E46 M3 to Z4M R

[siovey]

Hi Guys, I've had my M3 for nigh on 2 years now and absolutely love it. However, recently I have become drawn to the Z4M roadster. Normally when this happens, it doesn't ever go away until I buy one. Lol
My M3 is a daily driver and is perfect for this as its comfortable to cruise in and an animal when I want a bit of fun. What is the Roadster like in this respect? Will I have to buy a second shed-like car just for the daily commute? It's only 20 miles so not massive and mainly on a-roads with decent b roads thrown in for good measure.
My car only has 38k on it and is a '53 plate, but the roadsters for similar money have a fair few more miles on them.
Anyone owned both, or currently has a roadster as a dd?
Cheers
Simon

[Herbs]

Yep

Currently have a M R as a daily and it's great. All the toys and comfort for cold winter journeys and still an out and out sports car that is comfortable enough for longer trips. One of the few cars that I missed when I sold my first one so I bought another one!

My daily commute is 22 miles and i'm really going to miss it when sold soon (that's what having kids does )

[siovey]

Cheers mate, just the type of answer i was after. Looks like i may have to investigate this further..

[cerb4.5lee]

I have a E92 M3 but had a Z4MR before it & I personally didn't think the Zed was fully resolved as a package, I didn't like the low speed ride & the gearbox was a pain in the backside but I appreciate I only used mine as a weekend/second car.

My current M3's chassis is worlds apart from the zeds imo, I wanted to love the Zed as on paper it ticks so many boxes but coming from a E46 M3 i think you might be a little disappointed, the Zed is great for feeling special though only two seats & sat over the rear wheels really adds to the experience & the S54 does sound very nice with the roof off.

I suggest a decent test drive to get a good feel of the car & I know of a mate who went E46 M3 to a Z4MR & he much prefered the M3 but we all like different things & my M3 doesnt really get my juices flowing whereas most think they are the bees knees.

We all look at cars differently which is a good thing I reckon.

[siovey]

Thanks cerb4. Some good points in there. Looks like i'll have to test drive one!!

[bencollins4]

I have a Z4MR that I use most days, although I do have use of a Golf GTI for longer business trips.

I've found the Z4 to be very comfortable on longer drives - the only thing that stops me using it more for this is that the GTI will save me a bit of money on fuel. Having said that, I have seen 35 mpg on a slow cruise on the motorway which is pretty remarkable for the power!

I think it's a fantastic prospect to live with everyday and while the steering feel is lacking compared to my old Elise, the grip is very impressive. It's also a hell of a lot easier to live with.

After my first month or so I wasn't convinced about the Z4MR but the more I drive it and the longer I've owned it the more I like it.

I also feel it's a little more special than M3's - I saw 3 E46 M3's on my short commute home tonight and I've still yet to see another Z4MR while I've had mine! The driving position also gives a more exciting feel than that of the E46.

Only thing left to do is have a drive!

[siovey]

Cheers Ben, I'll need to test drive one!

[MGR]

I had this same thought several years ago. I liked my M3 but wanted something that looked / felt a little more like a sports car. Z4M seemed to be the perfect answer.

I took a test drive in a Z4 MC. Immediately the driving position in the Z4M put me off (off-set steering wheel, felt cramped compared to the M3). I also thought the M3 drove better in general. However I still liked the car a lot.

The convertible aspect would add an extra dimension to the decision but I decided to swap to something else.

A test drive is the only answer.

[Urban Sports]

cerb4.5lee said:

I have a E92 M3 but had a Z4MR before it & I personally didn't think the Zed was fully resolved as a package, I didn't like the low speed ride & the gearbox was a pain in the backside but I appreciate I only used mine as a weekend/second car.

My current M3's chassis is worlds apart from the zeds imo, I wanted to love the Zed as on paper it ticks so many boxes but coming from a E46 M3 i think you might be a little disappointed, the Zed is great for feeling special though only two seats & sat over the rear wheels really adds to the experience & the S54 does sound very nice with the roof off.

I suggest a decent test drive to get a good feel of the car & I know of a mate who went E46 M3 to a Z4MR & he much prefered the M3 but we all like different things & my M3 doesnt really get my juices flowing whereas most think they are the bees knees.

We all look at cars differently which is a good thing I reckon.

I often agree with Cerb on this, I had one as daily driver for around 12 months and I just couldn't fully get on with it, the car should've been amazing but it falls short of the mark.

I always explain it as a masterpiece of an engine that the rest of the car just can't keep up with. Shame really, it's quite a ham fisted machine, awful gearbox for everyday driving, spongy low speed ride and when pressing on it doesn't know whether or not to understeer or oversteer but then there is the engine which is what you already have.....

ETA I enjoyed mine but not as much as I thought I would.

Edited by Urban Sports on Sunday 27th October 21:42

[siovey]

Thanks Chaps. It's just finding the time to have a test drive as "we" always tend to have plans at the weekend!