To mod a Z4Mc or not to mod...
Discussion
I bow to the collective brainpower of the forum to answer me a dilemma..
I've had my Z4 for over a year now, I bought it with the intention of keeping it forever, and something to drive only in the summer and at weekends.
The car is immaculate, people who have seen it have said it is one of the best examples they have seen, and it wants for nothing - if a bolt goes rusty, it gets replaced.
I absolutely love it as an object, and love that it isn't losing any money. But I can't help but feel it isn't 'quite' special to have as just a weekend car, and the opportunity cost of having the Z in the garage is preventing me getting into something that would
I think the car has potential - and I'm debating modding it. I've already done small things - pagid pads, rogue mounts but am contemplating fitting carbon intake, and shrick cams which would make the car far more special.
My problem is by doing this am I totally invalidating the first reason I bought it - and limiting the potential market, and return on the car by modifying it?
So I guess my question is would seeing the car tastefully modded with the above mods influence the price you would pay ?
In my view It's dying to be turned into a mini CSL, but can't quite pull the trigger! It's a constant conundrum that is annoying me beyond belief.
If I sold the Z4 I would likely get a Cayman GT4 / new Cayman GTS - but they obviously incur a significant financial hit
Any thoughts welcome
I've had my Z4 for over a year now, I bought it with the intention of keeping it forever, and something to drive only in the summer and at weekends.
The car is immaculate, people who have seen it have said it is one of the best examples they have seen, and it wants for nothing - if a bolt goes rusty, it gets replaced.
I absolutely love it as an object, and love that it isn't losing any money. But I can't help but feel it isn't 'quite' special to have as just a weekend car, and the opportunity cost of having the Z in the garage is preventing me getting into something that would
I think the car has potential - and I'm debating modding it. I've already done small things - pagid pads, rogue mounts but am contemplating fitting carbon intake, and shrick cams which would make the car far more special.
My problem is by doing this am I totally invalidating the first reason I bought it - and limiting the potential market, and return on the car by modifying it?
So I guess my question is would seeing the car tastefully modded with the above mods influence the price you would pay ?
In my view It's dying to be turned into a mini CSL, but can't quite pull the trigger! It's a constant conundrum that is annoying me beyond belief.
If I sold the Z4 I would likely get a Cayman GT4 / new Cayman GTS - but they obviously incur a significant financial hit
Any thoughts welcome
I would leave it standard, the only way it will increase in value, sadly.
The fact that you feel the need to modify it to unleash its full potential to me indicates that it might be better to sell and get something that can be modified without losing money.
However, completely depends on whether it is a keeper (in which case you can disregard the value increase) or something you in any case will only have for a short time (leave it standard)
The fact that you feel the need to modify it to unleash its full potential to me indicates that it might be better to sell and get something that can be modified without losing money.
However, completely depends on whether it is a keeper (in which case you can disregard the value increase) or something you in any case will only have for a short time (leave it standard)
If you've still got the intention to keep it forever then no point worrying about putting off potential buyers.
Even if you do get rid sometime in the future which, by mentioning the Caymans, sounds possible... then I still think you should do whatever makes you happy and enhances the ownership experience for you while you've got the car, although I may draw the line at bolt-on stuff like intake/exhaust/suspension/brakes rather than internal stuff like cams which won't be so easy to remove come resale time.
The only situation I would leave it alone is if you weren't sure it'd last the next few months and could be sold off to buy something else, in which case the hassle of fitting/removing modifications wouldn't be worthwhile for me and I'd leave it be.
Even if you do get rid sometime in the future which, by mentioning the Caymans, sounds possible... then I still think you should do whatever makes you happy and enhances the ownership experience for you while you've got the car, although I may draw the line at bolt-on stuff like intake/exhaust/suspension/brakes rather than internal stuff like cams which won't be so easy to remove come resale time.
The only situation I would leave it alone is if you weren't sure it'd last the next few months and could be sold off to buy something else, in which case the hassle of fitting/removing modifications wouldn't be worthwhile for me and I'd leave it be.
I was/am having the same dilemma as you.
I have immaculate 25K mile Z4MR which I keep as a weekend car and, frankly, can't think of anything I would want to change for (at the same sort of money). I have also hankered over the improvement/special conundrum and, having at one time owned a CSL, have considered the carbon airbox upgrade.
So..... as the car already has CSL alloys I have ordered a carbon airbox from Evolve with a view that the magic induction noise from the CSL is what will make my Z4MR even better.
Rationale is that the Z4M engine is almost there and only short of the airbox and shrick cams from being virtually the same (and the Airbox on its own is easily reversible).
I have immaculate 25K mile Z4MR which I keep as a weekend car and, frankly, can't think of anything I would want to change for (at the same sort of money). I have also hankered over the improvement/special conundrum and, having at one time owned a CSL, have considered the carbon airbox upgrade.
So..... as the car already has CSL alloys I have ordered a carbon airbox from Evolve with a view that the magic induction noise from the CSL is what will make my Z4MR even better.
Rationale is that the Z4M engine is almost there and only short of the airbox and shrick cams from being virtually the same (and the Airbox on its own is easily reversible).
Go for it, for me and many owners in todays age modding them is very much part of the ownership experience, mines probably one of the most modded one in the country and i dare anyone to stand in front of it and not be draw dropped by the performance, presence and finish of the car, and i genuinely believe it would and will sell too if i ever go that way!! Even the manufacturers have cottoned on now and offer aftermarket mods at vast expense to personalise your car, we have the very very cool restomod scene. Go for it!! Whatever car i own, i mod and personalise them and really enjoy the process!
I say do what makes your putter flutter, not what's perceived as best for resale at some unknown future date in some unknown future climate.
As an aside I owned a Z4MC for 2 years. I think in standard form its too flawed to become a strongly appreciating car like the CSL. But I have been wrong before.
As an aside I owned a Z4MC for 2 years. I think in standard form its too flawed to become a strongly appreciating car like the CSL. But I have been wrong before.
I don't see the point keeping a car as pristine as possible with little use for a future owner if its not some form of investment to sell on for a profit. But as these cars aren't appreciating strongly, only keeping it as an investment wouldn't really make much sense either.
It's your car, enjoy it and do what you want.
Although personally I'd only do stuff that is reversible. I haven't done anything for a while and I'm not entirely sure it adds a lot now I don't track it and barely use it. I do enjoy fitting new stuff though and getting it to how you want to look is satisfying.
And if you are thinking that modding may prolong your ownership or make you enjoy your car more it may be time to sell on. You will take a hit with any mods so maybe just sell and buy something you really want. But the grass isn't always greener.
The great thing about these M cars is that they aren't depreciating. It stopped me from thinking about selling on and getting something else where I'd take a hit.
That S54 as standard is a cracking lump and makes me smile each time. I couldn't justify a carbon air box! Brakes and suspension first...
It's your car, enjoy it and do what you want.
Although personally I'd only do stuff that is reversible. I haven't done anything for a while and I'm not entirely sure it adds a lot now I don't track it and barely use it. I do enjoy fitting new stuff though and getting it to how you want to look is satisfying.
And if you are thinking that modding may prolong your ownership or make you enjoy your car more it may be time to sell on. You will take a hit with any mods so maybe just sell and buy something you really want. But the grass isn't always greener.
The great thing about these M cars is that they aren't depreciating. It stopped me from thinking about selling on and getting something else where I'd take a hit.
That S54 as standard is a cracking lump and makes me smile each time. I couldn't justify a carbon air box! Brakes and suspension first...
I was looking at the Evolve carbon airbox and Alpha-n tune, however, the stories of dissatisfied customers put me off.
I saved £2,500 and bought some Rogue Diablo backboxes off eBay, which transformed the car and is o course entirely reversible. I wouldn't recommend them on a coupe however - very droney below 2,000 RPM.
I saved £2,500 and bought some Rogue Diablo backboxes off eBay, which transformed the car and is o course entirely reversible. I wouldn't recommend them on a coupe however - very droney below 2,000 RPM.
Ruskie said:
Mods can always be reversed if you ever decide to sell and there is a big market for second hand things, especially carbon airboxs and exhausts.
The fitting of the carbon airbox requires splicing of cables and soldering. I accept that this is reversible, but it is not something I would want to have been done on a car that I was purchasing.What made the CSL was a combo on many things, but a great deal was based around weight reduction.
Just making a Z4MC louder and more powerful but skipping the weight bit seems like a way to spend £££ and still think 'it's not special enough'
Why not just buy a CSL that needs some TLC that you can enjoy without hitting value too much, but also have potential to add value to?
Just making a Z4MC louder and more powerful but skipping the weight bit seems like a way to spend £££ and still think 'it's not special enough'
Why not just buy a CSL that needs some TLC that you can enjoy without hitting value too much, but also have potential to add value to?
Weight isn't a big factor with the Z4MC. It weighs 1495 kg vs the CSL's 1,285. With the right wheels, seats and battery you'd be most of the way there.
I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
a well modded z4m is a very desirable car imo, especially if targeting the common short comings of the stock vehicle!
Weight loss is a big big part of making this car feel special and so easy to achieve if expensive, some of the cars on the forum are coming in under 1390kg from the factory, its very possible to get these down to 1300kg.
Weight loss is a big big part of making this car feel special and so easy to achieve if expensive, some of the cars on the forum are coming in under 1390kg from the factory, its very possible to get these down to 1300kg.
Olf said:
Weight isn't a big factor with the Z4MC. It weighs 1495 kg vs the CSL's 1,285. With the right wheels, seats and battery you'd be most of the way there.
I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Battery? 10kg saving at most I'd say.I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Seats? They can't be more than 30kg each, and new ones will be 10kg or more. So 40kg at the most.
Wheels, what 5kg a corner is being very optimistic, so 20kg.
70kg, very optimistically, with 130kg+ still to find.
Hmmmm.
Fancy race battery, original CSL wheels, and fancy seats will be £5,000 to start with too, again being optimistic.
Better to just buy a CSL.
You can fit the Gruppe M Induction kit with solely reversible mods.
They come up second hand for about £500.
I bought a car with it and removed it when selling time came around.
Might indulge your need for induction noise.
Other than that, suspension replacement is a common change and also reversible..
Cake and eat it!
They come up second hand for about £500.
I bought a car with it and removed it when selling time came around.
Might indulge your need for induction noise.
Other than that, suspension replacement is a common change and also reversible..
Cake and eat it!
Mr Whippy said:
Olf said:
Weight isn't a big factor with the Z4MC. It weighs 1495 kg vs the CSL's 1,285. With the right wheels, seats and battery you'd be most of the way there.
I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Battery? 10kg saving at most I'd say.I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Seats? They can't be more than 30kg each, and new ones will be 10kg or more. So 40kg at the most.
Wheels, what 5kg a corner is being very optimistic, so 20kg.
70kg, very optimistically, with 130kg+ still to find.
Hmmmm.
Fancy race battery, original CSL wheels, and fancy seats will be £5,000 to start with too, again being optimistic.
Better to just buy a CSL.
Mr Whippy said:
Olf said:
Weight isn't a big factor with the Z4MC. It weighs 1495 kg vs the CSL's 1,285. With the right wheels, seats and battery you'd be most of the way there.
I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Battery? 10kg saving at most I'd say.I have one that fits the same description of yours - mine now just under 26k miles. So far totally un-modified and I'm at the same point as you. In reality most of the mods are very easy and completely reversible. The top mod in terms of improvement is suspension, that said moving from the standard Continentals to Michelin PSS2 has been a massive change, much better grip, a suppler ride and far less traction control disco lighting. My mod list in terms of priority is:
Wheels and suspension at the same time.
Brake pads
New exhaust, intake and map like the Evolve mentioned above.
Seats? They can't be more than 30kg each, and new ones will be 10kg or more. So 40kg at the most.
Wheels, what 5kg a corner is being very optimistic, so 20kg.
70kg, very optimistically, with 130kg+ still to find.
Hmmmm.
Fancy race battery, original CSL wheels, and fancy seats will be £5,000 to start with too, again being optimistic.
Better to just buy a CSL.
can I also respectfully suggest you stop fornicating with your wife - just in case at one point you decide to upgrade and you don't want her spoiled for the next bloke...
A well modded Z4MC is a thing of absolute beauty on track. I had my stag do at the Ring - 2 x Z4MCs, a CSS, E39 M5 and a 928 S4 5spd. One of the Z4MCs was heavily modded - air intale, re-map, suspension, wheels, brakes and aero (it belonged to Richard from the Z4 forum). Anyway, it was easily the quickest car in the group...
I had mine from new to 50k and then sold it to a mate. Had the chance to buy it back, went with a GT3 instead in 2014. To this day, I still want to buy it back and finish modding it... I love the shape so much that I am actually thinking along the lines of a Z4Coupe Si with a S62B50 and hydraulic wrack. Now that would be a car and then some...
As for the CSL suggestion - how daft is that?! For the cost of a ropey CSL, you can buy 2x decent Z4MC and have change after modifying one of them so much that almost no CSL would see which way you have gone.
A well modded Z4MC is a thing of absolute beauty on track. I had my stag do at the Ring - 2 x Z4MCs, a CSS, E39 M5 and a 928 S4 5spd. One of the Z4MCs was heavily modded - air intale, re-map, suspension, wheels, brakes and aero (it belonged to Richard from the Z4 forum). Anyway, it was easily the quickest car in the group...
I had mine from new to 50k and then sold it to a mate. Had the chance to buy it back, went with a GT3 instead in 2014. To this day, I still want to buy it back and finish modding it... I love the shape so much that I am actually thinking along the lines of a Z4Coupe Si with a S62B50 and hydraulic wrack. Now that would be a car and then some...
As for the CSL suggestion - how daft is that?! For the cost of a ropey CSL, you can buy 2x decent Z4MC and have change after modifying one of them so much that almost no CSL would see which way you have gone.
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