it won't thrill you anywhere near a Tuscan / Tamora/ T350... Trust me I have owned them all, And don't be put off by old rebuild threads, as most S6 engines were rebuilt years ago.
Ps..... Iv'e owned rather than spoken to blokes in the pub.
Ps..... Iv'e owned rather than spoken to blokes in the pub.
mr sagman said:
Listen to the doom merchants and miss out on the most exciting/ adrenaline induced cars for sensible money ever more.... The Z4M is a great car but it won't thrill you anywhere near a Tuscan / Tamora/ T350... Trust me I have owned them all, And don't be put off by old rebuild threads, as most S6 engines were rebuilt years ago.
Ps..... Iv'e owned rather than spoken to blokes in the pub.
mr sagman, my z4m thrills as much as any tuscan , tamora, T350 ever could and then some.... Ps..... Iv'e owned rather than spoken to blokes in the pub.
s54, with a touch of boost = TVR style madness in a much better package...
Babw said:
Z4M with boost or not is sterile in comparison to all modern TVR's. If you want a drivers car buy a Boxster, if you want a lairy car buy a TVR.
The Z4/Z4M are fun cars but are nowhere near as exciting as a TVR.
i guess in the end it call comes down to personal opinion really so theirs no point us all trying to convince each other otherwise, their is no TVR out of whats been mentioned that would tempt me away from my blown z4m, i wouldn't even consider it.The Z4/Z4M are fun cars but are nowhere near as exciting as a TVR.
I owned a TVR T350c for 2 years,I now own a Z4m coupe,& in my opinion the Z4m is by far the superior car in most areas that count,on paper the tvr was faster,but in the real world,on our crappy roads,you can enjoy the Z4 more of the time,you'll use it way more,its more refined,much more comfortable,& the build quality is light years ahead of the tvr.
But the most important thing is that if you buy a tvr,you will always have that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that the engine is gonna go pop,I know I did,I did loads of research before I bought mine,found one with low miles(12,00)that had already been rebuilt by tvr power,& was always mechanically sympathetic,warming it up properly before each drive,regular services,it wanted for nothing,but at 17,000 it needed another rebuild,which is totally unacceptable for a modern car,needless to say I was less than impressed,but thats the risk you take if you buy one,tvr power said that it was unusual for an engine to need a second rebuild,but it does happen.
So if you're prepared to go through that,then by all means buy a tvr,you could be fine & get a trouble free car,but my advice would be to go for the Z4m,the roadsters are incredible value for money,& extremely reliable,& if you want to modify it,theres loads of options,beedubs being a wonderful example of what you can achieve.
But the most important thing is that if you buy a tvr,you will always have that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that the engine is gonna go pop,I know I did,I did loads of research before I bought mine,found one with low miles(12,00)that had already been rebuilt by tvr power,& was always mechanically sympathetic,warming it up properly before each drive,regular services,it wanted for nothing,but at 17,000 it needed another rebuild,which is totally unacceptable for a modern car,needless to say I was less than impressed,but thats the risk you take if you buy one,tvr power said that it was unusual for an engine to need a second rebuild,but it does happen.
So if you're prepared to go through that,then by all means buy a tvr,you could be fine & get a trouble free car,but my advice would be to go for the Z4m,the roadsters are incredible value for money,& extremely reliable,& if you want to modify it,theres loads of options,beedubs being a wonderful example of what you can achieve.
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