Z3M - test drive

[eng622]

Had my first test drive today (1999 car with 56K miles). I found the gearbox very notchy and although the clutch was light in operation the travel was very long perhaps making gear engagement more difficult. Are these things normal? Straight line acceleration was quite good but don't think it equals my TVR V8S especially in the higher gears in the lower rev range. However the ride was far superior to my TVR on poor road surfaces and there was very little kickback in the steering, plenty of that in the TVR.

[Dare2Fail]

I've got an Mcoupe and initially found the gearbox to be quite notchy with a long throw. I think it depends on what you are used to (I came from a Civic Type R). As for the engine, I find that down low it is ok if just bumbling around, but the real fun kicks in at 4-4500rpm and it then pulls hard for the rest of the rev range.

[maahny]

The gear box is notchy, more so when the car is cold. This can be sorted with a weighted gear knob.

[teamholdenracing]

I had an M Roadster and then a Griff 500. In comparison with your V8S the M has less torque lower down the rev range, so it may feel less accelerative at lower revs. You need to keep the M in a higher rev range to keep it on the boil

[Andrew330Ci]

When i first bought my Z3m i thought it was very notchy too,but you soon get used to it and find it as being its character!
I had driven a Chimera 4.5l and thought the Zm was far quicker, not sure about the V8S. It does help revving the ZM though. After the Insp. 2 it felt even quicker!