Alpina Roadster Vs Z4M
Discussion
Just wondering what the general feelings are on this match up..
I know that the Z4m is the faster car on paper but I was wondering how they measure up in the real world.
I've heard that the Alpina has a better standard of build quality and that they are cheaper to run.. Anyone confirm from experience if there is actually a significant difference?
I know that the Z4m is the faster car on paper but I was wondering how they measure up in the real world.
I've heard that the Alpina has a better standard of build quality and that they are cheaper to run.. Anyone confirm from experience if there is actually a significant difference?
I had a Roadster S Lux before my Z4MC, performance wise they are quite similar, but very different characters. The Alpina is a bit more refined, has a deeper exhaust note and feels like more torque. The ride is softer and it's easier to drive quickly. The lack of LSD is an issue that IMO really lets it down.
The MC on the other hand is a bit more of a hooligan, you can pootle around in it but when nailed it sounds great and would have the edge on the Alpina. It also does average 4mpg less and the servicing costs would be slightly higher.
As for build quality, mine has a few odd rattles and squeeks, but the Alp had more than it's share of hood noises and rattles, The Sat Nav sometimes took on a mind of it's own opening and closing (or not) on it's own whim.
I saw an Alpina go on ebay recently for £16.5 on an 04, at that it would be superb VFM. It's up to you the ///M is the more involving experience, but the Alpina is also a nice place to be. I'm biased though, having always had an ///M fettish, when it was relesaed the Alpina had to go.
The MC on the other hand is a bit more of a hooligan, you can pootle around in it but when nailed it sounds great and would have the edge on the Alpina. It also does average 4mpg less and the servicing costs would be slightly higher.
As for build quality, mine has a few odd rattles and squeeks, but the Alp had more than it's share of hood noises and rattles, The Sat Nav sometimes took on a mind of it's own opening and closing (or not) on it's own whim.
I saw an Alpina go on ebay recently for £16.5 on an 04, at that it would be superb VFM. It's up to you the ///M is the more involving experience, but the Alpina is also a nice place to be. I'm biased though, having always had an ///M fettish, when it was relesaed the Alpina had to go.
The Alpina is an acquired taste, less challenging drive, but serious pace without the need to thrash the engine. Top build quality and a pleasure to own. The Z4M is a 'hot rod', challenging to drive well fast, not the easiest car to live with but hugely rewarding when driven hard....like any 993 or 964 RS. Both cars have their plus points and their minus points but the Alpina is the rarer car and therefore the better long term ownership proposal.
I also owned an alpina before the z4mc and in my opinion the latter is the better car for what i've always wanted. Put slightly differently, i test drove three alpinas before setting on the one i bought and in all three, i though the car was abit tame and lacked the pocket rocket edge i was looking for. I found the ride too soft for my liking, which was why is spend over £2.5k on suspension upgrades. None of these worked in the end and had to sell for this and only this reason. In contract, i only test drove the MC once and bought it straight away and so far haven't spend a penny except ditching the run flats.
On the positive side, it only weights 1320kg, so the power to weight ratio is very similar to the M despite only having 300bph, although in my experience, alpina always under estimate their power output - mine dyno'd at 312bhp. It's also got some serious straight line speed, 4th to 5th at full chat always scared me s**tless on how it built up speed - my view and i'm yet to come across one for comparison is that the alpina will most probably have the edge over the M at high speed, which could be due to the larger capacity and torque. It's also very easy to drive as a daily commute, i very fequently had the car in 4th at 20mph with no problem whatsoever hence better fuel consumption. It's by far the most aggressive looking Z around and comes with 19" wheels on michellin ps2 rubber, none of that run flat rubbish. The lux back is well spec'd and if i were you would be the one i'd get, assuming that's what you have your eyes set on.
I can go on and on about the +ves, but for me all these were just not enough - i needed a proper driver's car which the alpina just isn't. I also test drove the Z4MR a few months after buying the alpina and felt that for the money, the alpina was a better buy and went on to keep the car for over 15 months.
If you want a car that ticks all the boxes, then the alpina is the car to go for with the added exclusivity tag..
On the positive side, it only weights 1320kg, so the power to weight ratio is very similar to the M despite only having 300bph, although in my experience, alpina always under estimate their power output - mine dyno'd at 312bhp. It's also got some serious straight line speed, 4th to 5th at full chat always scared me s**tless on how it built up speed - my view and i'm yet to come across one for comparison is that the alpina will most probably have the edge over the M at high speed, which could be due to the larger capacity and torque. It's also very easy to drive as a daily commute, i very fequently had the car in 4th at 20mph with no problem whatsoever hence better fuel consumption. It's by far the most aggressive looking Z around and comes with 19" wheels on michellin ps2 rubber, none of that run flat rubbish. The lux back is well spec'd and if i were you would be the one i'd get, assuming that's what you have your eyes set on.
I can go on and on about the +ves, but for me all these were just not enough - i needed a proper driver's car which the alpina just isn't. I also test drove the Z4MR a few months after buying the alpina and felt that for the money, the alpina was a better buy and went on to keep the car for over 15 months.
If you want a car that ticks all the boxes, then the alpina is the car to go for with the added exclusivity tag..
Edited by Rich_Alpina on Tuesday 20th May 20:59
Edited by Rich_Alpina on Tuesday 20th May 21:00
Slightly more relaxed and with smoother handling, not quite as hard as I remember the Z4M being..
But didn't feel quite as extreme as the Z4M it's lacking the brutal sensation of speed you got from the Z4M
Though it also doesn't have the binary throttle pedal that the M version seems endowed with far more progressive..
In short the Alpina is very nice but I might have to have another look at the M before I can make this choice..
But didn't feel quite as extreme as the Z4M it's lacking the brutal sensation of speed you got from the Z4M
Though it also doesn't have the binary throttle pedal that the M version seems endowed with far more progressive..
In short the Alpina is very nice but I might have to have another look at the M before I can make this choice..
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