Z3M, Z4 or Z4M
Discussion
Gruber said:
The Z4M would be my choice.
I only have experience of the coupes, but... yes - the Z4M is better in almost all respects (other than bootspace and running costs) than the 3.0Si
Having driven both Z4’s myself, I take a slightly different view. The M has much better suspension, dealing with rough roads with compliance whereas the 3.0si skips over bumps and is much more fidgety under braking. I only have experience of the coupes, but... yes - the Z4M is better in almost all respects (other than bootspace and running costs) than the 3.0Si
However on smoother tarmac the difference is hardly noticeable. The M feels no faster and unless you can slam the M against the rev limiter through every gear, the M is no faster in the real world either.
The M is a great car but so is the 3.0si and you won’t be disappointed with either. Whether the M is worth the extra depends on how much you pay, but if you get the 3.0si, don’t let anyone tell you you’ve been short changed.
I’ve only passengered in a Z3M coupe so I can’t comment on the way it drives but they pull well enough and the cabin has some really nice details. Last time I looked (which was a couple of years ago now) the pricing was all over the place and they are old cars requiring some serious investment to keep them on top form which makes some of the pricing not look particularly good value.
Thanks guys.
It sounds as if the 4 is a significant step above the Z3M. I know the Z3 got a bad rap against the current MX5 and Boxster, but I had a Z3 2.0 some time back and it was a nice little machine. I thought that the styling was very different and successful, and most importantly I could fit comfortably in the car, which I can't in the current MX5 or an Elise and only just in a 986 Boxster. The car pivoted nicely round the driver and there was a feel to it similar to an old E-Type. The 2.0 could just have done with more shove, and I see that there are what seem to be some nice Z3 3.0's atound for £6-8k. This is much more about fun than fast motoring hence it must be a roadster rather than a coupe. I'm an old TR4/TR5/TR6 man by way of explanation. I don't even want an electric roof if I can avoid it.
Its beginning to look however as if I should however forget the Z3M. As to running costs, on the Z4M is that more frequent services or more costly too?
It sounds as if the 4 is a significant step above the Z3M. I know the Z3 got a bad rap against the current MX5 and Boxster, but I had a Z3 2.0 some time back and it was a nice little machine. I thought that the styling was very different and successful, and most importantly I could fit comfortably in the car, which I can't in the current MX5 or an Elise and only just in a 986 Boxster. The car pivoted nicely round the driver and there was a feel to it similar to an old E-Type. The 2.0 could just have done with more shove, and I see that there are what seem to be some nice Z3 3.0's atound for £6-8k. This is much more about fun than fast motoring hence it must be a roadster rather than a coupe. I'm an old TR4/TR5/TR6 man by way of explanation. I don't even want an electric roof if I can avoid it.
Its beginning to look however as if I should however forget the Z3M. As to running costs, on the Z4M is that more frequent services or more costly too?
Edited by cardigankid on Monday 22 November 09:06
It's a matter of personal choice obviously, but in my eyes the Z4 Roadster (before the folding roof model) looks as if it stole its back end from a chicken, with its arse up in the air like that. The Z3 roadster is much the nicer looking car IMHO. But the coupés are another matter...
cardigankid said:
Interesting.
Care to elaborate on that?
There's nothing particularly special about the non-M Z4, even the 3.0si, which is a very good car but didn't give me the maniacal grin the M does. The 3.0 didn't feel any faster than the 1 series i was chopping in.Care to elaborate on that?
The breadvan Z3M is a modern classic, and if i could afford it i'd have one of those too, just so i could look at it every day.
Both the Ms are fairly edgy cars, the non-Ms aren't.... I think the M cars are for people who would have a TVR but want to get to work every day.
cardigankid said:
OK, I am getting the message. One other question, what is the view of the Alpina 3.4 compared with the Z4M?
nice cars, quite rare. The wheels are personal taste. They are chalk and cheese though. The Alpina is more of a cruiser (think Z8) rather than a manic B road blaster like the Z4M.There is only a couple of grand difference in price meaning that for me it's the M every time. As i said before though - you'll be happy with either and neither are a bad car, it's just the M is quite rare, understated and that bit better
[quote=(steven)]
Having driven both Z4’s myself, I take a slightly different view. The M has much better suspension, dealing with rough roads with compliance whereas the 3.0si skips over bumps and is much more fidgety under braking.
However on smoother tarmac the difference is hardly noticeable. The M feels no faster and unless you can slam the M against the rev limiter through every gear, the M is no faster in the real world either.
[/quote]
yes, but is actually faster .... as proved several times
it also feels more highly strung, and potent.
i will however conseed that the 3.0si gear change is nicer
Z3M feels less responsive than the Z4M, throttle, steering, body roll etc
Custard
Having driven both Z4’s myself, I take a slightly different view. The M has much better suspension, dealing with rough roads with compliance whereas the 3.0si skips over bumps and is much more fidgety under braking.
However on smoother tarmac the difference is hardly noticeable. The M feels no faster and unless you can slam the M against the rev limiter through every gear, the M is no faster in the real world either.
[/quote]
yes, but is actually faster .... as proved several times
it also feels more highly strung, and potent.
i will however conseed that the 3.0si gear change is nicer
Z3M feels less responsive than the Z4M, throttle, steering, body roll etc
Custard
Ive got a Z3M coupe and a Z4 3.0 and in a heartbeat I'd rather take the Z3 out every time over the Z4. The z3 is an occasion every time you drive it, whereas the z4 is like a small 330ci... Nice to drive, easy to drive, light controls but nothing special.
Have a look at my profile for some costs associated with running a z3m... You'll probably buy a z4 based in that!
For what its worth, I've also got an mx5... I'd take that out in preference of the z4 too on the right day (it's track focused and supercharged too, so read into that what you will)
Cheers
Andrew
Have a look at my profile for some costs associated with running a z3m... You'll probably buy a z4 based in that!
For what its worth, I've also got an mx5... I'd take that out in preference of the z4 too on the right day (it's track focused and supercharged too, so read into that what you will)
Cheers
Andrew
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