Z4 M owner experiences vs Cayman S
Discussion
Anyone had/driven both? From what I've read, the Cayman is the more polished (arguably less exciting) all-round product, but how does the Z4 M compare?
I've heard the cockpit is cramped - would I even fit? (I'm 6"2)
Is the Z4 M a car you could use everyday? or is it too harsh/noisy/hard riding etc?
Above all - Which is more fun?
I've heard the cockpit is cramped - would I even fit? (I'm 6"2)
Is the Z4 M a car you could use everyday? or is it too harsh/noisy/hard riding etc?
Above all - Which is more fun?
daveknott5 said:
Anyone had/driven both? From what I've read, the Cayman is the more polished (arguably less exciting) all-round product, but how does the Z4 M compare?
I've heard the cockpit is cramped - would I even fit? (I'm 6"2)
Is the Z4 M a car you could use everyday? or is it too harsh/noisy/hard riding etc?
Above all - Which is more fun?
Z4M is miles more fun... Had mine for 50k miles and 5 years - tracked it extensively, took it to the Alps twice, South of France and Italy. I am 6'4" and around 116kg, fitted inside like a glove. The last real ///M car BMW built...I've heard the cockpit is cramped - would I even fit? (I'm 6"2)
Is the Z4 M a car you could use everyday? or is it too harsh/noisy/hard riding etc?
Above all - Which is more fun?
Only it was built in Spartanburg not Dingolfing so the build quality of the little M leaves a little to be desired. No doubt Caymen S the more grown up option and a lot easier to peddle fast but somehow the Z4mc transcends the sum of its parts. Fantastic fun but that fun factor for me had a downside, far too hardcore for a daily driver. You know the time when you are exhausted after a transatlantic red eye and just want to waft on a softly sprung wall of auto gearbox to your bed at home? That said if you don't do many miles and both your hips still work properly you'll love it. I've been out of mine for two years, had an M6 cabrio and now have captain sensible Passat CC Tdi DSG and am looking at getting another Z4mc later this year or early next. The only "Porch" I will ever own is GT2RS.
Cheburator mk2 said:
Z4M is miles more fun... Had mine for 50k miles and 5 years - tracked it extensively, took it to the Alps twice, South of France and Italy. I am 6'4" and around 116kg, fitted inside like a glove. The last real ///M car BMW built...
Agree with every word here. I'm another 6'4" and 17 stone. Z4M is a great fun car to own. Great to cruise to the pub in and if the pub in question happens to be in the Alps all the better. Even greater at full attack on a track day. Taken it to work a few times and it does that to, but not every day for me, that would spoil the weekends.Test drove several Cayman S's before getting the Z4MC
(and my folks have a gen2 Cayman)
the Cayman S is a nice car, but never felt quick. The only time it came alive was when I found and empty stretch of road with a couple of well sighted sweeping S bends, when driving at 9/10s it suddenly made sense; its handling balance and scalpel like precision were devastatingly effective. in normal driving conditions I found it dull and unfortunately those perfect empty road moments are a rare occurrence.
By contrast, the Z4MC feels exciting from the moment you get in, sitting low almost touching the rear wheels, with the long bonnet stretching before you, you feel like a spitfire fighter pilot as you wake the big train of an engine. It always has enough torque to send the rear sideways on command (DSC off), the engine pull strongly from 3000rpm with increasing urgency to the 8,000 rpm red line, truly one of the great engines.
The Cayman is probably a better car, but just doesn't have character or broad chested grunt of the Z4MC
When looking at Cayman you need to be careful of:
- Engine issues (IMS bearing, RMS seal, scored bores)
- Spec, everything is an extra (most things are std on the Z4MC)
Mine is in the Classifieds, to free up funds for my M3 track car project (same engine as the Z4MC), but i think I'll be back in a Z4 some day as they are reliable and great value
good luck with your search
Custard
(and my folks have a gen2 Cayman)
the Cayman S is a nice car, but never felt quick. The only time it came alive was when I found and empty stretch of road with a couple of well sighted sweeping S bends, when driving at 9/10s it suddenly made sense; its handling balance and scalpel like precision were devastatingly effective. in normal driving conditions I found it dull and unfortunately those perfect empty road moments are a rare occurrence.
By contrast, the Z4MC feels exciting from the moment you get in, sitting low almost touching the rear wheels, with the long bonnet stretching before you, you feel like a spitfire fighter pilot as you wake the big train of an engine. It always has enough torque to send the rear sideways on command (DSC off), the engine pull strongly from 3000rpm with increasing urgency to the 8,000 rpm red line, truly one of the great engines.
The Cayman is probably a better car, but just doesn't have character or broad chested grunt of the Z4MC
When looking at Cayman you need to be careful of:
- Engine issues (IMS bearing, RMS seal, scored bores)
- Spec, everything is an extra (most things are std on the Z4MC)
Mine is in the Classifieds, to free up funds for my M3 track car project (same engine as the Z4MC), but i think I'll be back in a Z4 some day as they are reliable and great value
good luck with your search
Custard
Edited by custardkid on Sunday 17th June 22:00
RE: as a daily driver
Mine is a second car, but occasionally commute init.
It is a comfortable place to be, and doing Nice in one hit is no problem.
the main reason for not using it daily is to protect it from other numptys out there... eg opening doors onto your car in the station car park, touch park etc
Mine is a second car, but occasionally commute init.
It is a comfortable place to be, and doing Nice in one hit is no problem.
the main reason for not using it daily is to protect it from other numptys out there... eg opening doors onto your car in the station car park, touch park etc
Cayman = classy, mid-engined, great handling, underpowered, great car
Z4M = stunning and totally addictive engine + noise, reasonable build quaility, reliable enough, great fun and a great car
Personally, the tip of the balance would be that straight 6, I have owned 3 straight 6 M z's and done well over 150,000 miles in them in total, the engine makes the car stunningly addictive.
Khushy
Z4M = stunning and totally addictive engine + noise, reasonable build quaility, reliable enough, great fun and a great car
Personally, the tip of the balance would be that straight 6, I have owned 3 straight 6 M z's and done well over 150,000 miles in them in total, the engine makes the car stunningly addictive.
Khushy
khushy said:
Cayman = classy, mid-engined, great handling, underpowered, great car
Z4M = stunning and totally addictive engine + noise, reasonable build quaility, reliable enough, great fun and a great car
Personally, the tip of the balance would be that straight 6, I have owned 3 straight 6 M z's and done well over 150,000 miles in them in total, the engine makes the car stunningly addictive.
Khushy
I would add that the Z4m engine outguns the chassis by a mile. Buy it for the engine. Buy the cayman for everything else. then again, i never really get the "grab it by the scruff of its neck" phrase. Plenty here would disagree with me but hey I've own them both and a Z3m....... z3m by far the better car compared to a z4m but caymans are simply something else.Z4M = stunning and totally addictive engine + noise, reasonable build quaility, reliable enough, great fun and a great car
Personally, the tip of the balance would be that straight 6, I have owned 3 straight 6 M z's and done well over 150,000 miles in them in total, the engine makes the car stunningly addictive.
Khushy
however the z3m looks special and is rare and unlike anything else, I still miss mine.
jontymo said:
To be fair you need to pit the Cayman R against the M, the S is a nice car but not comparable against the M
^THIS^ - I now run a Spyder which is a f
king incredible car and much more of an event than even the R!Even though the R is fast-as-f
k its still boring and much too clinical IMHO - the straight 6 M has character in volumes - the Spyder is on par with that experience.35,000 miles in the last 18 months
HokumPokum said:
I would add that the Z4m engine outguns the chassis by a mile. Buy it for the engine. Buy the cayman for everything else. then again, i never really get the "grab it by the scruff of its neck" phrase. Plenty here would disagree with me but hey I've own them both and a Z3m....... z3m by far the better car compared to a z4m but caymans are simply something else.
however the z3m looks special and is rare and unlike anything else, I still miss mine.
You are joking, right? The Z3M better than the Z4M? however the z3m looks special and is rare and unlike anything else, I still miss mine.
The chassis of the Z4M is very good, it is just the UK roads are rubbish...
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