1M vs M3 vs Z4MC
Discussion
Just driven all three back to back on a mix of A roads and B roads,
in isolation you'd be extremely happy driving any of them, as they are all fast and pointy.
here are my thoughts:
1M
the shove from this engine low down is immense and addictive! it easily feels the fastest and I think I was probably 10mph faster at any point on the route as its so easy to pile on the speed.
however.... the nature of the engine means you tend to short change at 6k to get back in the torque band... kinda like driving a big diesel!
the car doesn't feel too big and felt sure footed.
it rode well over the bumpier lanes.
interior alcantara is nice, but once under way you could be in any 1series
the exhaust sounds brilliant out side the car, but inside, even with the window open you only get a bit of turbo whoosh
M3
start the engine and immediately you warm to the big V8. pinning the throttle down the road it feels less urgent & slower than the 1, but as the revs rise and you punch an other gear (manual) it feels more organic.
in the twists it seemed to flow better than the 1, it was more supple over the bumps... if ultimately slower
you sit a little bit higher, but the car surprisingly doesn't feel much bigger on the road
Z4MC
from the inside it sounds almost as good as the V8. and has similar power delivery.
the seating position is by far the lowest and adds to the sense of occasion of the coupé over a hatch/saloon brethren
the steering gives the most feedback of what is happening at the front end. the throttle response is the keenest of the 3.
although it has more feel than the other 2 it was also the most difficult to drive with the front and rear being more mobile and it was more sensitive to bumps & camber changes.
verdict:
this will disagree with Evo, and they probably did more than 30mins in each car... but this is my opinion
the most involving car is the Z4MC helped by its lower CofG and lower weight.
the best all-rounder was the M3
I'm afraid the M1 was the one I least wanted another go in. I'm biased, but I think I'll be keeping the Z4MC for the while.... but when practicality calls the E9x M3 will be high on the list!
Custard
PS the other half thought the M3 was the nicest drive, and it brought the hooligan out in her much to the amusement of the salesman
in isolation you'd be extremely happy driving any of them, as they are all fast and pointy.
here are my thoughts:
1M
the shove from this engine low down is immense and addictive! it easily feels the fastest and I think I was probably 10mph faster at any point on the route as its so easy to pile on the speed.
however.... the nature of the engine means you tend to short change at 6k to get back in the torque band... kinda like driving a big diesel!
the car doesn't feel too big and felt sure footed.
it rode well over the bumpier lanes.
interior alcantara is nice, but once under way you could be in any 1series
the exhaust sounds brilliant out side the car, but inside, even with the window open you only get a bit of turbo whoosh
M3
start the engine and immediately you warm to the big V8. pinning the throttle down the road it feels less urgent & slower than the 1, but as the revs rise and you punch an other gear (manual) it feels more organic.
in the twists it seemed to flow better than the 1, it was more supple over the bumps... if ultimately slower
you sit a little bit higher, but the car surprisingly doesn't feel much bigger on the road
Z4MC
from the inside it sounds almost as good as the V8. and has similar power delivery.
the seating position is by far the lowest and adds to the sense of occasion of the coupé over a hatch/saloon brethren
the steering gives the most feedback of what is happening at the front end. the throttle response is the keenest of the 3.
although it has more feel than the other 2 it was also the most difficult to drive with the front and rear being more mobile and it was more sensitive to bumps & camber changes.
verdict:
this will disagree with Evo, and they probably did more than 30mins in each car... but this is my opinion
the most involving car is the Z4MC helped by its lower CofG and lower weight.
the best all-rounder was the M3
I'm afraid the M1 was the one I least wanted another go in. I'm biased, but I think I'll be keeping the Z4MC for the while.... but when practicality calls the E9x M3 will be high on the list!
Custard
PS the other half thought the M3 was the nicest drive, and it brought the hooligan out in her much to the amusement of the salesman
Edited by custardkid on Saturday 21st May 17:52
the jollyrodger said:
ecain63 said:
How new was the 1M?
Has he not just said in the above post?The reason i ask is: I'd be suprised if there are any 1M's out there that have got beyond the 1200 mile run-in period. How can a test like that be done when the car hasnt had its run-in service? You cant drive them properly until the service has been done for reasons such as Warranty and mechanical sympathy. Unless its a slightly older demo or a press car. Or the owner has done some serious mileage in a very short time and had it serviced very quickly.
Eddie
ecain63 said:
If he did i cant see it.
The reason i ask is: I'd be suprised if there are any 1M's out there that have got beyond the 1200 mile run-in period. How can a test like that be done when the car hasnt had its run-in service? You cant drive them properly until the service has been done for reasons such as Warranty and mechanical sympathy. Unless its a slightly older demo or a press car. Or the owner has done some serious mileage in a very short time and had it serviced very quickly.
Eddie
I would agree with this. This would certainly make me steer clear of a demo/press car.The reason i ask is: I'd be suprised if there are any 1M's out there that have got beyond the 1200 mile run-in period. How can a test like that be done when the car hasnt had its run-in service? You cant drive them properly until the service has been done for reasons such as Warranty and mechanical sympathy. Unless its a slightly older demo or a press car. Or the owner has done some serious mileage in a very short time and had it serviced very quickly.
Eddie
BMW where very firm and clear about the run in period of my Z4iS and it must be all recorded in the ECU as the launch control will not activate until 1200 miles are completed.
I never went above 4k RPM or used full throttle until 1500 miles. Engine pulls hard and effortless up to the redline with only 2500 miles on now. Need some sunny days urgently
Toilet Duck said:
Out of the three cars, which one had the best cup holders (and why)?
E92 M3.They are really well damped, and exist for both the driver and passenger, sliding out of the dash, and thus folding away when not required.
1M has just a single cup holder, in the centre console, which can not really be used with the arm rest down.
ecain63 said:
If he did i cant see it.
The reason i ask is: I'd be suprised if there are any 1M's out there that have got beyond the 1200 mile run-in period. How can a test like that be done when the car hasnt had its run-in service? You cant drive them properly until the service has been done for reasons such as Warranty and mechanical sympathy. Unless its a slightly older demo or a press car. Or the owner has done some serious mileage in a very short time and had it serviced very quickly.
Eddie
I wonder if the 1M's engine really needs that much running in ? It's not like it's a bespoke high revving naturally aspirated engine like the days of old ? The reason i ask is: I'd be suprised if there are any 1M's out there that have got beyond the 1200 mile run-in period. How can a test like that be done when the car hasnt had its run-in service? You cant drive them properly until the service has been done for reasons such as Warranty and mechanical sympathy. Unless its a slightly older demo or a press car. Or the owner has done some serious mileage in a very short time and had it serviced very quickly.
Eddie
Z4 Animal said:
How are you getting on with yours mate? 
sorry, think i will make an appointment at specsavers!Getting on ok, need the cdv removed then i will take it out for a weekend away somewhere.
thought whatever i bought after the t350 would be a let down, but not with the z4m.
It feels so much more planted on the road, although its not just got the grunt of the tvr.
the jollyrodger said:
sorry, think i will make an appointment at specsavers!
Getting on ok, need the cdv removed then i will take it out for a weekend away somewhere.
thought whatever i bought after the t350 would be a let down, but not with the z4m.
It feels so much more planted on the road, although its not just got the grunt of the tvr.
I traveled down the same car route and the Z4MC is better, the t350 does have more grunt at lower speeds, but at anything past 90, I say the Z4MC is faster due to the slippery shape, its also much more relaxed at higher speeds than the any TVRGetting on ok, need the cdv removed then i will take it out for a weekend away somewhere.
thought whatever i bought after the t350 would be a let down, but not with the z4m.
It feels so much more planted on the road, although its not just got the grunt of the tvr.
4340BB said:
I have just had my z4mc fitted with the eibach lowering springs this weekend.
All I can say is wow. It has completely transformed the handling and ride.
It is no longer bumpy and crashy. It feels a lot smoother and like how it should have been from the factory.
Thoroughly recommend.
Same experience here, it can still be crashy but generally it has improved things.All I can say is wow. It has completely transformed the handling and ride.
It is no longer bumpy and crashy. It feels a lot smoother and like how it should have been from the factory.
Thoroughly recommend.
Good write up Custard, after the MC the other M cars do seem a bit soft in comparison. M3 will probably be my next car too though.
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