RE: Tell Me I'm Wrong: BMW Z4 M Coupe
Discussion
Pulse said:
Rear springs are across the range, and as you say, not a big problem at all.
MAF sensors go on the M, not on the 3.0si; but the 3.0si has other problems to contend with (lifters, mainly).
Window modules are also quite common, but not really a concern I ever had.
With either car, you won't be disappointed, that's for sure. The M is absolutely epic, and if you buy one, you will find it very hard to replace without spending 2-3 times the amount. That is why so many people have kept theirs - just look on Z4-Forum for examples of people who've had them 4-5 years.
Cheers Pulse!MAF sensors go on the M, not on the 3.0si; but the 3.0si has other problems to contend with (lifters, mainly).
Window modules are also quite common, but not really a concern I ever had.
With either car, you won't be disappointed, that's for sure. The M is absolutely epic, and if you buy one, you will find it very hard to replace without spending 2-3 times the amount. That is why so many people have kept theirs - just look on Z4-Forum for examples of people who've had them 4-5 years.
custardkid said:
You'll regret not getting the ///M
Have driven both in the alps, it is better and will hold its value better, as they get older
I was told that I would regret buying the 3.0si, but so far that isn't the case. If I'd bought it for sunny days on open roads, perhaps, but it's my only car, so most of the time it's crossing town in rush hour. Have driven both in the alps, it is better and will hold its value better, as they get older
In my skewed version of man maths, running costs are weighted more heavily than depreciation, and the annual cost of the ///M were scary.
It's a very good car, although not a 'great' car IMHO. I enjoy driving it rather than love driving it. (Although I love looking at it, which makes me very shallow.)
I think the criticisms of understeer, intrusive TC, and handling on poor roads apply to the 3.0si. The understeer can be driven around. The TC switched off. In the new year I will change the tyres, and maybe that will have an effect on how it handles poor roads.
It's had an outing at the Silverstone National circuit, and the Porsche handling circuit. I was surprised how well it coped. The car went up in my estimation.
Basically, what I meant to say is, if you're thinking of buying the 3.0 and you want the 3.0, then buy the 3.0 . I don't think you'll regret it.
SpudLink said:
I was told that I would regret buying the 3.0si, but so far that isn't the case. If I'd bought it for sunny days on open roads, perhaps, but it's my only car, so most of the time it's crossing town in rush hour.
In my skewed version of man maths, running costs are weighted more heavily than depreciation, and the annual cost of the ///M were scary.
It's a very good car, although not a 'great' car IMHO. I enjoy driving it rather than love driving it. (Although I love looking at it, which makes me very shallow.)
I think the criticisms of understeer, intrusive TC, and handling on poor roads apply to the 3.0si. The understeer can be driven around. The TC switched off. In the new year I will change the tyres, and maybe that will have an effect on how it handles poor roads.
It's had an outing at the Silverstone National circuit, and the Porsche handling circuit. I was surprised how well it coped. The car went up in my estimation.
Basically, what I meant to say is, if you're thinking of buying the 3.0 and you want the 3.0, then buy the 3.0 . I don't think you'll regret it.
Thanks Spudlink. I think I'm with you on the skewing of the man maths here. I was worried that I really needed the ///M but I agree that the costs are just looking out of my reach, given that the 3.0Si is looking all the more like a bargain (again - man maths). In my skewed version of man maths, running costs are weighted more heavily than depreciation, and the annual cost of the ///M were scary.
It's a very good car, although not a 'great' car IMHO. I enjoy driving it rather than love driving it. (Although I love looking at it, which makes me very shallow.)
I think the criticisms of understeer, intrusive TC, and handling on poor roads apply to the 3.0si. The understeer can be driven around. The TC switched off. In the new year I will change the tyres, and maybe that will have an effect on how it handles poor roads.
It's had an outing at the Silverstone National circuit, and the Porsche handling circuit. I was surprised how well it coped. The car went up in my estimation.
Basically, what I meant to say is, if you're thinking of buying the 3.0 and you want the 3.0, then buy the 3.0 . I don't think you'll regret it.
I think I'd be twisting your last sentence a bit, but I'm pretty much thinking that I'm thinking of buying the 3.0, want an ///M, but won't regret buying the 3.0Si considering the running costs.
mackie1 said:
I've not encountered any understeer problems in my 3.0si, including on track in the pissing wet, it was very neutral infact. I've recently switch to non-runflat tyres and it feels a lot more sure footed on crappy road surfaces now.
I found my 3.0Si Coupe really pointy on the nose. More so than my Z4M.mackie1 said:
GroundEffect said:
I found my 3.0Si Coupe really pointy on the nose. More so than my Z4M.
Probably partly down to the fact the engine is about 60kg lighter. I wonder if they ever considered developing a higher revving version of the N52 without the valvetronic etc. best car i have ever owned... so much so.... that im trying to buy my old Z4M back. Interlagos, bloody loved it, cant say i ever had turn in problems, in fact the car was about as tail happy as you need :-) see below!
photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
ClarkyboyS said:
best car i have ever owned... so much so.... that im trying to buy my old Z4M back. Interlagos, bloody loved it, cant say i ever had turn in problems, in fact the car was about as tail happy as you need :-) see below!
photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
Quality photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
that's how they should be driven! ClarkyboyS said:
best car i have ever owned... so much so.... that im trying to buy my old Z4M back. Interlagos, bloody loved it, cant say i ever had turn in problems, in fact the car was about as tail happy as you need :-) see below!
photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
Good looking car, what are the servicing costs and intervals like on these ?photo by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
Untitled by clarkyboySE, on Flickr
:-)
dean350z said:
Good looking car, what are the servicing costs and intervals like on these ?
One of the reasons I sold mine 
I'm sorely missing mine but double distance on the commute 23mpg - 25 mpg and the quickening of services (remember its not just service 1 (£400) or service 2 (£900) it's oil, brake fluid et al) meant it wasn't viable.
Oh it's tail happy as it should be, learn the car and its hugely rewarding, idiot proof up to a point but easy to provoke if you know how
Edited by CooperS on Saturday 29th December 01:14
This just comes across as another one of those 'clarkson' style write ups that are deliberately provocative to get a reaction (clue is in the title). There is no right or wrong with a car choice like this, there may be (and are) better cars out there, but that doesn't not mean the car is flawed or pointless. If everyone thought that way the roads would look rather dull!
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