Discussion
Had my Sapphire Black Z4MC since the end of October, but the weather and things always getting in the way have prevented me doing a bit of a write-up. Even when I did a detailed clean of it on Sunday a bit of rain sprinkled down as I finished! The clean was just a basic wash with a bit of a polish/tidy up (didn't touch the inside, though). Nothing extravagant.
Bought from BMW Stevenage (Specialist Cars) in October 2011 @ 51,000 miles.
The options:
- Sapphire Black
- Interior Individual Dark Estoril Blue/Anthracite
- Electric Folding Mirrors
- Brushed Aluminium Trim
- Sun Protection Glass
- Heated Seats
- PDC
- Professional Nav
- BMW Assist
- Voice Control
- Bluetooth prep
- BMW Professional Speakers
It came with its Inspection II done from Stevenage - in fact, they originally supplied the car and have carried out every one of the oil/inspection services since, as well as other minor fixes here and there. Since then I've put on about 2,500 miles - a real mixture of day to day town work commutes and country lane/fun driving. It excels in pretty much every area. I had a Z4 3.0SE (03) SMG before this and it's in a completely different league - both in terms of power and in terms of overall feel and prestige. The steering feedback is great and the noise of engine is just addictive. I'm averaging about 23mpg across a 'typical' tank, but it's both easy to get this 20mpg with town driving/pushing on and also to see it climb to about 27/28 when cruising. People who talk of 30mpg day to day are either a) lying or b) driving everywhere at 40-60mph. Though, it is weird to be able to coax 35mpg out of it if you nurse it around everywhere. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's very close to the perfect coupe if you can look past its relative thirst. Insurance is £900 at 25 with 4NCB, teacher, DN3 through Sky.
The only additions I've made have been minor - I've replaced the standard RC aerial with a stubby, as I did with my last car. I also had a local auto electrics place install an Intravee II and Alpine unit between the boot and the central tunnel with an iPod lead poking out just beneath the Nav DVD drive so I can just slot my phone into there and use that for all my music. Obviously it still works great with the integrated bluetooth for calls - no clashes there.
When driving you find that the back end likes to try and bury itself into the tarmac if you floor it - it's like a greased pig that's trying to escape your grasp. In fact, you have to be really careful with traction/the back end - even with the DSC on it can easily catch you unawares if you're foolish. Though the one time I really browned myself was whilst leaving the Cat & Fiddle car park with cold tyres. Lack of visibility when leaving on that corner, if turning right + cold tyres + an urge not to cause an accident + the Z4MC's famed notchy gearchanges = me fishtailing across the road for 30 yards and nearly giving myself both a heart attack and an enema within the space of a second or so.
You get a few admiring looks from drivers - far more so than the standard Z4. That said, any attention has been both a) very subtle and b) positive. I've not had any grief at all. You get the occasional person who likes to race you (seems to mainly be hot/warm hatchbacks, mainly), but that's it.
Future possible plans:
- had my old reg plate on retention since October and still haven't put it on. Should really do that whilst off work this week.
- powder coat the wheels black? Unsure on this.
- black kidney grills at the front. The current ones with chromed edges don't seem to quite 'fit'.
- remove the CDV for smoother changes?
- sell. However, will only do this when I can afford something truly ridiculous for weekends (read: Atom/KTM XBow/similar) whilst still having enough left for a cheap diesel hatchback. I'm not rich enough for that at the moment.
(Apologies for the blurriness of the Intravee installation - didn't realise until I was writing it up!)
I'm more than willing to answer any questions from prospective purchasers, especially those who are considering the jump from a smaller engined model as I had my 3 litre for over 2 years before this.
Bought from BMW Stevenage (Specialist Cars) in October 2011 @ 51,000 miles.
The options:
- Sapphire Black
- Interior Individual Dark Estoril Blue/Anthracite
- Electric Folding Mirrors
- Brushed Aluminium Trim
- Sun Protection Glass
- Heated Seats
- PDC
- Professional Nav
- BMW Assist
- Voice Control
- Bluetooth prep
- BMW Professional Speakers
It came with its Inspection II done from Stevenage - in fact, they originally supplied the car and have carried out every one of the oil/inspection services since, as well as other minor fixes here and there. Since then I've put on about 2,500 miles - a real mixture of day to day town work commutes and country lane/fun driving. It excels in pretty much every area. I had a Z4 3.0SE (03) SMG before this and it's in a completely different league - both in terms of power and in terms of overall feel and prestige. The steering feedback is great and the noise of engine is just addictive. I'm averaging about 23mpg across a 'typical' tank, but it's both easy to get this 20mpg with town driving/pushing on and also to see it climb to about 27/28 when cruising. People who talk of 30mpg day to day are either a) lying or b) driving everywhere at 40-60mph. Though, it is weird to be able to coax 35mpg out of it if you nurse it around everywhere. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's very close to the perfect coupe if you can look past its relative thirst. Insurance is £900 at 25 with 4NCB, teacher, DN3 through Sky.
The only additions I've made have been minor - I've replaced the standard RC aerial with a stubby, as I did with my last car. I also had a local auto electrics place install an Intravee II and Alpine unit between the boot and the central tunnel with an iPod lead poking out just beneath the Nav DVD drive so I can just slot my phone into there and use that for all my music. Obviously it still works great with the integrated bluetooth for calls - no clashes there.
When driving you find that the back end likes to try and bury itself into the tarmac if you floor it - it's like a greased pig that's trying to escape your grasp. In fact, you have to be really careful with traction/the back end - even with the DSC on it can easily catch you unawares if you're foolish. Though the one time I really browned myself was whilst leaving the Cat & Fiddle car park with cold tyres. Lack of visibility when leaving on that corner, if turning right + cold tyres + an urge not to cause an accident + the Z4MC's famed notchy gearchanges = me fishtailing across the road for 30 yards and nearly giving myself both a heart attack and an enema within the space of a second or so.
You get a few admiring looks from drivers - far more so than the standard Z4. That said, any attention has been both a) very subtle and b) positive. I've not had any grief at all. You get the occasional person who likes to race you (seems to mainly be hot/warm hatchbacks, mainly), but that's it.
Future possible plans:
- had my old reg plate on retention since October and still haven't put it on. Should really do that whilst off work this week.
- powder coat the wheels black? Unsure on this.
- black kidney grills at the front. The current ones with chromed edges don't seem to quite 'fit'.
- remove the CDV for smoother changes?
- sell. However, will only do this when I can afford something truly ridiculous for weekends (read: Atom/KTM XBow/similar) whilst still having enough left for a cheap diesel hatchback. I'm not rich enough for that at the moment.
(Apologies for the blurriness of the Intravee installation - didn't realise until I was writing it up!)
I'm more than willing to answer any questions from prospective purchasers, especially those who are considering the jump from a smaller engined model as I had my 3 litre for over 2 years before this.
Lovely car OP, not a fan of the interior though to be honest.
I DIY sprayed my grilles matte black last week, although mine is just a 3.0 Roadster, it has definitely spruced up the front end. I can post a picture if you like. Took me maybe an hour with some 220/400 grit, some primer and some rattle can matte black. Finish is really nice!
Really do wish I had waited and got an M but financially the Roadster was more suitable.
I DIY sprayed my grilles matte black last week, although mine is just a 3.0 Roadster, it has definitely spruced up the front end. I can post a picture if you like. Took me maybe an hour with some 220/400 grit, some primer and some rattle can matte black. Finish is really nice!
Really do wish I had waited and got an M but financially the Roadster was more suitable.
Thanks for the comments so far. When I first saw the car on the website I thought the interior was slightly garish, but it's not at all in the flesh - more subtle than you think. And far more interesting than my last plain black one, in my opinion! I know it won't appeal to everyone, though.
Yeah, that would be useful. The guys on the Z4F always like a write-up of anything like that someone has done too; I'm sure they'd welcome a post like that.
The Ms are definitely worth the increase and the difference from one to the other, so I wouldn't rule it out for the future.
Yeah, that would be useful. The guys on the Z4F always like a write-up of anything like that someone has done too; I'm sure they'd welcome a post like that.
The Ms are definitely worth the increase and the difference from one to the other, so I wouldn't rule it out for the future.
I used this guide for an E90 but its more or less the same idea. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383...
Apologies for the terrible lighting and the rather large dead bugs I had accumulated after a spirited drive on the A64.
How was your 2 years of ownership with the 3.0? Is the performance difference as dramatic as I presume it would be? The Roadster is capable but it definitely feels a bit wobbly and if I'm honest it's all a bit rattly at times. I'd welcome a bit more oomph too but I guess that's what the M Coupe does, fill those voids.
Apologies for the terrible lighting and the rather large dead bugs I had accumulated after a spirited drive on the A64.
How was your 2 years of ownership with the 3.0? Is the performance difference as dramatic as I presume it would be? The Roadster is capable but it definitely feels a bit wobbly and if I'm honest it's all a bit rattly at times. I'd welcome a bit more oomph too but I guess that's what the M Coupe does, fill those voids.
Low down the difference isn't all that, it's when you get into the mid and upper rev ranges that you notice it. Whereas in the 3.0 it surges a bit, then dies a little towards about 6,500rpm, the M is just relentless - no doubt emphasises by the sound and tyres fighting the tarmac a bit.
Everything feels a lot 'tighter' too. My 3 litre felt very loose by comparison - both in the way it was held together but also in the (electric) steering. Rattles seem fewer and farther between too, though you might occasionally have one still.
Everything feels a lot 'tighter' too. My 3 litre felt very loose by comparison - both in the way it was held together but also in the (electric) steering. Rattles seem fewer and farther between too, though you might occasionally have one still.
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