Considering swapping the 123d for a Z4 or Z4M
Discussion
I've had the 123d for 2 years now, and am pondering changing it for either a Z4 3.0 or a Z4MC.
I do about 12k miles a year so spend only £120 a month on diesel (at 45mpg). Another hundred isn't going to hurt. Is the M mega-expensive on servicing etc compared to the 1er?
My main concern is the ride quality - i've read mixed reports, some saying the 'normal' Z4 has a better ride, and others saying there is no difference. I found the 1 series on m sport and runflats too crashy, but fine on normal tyres. What are these like as a daily drive?
What would you do?
I do about 12k miles a year so spend only £120 a month on diesel (at 45mpg). Another hundred isn't going to hurt. Is the M mega-expensive on servicing etc compared to the 1er?
My main concern is the ride quality - i've read mixed reports, some saying the 'normal' Z4 has a better ride, and others saying there is no difference. I found the 1 series on m sport and runflats too crashy, but fine on normal tyres. What are these like as a daily drive?
What would you do?
The M has the M tax added to everything, so it will cost a bit more.
M doesn't have RFT, but to be honest I don't find the ride on the Z4 3.0i too bad even with 18's and RFT. There's a bit of bump steer on all Z4s, which is what a lot of the mags complained about, but you get used to that.
M doesn't have RFT, but to be honest I don't find the ride on the Z4 3.0i too bad even with 18's and RFT. There's a bit of bump steer on all Z4s, which is what a lot of the mags complained about, but you get used to that.
I don't thik you'd have any problem ith the ride on a 3.0. It's better with non-rfts, but not as big a change as my 120d was. Don't know about an M.
Expect about 30mpg, and my two services have been £300, plus £100 for brake fluid.
Lots more here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
Expect about 30mpg, and my two services have been £300, plus £100 for brake fluid.
Lots more here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/
Oddly I am looking at changing my Z4M Roadster to a 123d hatch.
I tried a 123d convertible M Sport and found the ride firm'ish but not as hard as the Z4M Roadster. I find the Z4MR ride firm but good. It is a sports car after all so should feel firm. You would need to try one but the Z4M is going to feel pretty hard if you don't like your m-sport 123d.
The servicing and tax on a Z4M is loads more than a 123d ... but you would expect that.
The only issue with the cars I have found is a very notchy gearbox (they all do it) .... so it's worth trying one to see if you can get on with it.
Tax is 400+ as it falls in the top rate.
Insurance for me is 700 but a 123d will be 400.
Servicing is for where I am about 300 for the smallest service, 800 for an Inspection 1 and 1200 for Inspection 2.
Fuel is about 23-25mpg depending on how I drive (SW London / Surrey).
Hope this assists a bit.
I tried a 123d convertible M Sport and found the ride firm'ish but not as hard as the Z4M Roadster. I find the Z4MR ride firm but good. It is a sports car after all so should feel firm. You would need to try one but the Z4M is going to feel pretty hard if you don't like your m-sport 123d.
The servicing and tax on a Z4M is loads more than a 123d ... but you would expect that.
The only issue with the cars I have found is a very notchy gearbox (they all do it) .... so it's worth trying one to see if you can get on with it.
Tax is 400+ as it falls in the top rate.
Insurance for me is 700 but a 123d will be 400.
Servicing is for where I am about 300 for the smallest service, 800 for an Inspection 1 and 1200 for Inspection 2.
Fuel is about 23-25mpg depending on how I drive (SW London / Surrey).
Hope this assists a bit.
Edited by Tea Pot One on Monday 31st May 10:19
Owned both a 3.0L & a Z4M (both roadsters not coupe) and I found the ride on the 3.0L as average - it was still good but tramlined very badly. However this is down to the RFT's and not the car per se - once swapped the difference was night and day.
The car is firm but that's what these cars are about, they don't break your spine over every pothole but you certainly know it is there but for me I wouldn't have it any other way.
The running costs are more on the M as you would expect but not overly bad and the performance is much much better. The gearbox is notchy going from first to second around town which takes a bit of getting used to but once you start shifting gears on the open round everything clicks into place and it feels great.
Bottom line (no disrespect to the 1 series as i really like the coupe) is that it's a grown up shopping cart that is also a good all-rounder whereas the Z4 is a sports car that is meant to be driven and not waft you around
The car is firm but that's what these cars are about, they don't break your spine over every pothole but you certainly know it is there but for me I wouldn't have it any other way.
The running costs are more on the M as you would expect but not overly bad and the performance is much much better. The gearbox is notchy going from first to second around town which takes a bit of getting used to but once you start shifting gears on the open round everything clicks into place and it feels great.
Bottom line (no disrespect to the 1 series as i really like the coupe) is that it's a grown up shopping cart that is also a good all-rounder whereas the Z4 is a sports car that is meant to be driven and not waft you around
Edited by Herbs on Monday 31st May 10:48
Edited by Herbs on Monday 31st May 11:06
OK on 12k p.a. you'll march through service cycles.... so I've just had Insp 2 at 47.5k - bill was IIRC about 960 quid which was the Insp 2 (plugs, valve clearance check etc), new brake fluid and a full aircon service and wipers ( 
).
It was at dealer as I've extended warranty, the oil service at 35k miles was a tad under 200 quid. Oh and you might as well budget 80-100 quid a month on the extenced warranty. Fuel seems for all Z4Ms to be in and around low 20s (21-23mpg) - so lets say 40-55 quid once a week, at current prices about 50.
Insurance - about 500 quid (but so circumstance dependent) - tyres well about 700-800 for a full set frequency depends on how hard you drive - but on normal road expect maybe 20k from them.
So I guess running costs - a month budget 200 on fuel, 100 on a warranty, and 100 as a service war chest, any left over contributes towards consumables, extra oil, cleaning and offsetting tyre cost.
Is there a difference - of course there is - harder more viceral but liveable with as a every day drive provided you get a loaded car... I'm only missing cruise but I always think is a PIA, even on my 5series.
I'd say that covers it, (just get the warranty tho'...) I've done 24k miles in mine... got onto Z4M wagon just before everyone realised the comparative bargin they were pre solidifying of prices in late 08/early 09. So along with a few others I've put some hard miles in and my personal view is it is well worth it. Get it on the right road, clear, and give it some freedom and you are starting to look at serious money to come close to performance. Oh and get a roadster
). It was at dealer as I've extended warranty, the oil service at 35k miles was a tad under 200 quid. Oh and you might as well budget 80-100 quid a month on the extenced warranty. Fuel seems for all Z4Ms to be in and around low 20s (21-23mpg) - so lets say 40-55 quid once a week, at current prices about 50.
Insurance - about 500 quid (but so circumstance dependent) - tyres well about 700-800 for a full set frequency depends on how hard you drive - but on normal road expect maybe 20k from them.
So I guess running costs - a month budget 200 on fuel, 100 on a warranty, and 100 as a service war chest, any left over contributes towards consumables, extra oil, cleaning and offsetting tyre cost.
Is there a difference - of course there is - harder more viceral but liveable with as a every day drive provided you get a loaded car... I'm only missing cruise but I always think is a PIA, even on my 5series.
I'd say that covers it, (just get the warranty tho'...) I've done 24k miles in mine... got onto Z4M wagon just before everyone realised the comparative bargin they were pre solidifying of prices in late 08/early 09. So along with a few others I've put some hard miles in and my personal view is it is well worth it. Get it on the right road, clear, and give it some freedom and you are starting to look at serious money to come close to performance. Oh and get a roadster
Edited by physprof on Tuesday 1st June 08:26
Forget the roadster! Get a nice Imola red (but keep it clean) Z4M Coupe and you`ll fall in love. Not at first as it`s difficult to find it`s limits as it`s VERY agile in a way that unnerves to start with. Once you start to trust it`s lateral grip (which is huge) you`ll find a car so focussed as to make every drive an event.
When I first bought mine it took me a good three months for it to grow on me, suffice to say I`ve had it nearly 10 months now and I love it. Beware though, once you`ve had that kind of performance it`s difficult to know where to go next. I`m keeping mine another 6 months or so then either going to have to jump a level to a 911 turbo, M6 or get out of sports cars altogether and go full fat RRTDv8
12k a year is nothing, I was doing over 20k and am now at about 15k (Pro rata).
When I first bought mine it took me a good three months for it to grow on me, suffice to say I`ve had it nearly 10 months now and I love it. Beware though, once you`ve had that kind of performance it`s difficult to know where to go next. I`m keeping mine another 6 months or so then either going to have to jump a level to a 911 turbo, M6 or get out of sports cars altogether and go full fat RRTDv8
12k a year is nothing, I was doing over 20k and am now at about 15k (Pro rata).
You can run on normal 95 unleaded but it doesn`t really like it and will tend to throw O2 sensor faults. I run mine on V Power or Tesco`s 99 (with a flake). You can definitely feel the difference between these two and 95, not so sure about the difference between 99 and normal 97 super-unleaded.
jontysafe said:
You can run on normal 95 unleaded but it doesn`t really like it and will tend to throw O2 sensor faults. I run mine on V Power or Tesco`s 99 (with a flake). You can definitely feel the difference between these two and 95, not so sure about the difference between 99 and normal 97 super-unleaded.
so the 23mpg or thereabouts that people quote, is on the pricey stuff?v happy about the ordinary service intervals, one service a year(ish) is ok even if the odd one is a grand
excel monkey said:
135i coupe?
I deliberated endlessly about that when i bought the 123d coupe. I actually found the 135i a bit nose-heavy and understeery, and the engine a bit flat at the top end. The 130i is a better car in my opinion (lots of people will disagree with this i expect). Anyhow i have a 1 coupe and fancy a change!jontysafe said:
If you`re anywhere near Berks then you`re welcome to have a drive Pilchard.
That's very good of you 
Sadly i'm some distance away.Very useful comments though, i'm no longer frightened by "M" servicing, which is a big obstacle overcome.
Used prices seem to have gone up though.
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