Z4M Roadster - initial thoughts
Discussion
So I picked up my Z4M Roadster from London last Wednesday. Bagged myself a 07, Imola Red roadster with Nav, pro HiFi, Bluetooth, parking sensors etc and its covered 30,000 miles.
I drove the car 500 odd miles back to Aberdeen and have since done about another 500 with various hoons. So I thought I'd write up a quick review of my initial thoughts on the car.
Exterior - Personal preference I guess but I love it. The only thing to change will probably be some CSL alloys at some point but no rush. The bonnet length takes a fair bit of getting used to!
Interior - pretty cheap. I think it would be drastically improved with the carbon leather but unfortunately I only have the aluminium. The seats are awesome and the steering wheel is nice and chunky. The only thing is, with my seating position it's hard to read the speedo as the steering wheel blocks it. The stereo is awesome. Sound quality, bass etc are brilliant. Really impressed with it. Sat Nav is terrible. Almost impossible to operate with any ease and no postcode input so rarely gets you to where you want to go. Cup holders are a nice feature but I'd prefer some extra cubby holes for sunglasses, wallet etc.
Performance and handling - where to start? The performance is brutal. Savage acceleration and it just pulls and pulls irregardless of which gear you are in. 30mph in 5th gear and it will take you up to license losing speeds in no time at all. It's utterly brilliant. The only thing better than the performance is the noise. Wow. Just, wow! It sounds amazing. I have heard people complain that e standard system isn't loud enough. They must be deaf! My car sounds absolutely amazing. The noise is intoxicating. 3rd gear up to 5000rpm and let off and just listen to the plethora of pops and bangs from the exhaust. I love it! It's not the easiest car to drive in town and can be very jerky on and off the throttle, especially when cold. The ride is firm, but not too firm. The brakes are very very good - for road use anyway. Track work will need better pads etc. it feels extremely planted and the traction control is very good, almost too good. I cannot get even a slither of sideways with the DSC left on. After reading all the reviews about the car I was expected it to be very difficult to drive fast on country roads. I have found it the complete opposite and find myself turning the DSC off when I want to have a little more fun.
Economy - I got 29mpg coming back from London and it has since dropped to 26mpg. Not bad consider it has been well used over the last couple of days.
Overall - I absolutely love the car, like really really love it. It's just perfect for me. A real sense of occasion when driving it, mixed with brutal performance, comfort and style. It's such a hoot to drive and did I mention the noise!?
Some poor photos:
I drove the car 500 odd miles back to Aberdeen and have since done about another 500 with various hoons. So I thought I'd write up a quick review of my initial thoughts on the car.
Exterior - Personal preference I guess but I love it. The only thing to change will probably be some CSL alloys at some point but no rush. The bonnet length takes a fair bit of getting used to!
Interior - pretty cheap. I think it would be drastically improved with the carbon leather but unfortunately I only have the aluminium. The seats are awesome and the steering wheel is nice and chunky. The only thing is, with my seating position it's hard to read the speedo as the steering wheel blocks it. The stereo is awesome. Sound quality, bass etc are brilliant. Really impressed with it. Sat Nav is terrible. Almost impossible to operate with any ease and no postcode input so rarely gets you to where you want to go. Cup holders are a nice feature but I'd prefer some extra cubby holes for sunglasses, wallet etc.
Performance and handling - where to start? The performance is brutal. Savage acceleration and it just pulls and pulls irregardless of which gear you are in. 30mph in 5th gear and it will take you up to license losing speeds in no time at all. It's utterly brilliant. The only thing better than the performance is the noise. Wow. Just, wow! It sounds amazing. I have heard people complain that e standard system isn't loud enough. They must be deaf! My car sounds absolutely amazing. The noise is intoxicating. 3rd gear up to 5000rpm and let off and just listen to the plethora of pops and bangs from the exhaust. I love it! It's not the easiest car to drive in town and can be very jerky on and off the throttle, especially when cold. The ride is firm, but not too firm. The brakes are very very good - for road use anyway. Track work will need better pads etc. it feels extremely planted and the traction control is very good, almost too good. I cannot get even a slither of sideways with the DSC left on. After reading all the reviews about the car I was expected it to be very difficult to drive fast on country roads. I have found it the complete opposite and find myself turning the DSC off when I want to have a little more fun.
Economy - I got 29mpg coming back from London and it has since dropped to 26mpg. Not bad consider it has been well used over the last couple of days.
Overall - I absolutely love the car, like really really love it. It's just perfect for me. A real sense of occasion when driving it, mixed with brutal performance, comfort and style. It's such a hoot to drive and did I mention the noise!?
Some poor photos:
Great show. You'll get used to bonnet length. Take care front is low so kerbs will kill it. steering wheel has adjustment - should be possible to perfect, sat low, low inside driving position.
Storage, you can get a pair of storage bins that fix to front of seats Check realoem for part no.s.
Storage, you can get a pair of storage bins that fix to front of seats Check realoem for part no.s.
pboyd said:
You say ride is firm but not too bad. How was it on long trip for comfort and noise in cabin? Assume more than adequate...
It was excellent for the long trip home. It was an effortless and comfortable drive. Noise in cabin was minimal although I was getting excessive wind noise due to the window not meeting up with the seal tight enough. Apparently an easy adjustment fix. So yes, more than adequate.
How do you find the gearbox? It was the one bit of the car I didnt like, found it very notchy.
I ran an interlagos 2006 one for a year as my daily, really enjoyed it but I dont think I would buy another. It was a total hoot with the DSC turned off although I did have one hairy moment at the top end of 3rd gear when it decided to step out on a motorway slip road!
Saw an indicated 162mph on a private test track
I ran an interlagos 2006 one for a year as my daily, really enjoyed it but I dont think I would buy another. It was a total hoot with the DSC turned off although I did have one hairy moment at the top end of 3rd gear when it decided to step out on a motorway slip road!
Saw an indicated 162mph on a private test track
Col 666 said:
How do you find the gearbox? It was the one bit of the car I didnt like, found it very notchy.
I ran an interlagos 2006 one for a year as my daily, really enjoyed it but I dont think I would buy another. It was a total hoot with the DSC turned off although I did have one hairy moment at the top end of 3rd gear when it decided to step out on a motorway slip road!
Saw an indicated 162mph on a private test track
Gearbox is pretty notchy, although does improve once it warms up. It feels very mechanical, which I like, though it does mean you have to be precise and missing gears is pretty easily done.I ran an interlagos 2006 one for a year as my daily, really enjoyed it but I dont think I would buy another. It was a total hoot with the DSC turned off although I did have one hairy moment at the top end of 3rd gear when it decided to step out on a motorway slip road!
Saw an indicated 162mph on a private test track
Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
RobboC said:
Excellent.
I've only just started considering these. Currently running a Mondeo ST TDCI but have run S2000, Elise etc previously.
My only reservations are running costs. I'm guessing a tank (£65?) is about 300miles? They seem to eat tyres too....
Depends how you drive it.I've only just started considering these. Currently running a Mondeo ST TDCI but have run S2000, Elise etc previously.
My only reservations are running costs. I'm guessing a tank (£65?) is about 300miles? They seem to eat tyres too....
12 gallon tank (which you'll never get 12 gallon into) will cost about £72 to brim - I've never managed more than 51 litres. At the 27.5mpg average I'm showing after 10,000 miles (since Dec 2012) you'd get just over 300 miles before it hits zero - although there'll still be about a gallon in the tank for emergency use. Light comes on at about 2 gallons (excluding the emergency gallon) to go.
Tyres on mine have lasted 20k for the rears, and 30k for the fronts, so not exactly what you'd call 'eating them'. Although the OE Conti SportContact M3 tyres don't last as long as the Pilot Sport PS2 or SuperSports - which means it's easily worth the extra 25% cost for the Michelins for the extra 100% mileage. Mien covers 20-20k a year of motorway commutes, Welsh hoons and two 4 day 'Ring trips a year.
Doesn't use any oil, and the only costs (it's under extended warranty @ £80/month for fully comp, no excess, with breakdown) have been tax (annual), insurance (annual) and inspections/services (every 8-9 months on my schedule) - plus interim brake fluid & oil services (every 7k miles or before I go to the 'Ring).
If you total the cost of 3 year's/60k mile's of maintenance (2 x £200 oil service, 1 x £600 Insp1, 1 x £800 Insp2) you get the average cost per year for servicing based on 20k miles a year of £600 a year maintenance. Hardly wallet-busting, when you consider you'll only save £300/year if you go for the non-M.
Easty-5 said:
Gearbox is pretty notchy, although does improve once it warms up. It feels very mechanical, which I like, though it does mean you have to be precise and missing gears is pretty easily done.
Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
I wasn't a fan of the gearbox aswell & I totally concur with what you say about it feeling substandard, it's incredible to think they could charge what they did for it new, but as you say the engine & performance do make up for it & it's great fun to drive especially when you grab it by the scruff of the neck! Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
mmm-five said:
Depends how you drive it.
12 gallon tank (which you'll never get 12 gallon into) will cost about £72 to brim - I've never managed more than 51 litres. At the 27.5mpg average I'm showing after 10,000 miles (since Dec 2012) you'd get just over 300 miles before it hits zero - although there'll still be about a gallon in the tank for emergency use. Light comes on at about 2 gallons (excluding the emergency gallon) to go.
Tyres on mine have lasted 20k for the rears, and 30k for the fronts, so not exactly what you'd call 'eating them'. Although the OE Conti SportContact M3 tyres don't last as long as the Pilot Sport PS2 or SuperSports - which means it's easily worth the extra 25% cost for the Michelins for the extra 100% mileage. Mien covers 20-20k a year of motorway commutes, Welsh hoons and two 4 day 'Ring trips a year.
Doesn't use any oil, and the only costs (it's under extended warranty @ £80/month for fully comp, no excess, with breakdown) have been tax (annual), insurance (annual) and inspections/services (every 8-9 months on my schedule) - plus interim brake fluid & oil services (every 7k miles or before I go to the 'Ring).
If you total the cost of 3 year's/60k mile's of maintenance (2 x £200 oil service, 1 x £600 Insp1, 1 x £800 Insp2) you get the average cost per year for servicing based on 20k miles a year of £600 a year maintenance. Hardly wallet-busting, when you consider you'll only save £300/year if you go for the non-M.
Interesting, thanks 12 gallon tank (which you'll never get 12 gallon into) will cost about £72 to brim - I've never managed more than 51 litres. At the 27.5mpg average I'm showing after 10,000 miles (since Dec 2012) you'd get just over 300 miles before it hits zero - although there'll still be about a gallon in the tank for emergency use. Light comes on at about 2 gallons (excluding the emergency gallon) to go.
Tyres on mine have lasted 20k for the rears, and 30k for the fronts, so not exactly what you'd call 'eating them'. Although the OE Conti SportContact M3 tyres don't last as long as the Pilot Sport PS2 or SuperSports - which means it's easily worth the extra 25% cost for the Michelins for the extra 100% mileage. Mien covers 20-20k a year of motorway commutes, Welsh hoons and two 4 day 'Ring trips a year.
Doesn't use any oil, and the only costs (it's under extended warranty @ £80/month for fully comp, no excess, with breakdown) have been tax (annual), insurance (annual) and inspections/services (every 8-9 months on my schedule) - plus interim brake fluid & oil services (every 7k miles or before I go to the 'Ring).
If you total the cost of 3 year's/60k mile's of maintenance (2 x £200 oil service, 1 x £600 Insp1, 1 x £800 Insp2) you get the average cost per year for servicing based on 20k miles a year of £600 a year maintenance. Hardly wallet-busting, when you consider you'll only save £300/year if you go for the non-M.
cerb4.5lee said:
Easty-5 said:
Gearbox is pretty notchy, although does improve once it warms up. It feels very mechanical, which I like, though it does mean you have to be precise and missing gears is pretty easily done.
Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
I wasn't a fan of the gearbox aswell & I totally concur with what you say about it feeling substandard, it's incredible to think they could charge what they did for it new, but as you say the engine & performance do make up for it & it's great fun to drive especially when you grab it by the scruff of the neck! Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
Edited by KENZ on Tuesday 7th May 14:45
KENZ said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Easty-5 said:
Gearbox is pretty notchy, although does improve once it warms up. It feels very mechanical, which I like, though it does mean you have to be precise and missing gears is pretty easily done.
Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
I wasn't a fan of the gearbox aswell & I totally concur with what you say about it feeling substandard, it's incredible to think they could charge what they did for it new, but as you say the engine & performance do make up for it & it's great fun to drive especially when you grab it by the scruff of the neck! Overall though, the car as a package is very sub-standard IMO for what was selling at £44k new. The engine, noise & performance make it worth every penny though :-)
The problem is everytime I get in my M3 I can now see she was right about the interior!!
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