Z4 Coupe / Z4M Talk to me
Discussion
Had a hankering for one of these for a while, even considered one as a second car but didn't see jumping from a 1.4 to a 3.0 as a sensible choice (in terms of cost and of my own lax driving experience) so the Fiesta ST came along. I've had it almost 10 months now and am finding it quite dull, it's not the fastest car on earth, certainly isn't any form of refined at motorway speeds and for what it is, 28-30mpg combined is horrific.
Running costs in terms of fuel aren't too much of an issue as I do about 6/7k miles a year and very rarely make the 150 mile round trip in to work in my own car. I'm expecting a jump in cost for the tires, currently running 205/40/17 Pirelli P Zeros which I don't mind too much, what tires are recommended for these cars? I've no clue on servicing costs/intervals so if any owners could pipe up on that front! Taxing only jumps about £50 for the 3.0 but can go almost up £200 for the Z4, again this would be my first RWD car and given the cars both hitting limiters at 155mph (which I have no doubt it will never see) is the M car really that much better other than the 1.5 or so seconds it hits 60 quicker in to justify almost doubling the tax and I'm sure taking tires, brakes and servicing costs upwards also?
I'd probably be looking at cars in the range of £15-18k with a probable £12k cash available and an estimated trade in/private sale of my car at anywhere from £4k-6k, which means a car of anywhere from 20-50k on the clock. Is there anything specific to look out for when buying these cars, any recalls etc or any must have options on the cars?
Any info/opinions are much appreciated chaps!
Running costs in terms of fuel aren't too much of an issue as I do about 6/7k miles a year and very rarely make the 150 mile round trip in to work in my own car. I'm expecting a jump in cost for the tires, currently running 205/40/17 Pirelli P Zeros which I don't mind too much, what tires are recommended for these cars? I've no clue on servicing costs/intervals so if any owners could pipe up on that front! Taxing only jumps about £50 for the 3.0 but can go almost up £200 for the Z4, again this would be my first RWD car and given the cars both hitting limiters at 155mph (which I have no doubt it will never see) is the M car really that much better other than the 1.5 or so seconds it hits 60 quicker in to justify almost doubling the tax and I'm sure taking tires, brakes and servicing costs upwards also?
I'd probably be looking at cars in the range of £15-18k with a probable £12k cash available and an estimated trade in/private sale of my car at anywhere from £4k-6k, which means a car of anywhere from 20-50k on the clock. Is there anything specific to look out for when buying these cars, any recalls etc or any must have options on the cars?
Any info/opinions are much appreciated chaps!
Z4C vs Z4MC has been covered many times, including here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Z4M gearbox is typically 'M' as in awful ... some say removing the clutch delay valve helps but tbh it is the gearbox design which is slow and obstructive in the lower gears. I sold mine after about 9 months as I simply hated the box. Thrash it though and it loves it - superb engine too. I got 22mpg which I didn't think was bad for 340bhp 
When I bought mine BMWFSH was a must as was a current warranty, I'd look at the insurance quotes before you jump though. Also the unexpected costs can be pretty steep (I recently replaced the rears due to a puncture £450).
I believe EVO has a buyers guide which is pretty good but the Z4 forum is a great place for additional info.
There's a few things to look out for, but for your budget you'll get a nice one from a main dealer with a 12 month warranty (IMO a must).
Servicing is expensive (Inspection 2 can be £800 - £1200) which is just something you need to mentally prepare for unless you're flush.
However, for the perfomance on offer you'd have to go a long way to beat the package IMHO
I believe EVO has a buyers guide which is pretty good but the Z4 forum is a great place for additional info.
There's a few things to look out for, but for your budget you'll get a nice one from a main dealer with a 12 month warranty (IMO a must).
Servicing is expensive (Inspection 2 can be £800 - £1200) which is just something you need to mentally prepare for unless you're flush.
However, for the perfomance on offer you'd have to go a long way to beat the package IMHO
AtomMan said:
Make sure you leave enough for a new set of curling tongs!!
playalistic said:
Wow that's a new one, well done!
Actually I think it is a new one as I've always been under the impression that the hairdresser comments were usually for roadsters that were either slightly effeminate looking or were fitted with the smallest sized engine in the range, (the theory being that they were more for posing in and being seen than for genuine driving pleasure).As the Z4 coupe and the Z4M are neither of these, I fail to see how the hairdresser comment applies!.
Partly due to the adaptive throttle (press the 'sport' button to improve that) and the CDV, they are hard to drive smoothly, if you value that skill. The engine is pretty responsive to the throttle with 'sport' mode on, or somewhat vague without, and the car accelerates very quickly in lower gears. If you've come from a car in which you can floor the pedal and wait for it to catch up even in lower gears, you are in for a suprise! A close family member has A Z4M Coupé and I drive it occasionally - it's always a pleasure and always an embarrassment until I get back into its quirks. My Westfield, with a similar power to weight ratio, is far easier to drive smoothly. Can't say about the non-M though.
Edited by motco on Saturday 23 July 15:49
4rephill said:
Actually I think it is a new one as I've always been under the impression that the hairdresser comments were usually for roadsters that were either slightly effeminate looking or were fitted with the smallest sized engine in the range, (the theory being that they were more for posing in and being seen than for genuine driving pleasure).
As the Z4 coupe and the Z4M are neither of these, I fail to see how the hairdresser comment applies!.
Just incase it wasn't clear I was being sarcastic As the Z4 coupe and the Z4M are neither of these, I fail to see how the hairdresser comment applies!.
Vroomer said:
AtomMan said:
Make sure you leave enough for a new set of curling tongs!!
You are the first person I have ever heard label the Z4C/Z4MC a hairdresser's car.You are a wally.
.My word, you lot are a bit sensitive aren't you?! Surely the smilie would have indicated that I was just having a laugh? Or is this a no personality BMW zone?!
Look, the Z4M (in my wallyesque opinion) is a rather flawed car. The chassis and steering are not brilliant and if it was me I would go for the cheaper 3 litre car as its lets frenzied nature seems to suit the rest of the package better. I drove Z4M for a prolonged period when I had a Boxster S and the Porsche was a lot better....
Depends what you are after to be honest and how much of a driver you are. Being on here, I would think you are some sort of enthusiast. So it would depend on how compromised/focused a car you want or can live with.
If it was me, I would get a 3 litre car if someone had a gun to my head to by a BMW. If not, it would be a Boxster S if I had to have something with some practicality. Or if you can live with it, and my undoubted favourite, is a Lotus Elise R. Stunning steering and handling, brilliant looks and badge and relatively cheap to run.
I drive a 7 which is very very nuts but the Elise is the best compromise and in my opinion far superior to the BMW.
Z4M is a rough diamond for sure. This has been said and written a zillion times but I'll repeat it... Boxster S too accomplished (read: sterile, dare I say slightly dull?). Z4M is manic, visceral and sure it wants to kill you most of the time and needs to be hustled to get the best of... But with a few choice mods you can move it up a peg or three. Suits me perfectly. Others may have differing opinions but not to would make us all dull 
There's my dose of diplomacy for the day.
There's my dose of diplomacy for the day.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff