Z4M Coupe to V8Vantage 4.3 or 4.7
Discussion
Its a little way off but I have been looking at getting a V8Vantage probably early next year for many reasons but sound and aesthetic are high up there.
I currently have a Z4M Coupe that I take on long weekend blasts occasionally and a Z43.0siCoupe that is my daily (and surprisingly capable).
The biggest concern I have is that in the heavier Vantage will it actually feel like I am downgrading in power?
If I step up to the 4.7 will it be different?
Maybe I am hugely overestimating the Z4M experience but interested to get your ideas - especially if anyone has owned both.
TA
I currently have a Z4M Coupe that I take on long weekend blasts occasionally and a Z43.0siCoupe that is my daily (and surprisingly capable).
The biggest concern I have is that in the heavier Vantage will it actually feel like I am downgrading in power?
If I step up to the 4.7 will it be different?
Maybe I am hugely overestimating the Z4M experience but interested to get your ideas - especially if anyone has owned both.
TA
Many find a the 4.3 adequate, I had one for 9 years and really enjoyed it. For the last few years been in a 4.7 Roadster and love that too. Yes a 4.7 is a nice upgrade, the 40bhp and 40lbft of torque is very noticeable. As with any car upgrade its nice to get as new as possible within your budget, so if you can find an early 4.7 then I would go for it. Dont worry about the mileage they take it well, just do your research and check the history thoroughly.
Don’t hesitate - go for it. I went from a Z4M roadster to a 4.3 Vantage. The 4.3 felt no slower than the Z4M and is plenty fast enough on UK roads and as regards the noise and “feel-good” factor there is no contest . If you can stretch to it a 4.7 is a bit quicker and the cabin is better but you would not be disappointed with the 4.3 - I can guarantee that with either you will not miss the BMW one bit.
Z4MCSL said:
Interesting - thanks for the opinion
anything you missed about the Z4M?
Not anything really as I had my "I've got an Aston" head on. And that is a good feeling. anything you missed about the Z4M?
If anything the sat Nav and phone integration on an early on are poor, and the engine doesn't rev freely. But as I said before none of these really matter when you open the garage door. Sometimes I miss it. But then again I miss my Z3M Coupe more.... 😁
I come from a BMW background (up to M3 and Alpina BMW) and have a Vantage 4.7L Complete different cars but I never ever looked back, the Aston is so much joy, I catch myself sometimes just looking at it full of enjoyment of the timeless design.
Have a test-drive with the cars that fit your budget and enjoy. If you are driving one with sport shift forget about the D-button do use the paddles! It gets a little while to get used to the sport shift box.
Cheers
Christian
Have a test-drive with the cars that fit your budget and enjoy. If you are driving one with sport shift forget about the D-button do use the paddles! It gets a little while to get used to the sport shift box.
Cheers
Christian
I turned up in my old 3.0si Coupe (one of the best engines ever IMO and works so well in that car) to test drive a DB9 and a 4.3 Vantage, ended up in a DB9 as I thought the Vantage didn't even have the urge of the Z4!
Realised later that you don't really get to thrash a car on a test drive around Reading, make sure you give a 4.3 a go and give it proper beans is my advice before worrying about the 4.7.
Realised later that you don't really get to thrash a car on a test drive around Reading, make sure you give a 4.3 a go and give it proper beans is my advice before worrying about the 4.7.
I went from a BMW E36 M3 3.2l (321HP, 1460kg) to a 4.3 Vantage.
Lets focus on driving only, and leave away the aesthetics and the feelgood factor of the Aston for a moment.
I'd say the Aston is by no means a slower car, especially when the road open up a bit.
The BMW straight six M3 engines are great, with a nice agressive top end, where the 4.3l Aston engine somehow lacks a little.
However the Astons torque compensates for the higher weight, and the suspension/brakes clearly are in a better league.
The Aston is definitely more satisfying to drive.
Try one...just be aware of it's drinking habits.
Thomas
Lets focus on driving only, and leave away the aesthetics and the feelgood factor of the Aston for a moment.
I'd say the Aston is by no means a slower car, especially when the road open up a bit.
The BMW straight six M3 engines are great, with a nice agressive top end, where the 4.3l Aston engine somehow lacks a little.
However the Astons torque compensates for the higher weight, and the suspension/brakes clearly are in a better league.
The Aston is definitely more satisfying to drive.
Try one...just be aware of it's drinking habits.
Thomas
shunt said:
Not anything really as I had my "I've got an Aston" head on. And that is a good feeling.
If anything the sat Nav and phone integration on an early on are poor, and the engine doesn't rev freely. But as I said before none of these really matter when you open the garage door. Sometimes I miss it. But then again I miss my Z3M Coupe more.... ??
Nooo! was it an S54 Z3M ???!If anything the sat Nav and phone integration on an early on are poor, and the engine doesn't rev freely. But as I said before none of these really matter when you open the garage door. Sometimes I miss it. But then again I miss my Z3M Coupe more.... ??
Not had a Z4 of any description, however I had (and still have) a well tweaked Chimaera 500 which puts out 360bhp and 354lbft, it's stonkingly quick, and set up for track days. I bought my 4.3 Vantage just over 2 years ago, and the difference in straight line performance (at least at legal speeds) is very noticeable.... This hasn't bothered me in the least though, because although the Vantage doesn't have the spine tingling acceleration of the TVR, it has so much more in almost every other area, and even after two years I still stare at it like a 12 year old 
So, for me, 0-60 times are immaterial, it's how I feel owning and driving it that is very special. Oh, the Vantage does handle better than the TVR too
Cheers,
Richard
So, for me, 0-60 times are immaterial, it's how I feel owning and driving it that is very special. Oh, the Vantage does handle better than the TVR too Cheers,
Richard
I've had a Z4MR and a 4.3 V8V. In short you wont regret the move.
The Vantage is more compliant on bumpy roads, so easier to get the power down and enjoy the road. The gearbox on the Aston isn't as slick as the BMW but the overall experience is far more compelling. I liked my Z4M but I loved my Vantage.
The Vantage is more compliant on bumpy roads, so easier to get the power down and enjoy the road. The gearbox on the Aston isn't as slick as the BMW but the overall experience is far more compelling. I liked my Z4M but I loved my Vantage.
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