Z4m to replace 350z

[DartyBistard]

Morning all,

I've had my 350z HR for the best part of 6 years now, I've really enjoyed owning and driving it with some great fun along the way, but I've got the itch and so it's time for the Zed to move on.

Criteria is for a two door coupe with a Spanish box and preferably N/A engine. 370z has been ruled out and nothing too new as I tend to prefer the engagement of older cars. Another thing to consider is that with living in London I don't do many miles so I don't technically 'need' a car - so something that's holding firm price wise would be a bonus (though tricky to predict at the minute).

Having done my homework the above leads me to conclude that a Z4m would do the job nicely; good looks, great engine and a thuggish reputation tick the boxes for me, also they seem to be relatively stable price wise so I'd not be too worried about taking a bath on it.

Question is have I overlooked something? is the Z4 sufficiently special to warrant the hike in cost over the Zed, and am I not considering any other options that I should be?

Thought and opinions (particularly from any owners) are most welcome.

Cheers all.

[edc]

Cayman R could be an option. Or perhaps a Lotus Evora or Exige V6.

[Mike Jersey]

I once owned an E86 Z4 3.0SI Coupe, which has 90% of the performance of the Z4M but is less than half the price. Loved every minute of owning the car. Well worth considering

[pb8g09]

If you can get past the auto gearbox, Mercedes SLK55 AMG.

I'm sure the noise could ease the pain of paddles...

[DartyBistard]

edc said:

Cayman R could be an option. Or perhaps a Lotus Evora or Exige V6.

Might not be able to stretch to a decent Cayman R but a well sorted S would definitely be considered. At 6'4 I'm afraid an Exige/Elise is out of the question

Mike Jersey said:

I once owned an E86 Z4 3.0SI Coupe, which has 90% of the performance of the Z4M but is less than half the price. Loved every minute of owning the car. Well worth considering

I've heard this but I'm afraid any non M Z4 just does nothing for me - not to say they aren't good cars, just don't give me the fizz.

pb8g09 said:

If you can get past the auto gearbox, Mercedes SLK55 AMG.

I'm sure the noise could ease the pain of paddles...

Interesting idea, bit left of centre for sure - are these much cop to drive?

[ZX10R NIN]

At 6'4 I'd be going for the Evora it's the best drivers car & has a sweet 6 pot.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

I'd honestly test drive the 370Z Nismo before committing to a Z4M as it's actually the better steer imo & there's also a much lower bork factor. Also if it's about the drive & feel of the car I think it's silly not to test drive one because these have all of that..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011236...

The Gen 1's are a bit more raw than the Gen2 so you might want to try both:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011306...

[liner33]

There is not a lot of difference between the 350z hr and 370z to be honest, the old school nature of these is part of their charm , personally I always preferred them to the z4

[Jonstar]

Mike Jersey said:

I once owned an E86 Z4 3.0SI Coupe, which has 90% of the performance of the Z4M but is less than half the price. Loved every minute of owning the car. Well worth considering

Ah this old line, having had both, a 3.0 is no where near the M, not even close.

[Mr Tidy]

Jonstar said:

Mike Jersey said:

I once owned an E86 Z4 3.0SI Coupe, which has 90% of the performance of the Z4M but is less than half the price. Loved every minute of owning the car. Well worth considering

Ah this old line, having had both, a 3.0 is no where near the M, not even close.

I had a couple of 3.0Si Coupes for over 5 years and always reckoned they were 80% of the M Coupe for 50% of the money.

Then in December 2019 I bought a Z4MC and realised that while I might have been right stastically, the M is just so much more special!

But it does need much more mechanical attention that doesn't come cheap. Every other Service is an Inspection 1 or 2 that requires valve clearances to be checked from cold and adjusted using shims as they don't have hydraulic lifters. So that's £600/700 at an Indy.

And at some point the M will need new big end shells (crank rod bearing shells in BMW speak). Mine had them at 78K miles and with replacement engine mounts that was another 4 figure bill. But you'll probably only ever do that once.

Still I knew all that when I bought mine so no issues for me as I think it is money well spent.

I could have tried a Nissan Z, but they just didn't do it for me.

[davek_964]

Mr Tidy said:

But it does need much more mechanical attention that doesn't come cheap. Every other Service is an Inspection 1 or 2 that requires valve clearances to be checked from cold and adjusted using shims as they don't have hydraulic lifters. So that's £600/700 at an Indy.

And at some point the M will need new big end shells (crank rod bearing shells in BMW speak). Mine had them at 78K miles and with replacement engine mounts that was another 4 figure bill. But you'll probably only ever do that once.

I've been toying with the idea of a Z4 for a while - I think you've just put me off!

[p4cks]

Evoras certainly have that old school feel that you crave for, plus the handling is absolutely sublime whereas the Z4M handling is known to be a little less on the sublime scale

ETA: I've had a Z4C (3.0Si), a 350Z and currently have an Evora and if I were in your postion I'd not be able to look beyond the Evora. They're fabulous VFM at the moment and don't suffer from 'M tax' on the parts

Edited by p4cks on Friday 15th January 09:27

[krisdelta]

I had a Z4MR for a couple of years, I found the rear suspension travel to be a bit lacking which made it uncomfortable on undulating roads, but lots of fun to drive still - my biggest problem were the MPSS tyres on it, which were too grippy to make it playful. I really enjoyed driving it in the main, it was a bit of a hotrod performance-wise, insanely quick and felt it as you're low down and sat over the rear wheels, practically. I would imagine it would feel a fair bit crisper than a 350z, lighter steering and possibly easier to place on the road too.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had a Z4M Roadster and I've currently got a 370Z GT Roadster. For me personally I much prefer the 370Z. The 370Z has a better manual gearbox/ride/suspension than the Z4M for me.

The engine is sweeter and much smoother revving in the Z4M though, and being sat over the rear wheels is a nice feeling in the Z4M too.

The 370Z is more of a GT than sports car though, and the Z4M definitely trumps it in that regard. The Z4M feels a fair bit smaller and lighter than the 370Z.

I didn't gel with the Z4M, whereas the only real criticism I have with the 370Z is the interior doesn't feel all that special, but I do really love the way the 370Z drives though. The Z4M annoyed me regards the very harsh ride and the uncompliant suspension, plus the manual gearbox can be a pig to use at times(the 370Z's gearbox isn't perfect either though) especially going quickly from first to second.

[Mr Tidy]

davek_964 said:

Mr Tidy said:

But it does need much more mechanical attention that doesn't come cheap. Every other Service is an Inspection 1 or 2 that requires valve clearances to be checked from cold and adjusted using shims as they don't have hydraulic lifters. So that's £600/700 at an Indy.

And at some point the M will need new big end shells (crank rod bearing shells in BMW speak). Mine had them at 78K miles and with replacement engine mounts that was another 4 figure bill. But you'll probably only ever do that once.

I've been toying with the idea of a Z4 for a while - I think you've just put me off!

Just to clarify the 3.0Si Z4 Coupe doesn't have those issues, only the M model.

But I still think it's a small price to pay for the "M" experience.

[otolith]

My wife had a 350Z and replaced it with a Z4M roadster (which I still own). Neither was really my cup of tea, I kept the BMW for sentimental reasons and really ought to let go of it, but of the two I thought the Z4M by far the better drive. The Nissan was lumpen. Made a nice noise, but that’s about it.

[cerb4.5lee]

otolith said:

My wife had a 350Z and replaced it with a Z4M roadster (which I still own). Neither was really my cup of tea, I kept the BMW for sentimental reasons and really ought to let go of it, but of the two I thought the Z4M by far the better drive. The Nissan was lumpen. Made a nice noise, but that’s about it.

So sorry for you regards this, and I do always genuinely think of you regarding this.

You definitely need to keep the Z4M for sure.

[ZX10R NIN]

otolith said:

My wife had a 350Z and replaced it with a Z4M roadster (which I still own). Neither was really my cup of tea, I kept the BMW for sentimental reasons and really ought to let go of it, but of the two I thought the Z4M by far the better drive. The Nissan was lumpen. Made a nice noise, but that’s about it.

The 350Z isn't in the same ballpark as a Z4M but test drive a 370Z Nismo & the Z4M may well end up for sale.

[DartyBistard]

Some really interesting thoughts here for which I'm very grateful, it sounds like opinions are split on z4m vs 370, and the Evora is a good shout I hadn't considered.

I really do enjoy the old school muscle car nature of the zed, mine's an 07 HR but it feels much older (in a good way) than the reg suggests. Looking around 997s become very tempting in this sort of price range but I think my better judgement tells me no, unless anyone can persuade me otherwise...

[otolith]

cerb4.5lee said:

So sorry for you regards this, and I do always genuinely think of you regarding this.

You definitely need to keep the Z4M for sure.

Thanks

I don't know, it doesn't get driven enough, it just sits there eating VED and insurance. Just spent a chunk of cash on bits and pieces - four new tyres, new coil spring, fixing the windscreen wiper problem, brake pipes. Even worse at the moment with Covid, the Lotus isn't getting driven enough either.

I really love the engine, and the brutish nature of the thing, but it is a bit of a heiffer for my tastes. I think I should probably sell it and use some of the money to fit the supercharger I bought for the Elise and get it the external cosmetic work it needs to look how it should. Just looking a bit tired.

[DartyBistard]

otolith said:

Thanks

I don't know, it doesn't get driven enough, it just sits there eating VED and insurance. Just spent a chunk of cash on bits and pieces - four new tyres, new coil spring, fixing the windscreen wiper problem, brake pipes. Even worse at the moment with Covid, the Lotus isn't getting driven enough either.

I really love the engine, and the brutish nature of the thing, but it is a bit of a heiffer for my tastes. I think I should probably sell it and use some of the money to fit the supercharger I bought for the Elise and get it the external cosmetic work it needs to look how it should. Just looking a bit tired.

Would it be rude to send a PM?