PH Z4 Coupe Update
VXX meets its big brother, but does it get sand kicked in its face?
I have had my Z4C 3.0si since July and have covered 8,000 miles since then. Despite the relatively high miles I am not in the slightest bit bored of it, not even a little bit. How many cars do you look at out of the window when sitting in your living room? How many other cars of this price do people stare at in the street? How many other cars do you enjoy driving just for the sake of it? Not many that I have owned that's for sure.
OK, so let's not get carried away with the compliments, it has developed more creaks and rattles than I would have expected- lots more. It lacks storage for even the simplest daily items like your mobile, the nearside rear suspension makes a clunking noise- probably time for an unscheduled dealer visit and it has dared to consume a litre of oil. Oh and it was rubbish when I moved house recently meaning I had to steal the S-Max from Racing Pete for a weekend. All in all though, I still love it, and it stands up well to my less than subtle driving style.
Most people assume the Z4C only comes in M spec, comparing it to the old 'breadvan' M coupe. In fact, plenty of PHers spot that my car only has two exhausts sticking out the back and a 3.0si badge where the M usually sits. This is usually followed with much ribbing as to my prowess and ability. I reckon the 3.0si coupe is as pure a sports car as you would want- certainly I keep up with faster metal without too much effort- but to see what all the fuss is about I spent a week with a Z4MC.
IMHO isn't a phrase I used that much until I found PH, now I use it all the time, and all of what you are about to read is IMHO and my flameproof suit has been zipped up tight too.
For a week I had an additional 250cc, 78bhp and 50nm of torque at my disposable, I could reach 60mph 0.7 seconds faster, and had I bought this Z4MC I would be £8,620 worse off. That's a lot of money in my book.
Unfortunately, during my week I didn't have the opportunity to take the car to the track, so I had to base my thoughts on my mix of London commuting, weekend hooning and late night 'just because you feel like it' drives.
Firstly there's the noise. I love the sound of the 3.0 but this moves it on completely, it's just so aggressive and the engine is deliciously lumpy when cold giving it a race tuned feel. The clutch is much heavier than the 3.0 and the power delivery is more on/ off meaning you often travel faster than normal without realising. Braking is vastly superior and not something you notice until you jump in the 3.0 immediately after the M, but you'd be a bit of a numpty not to expect the M to have a better set up. The addition of the M differential means the traction light is seen less often when exiting tight bends or under hard acceleration when leaving a roundabout, despite the additional power available.
BUT- and here is the IMHO bit. I prefer the 3.0si.
Its a more enjoyable car day to day, the clutch and gearbox respond better whether you want a fast change or are stuck in traffic. The engine is almost as fast and unless you are a fantastic wheelman I'd wager that the average M driver is unlikely to shake off a 3.0si along a fast B road. The 3.0 engine has more character with pops on the overrun, a noise that's almost as good (almost) and its peak torque is achieved at 2750 rpm compared to the M at 4900rpm meaning it's a nicer car to point and squirt. It's also lighter, 100kg lighter in fact.
I await the comments from M owners saying I am jealous of the M, but I'm not. I can see why you would buy one and I will miss certain elements of the car, but the 3.0si just seems a purer proposition. You have to work that bit harder, but I think it's the better car and I have almost £9000 in my pocket to spend on trackdays and driver training.
IMHO.
HTH.
 Spot the missing exhausts |
 M has stronger brakes |
 More aggressive front valance on M |
 Small bonnet bulge for M |
 Where the extra money goes? |
 Carbon trim for M |
 Much brighter in here |
J.
All very interesting points.
I would take the £9k price difference with a pinch of salt though. If you were buying one now you be crazy not to buy one of the nearly new ones that are now going for between £31-£35k amazing value!
Personally I think for many of us, the longer you spend with a car, the more you grow to love it.
I would beg the qeustion: If the Garlic had driven a Z4MC for 8,000 miles and had a 3.0 for the weekend, woulh he have come to the same conclusion???
G
- The 3.0Si is a fine steed, but it would not see which way its M sibling went around a track.
- The 3.0Si has a fine engine, but again it is being compared to the best 6-cylinder race engine BMW has ever built
Then again, the Si is easier to live with in mixed duties, more relaxing to cruise in and definitely cheaper in terms of running costs, insurance and warranty issues.
i'm sure i would have been happy with the sport and it would certainly have been the most sensible choice for my 18k a year commute
however the M just has that little something which makes it special... and as mentioned about there are some great deals to be had at the mo, add to that what will be (fingers crossed) better residuals i couldn't say no 
Miguel
John
However, my Z4 has had less use over the last couple of months as I've acquired a new weekend toy that is far superior in every respect.....
A great combo IMHO!
However, my Z4 has had less use over the last couple of months as I've acquired a new weekend toy that is far superior in every respect.....
A great combo IMHO!
ive found a z4m and really want it but after reading this, is it worth it (i was assuming a definite yes)
thanks
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