Had Z4 M Coupe for 6 weeks or so - and a bit disappointed...
Discussion
Sometimes when you test drive a car certain postiive aspects of it make such an impression that you perhaps become blind to some of the faults.
The positive aspects for the Z4 M Coupe are in my opinion the straight line pace, the noise, and the glorious looks.
However having lived with the car for the last six weeks or so there are many faults with it that are staring to pee me off. These include:
Poor traction, especially in wet/greasy conditions
Rock-hard ride
Very poor steering feel
Panel gaps that you could drive a 7-series through
A new creak to the interior every day
Terrible stereo
Dim-witted satnav
All in all I'm a bit fed up with it already, and I wished I'd kept my 130i as it was a more homogenous car.
I should have been more patient and held out for the 'right' 911...
The positive aspects for the Z4 M Coupe are in my opinion the straight line pace, the noise, and the glorious looks.
However having lived with the car for the last six weeks or so there are many faults with it that are staring to pee me off. These include:
Poor traction, especially in wet/greasy conditions
Rock-hard ride
Very poor steering feel
Panel gaps that you could drive a 7-series through
A new creak to the interior every day
Terrible stereo
Dim-witted satnav
All in all I'm a bit fed up with it already, and I wished I'd kept my 130i as it was a more homogenous car.
I should have been more patient and held out for the 'right' 911...
Interesting post. I've had mine for nearly a month now, and whilst the weather hasn't really allowed me to get the best from it, I am still enjoying it and can't wait for the spring to come. I came from a FRS which I owned for 3 years and the Z4M is in a different league in every dept. Maybe jumping from a BM to BM is different. I test drove the 130i and 135i and the rawness of the m is what did it for me, and the ride is a lot softer compared to my rs!!
I agree the sat nav could be a bit better. Did u buy it off a approved dealer or privately? If off a dealer take it back and get the rattles sorted.
I agree the sat nav could be a bit better. Did u buy it off a approved dealer or privately? If off a dealer take it back and get the rattles sorted.
Sorry to hear your dissapointed with it... I've had mine for 4 months now and generally luv it.
In terms of traction, if you have the original Conti sport 2 you might want to look at geeting the Conti Sport 3's or the Mic PE2's next. This should improve both traction and steering feel (Conti 2 are nothing short of complete rubbish and were out of date back in 2006). I have PE2's on the CSL rims so a bit wider than standard with 235 front and 265 rear. So in the dry have loads of traction... However, in the wet, they do need warming up otherwise the traction control can't even cope. It will then also still flicker all the way through 3rd gear, but at the end of the day the car does have 340bhp...
Again due to the CSL rims i have found the ride to be a lot better as the suspension has 7kgs less unsprung weight to deal with... Still hard though, but then it is designed more for race tracks than a gentle cruise.
Rattles - yep, have the same issue.
Stereo - agreed - but then my mates old 996 turbo with Bose system was not much better!!
Sat Nav - have actually found it to be better than most other manufactures (assume you have the professional unit with the pop up screen?)
As for getting a 911. I couldn't justify spending north of £50k for a car that is no quicker than the Z4M coupe and is a lot more common... If someone was kind enough to swap a 997 c2S for my car though, I wouldn'd say no!
But then that just my opinion...
In terms of traction, if you have the original Conti sport 2 you might want to look at geeting the Conti Sport 3's or the Mic PE2's next. This should improve both traction and steering feel (Conti 2 are nothing short of complete rubbish and were out of date back in 2006). I have PE2's on the CSL rims so a bit wider than standard with 235 front and 265 rear. So in the dry have loads of traction... However, in the wet, they do need warming up otherwise the traction control can't even cope. It will then also still flicker all the way through 3rd gear, but at the end of the day the car does have 340bhp...
Again due to the CSL rims i have found the ride to be a lot better as the suspension has 7kgs less unsprung weight to deal with... Still hard though, but then it is designed more for race tracks than a gentle cruise.
Rattles - yep, have the same issue.
Stereo - agreed - but then my mates old 996 turbo with Bose system was not much better!!
Sat Nav - have actually found it to be better than most other manufactures (assume you have the professional unit with the pop up screen?)
As for getting a 911. I couldn't justify spending north of £50k for a car that is no quicker than the Z4M coupe and is a lot more common... If someone was kind enough to swap a 997 c2S for my car though, I wouldn'd say no!
But then that just my opinion...
Seem like fairly minor gripes to be honest, is it a little too raw for you?
If you have the standard continentals fitted, traction will be poor. Upgrade to some PS2s or Vreds and you'll be amazed at the difference. Your car is not really a winter car either.
Which spec stereo do you have mine is brilliant. Do you have the DSP controls?
Interior rattles can be fixed also. Most come from the glovebox or the boot surround. I tightened up the bolts on the surround and it solved the issue.
My main gripe is that the DSC is a little sensitive and it isn't great on poor road surfaces but I have learned to drive around it. On the right road it's a superb drive.
If you have the standard continentals fitted, traction will be poor. Upgrade to some PS2s or Vreds and you'll be amazed at the difference. Your car is not really a winter car either.
Which spec stereo do you have mine is brilliant. Do you have the DSP controls?
Interior rattles can be fixed also. Most come from the glovebox or the boot surround. I tightened up the bolts on the surround and it solved the issue.
My main gripe is that the DSC is a little sensitive and it isn't great on poor road surfaces but I have learned to drive around it. On the right road it's a superb drive.
Edited by daz4m on Tuesday 15th December 13:15
I`ve had mine since Sep and on the whole I love it. When I have long journeys for work it can be a little "angry" but it`s that very reason I bought it. The standard Conti M3 tyres are a real let down to the chassis, as soon as I need to swap mine I`ll be going Vredestein I think or perhaps Conti 3s as had these on a previous car and liked them.
Logic 7 hifi is very good, better than my last Bose system. That said the standard system I`ll agree is poor. Fingers crossed- only rattles or squeeks I`ve had are from the seats and a quick backwards-forwards on the electric controls sorts that. There is a distinct lack of parity of feel from the front and rear and it can take a good few months to work up your confidence to really lean on the grip. My advice is to really take it gentle on the roads at the moment, it`s so greasy. Wait until Spring is sprung and the roads are more trustworthy and take some time to learn the car. It doesn`t come easily and it will probably scare you but god, on the right road, in the right mood it`s an epic car.
Logic 7 hifi is very good, better than my last Bose system. That said the standard system I`ll agree is poor. Fingers crossed- only rattles or squeeks I`ve had are from the seats and a quick backwards-forwards on the electric controls sorts that. There is a distinct lack of parity of feel from the front and rear and it can take a good few months to work up your confidence to really lean on the grip. My advice is to really take it gentle on the roads at the moment, it`s so greasy. Wait until Spring is sprung and the roads are more trustworthy and take some time to learn the car. It doesn`t come easily and it will probably scare you but god, on the right road, in the right mood it`s an epic car.
Sorry to hear your disappointment, please see in bold regards my thoughts compared to my 996 C4 to help shed some light before you do anything rash.
adycav said:
Poor traction, especially in wet/greasy conditions - Same in the dry and consequently quicker than the 911 but agreed not as good in the wet, suspect like others have said though, this could be to do with tyres you currently have.
Rock-hard ride - No worse, I found it more comfortable most of the time than my 996.
Very poor steering feel - Surprising but then this again could be due to tyres.
Panel gaps that you could drive a 7-series through - Built in the states so not surprising.
A new creak to the interior every day - You must be driving over some harsh roads but as others have said they are often simple fixes.
Terrible stereo - No idea about standard but the Logic 7 was as good as the BOSE in the Porsche.
Dim-witted satnav - Better than most factory stuff for it's age and I thought quite intuitive and easy to use, can also be updated.
I should have been more patient and held out for the 'right' 911... - I loved both my 911 and Z4MC for different reasons but the ///M was the better car IMO. Think you will only be happy if it's a newer 911 and as a consequence a lot more money
Perhaps an E92 M3 might suit? Hope you find what you're looking for in your next car. Rock-hard ride - No worse, I found it more comfortable most of the time than my 996.
Very poor steering feel - Surprising but then this again could be due to tyres.
Panel gaps that you could drive a 7-series through - Built in the states so not surprising.
A new creak to the interior every day - You must be driving over some harsh roads but as others have said they are often simple fixes.
Terrible stereo - No idea about standard but the Logic 7 was as good as the BOSE in the Porsche.
Dim-witted satnav - Better than most factory stuff for it's age and I thought quite intuitive and easy to use, can also be updated.
I should have been more patient and held out for the 'right' 911... - I loved both my 911 and Z4MC for different reasons but the ///M was the better car IMO. Think you will only be happy if it's a newer 911 and as a consequence a lot more money
Just took the 'long way' from the office to home to try and bond with the car some more.
There's no getting away from it - the ride is too firm for roads round my way for me. Maybe the car is too raw for me as Daz says. I could perhaps forgive this if there were no other faults...
I can't believe that I forgot to add perhaps my biggest bugbear with my car - the bloody gearchange. It's horrible! Are they all like that? Notchy/clunky mess.
To answer some of the Qs - the car currently has Vreds on the back and the standard Contis on the front. The satnav is the professional setup and the hifi is standard - it can barely hold on to an FM signal and the speakers are s
t.
I won't be getting rid immediately but I don't reckon I'll be keeping it for long. I honestly preferred driving my 130i, apart from the pace.
There's no getting away from it - the ride is too firm for roads round my way for me. Maybe the car is too raw for me as Daz says. I could perhaps forgive this if there were no other faults...
I can't believe that I forgot to add perhaps my biggest bugbear with my car - the bloody gearchange. It's horrible! Are they all like that? Notchy/clunky mess.
To answer some of the Qs - the car currently has Vreds on the back and the standard Contis on the front. The satnav is the professional setup and the hifi is standard - it can barely hold on to an FM signal and the speakers are s
t.I won't be getting rid immediately but I don't reckon I'll be keeping it for long. I honestly preferred driving my 130i, apart from the pace.
Edited by adycav on Tuesday 15th December 15:57
Half of me agrees with your post and the other half doesn't. I've had 2 z4 incl my current z4m and bought that 6 weeks ago coming from a Lotus.
Stereo: you must have the standard one as the hk or logic 7 is epic. Much better than the Bose I had in the SL500.
Sat Nav: Again found to be very good for a standard install. Have you set the view to 3d as from above I'd agree it's st - it makes a big difference.
Gear shift: awful no 2 ways about it, mainly 1st to 2nd but knew these before buying so not an issue.
Traction: A Lotus to pretty much any other car is going to feel a let down in the steering and traction department and the BM is no exception. I don't think it has helped that it has rained every single day since I bought it but in time I will gain the confidence to start pushing the car but this weather is not that moment. After previously having a 3.0 z4 on RFT's however, it iis a step up from that in terms of feeling and stability.
All in all I'm very happy and as said before wait till spring before you can harness the true potential of the car
Stereo: you must have the standard one as the hk or logic 7 is epic. Much better than the Bose I had in the SL500.
Sat Nav: Again found to be very good for a standard install. Have you set the view to 3d as from above I'd agree it's s
t - it makes a big difference. Gear shift: awful no 2 ways about it, mainly 1st to 2nd but knew these before buying so not an issue.
Traction: A Lotus to pretty much any other car is going to feel a let down in the steering and traction department and the BM is no exception. I don't think it has helped that it has rained every single day since I bought it but in time I will gain the confidence to start pushing the car but this weather is not that moment. After previously having a 3.0 z4 on RFT's however, it iis a step up from that in terms of feeling and stability.
All in all I'm very happy and as said before wait till spring before you can harness the true potential of the car
Does your car have a stubby aerial? I changed mine to one and it ruined FM reception where I live, TBH I still have it on and listen to CDs. Up and down the M4 it`s ok though.
Gear box isn`t the best in the world and has come up for a lot of criticism, especially 1st to 2nd. If you are stuggling with it look up clutch delay valve delete. I actually enjoy using the gearbox as its very positive when you are pushing the car. At the end of the day if the car doesn`t suit it doesn`t suit but I would delay the decision to change until early summer and perhaps meet a few other owners.
Gear box isn`t the best in the world and has come up for a lot of criticism, especially 1st to 2nd. If you are stuggling with it look up clutch delay valve delete. I actually enjoy using the gearbox as its very positive when you are pushing the car. At the end of the day if the car doesn`t suit it doesn`t suit but I would delay the decision to change until early summer and perhaps meet a few other owners.
2 years + into mine now and love it. Try a whalen shift machine gear knob, the extra weight smooths out the box and gives it a nicer short throw. I'm on 19 CSL's with Conti 3's, agreed it's a bit of a handful at the moment but it's hardly the weather for 340bhp RWD fun. A few cabin squeeks on mine but the engine note soon drowns that out, it is supposed to be a sports car after all.
Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
The target market for this type of car was TVR buyers and it was built to suit. It's a track focused car and cant really be compared against a 130i etc.. Their are many factors to consider when building one of these and performance is just one of them.
What I'm trying to say is that the 130i on paper might look fast but get it on a track and you will see its shortcomings.. it has no diff, chasis won't be as strong, brake fade, smooth delivery of power etc..
What I'm trying to say is that the 130i on paper might look fast but get it on a track and you will see its shortcomings.. it has no diff, chasis won't be as strong, brake fade, smooth delivery of power etc..
adycav said:
Just took the 'long way' from the office to home to try and bond with the car some more.
There's no getting away from it - the ride is too firm for roads round my way for me. Maybe the car is too raw for me as Daz says. I could perhaps forgive this if there were no other faults...
I can't believe that I forgot to add perhaps my biggest bugbear with my car - the bloody gearchange. It's horrible! Are they all like that? Notchy/clunky mess.
To answer some of the Qs - the car currently has Vreds on the back and the standard Contis on the front. The satnav is the professional setup and the hifi is standard - it can barely hold on to an FM signal and the speakers are st.
I won't be getting rid immediately but I don't reckon I'll be keeping it for long. I honestly preferred driving my 130i, apart from the pace.
Ah the gearchange.... yes you are correct about that. I've heard there is a fix, do a search for CDV removal.There's no getting away from it - the ride is too firm for roads round my way for me. Maybe the car is too raw for me as Daz says. I could perhaps forgive this if there were no other faults...
I can't believe that I forgot to add perhaps my biggest bugbear with my car - the bloody gearchange. It's horrible! Are they all like that? Notchy/clunky mess.
To answer some of the Qs - the car currently has Vreds on the back and the standard Contis on the front. The satnav is the professional setup and the hifi is standard - it can barely hold on to an FM signal and the speakers are s
t.I won't be getting rid immediately but I don't reckon I'll be keeping it for long. I honestly preferred driving my 130i, apart from the pace.
Edited by adycav on Tuesday 15th December 15:57
I'm also not surprised your car is handling funny with two different sets of tyres on it.
shunt said:
2 years + into mine now and love it. Try a whalen shift machine gear knob, the extra weight smooths out the box and gives it a nicer short throw. I'm on 19 CSL's with Conti 3's, agreed it's a bit of a handful at the moment but it's hardly the weather for 340bhp RWD fun. A few cabin squeeks on mine but the engine note soon drowns that out, it is supposed to be a sports car after all.
Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
Shunt, how can the gear knob shorten the throw of the box?Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
Mixing tyres is a bad idea and will probably provide some hateful driving characteristic. It is a pity that they come on Contis, but at the best part of £1000 to swap all 4 tyres to PS2/PS3 I can see why people don't want to replace 4 tyres at once.
It is a firm ride, no getting away from that, and this is hardly the time of year to enjoy the car. Get it on the right road and it's amazing, but part of the reason I got rid of mine that it felt like there were no 'right roads' within a 30 mile radius
I never had issue with the satnav though, it must be said. Upgraded the map disk and software? Did you have it on the 130 - if so you have jumped back a generation, ICE wise.
It is a firm ride, no getting away from that, and this is hardly the time of year to enjoy the car. Get it on the right road and it's amazing, but part of the reason I got rid of mine that it felt like there were no 'right roads' within a 30 mile radius
I never had issue with the satnav though, it must be said. Upgraded the map disk and software? Did you have it on the 130 - if so you have jumped back a generation, ICE wise.
Edited by john_p on Tuesday 15th December 17:11
well on the plus side unless your prepared to give it away, you won't be able to sell it at the moment to even consider buyinng a 911 
agree on the ride though, some days on the way to work i p1sses me off.. as above DSP stereo is great! maybe i'm been lucky with mine, i've got zilch rattles
LOL traction, i tell you what, you come and have a drive in my 350bhp Sierra (with 215 section tyres) then tell me the M's traction is bad
agree on the ride though, some days on the way to work i p1sses me off.. as above DSP stereo is great! maybe i'm been lucky with mine, i've got zilch rattles
LOL traction, i tell you what, you come and have a drive in my 350bhp Sierra (with 215 section tyres) then tell me the M's traction is bad
To answer a couple of you - I do not have the stubby ariel.
There's some interesting comments about what I could do to improve things - clutch valve, tyres, CSLs etc - but to be honest I would rather it be a more decent steer 'out of the box'.
The car was from a main dealer by the way, so I know that nothing major is wrong with it.
I think that I need a more rounded road car. I'll leave the likes of the M to track fans/those made of sterner stuff.
I'll have a think about what to do over Christmas, and maybe have a look around for something else then.
There's some interesting comments about what I could do to improve things - clutch valve, tyres, CSLs etc - but to be honest I would rather it be a more decent steer 'out of the box'.
The car was from a main dealer by the way, so I know that nothing major is wrong with it.
I think that I need a more rounded road car. I'll leave the likes of the M to track fans/those made of sterner stuff.
I'll have a think about what to do over Christmas, and maybe have a look around for something else then.
daz4m said:
shunt said:
2 years + into mine now and love it. Try a whalen shift machine gear knob, the extra weight smooths out the box and gives it a nicer short throw. I'm on 19 CSL's with Conti 3's, agreed it's a bit of a handful at the moment but it's hardly the weather for 340bhp RWD fun. A few cabin squeeks on mine but the engine note soon drowns that out, it is supposed to be a sports car after all.
Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
Shunt, how can the gear knob shorten the throw of the box?Sat Nav when set to perspective mode IMO is pretty good, Stereo mine being standard is also fine, especially once hooked to my 180Gig Phatnoise music library. As for radio, has it been fitted with a stubby aerial, that can spoil the reception?
My only gripe with the whole package is BMW servicing costs, £255 for an oil change is taking the pee. Roll on when the warranty has ;apsed and I can return to my local indy.
Sound like it might not be the one for you, my OH hates mine too.
It also falls to hand much better than the taller stock item and the weight increase seems to smooth out the gearchange.
Have a look here: http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/index.php?main_p...
Doug is most helpful in making whatever you want, I copied the Alpina logo into Acad format and emailed it to him to make the one above. Top notch service.
Shame to hear the view - I've had my Z4MR for 16 months and done 18K in it.
The gearchange - it takes sometime to really warm up and then it is OK, allowing for notchy 1-2.
Yes the ride is hard - I'm always astounded by how smooth my 11 yr old M suspensioned 528 is by comparion. But to be honest it is roads not the car, where I am they are shocking round town and on some B roads.
Only other thing that resonates is that i've got a rattly glove box too but that is getting a wee piece of draught exclude foam to damp that this weekend.
Often the view of the Z4M many think is that it needs scruff of the neck driving.
Traction on roads at moment is not the best but remember unless your running winter tyres you are right at low end of temperature limit for the Conti and PS - but again this evening when giving it some shove you can feel it squirm at back (i'm guessing it is the feeling of the M diff doing its work you either then key in traction or you go beyond and on comes the dash warning light; i'm trying to control my feel to ease-off just before the electrics come in.
get some good roads and nice spring weather before walking away.
The gearchange - it takes sometime to really warm up and then it is OK, allowing for notchy 1-2.
Yes the ride is hard - I'm always astounded by how smooth my 11 yr old M suspensioned 528 is by comparion. But to be honest it is roads not the car, where I am they are shocking round town and on some B roads.
Only other thing that resonates is that i've got a rattly glove box too but that is getting a wee piece of draught exclude foam to damp that this weekend.
Often the view of the Z4M many think is that it needs scruff of the neck driving.
Traction on roads at moment is not the best but remember unless your running winter tyres you are right at low end of temperature limit for the Conti and PS - but again this evening when giving it some shove you can feel it squirm at back (i'm guessing it is the feeling of the M diff doing its work you either then key in traction or you go beyond and on comes the dash warning light; i'm trying to control my feel to ease-off just before the electrics come in.
get some good roads and nice spring weather before walking away.
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