Is there much of a difference between a Z4M and a 3.0i..?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm considering a change of car from my current Impreza STI.
Today I drove a Z4 3.0i with (or so I was told) M suspension and a few other M bits. It ticked most of the boxes and felt quite "special" compared to other cars which just feel a bit anodyne to me.
Apart from the rear view mirror getting in the way and having to limber up before getting in and out I was quite taken with it. The boot was bigger than I though too.
The Z4M is the car I have more in my sights though as prices seem good right now and the performance is more comparable to my Impreza.
I took the 3.0 over some rough roads and didn't think the ride was anywhere near as bad as the salesman had made out before the drive, in fact I'd say it was better than my Impreza. The rear end seemed a bit fidgity and jumpy on a very bad road even without being pushed, but apart from that it was fine.
Is the ride on the Z4M any harder than the 3.0 with the M suspension..?
Also, could anyone detail the price difference in the servicing/running costs for me please?
Thanks in advance...
I'm considering a change of car from my current Impreza STI.
Today I drove a Z4 3.0i with (or so I was told) M suspension and a few other M bits. It ticked most of the boxes and felt quite "special" compared to other cars which just feel a bit anodyne to me.
Apart from the rear view mirror getting in the way and having to limber up before getting in and out I was quite taken with it. The boot was bigger than I though too.
The Z4M is the car I have more in my sights though as prices seem good right now and the performance is more comparable to my Impreza.
I took the 3.0 over some rough roads and didn't think the ride was anywhere near as bad as the salesman had made out before the drive, in fact I'd say it was better than my Impreza. The rear end seemed a bit fidgity and jumpy on a very bad road even without being pushed, but apart from that it was fine.
Is the ride on the Z4M any harder than the 3.0 with the M suspension..?
Also, could anyone detail the price difference in the servicing/running costs for me please?
Thanks in advance...
Like night and day, I'd recommend you go and test drive one to compare for yourself. Main differences are power, steering, brakes suspension and tyres.
The ride feels better to me in the M as it doesnt have runflats like the 3 litre, and also doesn't tramline like the 3. Boot space is compromised though due to the quad exhaust.
Servicing on the M:
Oil - 200
Inspection 1 - 650
Inspection 2 - erm more than inspection 1!
Not sure on the 3 litre.
The ride feels better to me in the M as it doesnt have runflats like the 3 litre, and also doesn't tramline like the 3. Boot space is compromised though due to the quad exhaust.
Servicing on the M:
Oil - 200
Inspection 1 - 650
Inspection 2 - erm more than inspection 1!
Not sure on the 3 litre.
3.0 will have that awful electronic throttle which screws up corner exits and sometimes causes you to bog just when you want all the power. And as already mentioned you'll want to junk the runflats.
The Z4MC is the last of a dying breed, probably the last relatively 'simple' and fun to drive at sane speeds M car. I would go for it.
The Z4MC is the last of a dying breed, probably the last relatively 'simple' and fun to drive at sane speeds M car. I would go for it.
I didnt drive the 3.0 just in case I was tempted lol.
I had my heart set on the Z4M and we've had ours for about 6 weeks now and totally love it. Its noisy, raw, lairy as you like (with TC off) the noise is brilliant, the steering is really good. I noticed the other day that you get the writhing sensation on the wheel which is something I've only experienced in my VX220 so that level of feel from a powered setup is amazing. The Mrs loves it too. Its docile enough that she can pootle to work in it no problem. I'd definately try and get a drive in one before you make your mind up.
I had my heart set on the Z4M and we've had ours for about 6 weeks now and totally love it. Its noisy, raw, lairy as you like (with TC off) the noise is brilliant, the steering is really good. I noticed the other day that you get the writhing sensation on the wheel which is something I've only experienced in my VX220 so that level of feel from a powered setup is amazing. The Mrs loves it too. Its docile enough that she can pootle to work in it no problem. I'd definately try and get a drive in one before you make your mind up.
The 3.0 owners will insist there's not much difference, but there is.
The 3.0 you drove has the same suspension as the M, but run flats on the 3.0 affect the ride quite a bit. The engine is obviously stronger in the M, but it's really noticeable at higher speeds. When you drive the Z4M coupe you'll be surprised the BMW still made cars as mental at as the Coupe in 2006, it's like a car from the TVR stable and not a main stream producer in terms of driving appeal and rawness
The 3.0 you drove has the same suspension as the M, but run flats on the 3.0 affect the ride quite a bit. The engine is obviously stronger in the M, but it's really noticeable at higher speeds. When you drive the Z4M coupe you'll be surprised the BMW still made cars as mental at as the Coupe in 2006, it's like a car from the TVR stable and not a main stream producer in terms of driving appeal and rawness
This is all sounding very positive.
What are the drawbacks..? Surely there must be one or two?
What's the clutch valve business I keep seeing mentioned..? Any tips on what to look for and what to avoid? I know that the 1000 mile service is essential. Does this engine suffer from any of the vanos issues? What's the range like from a full tank, how much to "fill 'er up"..? School me here chaps....
Oh, and is there a technique for big lads like me to get in and out easily..?! ;o)
Where's the best place to find the M's apart from the PH classifieds? What's the warranty situation, is it transferable owner to owner? 3yrs/60k..?
Will I be able to bag myself a nice example for up to around 23k..?
Thanks for all the replies so far, all information greatly absorbed....
What are the drawbacks..? Surely there must be one or two?
What's the clutch valve business I keep seeing mentioned..? Any tips on what to look for and what to avoid? I know that the 1000 mile service is essential. Does this engine suffer from any of the vanos issues? What's the range like from a full tank, how much to "fill 'er up"..? School me here chaps....
Oh, and is there a technique for big lads like me to get in and out easily..?! ;o)
Where's the best place to find the M's apart from the PH classifieds? What's the warranty situation, is it transferable owner to owner? 3yrs/60k..?
Will I be able to bag myself a nice example for up to around 23k..?
Thanks for all the replies so far, all information greatly absorbed....
Your going in with the right budget you can take your pick of the best at that price.
Things to watch as you rightly say the 1200 mile service is essential. Check which service is due next and how many miles to go till it's due. You can ring a dedicated bmw phone line to double check service history as it's quite common for books not go be stamped. Watch out for ex fleet cars. 50% of the cars I enquired about were ex fleet with imminent inspection 2 serices due.
Petrol wise expect 20 mpg and you can eek 300 miles out of a tank but 200 is probably nearer. 45 quid should fill her up.
Things to watch as you rightly say the 1200 mile service is essential. Check which service is due next and how many miles to go till it's due. You can ring a dedicated bmw phone line to double check service history as it's quite common for books not go be stamped. Watch out for ex fleet cars. 50% of the cars I enquired about were ex fleet with imminent inspection 2 serices due.
Petrol wise expect 20 mpg and you can eek 300 miles out of a tank but 200 is probably nearer. 45 quid should fill her up.
The only draw back of the M is money! My M5 hasnt put a foot wrong in 18 months but Im ready for that unexpected, big bill!
I really dont know an awful lot about the Z4, but autotrader, BMW used cars and maybe even ebay for a classified?
The M will require more commitment from you, financially, but if you have owned TVR's then Im sure thats nothing new.
If you are after a fast car, dont settle for the 3L, it wont fullfill your expectations - and Im not being facetious. I had the same experience when I bought my first BMW. Drove my mates 330Ci, and it was nice, smooth, quiet etc but didnt feel at all quick. Then I drove an M3. Whatever BMW did with those extra 200cc is pretty amazing.
I really dont know an awful lot about the Z4, but autotrader, BMW used cars and maybe even ebay for a classified?
The M will require more commitment from you, financially, but if you have owned TVR's then Im sure thats nothing new.
If you are after a fast car, dont settle for the 3L, it wont fullfill your expectations - and Im not being facetious. I had the same experience when I bought my first BMW. Drove my mates 330Ci, and it was nice, smooth, quiet etc but didnt feel at all quick. Then I drove an M3. Whatever BMW did with those extra 200cc is pretty amazing.
Top pup said:
Porscheplayer said:
The 3.0 you drove has the same suspension as the M
Not true, the M shares very little of it suspension with the regular Z4, for example the front struts are totally different and are not interchangeable.In the Z4M, the engine is the star of the show, it's not in the 3.0
Try doing this in the 3.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3wt6wSp74
Also this the sort of difference in straight line speed you get between the STI and Z4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYmnZBFERsk&NR=...
Try doing this in the 3.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3wt6wSp74
Also this the sort of difference in straight line speed you get between the STI and Z4M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYmnZBFERsk&NR=...
Edited by Porscheplayer on Thursday 26th February 09:52
As alluded to earlier, there are two versions of the 3.0 engine available - one with 231bhp and one with 250-odd (exact figures escape me).
Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
dan101smith said:
As alluded to earlier, there are two versions of the 3.0 engine available - one with 231bhp and one with 250-odd (exact figures escape me).
Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
no no i dont agree, the m is properly rapid, ive got vbox timed runs of sub 4.7s to 60, if thats not rapid i dont now what is? nippy?? your on cuckoo land? you must own a veyron!Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
Beedub said:
dan101smith said:
As alluded to earlier, there are two versions of the 3.0 engine available - one with 231bhp and one with 250-odd (exact figures escape me).
Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
no no i dont agree, the m is properly rapid, ive got vbox timed runs of sub 4.7s to 60, if thats not rapid i dont now what is? nippy?? your on cuckoo land? you must own a veyron!Both pretty nippy, but neither properly rapid.
The //M engine is a peach. If they'd offered SMG as an option on it I'd have one sitting outside right now, instead of a 3.0 auto.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff