Thursday 31st January 2008

Z4 3.0 Si Coupe

It's good, oh it's good, but is it perfect?

---

I looked at VXX this morning with a pang of guilt. The poor thing has not seen a bucket and sponge for about a month, I drive it hard every day on my commute from SW London to the PH office and it's telling me that it needs a service in a few thousand miles.

Running- in, on the way home from Le Mans

It got me thinking of the good times we shared and, considering my home is around eight miles away from the office, we have managed to rack up around 1,600 miles per month since delivery in July 07. That's a lot of good times.

Our time together started with Le Mans, where the obligatory stickering-up ceremony happened on the very same day that the car arrived. The next day I drove to Le Mans - one day earlier than the rest of the PH team to set things up - what better way to get to know a car than sit in it for a few hours, on your own trying everything and hooning with other cars heading down for the race? I knew from then on that it was a nicer car to drive than my previous Boxster S, giving new confidence in my abilities - an opinion that always causes debate. I also split opinion when I tried a Z4MC for a week and concluded that I preferred the 3.0, but let’s leave that one alone....for now.

Sunning itself at Virginia Water

VXX and I have done many PH meets since then, including a few tunnel runs and the odd Sunday Service, but this car makes me do something that I haven't done in a long time. It makes me take the long way home, it makes me want to drive to the Surrey countryside just for the hell of it, it makes me want to drive without the stereo on - just so that I can listen to the fantastic engine note and above all else I still enjoy looking at it from my living room window.

So what’s wrong with it then? My girlfriend will tell you that it's not got enough space for shopping or luggage- but she does take a suitcase larger than my flat for a weekend away. She will also tell you that it's quite hard to get in and out of. So that’s the woman’s perspective done then!

It likes this....a lot

For me, it rattles far too much for a car that, while not ridiculously expensive, certainly can’t be classed as cheap. It also likes to break traction a bit too easily and while that’s fun for the vast majority of the time it can be tiring if you just want to relax a little when driving. Some complain of a hard ride, personally I don't have an issue with that as it makes the car feel more alive, but I know what they mean as it does pick up every little imperfection in the road. Oh, and it seems to want to be a Volvo as the automatic headlights function simply puts the headlights on all of the time no matter what the conditions are. I always wondered why BMW drivers have their xenons blazing on a sunny day - now I know.

Early morning noise making

So why did I feel guilty this morning? Well, VXX does everything I ask of it without complaint so you just get used to driving it and that's it. It sits there and takes the abuse without breaking down or feeling fragile, it has even given me an average of 25.1 mpg since the day I picked it up - that’s not bad in my book. But is that the problem? With the Porsche I used to clean it every weekend, check that it had enough Mobil 1 to drink, had an elaborate warming up procedure on cold mornings and with the flat six behind your ears, driving it always felt like an occasion....even though it was 'only' a Boxster.

I'd say that I drive harder in the Z, it certainly feels more forgiving than my Box, whereas the Z gives me confidence to take corners faster, I always felt the Porsche was going to catch me out if I wasn't careful. That sums up my attitude to the Z. It’s very efficient, it's a fantastic drive, it does everything that a sports car should do but it just lacks a sense of occasion, it misses a bit of soul. It's like a fantastic dinner party, with fine food and drink, great company, superb music and pleasant surroundings, all in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience. But sometimes I want a bit of danger, a bit of excitement and a touch of uncertainty in my nights out. It keeps you interested and makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, sometimes I want a bit of rough.

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency but maybe it’s just a bit too perfect, was I wrong about that M version?

[dinkel]

The M is a gas:






I love it.

[MK4 Slowride]

The Z is very close to perfect imo.

[fatboy b]

It's fking ugly.

HTH

Edit:

The Article said:

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency

This statement is bollux.

My brother took his back rejected his after 48 hours as it started to fall apart inside. Also had a hole between the hood rear of the door that whistled at high speeds. Shit quality. Shit styling.

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 31st January 12:19

[Nano2nd]

But sometime I want a bit of danger, a bit of excitement and a touch of uncertainty in my nights out.



and the answer? why Z4 M coupe of course

[Lawrence5]

The front lights always made it look unhappy.....

Something Droppy the Dog about it......



Would like the M though..... last of the M straight sixes

[MD San]

But sometime I want a bit of danger, a bit of excitement and a touch of uncertainty in my nights out.



and the answer? why Z4 M coupe of course




Yep, well either that or a night out in Bradford!

Edited by MD San on Thursday 31st January 12:20

[Garlick]

fatboy b said:

This statement is bollux.

Fair enough, but nothing has gone wrong with mine so far? Except for a missing headlight washer cover.

[MD San]

Are Alpina planning on doing a version of the Coupe like they did the Roadster?

[MK4 Slowride]

fatboy b said:

It's fking ugly.

HTH

Edit:

The Article said:

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency

This statement is bollux.

My brother took his back rejected his after 48 hours as it started to fall apart inside. Also had a hole between the hood rear of the door that whistled at high speeds. Shit quality. Shit styling.

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 31st January 12:19

All cars are subject to error.

[Zod]

fatboy b said:

It's fking ugly.

HTH

Edit:

The Article said:

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency

This statement is bollux.

My brother took his back rejected his after 48 hours as it started to fall apart inside. Also had a hole between the hood rear of the door that whistled at high speeds. Shit quality. Shit styling.

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 31st January 12:19

fatboy sh1ts on the thread. Never had a problem with your Griff then?

Edited by Zod on Thursday 31st January 12:34

[Mr Whippy]

I think all Z4's are bloody gorgeous. They really have grown on me. Got to have the ellipsoid wheels on though.

CSL wheels and real axle, and an ESS stg2 kit on a 3.0, sorted

Dave

[VladD]

Mr Whippy said:

I think all Z4's are bloody gorgeous. They really have grown on me. Got to have the ellipsoid wheels on though.

CSL wheels and real axle, and an ESS stg2 kit on a 3.0, sorted

Dave

I can't agree. The nose is very effeminite and the big dent in the front wing/door is awful. I'm sure it goes and handles well, but I persoanlly couldn't live with the looks. The Z3 was far better in the looks department.

[Frik]

Zod said:

Never had a problem with your Griff then?

That would be known as "character".

[fade2grey]

I was looking to buy a Z4 coupe & had one for a week test.. love the styling, I'd even managed to get over the fact it was a BMW! Sounded nice, went well enough but you are right, there's just no sense of occasion. For me the ever so slightly cramped cabin made me look else where. I ended up taking he far less wise choise of a maserati gransport, bugger, faster & more flexible but hey, it's a lot more wedge too.. for the money they are pretty hard to beat.

[N14EER]

I've always liked the Z Coupes, esp the current one. Looks are a bit like marmite, but personnally I think it looks pretty cool. I drove the last one and it handled beautifully, havent had the pleasure to try the new one but im sure it wont be a disappointment.

With regards to your situation; the Z4 M is what you need if the 3.0 is not crazy enough for you...

[fatboy b]

Zod said:

fatboy b said:

It's fking ugly.

HTH

Edit:

The Article said:

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency

This statement is bollux.

My brother took his back rejected his after 48 hours as it started to fall apart inside. Also had a hole between the hood rear of the door that whistled at high speeds. Shit quality. Shit styling.

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 31st January 12:19

fatboy sh1ts on the thread. Never had a problem with your Griff then?

Edited by Zod on Thursday 31st January 12:34

Well I'm sorry if I touch a nerve Zod. I was looking to P-Ex my 330Ci for a Z4 Conv a few years ago. Test drove the demostrator, and was shocked at the scuttle shake, and couldn't be doing with the ride or styling. Bought an E46 M3 instead, which was fabulous. Brother actually bought a Z4 Conv, but as I said above, it didn't last long.

The Griff did have problems, but TVR were never great on their quality. You buy them despite them falling apart, and I'd have another. I expected more from BMW.

[Fittster]

Lot's of good 2 seater coupes around currently for reasonable money

Z4C
TVR 350
Porsche Cayman
Lotus Exige
Nissan 350Z

Any of those would make me happy.

[Beefmeister]

fatboy b said:

It's fking ugly.

HTH

Edit:

The Article said:

No question, the Z is the perfect sports car, a master class in German efficiency

This statement is bollux.

My brother took his back rejected his after 48 hours as it started to fall apart inside. Also had a hole between the hood rear of the door that whistled at high speeds. Shit quality. Shit styling.

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 31st January 12:19

Wow, you really come across as a sensible, considered gentleman with posts like that. I must make a mental note to ignore your drivel in future...

[heebeegeetee]

I fancied a Z4, but was put off by numerous accounts of rock hard suspension so I've gone for a Boxster S instead which i pick up on saturday. Not sure if i've made the right choice, also think maybe i should have had a 993 instead .

But i was genuinely put off by reports in mags like EVO regarding the suspension, esp with runflat tyres. A mate is currently having a hard time with the tyres on his 330d.

I think i would have preferred the 3.0 to the Z4M, but even then i didn't know how i would be able to find out if (i'd be buying used) the car has been fitted with 'sports' suspension. I have one road test from Autocar i think where they firmly plump in favour of the Z4 3.0 to the 2.7 Boxster.

I was further put off by reports here on PH where owners are fitting even harder suspension and lower profile tyres to their cars, even before they've actually got to know the characteristics of the car they've bought. I thought it was a big case of 'bling before all' to me.

Mind you, Boxsters are sold with split rim wheels. I can't see a single point of purpose to the split rim wheel, save to get more cash out of the buyer and give him a worse ride.

[Digsy]

Fittster said:

Lot's of good 2 seater coupes around currently for reasonable money

Z4C
TVR 350
Porsche Cayman
Lotus Exige
Nissan 350Z

Any of those would make me happy.

I took the 350Z. Far better value than the Beemer IMHO and nothing fell off in 3 years and 34k miles despite the non-prestige badge.