Replacement for a Z4
Discussion
I went from a Z4 35i (E89) to an F40 m135i xdrive 
it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
- Bitter !
Edited by Pixelpeep Electric on Thursday 5th January 14:47
coldel said:
Took the Z4 for an MOT and went through no problem, happy days. I do it over by my parents house which is about 90 mins away as an excuse to go see them etc. and driving it there and back it is a great car I have to say. No B roads around here but its ability to zip out of lanes and power past stuff is pretty impressive for a non M car in the BMW range.
So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
It sounds like for your use the Z4 is probably a good choice of car. It's a sensible car, that's cost-effective to run, nippy and entertaining up to 7/10ths. Lots of people would kill for a car like that.So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
C70R said:
coldel said:
Took the Z4 for an MOT and went through no problem, happy days. I do it over by my parents house which is about 90 mins away as an excuse to go see them etc. and driving it there and back it is a great car I have to say. No B roads around here but its ability to zip out of lanes and power past stuff is pretty impressive for a non M car in the BMW range.
So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
It sounds like for your use the Z4 is probably a good choice of car. It's a sensible car, that's cost-effective to run, nippy and entertaining up to 7/10ths. Lots of people would kill for a car like that.So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
coldel said:
Took the Z4 for an MOT and went through no problem, happy days. I do it over by my parents house which is about 90 mins away as an excuse to go see them etc. and driving it there and back it is a great car I have to say. No B roads around here but its ability to zip out of lanes and power past stuff is pretty impressive for a non M car in the BMW range.
So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
It sounds like for your use the Z4 is probably a good choice of car. It's a sensible car, that's cost-effective to run, nippy and entertaining up to 7/10ths. Lots of people would kill for a car like that.So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
The engine is a peach and the manual gearbox is tight and great to shift. I bought it because I wanted something I could relax in and enjoy vs the often terrifying VX220. And I need to keep reminding myself thats why I bought it!
coldel said:
So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
You know what, when you actually think about it, how many B roads do many people really end up on anyway? I know these roads are often touted as the gold standard for driving, but actually quite a few of them are few and far between. I live up in the North East where there are probably quite a lot but thinking about it many of the roads are A roads and many of the B roads are single lane, potholed roads which are dangerous and prevent fast driving in many cases anyway, and even in the mx5 I tend to avoid such roads as I don't find them all that much fun in many cases.
coldel said:
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
Yeah my z4c had that mod, it did sound good when revved. However the lack of rumble / burble did disappoint me at the time slightly... However, these days I find myself wondering whether to bother on my current car since I enjoy the engine noise more and often the exhaust mutes out the engine anyway. So fair point there I reckon.Pixelpeep Electric said:
I went from a Z4 35i (E89) to an F40 m135i xdrive
it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
You know, I've looked at the e89 in the classifieds a few times lately and they look a hell of a lot of car for the money in 35i guise. They've aged very nicely too in my eyes. Yet for some reason they seem very unloved. it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
C70R said:
It sounds like for your use the Z4 is probably a good choice of car. It's a sensible car, that's cost-effective to run, nippy and entertaining up to 7/10ths. Lots of people would kill for a car like that.
And that's another good point. Who really gets to drive at 10/10 on the road anyway. Can't think of the last time I did. I guess self preservation has kicked in for me these days.coldel said:
I really appreciated the debate on here, I wanted to stress test the idea of selling and what would come next, hope no one feels I have wasted their time. I could sell and get a roadster and pocket the change but I do love the Coupe shape, it is a gorgeous thing to look at.
The engine is a peach and the manual gearbox is tight and great to shift. I bought it because I wanted something I could relax in and enjoy vs the often terrifying VX220. And I need to keep reminding myself thats why I bought it!
I don't feel like you've wasted my time, I love these debates The engine is a peach and the manual gearbox is tight and great to shift. I bought it because I wanted something I could relax in and enjoy vs the often terrifying VX220. And I need to keep reminding myself thats why I bought it!
the only thing is you've made me think I want another one, or an e89 so my wallet potentially your friend Personally, the B-road debate is a big decider in whether I get another Z4 or something better-suited. I live in the middle of rural nowhere, with miles of fantastic B-roads in every direction. The nagging feeling that the Z4 is a bad fit for this is what's holding me back from getting another.
jm8403 said:
AB said:
I loved my Z4.
I know Porsche has scared you off but from the opening line I thought something like this... https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14245844
Any idea reliability of these?I know Porsche has scared you off but from the opening line I thought something like this... https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14245844
TameRacingDriver said:
Pixelpeep Electric said:
I went from a Z4 35i (E89) to an F40 m135i xdrive
it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
You know, I've looked at the e89 in the classifieds a few times lately and they look a hell of a lot of car for the money in 35i guise. They've aged very nicely too in my eyes. Yet for some reason they seem very unloved. it was an attempt at consolidating my fun and daily into one car as a cost saving exercise.
Didn't work on either front.
the z4 was just special, always an event to drive it. Completely useless for every other part of my life, no back seats, low, crashy, boot tiny and even smaller with the roof down.
i miss it.
My advice would be keep it.
and, without a doubt, the most fantastic side profile ever. I still look at side on pictures of my old one and can't believe i owned something so pretty.
Pixelpeep Electric said:
Highly tuneable too - 300 to 380 with just a stage 1 map (N54 goodness)
and, without a doubt, the most fantastic side profile ever. I still look at side on pictures of my old one and can't believe i owned something so pretty.
What is the engine like for reliability and running costs compared with the N52? and, without a doubt, the most fantastic side profile ever. I still look at side on pictures of my old one and can't believe i owned something so pretty.
They are really, really pretty cars though for sure. In a way, the thought of owning a car that is both a hard and soft top, a car that is both sporty and luxurious, as pretty as it is and relatively cheap to buy is quite appealing in many respects.
TameRacingDriver said:
What is the engine like for reliability and running costs compared with the N52?
They are really, really pretty cars though for sure. In a way, the thought of owning a car that is both a hard and soft top, a car that is both sporty and luxurious, as pretty as it is and relatively cheap to buy is quite appealing in many respects.
The 3.0L E89 has the N52 in it if you want to stick with something tried and tested ( I believe!) . Obviously the 35i has the turbos to give great tuning options. They are really, really pretty cars though for sure. In a way, the thought of owning a car that is both a hard and soft top, a car that is both sporty and luxurious, as pretty as it is and relatively cheap to buy is quite appealing in many respects.
coldel said:
The 3.0L E89 has the N52 in it if you want to stick with something tried and tested ( I believe!) . Obviously the 35i has the turbos to give great tuning options.
I think if I went for the E89 I'd have to have the 35i to be honest, otherwise it would have to be the E86. I would imagine with the extra weight, it would feel noticeably more sluggish than the older car.coldel said:
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
coldel said:
Took the Z4 for an MOT and went through no problem, happy days. I do it over by my parents house which is about 90 mins away as an excuse to go see them etc. and driving it there and back it is a great car I have to say. No B roads around here but its ability to zip out of lanes and power past stuff is pretty impressive for a non M car in the BMW range.
So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
It sounds like for your use the Z4 is probably a good choice of car. It's a sensible car, that's cost-effective to run, nippy and entertaining up to 7/10ths. Lots of people would kill for a car like that.So for all the talk of B roads, how often do I actually end up on one, without traffic in front of me? Definitely a consideration.
Also regarding the comments about a muted exhaust, for those that don't know, the Z4 has a noise pipe that ports noise from the induction/engine bay into the cabin. I took out the foam inserts to allow the noise to flow freely and under load it makes an amazing nose in the cabin, proper engine noise, not noise from an exhaust. The straight 6 just howls in fact I prefer it to some large bore exhaust if I am honest.
So where am i now. I might just have to hold on to it for now if the only other options are modified cars, a slower Toyota or a potential borking Porsche. Might not be a bad thing actually.
The engine is a peach and the manual gearbox is tight and great to shift. I bought it because I wanted something I could relax in and enjoy vs the often terrifying VX220. And I need to keep reminding myself thats why I bought it!
I learnt that the hard way when I got a big bill for a water pump on my first one. Someone did a 300 mile or so round-trip to view it so the next day I took it for a last drive and realised I had made a big mistake. But that evening the guy who had viewed it called to put a deposit on it, so 2 days later I went to look at another one and left a deposit on that!
A bit higher mileage and lower spec but a previous owner had fitted a custom cat-back exhaust and it sounded great!
I never planned to sell it until I had driven an M Coupe then saw one advertised at a price I just couldn't resist. That was 3 years ago and it's staying.
Mr Tidy said:
If you aren't too sure you should probably keep the Z4 Coupe.
I learnt that the hard way when I got a big bill for a water pump on my first one. Someone did a 300 mile or so round-trip to view it so the next day I took it for a last drive and realised I had made a big mistake. But that evening the guy who had viewed it called to put a deposit on it, so 2 days later I went to look at another one and left a deposit on that!
A bit higher mileage and lower spec but a previous owner had fitted a custom cat-back exhaust and it sounded great!
I never planned to sell it until I had driven an M Coupe then saw one advertised at a price I just couldn't resist. That was 3 years ago and it's staying.
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way. I learnt that the hard way when I got a big bill for a water pump on my first one. Someone did a 300 mile or so round-trip to view it so the next day I took it for a last drive and realised I had made a big mistake. But that evening the guy who had viewed it called to put a deposit on it, so 2 days later I went to look at another one and left a deposit on that!
A bit higher mileage and lower spec but a previous owner had fitted a custom cat-back exhaust and it sounded great!
I never planned to sell it until I had driven an M Coupe then saw one advertised at a price I just couldn't resist. That was 3 years ago and it's staying.
coldel said:
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way.
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of ithttps://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
jm8403 said:
coldel said:
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way.
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of ithttps://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
I found the steering vague, the damping crashy, and the chassis understeery.
jm8403 said:
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of it
https://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
Not by journos but by the general public who dont know enough about them to comment with any substance (but they still try!) https://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
C70R said:
jm8403 said:
coldel said:
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way.
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of ithttps://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
I found the steering vague, the damping crashy, and the chassis understeery.
coldel said:
C70R said:
jm8403 said:
coldel said:
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way.
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of ithttps://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
I found the steering vague, the damping crashy, and the chassis understeery.
The Z4 clearly wasn't designed to have its neck wrung down a bumpy, narrow road in the way that something like an MX5 (or even a Boxster) can. My Z4R was a wonderful cruiser, and very rewarding to drive on smooth, wide, sweeping roads. Anything less than this revealed the lack of composure and focus in the chassis.
C70R said:
coldel said:
C70R said:
jm8403 said:
coldel said:
Yeah I am going to stick with it for a while, I dont actually do keepers, so I think its more of a case of if I see a car I really fancy I will sell it rather than sell it and try find a car I really want. It is an under rated car, I kind of like that in a way.
Perhaps is it underrated, evo certainly speak very highly of ithttps://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/6440/bmw-z4-30si-coup...
I found the steering vague, the damping crashy, and the chassis understeery.
The Z4 clearly wasn't designed to have its neck wrung down a bumpy, narrow road in the way that something like an MX5 (or even a Boxster) can. My Z4R was a wonderful cruiser, and very rewarding to drive on smooth, wide, sweeping roads. Anything less than this revealed the lack of composure and focus in the chassis.
The Z4M failed for me with its ride/suspension(miles too hard/no give in it at all), and the TTS failed because the steering didn't communicate and it always washed into understeer too. For reference the best cars I've had for that road have been the E92 M3/Cooper S and the 370Z. The Cerbera/F82 M4 both fell into a similar trap to the Z4M. The Cerbera was a bit too unpredictable at times, and the M4's suspension is too hard for my liking ideally as well(nowhere near as bad as the Z4M though for me).
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