Which would you choose and why?

[junglie]

I plan to buy one of these on Wed of this week (if they are as described and still available) but struggling to choose between them.

Z4M - no sat nav but that is fine really. Had an Inspection 2 and rear tyres recently. In good condition overall.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Z4 3.0si - from James Paul so top end price wise. Was a px from a Bentley Dealership. Good spec although the sat nav is the small screen one which I am not familiar with.

http://www.jamespaul.co.uk/bmw-z4-3.0si-sport-road...

Z4 3.0si - a private sale (they have bought a 911) and seems well looked after. Does not have cruise or sat nav but, again, it is not that bad. It seems to have had lots spent recently for sale (4 x yokes, service, tax and mot) so, if the advert and my conversation with the chap is to be believed, it is ready to go.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

They are all good cars, on paper, but obviously range from £9995 - £12000 (agreed price if it is what I want) and have different running costs (servicing, consumables, tax etc). My head says the 3.0si is everything I need (a weekend car and i have had a 3.0i before which was great) but the Z4M is a Z4M!

[kambites]

The M, without a shadow of a doubt. The different steering system alone makes it twice the car the 3.0 could ever be and the engine is a masterpiece.

[Leins]

No Alpina option there!

[junglie]

Alpina would be a great compromise but they are like rocking horse @£$% to find although there are a few about.

[rollondeath]

Z4M If you're just using for the weekends the difference in running costs won't be that bad.

[junglie]

If I am only doing 5000 miles a year, or thereabouts, then it spreads any costs - maybe a yearly oil change but don't reset the service indicator.

[danp]

Probably the z4m, the ride and steering certainly let down the 3.0i z4 I had. Don't believe they improved that with the facelift z4 (but it did get a totally new, pretty trick engine). I'd prefer one without nav anyhow, for me it's any eye sore on the dash, and prob pretty outdated by now.

Try both?

[JakeT]

If you do 5k per year then the Z4M would be the one. However the nasty centre caps don't speak well of it and neither does the description... Can't hurt to have a look though!

[junglie]

I thought the centre caps were a little off but I spoke with the chap and he seems very genuine (a fellow biker) and is going to give Spain a chance so needs to sell the car. It may be a line but he sounded genuine on the phone and did not make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

The private 3.0si and Z4M are within 15 miles of each other so a good opportunity for a back to back test.