The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XVIII)
Discussion
Patrick Bateman said:
What he said. Cheers though!
Worth leaving the house before dawn and you get the whole road from Kirriemuir to Grantown-on-Spey to yourself. Uninterrupted bliss.
My old stomping ground. Stop at the Lecht for a (poor) bacon butty and then rinse and repeat. Worth leaving the house before dawn and you get the whole road from Kirriemuir to Grantown-on-Spey to yourself. Uninterrupted bliss.
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 24th July 12:33
Don't think I ever did that run in the E39, but I did do it in the E34 3.8.
Miss those days.
Si - I tend to agree. In terms of the qualities that most of us are likely to appreciate, the 987 is a better bet than the first gen Z4. The MC is car I wanted to love but a short drive was a preview of the frustration that would likely have ensured should I have bought one. All the right ingredients and yet just not quite the dish it should have been. I'm guessing you experience also mildy soured by small matter of being preceded by a certain yellow 996 GT3 (I also seem to recall a *slight* barney with PGB 
).
But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
).But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
Diesel Meister said:
Si - I tend to agree. In terms of the qualities that most of us are likely to appreciate, the 987 is a better bet than the first gen Z4. The MC is car I wanted to love but a short drive was a preview of the frustration that would likely have ensured should I have bought one. All the right ingredients and yet just not quite the dish it should have been. I'm guessing you experience also mildy soured by small matter of being preceded by a certain yellow 996 GT3 (I also seem to recall a *slight* barney with PGB ).
But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
The "Yellow Pearl" as it was christened. ).But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
I was glad to get into the Zed, as I came out of the GT3 about as unscathed as one could hope for when px-ing it against a cheaper car, and my example was only 900 miles young. Hence I got a bargain.
As I say, if the damping was sorted, then the car would have been infinitely better. The M3 cast-off tyres didn't help either (they were bloody lethal).
I have no doubt that if you went all OEM+ on a Zed with modern rubber and expensive dampers, then it would be a proper riot. That engine was/still is a masterpiece. It deserves to be an //M great.
For some reason I'm getting quite ruffled under my ruffly bits about a 'charged Elise, at the moment. Lord knows why - out here of all places!
Diesel Meister said:
Si - I tend to agree. In terms of the qualities that most of us are likely to appreciate, the 987 is a better bet than the first gen Z4. The MC is car I wanted to love but a short drive was a preview of the frustration that would likely have ensured should I have bought one. All the right ingredients and yet just not quite the dish it should have been. I'm guessing you experience also mildy soured by small matter of being preceded by a certain yellow 996 GT3 (I also seem to recall a *slight* barney with PGB ).
But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
And therein lies the rub. ).But in zeds defence, it still looks nice and has a lovely set of sixes on offer. Plus its relatively bargainous and bork-free. So I can understand the appeal, especially in view of the potential for large bills that pork brings.
But I'd agree a 986 / 987 is it as far as two seat sports car (might be tempted by an Elise but it would need to be supercharged to compete for me personally).
I'd be surprised if I didn't end up with a Boxster at some point, but I could do without the worry for a while at least and my budget might be able to buy the more reliable 2.9 by that point. Probably leaning more towards a 2007+ 350Z over the Z4 but we shall see. Cheers for all the input.
MattOz said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Sadly, the 528i is a 4 pot turbo, not a silky smooth I6. The fact the nearside doors appear to be differrent colours would pee me right off. Quite like the brown though! Edited by MattOz on Friday 22 July 21:15
moose - 
Exhibit A - "I would, your honour."
Exhibit B - "Z-lust in the second degree? Guilty, as charged your honour."
Exhibit C - "Order!" (Inerior colou and pic quality dubious, but you get the idea):
Bargain basement? Smaller engine but seems decent value if good nick:
Mixing it up - a tempting throwback:
Exhibit A - "I would, your honour."
Exhibit B - "Z-lust in the second degree? Guilty, as charged your honour."
Exhibit C - "Order!" (Inerior colou and pic quality dubious, but you get the idea):
Bargain basement? Smaller engine but seems decent value if good nick:
Mixing it up - a tempting throwback:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Funny you should mention that, I'm just back from driving the one I mentioned previously and I couldn't believe how little travel the accelerator had. Brake pedal wasn't brilliant either but having sampled the M2, they're not as bad.That being said, BMW really do know how to give the best driving position possible. Felt properly special being so low slung too, couldn't believe how much headroom there was.
Engine does seem like a peach, very responsive although a bit muted compared to what I'm used to.
That's what I liked about the 986, having that induction sound behind your head even when taking it easy.This car was on 18" runflats but it was only a 10 minute drive so hard to tell how rough/uneasy it would feel when giving it a thrash. I'd assume getting a set of 17" wheels with non-runflats could help quite a bit?
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 24th July 16:03
Patrick Bateman said:
This car was on 18" runflats but it was only a 10 minute drive so hard to tell how rough/uneasy it would feel when giving it a thrash. I'd assume getting a set of 17" wheels with non-runflats could help quite a bit?
Massive difference. An appreciable benefit just swapping the runflats for PS3s of the same size IME.ferrisbueller said:
Patrick Bateman said:
This car was on 18" runflats but it was only a 10 minute drive so hard to tell how rough/uneasy it would feel when giving it a thrash. I'd assume getting a set of 17" wheels with non-runflats could help quite a bit?
Massive difference. An appreciable benefit just swapping the runflats for PS3s of the same size IME.I've driven the 350Z a bit in both spanish and slusher guises (not my car but a couple of weekends with each). I've only driven the Z4MC briefly. My impression is that the 350Z is better resolved in terms of ride handling as a factory item. It has a low rent interior by comparison to most German cars but not appreciably worse than the Z4 overall. My abiding sense was of a car that was pretty transparent - meaty engine (pretty linear, nice noise, bit harsher up top than I like but effective), weighty controls, good cornering ability with a penchant for entertainingly controllable amounts of yaw. Bit of a fat bum slightly spoils the square / 3/4 view from the rear but otherwise handsome enough. Lots of mods available and I expect cheaper to run than anything M-powered (unsurprisingly), although the VQ can't really be appreciably boosted without FI (appropriately enough!).
The MC had the better engine by a clear margin, but then the S54 is true meister werk. I liked the looks of the MC better, but it would need a suspension overhaul to make it better than borderline dangerous on a bumpy b-road(my lack of pedalling ability aside). Three-fiddy was more confidence inspiring to push on the B660 (less bounce / skitter / skip) but still requires a positive driving style in terms of inputs. Driving positions in bother decent, 350 slightly more "natural" feeling (the Zed Four feels like you're sitting on the rear numberplate, which accentuates the feeling of the rear doing a jig over rumpled blacktop!). Dislike the steering wheels on both - MC too fat rimmed, Zed had sill massive spokes (I'm a quarter to three tiller-grip type).
350z is a decent car. I'd avoid the vert personally, but then I'm not a huge fan of them generally (to my eyes the z-vert is not easy on the eye at all, but looks are subjective).
I think the 3.0 Si Coupe and the 350z are similarly nice prospects for a two seat, RWD coupes at a sensible price - you couldn't go that wrong with either
The MC had the better engine by a clear margin, but then the S54 is true meister werk. I liked the looks of the MC better, but it would need a suspension overhaul to make it better than borderline dangerous on a bumpy b-road(my lack of pedalling ability aside). Three-fiddy was more confidence inspiring to push on the B660 (less bounce / skitter / skip) but still requires a positive driving style in terms of inputs. Driving positions in bother decent, 350 slightly more "natural" feeling (the Zed Four feels like you're sitting on the rear numberplate, which accentuates the feeling of the rear doing a jig over rumpled blacktop!). Dislike the steering wheels on both - MC too fat rimmed, Zed had sill massive spokes (I'm a quarter to three tiller-grip type).
350z is a decent car. I'd avoid the vert personally, but then I'm not a huge fan of them generally (to my eyes the z-vert is not easy on the eye at all, but looks are subjective).
I think the 3.0 Si Coupe and the 350z are similarly nice prospects for a two seat, RWD coupes at a sensible price - you couldn't go that wrong with either
Edited by Diesel Meister on Sunday 24th July 16:53
Patrick Bateman said:
Can any of you offer experience on a comparison with a 350Z? Coupé that is. I have read they deal with rough surfaces a lot better than the Z4, given my favourite roads around here aren't exactly short on rough sections, it could make a difference.
It's a long time since I had a good drive in a 350Z but as I remember it, it feels like a much bigger unit than the BMW in terms of size and weight. Its driveline isn't in the same league either. The BMW straight six is magical.Chassis wise the 350Z is no softy and ISTR the Rays rims being prone to buckling in pot holes and the like. As with most modern cars, neither of these likes rough surfaces. Only way to be sure is to drive both down a familiar road.
Diesel Meister said:
Oh that is just lovely. Looks understated in that colour. Cheap too, if one in that good nick were to be found in Sweden atm it would be twice that. Diesel Meister said:
I've driven the 350Z a bit in both spanish and slusher guises (not my car but a couple of weekends with each). I've only driven the Z4MC briefly. My impression is that the 350Z is better resolved in terms of ride handling as a factory item. It has a low rent interior by comparison to most German cars but not appreciably worse than the Z4 overall. My abiding sense was of a car that was pretty transparent - meaty engine (pretty linear, nice noise, bit harsher up top than I like but effective), weighty controls, good cornering ability with a penchant for entertainingly controllable amounts of yaw. Bit of a fat bum slightly spoils the square / 3/4 view from the rear but otherwise handsome enough. Lots of mods available and I expect cheaper to run than anything M-powered (unsurprisingly), although the VQ can't really be appreciably boosted without FI (appropriately enough!).
The MC had the better engine by a clear margin, but then the S54 is true meister werk. I liked the looks of the MC better, but it would need a suspension overhaul to make it better than borderline dangerous on a bumpy b-road(my lack of pedalling ability aside). Three-fiddy was more confidence inspiring to push on the B660 (less bounce / skitter / skip) but still requires a positive driving style in terms of inputs. Driving positions in bother decent, 350 slightly more "natural" feeling (the Zed Four feels like you're sitting on the rear numberplate, which accentuates the feeling of the rear doing a jig over rumpled blacktop!). Dislike the steering wheels on both - MC too fat rimmed, Zed had sill massive spokes (I'm a quarter to three tiller-grip type).
350z is a decent car. I'd avoid the vert personally, but then I'm not a huge fan of them generally (to my eyes the z-vert is not easy on the eye at all, but looks are subjective).
I think the 3.0 Si Coupe and the 350z are similarly nice prospects for a two seat, RWD coupes at a sensible price - you couldn't go that wrong with either
Which year were the 350Z's? The engine from 2007 is meant to have a bit more top end zing about it.The MC had the better engine by a clear margin, but then the S54 is true meister werk. I liked the looks of the MC better, but it would need a suspension overhaul to make it better than borderline dangerous on a bumpy b-road(my lack of pedalling ability aside). Three-fiddy was more confidence inspiring to push on the B660 (less bounce / skitter / skip) but still requires a positive driving style in terms of inputs. Driving positions in bother decent, 350 slightly more "natural" feeling (the Zed Four feels like you're sitting on the rear numberplate, which accentuates the feeling of the rear doing a jig over rumpled blacktop!). Dislike the steering wheels on both - MC too fat rimmed, Zed had sill massive spokes (I'm a quarter to three tiller-grip type).
350z is a decent car. I'd avoid the vert personally, but then I'm not a huge fan of them generally (to my eyes the z-vert is not easy on the eye at all, but looks are subjective).
I think the 3.0 Si Coupe and the 350z are similarly nice prospects for a two seat, RWD coupes at a sensible price - you couldn't go that wrong with either
Edited by Diesel Meister on Sunday 24th July 16:53
Patrick Bateman said:
Which year were the 350Z's? The engine from 2007 is meant to have a bit more top end zing about it.
The late cars had more horses and a higher rev limit at the expense of a little mid range grunt apparently.No Z4 experience here so can't compare, but I did sell an M saloon (e46 m3) to get into a 350Z. I preferred the Z car.
Of course the M3's abilities are in no doubt, but the Z had a proper driving position, was sharper in the controls and gearchange department, and certainly had more playful handling for a road car. Both cars rode equally well. Of course the BMW's cabin is miles ahead of the crummy Nissan and the Beemer's donkey is legendary, but in fairness the Zed's motor is free revving and more muscular in tone than the sometimes tinny sounding 'M. And whilst ultimately not as quick as an M3, it still found it's way around the 'Ring in very good time whilst providing plenty of oversteery entertainment along the way. Although the Brembo's gave up and the pedal sank to the floor after only one lap, which was a shock.
Throw in some Japanese robustness (painless to own, normal car service costs, few known issues are easily and cheaply sorted- all the reasons why I wouldnt own another Porsche) and I'll say you can't go wrong.
MattOz said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Sadly, the 528i is a 4 pot turbo, not a silky smooth I6. The fact the nearside doors appear to be differrent colours would pee me right off. Quite like the brown though! Edited by MattOz on Friday 22 July 21:15
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