Z4M Coupe v 981s v 987.2s v F-type S v F22 M2
Discussion
So thinking about what my next ride will be.
Buying price isn’t a consideration.
Running cost in terms of road tax and servicing is something to consider to a certain degree, but I’m assuming there won’t be much difference across the board. Fuel cost isn’t too much of an issue.
And i won’t be tracking the car, it will be my daily, but also my weekend blast car on country roads, in addition to long driving tours of Europe once or twice a year.
Want to hear from people who have owned at least two of the cars on the list, and which one they preferred and why.
If you owned just one, then what you loved and hated about about it.
And if you haven’t owned any - then which would you pick and why.
Oh and whichever I buy, it will be a manual transmission, it’s all about being engaged while driving epic roads.
Buying price isn’t a consideration.
Running cost in terms of road tax and servicing is something to consider to a certain degree, but I’m assuming there won’t be much difference across the board. Fuel cost isn’t too much of an issue.
And i won’t be tracking the car, it will be my daily, but also my weekend blast car on country roads, in addition to long driving tours of Europe once or twice a year.
Want to hear from people who have owned at least two of the cars on the list, and which one they preferred and why.
If you owned just one, then what you loved and hated about about it.
And if you haven’t owned any - then which would you pick and why.
Oh and whichever I buy, it will be a manual transmission, it’s all about being engaged while driving epic roads.
Some great options there OP. 
I owned a couple of Z4 3.0Si Coupes for over 5 years and then in December the inevitable happened and I bought a Z4M Coupe!
But I have no experience of any of your alternatives, and having done less than 1,000 miles in it I'm still in the honeymoon phase.
Still I love the N/A straight 6 S54 engine that makes peak power at 7,900 rpm and just makes you want to head for the 8K red-line.
I'm not so keen on the ride comfort, but I think that is because mine has H & R coil-overs fitted.
Nothing I hate so far although my recent Inspection 2 service ran into 4 figures, but I knew it needed that when I bought it. It's because the S54 engine needs valve clearances checked and adjusted with shims if required, new transmission fluid, new differential oil, plugs, etc. And I needed a new cam-chain tensioner and some new rear trailing arm bushes. But "Inspection" services are only due every 4 years so it's well worth checking the history. And making sure there is evidence of the post running-in service at around 1,000 miles having been done.
The other thing I like is they are pretty rare. From what I can make out less than 600 were registered in the UK.
So I suppose all that is left to do is post a gratuitous photo!
I owned a couple of Z4 3.0Si Coupes for over 5 years and then in December the inevitable happened and I bought a Z4M Coupe!
But I have no experience of any of your alternatives, and having done less than 1,000 miles in it I'm still in the honeymoon phase.
Still I love the N/A straight 6 S54 engine that makes peak power at 7,900 rpm and just makes you want to head for the 8K red-line.
I'm not so keen on the ride comfort, but I think that is because mine has H & R coil-overs fitted.
Nothing I hate so far although my recent Inspection 2 service ran into 4 figures, but I knew it needed that when I bought it. It's because the S54 engine needs valve clearances checked and adjusted with shims if required, new transmission fluid, new differential oil, plugs, etc. And I needed a new cam-chain tensioner and some new rear trailing arm bushes. But "Inspection" services are only due every 4 years so it's well worth checking the history. And making sure there is evidence of the post running-in service at around 1,000 miles having been done.
The other thing I like is they are pretty rare. From what I can make out less than 600 were registered in the UK.
So I suppose all that is left to do is post a gratuitous photo!
Thanks mr tidy (not Mr tidy from z4 forum are ya?) I actually have z4 coupe - absolutely love it, but I want a bit more power (who doesn’t tho!)
Yeh z4m has been one of my attainable dream cars for a while, but a little bit wary it might not be as usable as a daily a especially with UK roads the state they’re in.
They look stunning, especially with CSL wheels, and love the whole rarity factor too.
Just watched a comparison between 987.2 and 981 - the 981 does look super cool (like a baby carrera GT).
Tough decision coming ahead in a few months
Yeh z4m has been one of my attainable dream cars for a while, but a little bit wary it might not be as usable as a daily a especially with UK roads the state they’re in.
They look stunning, especially with CSL wheels, and love the whole rarity factor too.
Just watched a comparison between 987.2 and 981 - the 981 does look super cool (like a baby carrera GT).
Tough decision coming ahead in a few months
Here's my 2014 981 S (stage 2 software and race headers fitted)
Very lucky to drop on the spec, rarer colour (its not standard Porsche red, GTS body kit, and a long list of other stuff fitted)
So coming from a 420ps FWD car I was quite worried about how it would feel, yes the car felt premium and sounded lovely but it was a little "slow" so the stage 2 software has sorted that, its an absolute pleasure to drive and I love it, always get remarks (good or bad) wherever I go including the Porsche factory car park, where several employees wanted to look under it!
Drove from Milton Keynes > Cologne > Stuttgart > Innsbruck > Maranello, Kaiserslautern > MK in 2019 and it never missed a beat.
Unfortunately for me requirement to up size house will force sale, Covid19 has delayed that but also means I cant drive it either
Very lucky to drop on the spec, rarer colour (its not standard Porsche red, GTS body kit, and a long list of other stuff fitted)
So coming from a 420ps FWD car I was quite worried about how it would feel, yes the car felt premium and sounded lovely but it was a little "slow" so the stage 2 software has sorted that, its an absolute pleasure to drive and I love it, always get remarks (good or bad) wherever I go including the Porsche factory car park, where several employees wanted to look under it!
Drove from Milton Keynes > Cologne > Stuttgart > Innsbruck > Maranello, Kaiserslautern > MK in 2019 and it never missed a beat.
Unfortunately for me requirement to up size house will force sale, Covid19 has delayed that but also means I cant drive it either
shuebc said:
Thanks mr tidy (not Mr tidy from z4 forum are ya?) I actually have z4 coupe - absolutely love it, but I want a bit more power (who doesn’t tho!)
Yeh z4m has been one of my attainable dream cars for a while, but a little bit wary it might not be as usable as a daily a especially with UK roads the state they’re in.
They look stunning, especially with CSL wheels, and love the whole rarity factor too.
Tough decision coming ahead in a few months
I have a Z4MC and they are great cars. The ride can be harsh on poor surfaces but it is a 2 seater sports car so personally I accept that as par for the course.Yeh z4m has been one of my attainable dream cars for a while, but a little bit wary it might not be as usable as a daily a especially with UK roads the state they’re in.
They look stunning, especially with CSL wheels, and love the whole rarity factor too.
Tough decision coming ahead in a few months
The S54 is stunning, I have a Gruppe M induction system on mine, the noise it makes now is amazing.
I don't use mine as a daily but I think it would be fine, it's reasonably refined when cruising and surprisingly economical. It is at it's best on those Sunday morning drives though!
I may be selling soon as I'm looking at R8's, if you'd like some more info let me know?
Good morning shuebc,
A nice place to be! This time last year I was considering a very similar list to yourself.
I was deliberating between a Cayman 718, F-type and the M2. I think for pure driving pleasure I would have gone for the Cayman, for more theatre I nearly went for the F-type and I was strongly considering the M2.
However my other half reminded me that I have had a total of three two seaters in my driving career and it always meant that invariably that they got left in the garage due to practicalities of driving friends and family around, Holiday trips and camping duties. This meant that our "best" car never got used as much as it should have been and all in all a bit of a waste.
You say it's going to be a daily driver but do you have another car to cover for practicalities?
In the end we compromised and got an M240 and are pleased with it as it has a decent boot, seats four and is certainly enough performance for the road. Yes it's not the last word in handling but has a lovely 3l IL6 and ZF8 drivetrain and is nicely built bit of kit. We chose to spend a bit less cash than the M2 as we want to replace our other car shortly.
So in summary, we chose something more practical as with experience the two seaters never got used much.
Of course it's your choice and we all have probably had a hankering for a two seater at some time!
A nice place to be! This time last year I was considering a very similar list to yourself.
I was deliberating between a Cayman 718, F-type and the M2. I think for pure driving pleasure I would have gone for the Cayman, for more theatre I nearly went for the F-type and I was strongly considering the M2.
However my other half reminded me that I have had a total of three two seaters in my driving career and it always meant that invariably that they got left in the garage due to practicalities of driving friends and family around, Holiday trips and camping duties. This meant that our "best" car never got used as much as it should have been and all in all a bit of a waste.
You say it's going to be a daily driver but do you have another car to cover for practicalities?
In the end we compromised and got an M240 and are pleased with it as it has a decent boot, seats four and is certainly enough performance for the road. Yes it's not the last word in handling but has a lovely 3l IL6 and ZF8 drivetrain and is nicely built bit of kit. We chose to spend a bit less cash than the M2 as we want to replace our other car shortly.
So in summary, we chose something more practical as with experience the two seaters never got used much.
Of course it's your choice and we all have probably had a hankering for a two seater at some time!
I am considering a very similar bunch of vehicles next! The sensible side of me decided it was a great idea to buy an F30 320d for the long commute. And while it is saving me a great deal of money at the pumps, it's so dull (as expected) and I just keep reminding myself how much of a fool I have been. Anyways, I have always wanted to own an S54 engine'd car so have naturally been looking at the E46 M3 and the Z4M, budget is around 15 to max 20k which would also get me into a 987.2 Cayman S / M235i / M240i. I feel the 2 series would be the most usable but the least fun, the Cayman the most fun to drive but the probably the most expensive to maintain and the Z4M / M3 the happy middle ground. I'm leaning towards the Z4M I think as the S54 is a bucket list engine for me, but then I always find myself looking at the Caymans in the classifieds 
Yeh unfortunate m235 / m240 isn’t something I’d go for despite the value vs experience. Had they had the wider chassis/body of the M2 then that would certainly have me reconsider these as an option.
Z4M is defo in my top three, but need to try one first before I seriously start looking for one. I’m in the Z4C already - which is an awesome daily car to also have a blast in on open country roads. A small concern is ride - roads around Manchester are pretty s
te, so it could get annoying very quickly. But I’d love to own a car that’s revs to 8.
M3 e46 has always been a car I’ve wanted but if I’m spending 15-25+ max then I’d rather have the M2.
The more I think about it, unfortunately the jag I might eliminate from the list. I love how it looks but seeing the revised jag front end, makes the 1st gen look a little dated. It’s also a bit of a stretch budget wise, and I know if I could find the perfect f-type and the perfect 981, then I’d most likely go for cayman.
Anyway need to sell my car first before I commit to one of the above.
Z4M is defo in my top three, but need to try one first before I seriously start looking for one. I’m in the Z4C already - which is an awesome daily car to also have a blast in on open country roads. A small concern is ride - roads around Manchester are pretty s
te, so it could get annoying very quickly. But I’d love to own a car that’s revs to 8.M3 e46 has always been a car I’ve wanted but if I’m spending 15-25+ max then I’d rather have the M2.
The more I think about it, unfortunately the jag I might eliminate from the list. I love how it looks but seeing the revised jag front end, makes the 1st gen look a little dated. It’s also a bit of a stretch budget wise, and I know if I could find the perfect f-type and the perfect 981, then I’d most likely go for cayman.
Anyway need to sell my car first before I commit to one of the above.
shuebc said:
The more I think about it, unfortunately the jag I might eliminate from the list. I love how it looks but seeing the revised jag front end, makes the 1st gen look a little dated. It’s also a bit of a stretch budget wise, and I know if I could find the perfect f-type and the perfect 981, then I’d most likely go for cayman..
So you prefer the new Audi wannabe front end? I think the older one looks infinitely better, more classy, more distinct and less hey we are trying as hard as we can to compete with the Germans. Of course, just my opinion. Crudeoink said:
I am considering a very similar bunch of vehicles next! The sensible side of me decided it was a great idea to buy an F30 320d for the long commute. And while it is saving me a great deal of money at the pumps, it's so dull (as expected) and I just keep reminding myself how much of a fool I have been. Anyways, I have always wanted to own an S54 engine'd car so have naturally been looking at the E46 M3 and the Z4M, budget is around 15 to max 20k which would also get me into a 987.2 Cayman S / M235i / M240i. I feel the 2 series would be the most usable but the least fun, the Cayman the most fun to drive but the probably the most expensive to maintain and the Z4M / M3 the happy middle ground. I'm leaning towards the Z4M I think as the S54 is a bucket list engine for me, but then I always find myself looking at the Caymans in the classifieds
Just done exactly the same lol! Sold a VXT and Golf diesel last year, replaced them with a RRS which I bought to flip on really and then we were thinking of moving so hopped into an F31 320d M Sport - it’s great, does what I need but missing something. £20k seems to be a sweet spot for a lot of nice machinery but it’s whether that £20k buys you lower end of the next bracket or higher end of the previous!
Si
shuebc said:
Yeh unfortunate m235 / m240 isn’t something I’d go for despite the value vs experience. Had they had the wider chassis/body of the M2 then that would certainly have me reconsider these as an option.
Z4M is defo in my top three, but need to try one first before I seriously start looking for one. I’m in the Z4C already - which is an awesome daily car to also have a blast in on open country roads. A small concern is ride - roads around Manchester are pretty ste, so it could get annoying very quickly. But I’d love to own a car that’s revs to 8.
M3 e46 has always been a car I’ve wanted but if I’m spending 15-25+ max then I’d rather have the M2.
The more I think about it, unfortunately the jag I might eliminate from the list. I love how it looks but seeing the revised jag front end, makes the 1st gen look a little dated. It’s also a bit of a stretch budget wise, and I know if I could find the perfect f-type and the perfect 981, then I’d most likely go for cayman.
Anyway need to sell my car first before I commit to one of the above.
Just a thought but if your driving a Z4 already would you feel you were getting your moneys worth if you lobbed another load of cash in to be sat in the same interior with the same view out???Z4M is defo in my top three, but need to try one first before I seriously start looking for one. I’m in the Z4C already - which is an awesome daily car to also have a blast in on open country roads. A small concern is ride - roads around Manchester are pretty s
te, so it could get annoying very quickly. But I’d love to own a car that’s revs to 8.M3 e46 has always been a car I’ve wanted but if I’m spending 15-25+ max then I’d rather have the M2.
The more I think about it, unfortunately the jag I might eliminate from the list. I love how it looks but seeing the revised jag front end, makes the 1st gen look a little dated. It’s also a bit of a stretch budget wise, and I know if I could find the perfect f-type and the perfect 981, then I’d most likely go for cayman.
Anyway need to sell my car first before I commit to one of the above.
I know the engine is a peach, owned an E46 M3 and loved it, but personally I would be looking for a complete change. The character of the engine and drive can only be experienced at the upper ends of the rev range, the rest of the time it might just feel like the car it replaced??
Just a thought, I am not saying that is the case but something to consider.
Si
SiT said:
Just a thought but if your driving a Z4 already would you feel you were getting your moneys worth if you lobbed another load of cash in to be sat in the same interior with the same view out???
I know the engine is a peach, owned an E46 M3 and loved it, but personally I would be looking for a complete change. The character of the engine and drive can only be experienced at the upper ends of the rev range, the rest of the time it might just feel like the car it replaced??
Just a thought, I am not saying that is the case but something to consider.
Si
Yeh that’s my main reluctance for going for the z4m. However, the whole idea of owning a pretty rare car kinda balances it out, and the fact it has a completely different character, engine, and a nicer looking front end (be it very subtle)I know the engine is a peach, owned an E46 M3 and loved it, but personally I would be looking for a complete change. The character of the engine and drive can only be experienced at the upper ends of the rev range, the rest of the time it might just feel like the car it replaced??
Just a thought, I am not saying that is the case but something to consider.
Si
Shifter1 said:
So you prefer the new Audi wannabe front end? I think the older one looks infinitely better, more classy, more distinct and less hey we are trying as hard as we can to compete with the Germans. Of course, just my opinion.
Yeh unfortunately it was a bit of an r8 ish wannabe. Yeh the original has a more classy look, and I actually prefer the old rear to the new rear. But the front I think looks way more purposeful than before. Plus the old front kinda reminds me of a 350z (also owned one of them previously)Just watched review of the f type v6s vs 718 (but not considering the 718). The guy seemed to love the ftype
981s Cayman for me. Z4M coupe styling and drivetrain definitely showing it's age these days and never been a huge fan of BMW manual gearboxes.
F-Type S looks amazing but not on a par from a driving or build perspective with the Porsche and the M2 not special enough.
Only issue with the Cayman is according to AT only 1 in 10 are manuals so not a massive selection to choose from.
F-Type S looks amazing but not on a par from a driving or build perspective with the Porsche and the M2 not special enough.
Only issue with the Cayman is according to AT only 1 in 10 are manuals so not a massive selection to choose from.
shuebc said:
Yeh unfortunately it was a bit of an r8 ish wannabe. Yeh the original has a more classy look, and I actually prefer the old rear to the new rear. But the front I think looks way more purposeful than before. Plus the old front kinda reminds me of a 350z (also owned one of them previously)
Just watched review of the f type v6s vs 718 (but not considering the 718). The guy seemed to love the ftype
I guess to each his own. Where you see more purposeful in the front I see more generic. Just watched review of the f type v6s vs 718 (but not considering the 718). The guy seemed to love the ftype
But we agree on the rear. They ruined it in the "new" car.
The combination of trying to make it look like an Audi and ending up with a generic front that is clearly trying to imitate, plus no more manual, makes the new F-type totally dead for me.
The F-type was the only Jaguar which still had a personality. Now the whole line up look like generic designs.
Hope they will do better with the replacements for the saloons.
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