RE: BMW Z4 M: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
Love these cars.
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
macky17 said:
Love these cars.
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
the 3.0 cars had hateful EPAS, though. If you're buying one of these it needs to be the real McCoy or GTFO.In my humble opinion, M'lud
macky17 said:
Gently Buggered said:
the 3.0 cars had hateful EPAS, though. If you're buying one of these it needs to be the real McCoy or GTFO.In my humble opinion, M'lud
I found the M to be more comfortable than my 3.0 on standard (non run-flat) tyres, and neither were significantly worse than the Boxster with 19" wheels and PASM.
Ultimately, the talent of the Boxster's chassis would make me go back to that before the Z4M if I was having it as my only sports car, but spend a little time learning to work with their faults and you certainly wouldn't call the BMW disappointing.
Edited by JimexPL on Sunday 1st November 14:55
macky17 said:
Love these cars.
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
This was very my thinking when I decided to buy a 3.0Si instead of an M. Added to that I had previously owned a CSL and came to the conclusion that whilst it was an exciting car it was wasted on me (driver ability, U.K roads etc.). I just didn't need nor could I use anything that fast for more than a few seconds at a time on the road and the 3.0Si is still plenty fast enough...for me anyway.Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
I also immediately ditched the RF tyres when I bought my even though they were nearly new and it made a huge difference. Granted, the steering isn't the nicest but I think it's still a fun and good-looking car:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/Z4_30Si_Roadster/
P.S Oh yes! And as Patrick Bateman said....there was a bit of a price gap to consider as well About a £5K gap at the time (early this year) actually!
Edited by derin100 on Sunday 1st November 15:11
macky17 said:
Love these cars.
Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
It was 5-Note (for those afraid of bills): the 3.0si version, and especially the coupe, looks nearly identical, rides better (once you ditch the run flats) and has better steering and handling than the M being lighter. Ok it's slower but still a very eager little thing with relatively low costs. Evo gave that car 4.5 stars and I reckon it would have been 5 if the tyres had been changed...
http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coupe...
My OH had a run in a mate's Cerb and then said she wanted a TVR.
Bearing in mind I have to fill the washer fluid up in her cars, I didn't think that would end well and steered the conversation back towards Z4s - we had an E46 330CI at the time.
We tested the 3.0 SI and the M and realised it had to be the M.
I was normally one for buying the second best car in the range ( Impreza turbo not STI, Leon FR, etc etc) but thought sod it this time and it's paid off in spades.
Bought one with Gruppe M airbox for a bit of aural pleasure, it was on 19" CSL copies ( which were sold as the ride was even harsher) and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of owning it. As most of the bits are shared with other BMWs, things aren't stupidly expensive ( well, no more expensive than other M parts anyway)
It's now got 71k on it, and the OH has decided she likes gardening and wants a MINI to replace it.
I'm gutted and am currently writing Man Maths Algorithms to try to keep it.
Bearing in mind I have to fill the washer fluid up in her cars, I didn't think that would end well and steered the conversation back towards Z4s - we had an E46 330CI at the time.
We tested the 3.0 SI and the M and realised it had to be the M.
I was normally one for buying the second best car in the range ( Impreza turbo not STI, Leon FR, etc etc) but thought sod it this time and it's paid off in spades.
Bought one with Gruppe M airbox for a bit of aural pleasure, it was on 19" CSL copies ( which were sold as the ride was even harsher) and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of owning it. As most of the bits are shared with other BMWs, things aren't stupidly expensive ( well, no more expensive than other M parts anyway)
It's now got 71k on it, and the OH has decided she likes gardening and wants a MINI to replace it.
I'm gutted and am currently writing Man Maths Algorithms to try to keep it.
The Coupe has room for a space-saver (especially as the battery is mounted below the boot-floor, unlike the M models which need that space for the 2 extra exhausts) but it will eat into the space available.
I bought my 3.0Si Coupe last June and just love it - stunning looking car. It's the E-Type Coupe I always lusted after but will never afford, and it's quicker than any E-Type in the form it left the factory!
Briefly thought about an M but the M tax on spares and repairs put me off, and I can't honestly say I have ever felt like I needed more performance on UK roads! (Mind you it did replace a 123d so was always going to feel spectacular).
Had to be a Coupe as I have never really liked convertibles and the Coupe shell is so much stiffer.
I am sure an M is even more special, but I am not sure my driving abilities would allow me to see any significant benefit. After all BMW quoted 0-62 in 5.7 secs for the Si so it isn't exactly sluggish!
I bought my 3.0Si Coupe last June and just love it - stunning looking car. It's the E-Type Coupe I always lusted after but will never afford, and it's quicker than any E-Type in the form it left the factory!
Briefly thought about an M but the M tax on spares and repairs put me off, and I can't honestly say I have ever felt like I needed more performance on UK roads! (Mind you it did replace a 123d so was always going to feel spectacular).
Had to be a Coupe as I have never really liked convertibles and the Coupe shell is so much stiffer.
I am sure an M is even more special, but I am not sure my driving abilities would allow me to see any significant benefit. After all BMW quoted 0-62 in 5.7 secs for the Si so it isn't exactly sluggish!
Scottie - NW said:
for all these people that ditch the run flats is there space to put a space saver in.
Currently run a z3 hardtop as 2nd out of 3 cars, the slow and sensible weekend car, and considering upgrading to either z4 3.0si or early 987 boxster.
Not under the boot floor, you might fit one in the boot. The Ms ( non-runflat) came with a repair kit as standardCurrently run a z3 hardtop as 2nd out of 3 cars, the slow and sensible weekend car, and considering upgrading to either z4 3.0si or early 987 boxster.
As far as conventional wisdom on the Z4 Forum goes the Z4MC is scarcer than the Z4MR. Not by a huge amount but I think it was about 580 Z4MC's in UK RHD and a fraction over 600 Z4MR.
Second point - I don't know where you'll get an Inspection 1 done properly for £300. It also requires shims/valve clearance check and you'll be lucky to see any change out of £600 from a BMW dealer and even an Indy shouldn't be a great deal cheaper. If it's a lot cheaper alarm bells should ring. Especially as the oil will be £90-100!
Last point is my opinion - agree completely with comments about the Z4MC damping. Steering though is miles better than the other Zeds as far as I'm concerned. I did 90k miles in a 3.0 Roadster with non-run flats and the steering (and ride quality) wasn't a patch on the Z4MC. I've also tried a 3.0si (the facelift) and I'd say the same applied.
Second point - I don't know where you'll get an Inspection 1 done properly for £300. It also requires shims/valve clearance check and you'll be lucky to see any change out of £600 from a BMW dealer and even an Indy shouldn't be a great deal cheaper. If it's a lot cheaper alarm bells should ring. Especially as the oil will be £90-100!
Last point is my opinion - agree completely with comments about the Z4MC damping. Steering though is miles better than the other Zeds as far as I'm concerned. I did 90k miles in a 3.0 Roadster with non-run flats and the steering (and ride quality) wasn't a patch on the Z4MC. I've also tried a 3.0si (the facelift) and I'd say the same applied.
Scottie - NW said:
for all these people that ditch the run flats is there space to put a space saver in.
Currently run a z3 hardtop as 2nd out of 3 cars, the slow and sensible weekend car, and considering upgrading to either z4 3.0si or early 987 boxster.
I've owned my Coupe since April and ditched the run flats in favour of some nice Pilot Sports.Currently run a z3 hardtop as 2nd out of 3 cars, the slow and sensible weekend car, and considering upgrading to either z4 3.0si or early 987 boxster.
I did consider a space saver, but I need the boot for all the gubbins for my work, so I have a can of emergency tyre repair stuff which hopefully I will never need.
Bought mine last winter, interlagos blue Coupe with black leather and alu panels.
Now also 19" CSL wheels, it looks utterly fantastic.
Fantastic steering once aligned, a bit cramped, stiff ride on std springs, thirsty s54, a little heavy on track but balanced and huge grip.
Gearbox got sweeter with RedLine oil and cruising better with noise protected doorcards.
Next year will see Eibach springs (lower+softer) and removal of strut tower spiggots - hey presto -1.5deg camber!
By far the manliest car I've ever had and a handful in many respects - I love it!
Now also 19" CSL wheels, it looks utterly fantastic.
Fantastic steering once aligned, a bit cramped, stiff ride on std springs, thirsty s54, a little heavy on track but balanced and huge grip.
Gearbox got sweeter with RedLine oil and cruising better with noise protected doorcards.
Next year will see Eibach springs (lower+softer) and removal of strut tower spiggots - hey presto -1.5deg camber!
By far the manliest car I've ever had and a handful in many respects - I love it!
Edited by Pereldh on Monday 2nd November 00:26
I think the ride quality issue is somewhat overblown. Granted, it's not the best over sharp ridges or broken surfaces but when you consider even slightly warmed over 'normal' cars can ride a bit firm these days it's hardly the worst trait imaginable. I actually think it handles most roads pretty well and find it only becomes a little tiresome around town-given that it's a niche model, M sportscar i can forgive that.
Perhaps the best part of this complaint is that it's fairly easy to remedy. I can't see springs offering a huge difference but many have reported some success with aftermarket coilovers such as the KW V3-I just wish ohlins would offer one of their road and track kits which are so highly rated on other platforms.....unfortunately this is the downside of having something less common.
On the plus side, the best bit of the car for me, aside from the engine, is that it always feels an event to drive. It's also equally as happy to play the idiot and tear up a snaking mountain pass as it is to knuckle down and swallow huge miles, packed to the rafters on dreary French autoroutes. This relative breadth of ability really suits what I want from a car and means I can't see the need to change it for anything else. In fact, as the z4 forumites will attest, the question of where to go from here with a similar budget is a difficult one to answer.
I can understand that to some, it's a quirky, unresolved oddity, but to me that's what makes it special. It's a fantastic overall package that just gets better the faster you drive it. It's also a bit of a bargain at the moment. What's not to like?!
Perhaps the best part of this complaint is that it's fairly easy to remedy. I can't see springs offering a huge difference but many have reported some success with aftermarket coilovers such as the KW V3-I just wish ohlins would offer one of their road and track kits which are so highly rated on other platforms.....unfortunately this is the downside of having something less common.
On the plus side, the best bit of the car for me, aside from the engine, is that it always feels an event to drive. It's also equally as happy to play the idiot and tear up a snaking mountain pass as it is to knuckle down and swallow huge miles, packed to the rafters on dreary French autoroutes. This relative breadth of ability really suits what I want from a car and means I can't see the need to change it for anything else. In fact, as the z4 forumites will attest, the question of where to go from here with a similar budget is a difficult one to answer.
I can understand that to some, it's a quirky, unresolved oddity, but to me that's what makes it special. It's a fantastic overall package that just gets better the faster you drive it. It's also a bit of a bargain at the moment. What's not to like?!
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