Z4 3.0Si Coupe v Z4M Coupe
Discussion
Hi All,
I have put the 2 car plan on hold for now as in reality, the weekend toy will never get used, so I am back looking at a fun day to day car again. Test drove a Z4 3.0Si yesterday and loved it, so the Z4 coupe has jumped to the top of my list at present, but I have seen a couple of sub £20k Z4M Coupes online which may well come into reach by March when I am looking to buy.
Having had 2 M3s in the past, I am a little wary about the running cost differences between the 2 cars - the insurance quote is 40% more, the road tax is twice as much, the fuel economy probably 30% different and I would imagine the servicing will be considerably more too.
Has anyone had both cars? Is there a considerable difference in running costs?
I am likely to keep either car for 2-3 years, so what are people's thought's on the depreciation differences over 3 years/36k miles.
All input greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Chris
I have put the 2 car plan on hold for now as in reality, the weekend toy will never get used, so I am back looking at a fun day to day car again. Test drove a Z4 3.0Si yesterday and loved it, so the Z4 coupe has jumped to the top of my list at present, but I have seen a couple of sub £20k Z4M Coupes online which may well come into reach by March when I am looking to buy.
Having had 2 M3s in the past, I am a little wary about the running cost differences between the 2 cars - the insurance quote is 40% more, the road tax is twice as much, the fuel economy probably 30% different and I would imagine the servicing will be considerably more too.
Has anyone had both cars? Is there a considerable difference in running costs?
I am likely to keep either car for 2-3 years, so what are people's thought's on the depreciation differences over 3 years/36k miles.
All input greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Chris
The fuel costs should be the same, as it's basically the same engine and weighs the same as a CSL (in Z4MC version).
55L tank and I get about 300 miles between fills and still only manage to get 48L in - it will need SUL though (mine runs best on Tesco 99).
My insurance went down from an e34 M5 to the Z4MC, although only about 10%.
Service intervals are quite long, so servicing costs could be half what an older one is, plus there's always independents if you buy one without a warranty anyway - the Si will be cheaper again.
There is NO body roll in the Z4MC and it's BRILLIANT - don't go for 19" wheels though - even if the 19" CSLs look gorgeous - as IMHO they mess up the handling (I sold mine).
55L tank and I get about 300 miles between fills and still only manage to get 48L in - it will need SUL though (mine runs best on Tesco 99).
My insurance went down from an e34 M5 to the Z4MC, although only about 10%.
Service intervals are quite long, so servicing costs could be half what an older one is, plus there's always independents if you buy one without a warranty anyway - the Si will be cheaper again.
There is NO body roll in the Z4MC and it's BRILLIANT - don't go for 19" wheels though - even if the 19" CSLs look gorgeous - as IMHO they mess up the handling (I sold mine).
mmm-five said:
The fuel costs should be the same, as it's basically the same engine and weighs the same as a CSL (in Z4MC version).
55L tank and I get about 300 miles between fills and still only manage to get 48L in - it will need SUL though (mine runs best on Tesco 99).
My insurance went down from an e34 M5 to the Z4MC, although only about 10%.
Service intervals are quite long, so servicing costs could be half what an older one is, plus there's always independents if you buy one without a warranty anyway - the Si will be cheaper again.
There is NO body roll in the Z4MC and it's BRILLIANT - don't go for 19" wheels though - even if the 19" CSLs look gorgeous - as IMHO they mess up the handling (I sold mine).
Thanks for the reply - having re-read my original post I was a little unclear. I am not comparing the Z4M to my old M3s, but I am comparing the Z4M to the 3.0Si. I can stretch to buying the Z4M, but am not sure what the extra running costs will be compared with the 3.0Si. From memory, M services are more frequent and considerably more money than the 3.0Si will be, and the warranty extension probably twice the price?55L tank and I get about 300 miles between fills and still only manage to get 48L in - it will need SUL though (mine runs best on Tesco 99).
My insurance went down from an e34 M5 to the Z4MC, although only about 10%.
Service intervals are quite long, so servicing costs could be half what an older one is, plus there's always independents if you buy one without a warranty anyway - the Si will be cheaper again.
There is NO body roll in the Z4MC and it's BRILLIANT - don't go for 19" wheels though - even if the 19" CSLs look gorgeous - as IMHO they mess up the handling (I sold mine).
You'll want the experience of the Z4-Forum then - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
There's enough discussion on servicing costs, reliability, upgrades, etc. to keep you off PH for a day or two
There's enough discussion on servicing costs, reliability, upgrades, etc. to keep you off PH for a day or two
I'm sure I'm stating the obvious : Fuel, Tax, Insurance, Servicing will all be more expensive on the M car. I'm sure if you ring up your local BMW dealer they'll tell you the service intervals and costs for comparison. I'm sure the M is a cracking car - it's up to you to decide if it's worth the extra costs.
i would go for the 3.0....the running costs are alot cheaper...its the lighter car so maybe easier on consumables...in regards depreciation it might be heavier on the m because fatgordon is going to put up the road tax eventually and petrol is only going to be cheap in the short term....certainly get a test drive as the m demands to be thrashed everywhere whereas the 3.0 is happier at lower speeds...
check out the evo review of it anyway..
check out the evo review of it anyway..
Worth test driving the Z4 M Coupe to see the difference - I have only ever driven the Z4 M but would imagine they feel a bit different due to the electric power steering and run-flats in the 3L.
That said, on paper I'd be surprised if you could tell a significant difference in power, but I do prefer the styling on the M and it feels a bit more special.
Running costs, I'm averaging about 24mpg in the M, and rough service costs seem to be
Oil change - 200 to 300 GBP
Inspection I - Circa 600 GBP at typically 24-25k miles (not got there yet)
Inspection II - Circa 1000 GBP at 40-50k miles(?)
That said, on paper I'd be surprised if you could tell a significant difference in power, but I do prefer the styling on the M and it feels a bit more special.
Running costs, I'm averaging about 24mpg in the M, and rough service costs seem to be
Oil change - 200 to 300 GBP
Inspection I - Circa 600 GBP at typically 24-25k miles (not got there yet)
Inspection II - Circa 1000 GBP at 40-50k miles(?)
Edited by Vinny09 on Thursday 22 January 14:06
VerySideways said:
You've read this right?
http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17...
Interesting read! With current used values, the price differential is closer to £3k, which I am comfortable with, but 95% of my driving these days is very 'normal' and I think I might struggle to justify the servicing costs which appear to be almost double.http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17...
Not sure I should risk a Z4M test drive!!
Spot on - pick the one you like the feel of most.
Problem for me was that I'm happy to admit that being quite egocentric I would always have worried about how I felt in the 3L if an "M" pulled up alongside!!!!
(but I do also prefer the M styling even if there were zero performance difference)
Problem for me was that I'm happy to admit that being quite egocentric I would always have worried about how I felt in the 3L if an "M" pulled up alongside!!!!
(but I do also prefer the M styling even if there were zero performance difference)
Vinny09 said:
I would always have worried about how I felt in the 3L if an "M" pulled up alongside!!!!
There's always going to be a faster, bigger, shinier car somewhere. That's why I don't personally believe in that whole 'what if...pulled alongside' thing. You'll beat yourself up or go bankrupt trying to not be upstaged by people you don't even know.Try going to a Vmax day - it's pretty much irrelevant what you turn up in, someone will have something bigger/faster/flasher/more expensive/sounding better/shinier/etc.
Once you've had your ego erased you can concentrate on enjoying your car for what it does for you, not what other people think of it.
Well that's how i feel anyway. I drove a 450bhp 993 turbo every day for a year and my current 130i is much more fun as a daily driver. Not as "cool", or as quick, or any number of other things, but puts a much bigger grin on my face much more often.
Once you've had your ego erased you can concentrate on enjoying your car for what it does for you, not what other people think of it.
Well that's how i feel anyway. I drove a 450bhp 993 turbo every day for a year and my current 130i is much more fun as a daily driver. Not as "cool", or as quick, or any number of other things, but puts a much bigger grin on my face much more often.
I had a Z4 3.0si coupe, then an e46 M3 so whilst I can't quite answer the question, my thoughts are:
1. The 3.0si engine is brilliant - it revs freely and smoothly and is a peach for the Z4. But the "M" engine is in another league - just astounding. And shed a couple of hundred kilos (between M3 and Z4M) and the experience must be incredible. If money were no object, then the decision is easy. Get the M.
2. On long trips, there was very little difference in fuel consumption between the 3.0 Z4 and the M3. Maybe 2 or 3 mpg at most difference. Around town the 3.0 was significantly better (i.e. the difference between mid-20s and mid-teens). So whether fuel cost is an issue probably depends on what sort of driving you're doing.
3. The costs of "M" ownership shouldn't be underestimated. Main dealer servicing is a few hundred quid more expensive each time. Then factor in insurance (for me, an extra few hundred quid a year), the cost of keeping the warranty going, plus other "incidentals" (such as the cost of renting a garage, in my case, because I couldn't get a half-decent insurance quote unless the M3 was garaged). It all mounts up.
I agree that the £3k difference in used prices makes this a very tricky decision. Buying new, I couldn't justify the extra (almost) £10k spend for the Z4M. Buying second hand, with a £3k difference, its a different story and the M starts to look like a bargain... especially with that superb engine... but then the costs... .
Good luck!
1. The 3.0si engine is brilliant - it revs freely and smoothly and is a peach for the Z4. But the "M" engine is in another league - just astounding. And shed a couple of hundred kilos (between M3 and Z4M) and the experience must be incredible. If money were no object, then the decision is easy. Get the M.
2. On long trips, there was very little difference in fuel consumption between the 3.0 Z4 and the M3. Maybe 2 or 3 mpg at most difference. Around town the 3.0 was significantly better (i.e. the difference between mid-20s and mid-teens). So whether fuel cost is an issue probably depends on what sort of driving you're doing.
3. The costs of "M" ownership shouldn't be underestimated. Main dealer servicing is a few hundred quid more expensive each time. Then factor in insurance (for me, an extra few hundred quid a year), the cost of keeping the warranty going, plus other "incidentals" (such as the cost of renting a garage, in my case, because I couldn't get a half-decent insurance quote unless the M3 was garaged). It all mounts up.
I agree that the £3k difference in used prices makes this a very tricky decision. Buying new, I couldn't justify the extra (almost) £10k spend for the Z4M. Buying second hand, with a £3k difference, its a different story and the M starts to look like a bargain... especially with that superb engine... but then the costs... .
Good luck!
Edited by wrighty78 on Thursday 22 January 16:48
VerySideways said:
You've read this right?
http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17...
thats a good read...i came to the same conclusion after time with both...the 3.0 is the better car because its a better road car and the track performance of the m is tainted by its weight and shttp://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17...
t brakes....IMO it all comes down to the sums, the Z4MC is the better car i can't see how its a debate.. the only 2 things the 3.0si does better is the gearchange is a little easier (but u get used to it in the M) and its slightly more practical (bigger boot space)... thats it except for the costs The M costs more to buy and run, theres a reason for that....
test drive both of them back to back (i did) you'll find out that reason
then it'll just just come down to the maths... i do 20k a year and still went for the M and you know what? i've never seen and 3.0si and though, damn, i wish i'd gone for one of those cheaper models LOL
however if it'd been the otherway round
The M costs more to buy and run, theres a reason for that....test drive both of them back to back (i did) you'll find out that reason
then it'll just just come down to the maths... i do 20k a year and still went for the M and you know what? i've never seen and 3.0si and though, damn, i wish i'd gone for one of those cheaper models LOL
however if it'd been the otherway round
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