Z4M and SLK 55
Author
Discussion

junglie

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

246 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
I am thinking of buying one of these as our 'fun' car.

I have owned a Z4 before but not the M and I wish to see how these 2 compare but do not want to waste a seller's time by using their own as a comparison.

Is there anybody in the Southampton / Portsmouth area that would take me for a drive and discuss their car?

Thank you as always ,

Dan

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
A friend had the Z4M really liked it though he was looking at the Porsche Boxer S as a competitor - the SLK is not as sharp its a lovely car lovely noise but if your after a car that handles like its on rails and is progressive then look to the Z4M.


But also the Porsche S really is superb or the Gayman S great cars and a step above the Z4M INHO.

zed4

7,248 posts

251 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
There are loads if threads on Z4M vs SLK 55 vs Boxster and I've contributed to many. Have a search and enjoy a good read.

I chose the Z4M, but I still really want an SLK 55. I did love my Z4M though, what an amazing car.

Post in the south coast forum, I think there are one or two members with them.

junglie

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

246 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
I have read a lot of the threads and watched the videos - they are both great cars but for different reasons. The SLK 55, for example, has a really amazing engine but is an auto (it may or may not matter) but the Z4M is a rev hungry beautiful roadster.

Either would make you happy but you only get the true picture for yourself having seen both on the flesh!

zed4

7,248 posts

251 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Don't underestimate the weight of the clutch, the stiff gear change and the jerky throttle in the Z4M. It's utterly glorious on a nice twisty road, pushing on, or when cruising on the motorway, but get it in traffic and it's a nightmare! I remember getting stuck in stop start traffic in London for over an hour and I very nearly parked it up and used public transport.

Edited by zed4 on Friday 14th March 19:51

junglie

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

246 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Worse than the standard Z4 with the CDV still in place?

cerb4.5lee

44,555 posts

209 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
zed4 said:
Don't underestimate the weight of the clutch, the stuff gear change and the jerky throttle in the Z4M. It's utterly glorious on a nice twisty road, pushing on, or when cruising on the motorway, but get it in traffic and it's a nightmare! I remember getting stuck in stop start traffic in London for over an hour and I very nearly parked it up and used public transport.
This is good advice I only used mine as a weekend car but the gearbox still managed to drive me mad! but out on a open road at full revs its happy days with the roof off. driving

Gandahar

9,600 posts

157 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Go and take a test drive between both.


No brainer

zed4

7,248 posts

251 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
junglie said:
Worse than the standard Z4 with the CDV still in place?
I had a 3.0. Very different car. The 3.0 was much easier to drive.

The issue with the Z4M is the clutch is so heavy and the throttle is so sensitive, which makes it very difficult to drive smoothly and easily in traffic. It requires a fair bit of care and attention to drive smoothly, slowly.

Open it up and it's great, the sensitive throttle is perfect to blip the revs up with your toe for smoother downchanges. It's really superb.

Drive one, see what you think.

E65Ross

36,729 posts

241 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
A mate of mine has had the Z4M and the boxster, said the BMW was more fun but the porsche was the sharper tool but for some fun he preferred the BMW. I believe he said the slk is less sharp than both, sounds great but less focused than either.

All good cars.

cerb4.5lee

44,555 posts

209 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
zed4 said:
junglie said:
Worse than the standard Z4 with the CDV still in place?
I had a 3.0. Very different car. The 3.0 was much easier to drive.

The issue with the Z4M is the clutch is so heavy and the throttle is so sensitive, which makes it very difficult to drive smoothly and easily in traffic. It requires a fair bit of care and attention to drive smoothly, slowly.

Open it up and it's great, the sensitive throttle is perfect to blip the revs up with your toe for smoother downchanges. It's really superb.

Drive one, see what you think.
I didn't mind the clutch or throttle to be honest it was a little too sensitive when using the sport button though, it was the gearbox that I hated & first to second was just a complete nightmare I found.

zed4

7,248 posts

251 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
I didn't mind the clutch or throttle to be honest it was a little too sensitive when using the sport button though, it was the gearbox that I hated & first to second was just a complete nightmare I found.
That's true.

junglie

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

246 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
E65Ross,

I have not forgotten your kind invite to see you very well sorted 745i but family business has taken up all my time - very soon though. E65 for the commute and one of the others, or something similar, for fun!

Patrick Bateman

13,166 posts

203 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
It's a shame there isn't a roadster with a V8 and a manual box that isn't a TVR or very old.

Z4MPO

87 posts

229 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Z4M for me, it's such a great engine! I've had mine since new in 2006 and still love it. My M135 is good, but I live a naturally aspirated straight 6!

cerb4.5lee

44,555 posts

209 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Z4MPO said:
Z4M for me, it's such a great engine! I've had mine since new in 2006 and still love it. My M135 is good, but I live a naturally aspirated straight 6!
That's a very nice two car combo! thumbup

E65Ross

36,729 posts

241 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
junglie said:
E65Ross,

I have not forgotten your kind invite to see you very well sorted 745i but family business has taken up all my time - very soon though. E65 for the commute and one of the others, or something similar, for fun!
No worries mate just give us a shout when you fancy a nose around and drive out in it.

It's not perfect, it's got almost 112k miles on it, but it hides it well and drives fine smile

lamboman100

1,445 posts

150 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Black Cayman S, manual or paddle-shift.

squeezebm

2,319 posts

234 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
A friend had the Z4M really liked it though he was looking at the Porsche Boxer S as a competitor - the SLK is not as sharp its a lovely car lovely noise but if your after a car that handles like its on rails and is progressive then look to the Z4M.


But also the Porsche S really is superb or the Gayman S great cars and a step above the Z4M INHO.
You said Gayman rolleyes

Oh dear......

csmith319

372 posts

192 months

Friday 14th March 2014
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
It's a shame there isn't a roadster with a V8 and a manual box that isn't a TVR or very old.
Aston vantage?