Z4M - how does it compare ?

[Kananga]

Been curious about the z4m coupe for some time... Have never driven one so going to see if I can find a dealer nearby who has one available for a test drive.

Just curious if anyone who has owned a 1M and CSL rates the Z4M against those two models?

[0836whimper]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=115...

[Dover Nige]

Do you ever head over to SE Kent at all?

I own a Z4MC and have had a good drive of the 1M. I've also had an extended drive in a Cayman S.

The Z is a big lump hammer as opposed to the Cayman/1M. It's not a clinical machine, it needs taking by the scruff and driving. It doesn't drive itself. It is a bit skippy on Brit B roads and feels a bit floaty at c140+ leptons, but I consider that part of it's character and 140 leptons is a dangerous game in the UK anyway. It really came alive and the suspension made a lot of sense on a track evening at Brands.

Against the 1M, whilst the 1 is bloody quick, esp mid range, it didn't feel like the "event" to me that the Z does. It was too polished and too refined - more a Cayman S rival. It was too easy to drive very quickly (like the Pork) and whilst hugely competent it felt a little characterless to me. The Z is an old school bruiser that looks superb with lots of rough edged soul and is not the easy-to-drive scalpel that the 1M is.

I've never driven an M3 E46, but would like to try a CSL out of curiosity to compare.

[ASR1]

Fantastic engine, let down by terrible ride due to suspension not being tuned for uk roads, and a disappointingly low rent, US assembled interior.

[custardkid]

ASR1 said:

Fantastic engine, let down by terrible ride due to suspension not being tuned for uk roads, and a disappointingly low rent, US assembled interior.

Have you actually been in one?
The interior is no different in fit & finish to other BMs
And a lot nicer than some of the competition.

[ga41]

custardkid said:

Have you actually been in one?
The interior is no different in fit & finish to other BMs
And a lot nicer than some of the competition.

I own one and i too find the interior a bit disappointing, a mate has an Audi TT, the 2.0T version and his interior is of better quality even though it's got no leather. Our seats are much better though!

[tjlazer]

They do tend to rattle, didn't matter in a convertible but would probably grate in the coupe flavour. My e46 was considerably older and better screwed together...

[Kananga]

thanks for the views provided above, sorry for the delay in responding. gonna test drive a car this weekend to see how it is. knowing myself i think i'd get annoyed with lots of squeaks/rattles...

am maybe now switching tack slightly to a e92/93 M3, which seem to be decent value at the moment...

[Charlie Michael]

I've just bought one. The interior is very well put together, my 75,000 mile car has no interior rattles or squeaks. Buttons have a nice weight to them and everything feels very solid.

I'm picking mine up on Thursday. Monaco blue, i'm lead to believe it's not a common colour? Anyone more knowledgable able to clarify?

I found the ride to be firm, but not uncomfortable. It handled the speed bumps round where I live fine.

Good luck with the drive.

[custardkid]

No rattle in mine, and nothing has fallen off. I guess i'm lucky and have a propperly built one?

Custard

[Cheburator mk2]

custardkid said:

No rattle in mine, and nothing has fallen off. I guess i'm lucky and have a propperly built one?

Custard

Nah, just a normal one

The interior in mine felt a bit cardboard/plasticky, but it never rattled or squeaked in the 50,000 hard miles that I put on my Z4MC.

[original guvnor]

No squeaks or rattles from my 32k 07 plate either.

The rear suspension is too firm and particularly noticeable on poor road surfaces, but over on www.z4-forum.com there is loads of info on how to make tweaks to improve things.

Let us know how you found the test-drive.

[tertius]

Charlie Michael said:

I've just bought one. The interior is very well put together, my 75,000 mile car has no interior rattles or squeaks. Buttons have a nice weight to them and everything feels very solid.

I'm picking mine up on Thursday. Monaco blue, i'm lead to believe it's not a common colour? Anyone more knowledgable able to clarify?

I found the ride to be firm, but not uncomfortable. It handled the speed bumps round where I live fine.

Good luck with the drive.

That the one at HWM in Walton? I'm no expert, but I looked at that car and thought it was very solid.

[Charlie Michael]

tertius said:

That the one at HWM in Walton? I'm no expert, but I looked at that car and thought it was very solid.

That's the one! All paperwork tallied up and previous owner was someone who has a certain passion for cars so I trusted that it had been looked after.