Thoughts on Z4 M Coupe Vs TVR Tuscan
Discussion
Hi All
I own a TVR Tuscan, the car is great , very enjoyable with the addition of the targa top however I have recently been looking at the Z4 M coupe and would be interested in your thoughts on the car especially anyone who has owned both cars.
what are the things to look for on these cars , running costs ect . The car would not be a daily but used as much as possible
Thanks
I own a TVR Tuscan, the car is great , very enjoyable with the addition of the targa top however I have recently been looking at the Z4 M coupe and would be interested in your thoughts on the car especially anyone who has owned both cars.
what are the things to look for on these cars , running costs ect . The car would not be a daily but used as much as possible
Thanks
Hi - Tuscan owner here but have tried the Z4M (roadster) a couple of years ago.
I think it’s a great car, but it won’t give you what the Tuscan does imo.
It has a great engine, which sounds even better with the carbon airbox, but wasn’t as fast as I’d been expecting (by no means a slow car). I really liked the gearbox and didn’t find the ride as harsh as some had mentioned.
Compared to the Tuscan it is far more useable, which I think is a huge plus point.
I didn’t buy one in the end as I bought another Boxster - no where near as special but I preferred the drive overall.
I think it’s a great car, but it won’t give you what the Tuscan does imo.
It has a great engine, which sounds even better with the carbon airbox, but wasn’t as fast as I’d been expecting (by no means a slow car). I really liked the gearbox and didn’t find the ride as harsh as some had mentioned.
Compared to the Tuscan it is far more useable, which I think is a huge plus point.
I didn’t buy one in the end as I bought another Boxster - no where near as special but I preferred the drive overall.
I went from a Cerbera 4.5 to a Z4M Roadster and the Z4M was a massive disappointment for me in comparison(too quiet/poor ride and suspension and a horrible manual gearbox especially first to second).
The Z4M Coupe is gorgeous to look at for me but they are a flawed car, but I guess that in some ways that is in keeping with a TVR in fairness.
Plenty of Z4M owners change the suspension for aftermarket stuff which improves things greatly, and they also remove the clutch delay valve and put a more weighty gear knob on as well. Which improves the clutch/gearbox I believe.
Pop over to the Z4-forum.com because they are a very friendly and knowledgeable bunch over there.
The Z4M Coupe is gorgeous to look at for me but they are a flawed car, but I guess that in some ways that is in keeping with a TVR in fairness.
Plenty of Z4M owners change the suspension for aftermarket stuff which improves things greatly, and they also remove the clutch delay valve and put a more weighty gear knob on as well. Which improves the clutch/gearbox I believe.
Pop over to the Z4-forum.com because they are a very friendly and knowledgeable bunch over there.
A while ago now I had a 2000 Tuscan red rose for 3.5 years and changed to a Z4mc and had that for a similar amount of time
The BMW is similar in that it's got long bonnet and sitting over the rear wheels.. but that's about it
It's not as ferral or viseral, but is pretty unburstable in comparison
But even with the tvr on nitrons the BMW handled better
And is much more useable
Now have a Jag f-type V8R which is probably similar in character to the TVR... In a "it'll kicking the rear out in 3rd gear if it catches you knapping" kinda way
But also more cosseting
Ether way this sounds like an "and" rather than "or" conversation... so do it
The BMW is similar in that it's got long bonnet and sitting over the rear wheels.. but that's about it
It's not as ferral or viseral, but is pretty unburstable in comparison
But even with the tvr on nitrons the BMW handled better
And is much more useable
Now have a Jag f-type V8R which is probably similar in character to the TVR... In a "it'll kicking the rear out in 3rd gear if it catches you knapping" kinda way
But also more cosseting
Ether way this sounds like an "and" rather than "or" conversation... so do it
I've had two z4ms both the roadster and coupe. IB coupe with all black exterior looks insanely good to me.
The ride is firm but I used both as daily drivers in sw london without trouble. Flawless mechanically and the experience of sitting on the rear arch with the long bonnet in front and the s54 snarl never gets old. They are short so expect a spiky ride at the limit, undoubtedly the m3 is better balanced but these are far more special to be in and look at. The performance is just right to enjoy on the road without being illegal near instantly as i find with the more recent M cars.
If buying again I'd buy the best suspension I could and get it properly set up for road use (or adaptable), drop it slightly and bloody well enjoy. Don't go with CSL wheels as i found they ruin the ride and increase tramlining significantly.
The ride is firm but I used both as daily drivers in sw london without trouble. Flawless mechanically and the experience of sitting on the rear arch with the long bonnet in front and the s54 snarl never gets old. They are short so expect a spiky ride at the limit, undoubtedly the m3 is better balanced but these are far more special to be in and look at. The performance is just right to enjoy on the road without being illegal near instantly as i find with the more recent M cars.
If buying again I'd buy the best suspension I could and get it properly set up for road use (or adaptable), drop it slightly and bloody well enjoy. Don't go with CSL wheels as i found they ruin the ride and increase tramlining significantly.
I use Eibach Pro springs (cheap as chips) which transforms the ride (AND looks), and changed the gearbox oil to RedLine MTL which transformed the gearchange.
Go for it, the Coupe is of course a good investment, even more usable, has quicker steering then the Roadster and other slight suspension tweaks that make it slightly better on track aswell.
Things to look out for are mainly S54 related - rod bearings need renewing after c:a 100k miles and that VANOS, as usual.
Spec to look for, well its a matter of taste. I myself like the "CSL-approach" and went for non-el.seats and non-navi (its outdated anyway).. While others want all incl. no matter weight.
Go for it, the Coupe is of course a good investment, even more usable, has quicker steering then the Roadster and other slight suspension tweaks that make it slightly better on track aswell.
Things to look out for are mainly S54 related - rod bearings need renewing after c:a 100k miles and that VANOS, as usual.
Spec to look for, well its a matter of taste. I myself like the "CSL-approach" and went for non-el.seats and non-navi (its outdated anyway).. While others want all incl. no matter weight.
Edited by Pereldh on Friday 8th November 09:52
Edited by Pereldh on Friday 8th November 09:56
It really depends on what you enjoy about cars. If your after noise theatre looks weekend tinkering if not major surgery nothing will touch the tvr.
If you prefer handling, scruff of the neck, ragging on the edge and unburstsble reliability then Z4m all the way. They have a surprising amount of character and definite reminiscences of tvr but only above 7 10ths. Tvr is great upto 7 10ths after which it dicintegrates dynamically and ...sometimes... literally.
I’ve had both (fff 4.0 on Coilovers & z4mr - why not have a vert if you can?) On the right day in the right conditions the tvr is unbeatable. For the other 99.99% of the time. The Z4m. But this is based on what I want from the experience. Overall I found the idea of the tvr more appealing than the reality.
If your after something in the middle I’d highly recommend a corvette. W204 c63 also has a cracking and characterful motor although not very sporty in this way.
If you prefer handling, scruff of the neck, ragging on the edge and unburstsble reliability then Z4m all the way. They have a surprising amount of character and definite reminiscences of tvr but only above 7 10ths. Tvr is great upto 7 10ths after which it dicintegrates dynamically and ...sometimes... literally.
I’ve had both (fff 4.0 on Coilovers & z4mr - why not have a vert if you can?) On the right day in the right conditions the tvr is unbeatable. For the other 99.99% of the time. The Z4m. But this is based on what I want from the experience. Overall I found the idea of the tvr more appealing than the reality.
If your after something in the middle I’d highly recommend a corvette. W204 c63 also has a cracking and characterful motor although not very sporty in this way.
Edited by e46m3c on Friday 15th November 02:32
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