Z4M
Author
Discussion

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

252 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
I'm very close to putting my money into a Z4M... but I am just hestitating a little..

Its a very well specced car (got everything plus the kitchen sink), in Interlagos Blue - my only concern is the Champagne leather seats - while i can live with them, I worry it'll be really hard to sell on...

What are peoples thoughts on this?

Also, quick MPG poll? What are you getting on good motorway runs?


All in all, are owners happy with them?

mmm-five

12,054 posts

307 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
The extended champagne leather is one of the best interiors along with the black and amarone - it shouldn't affect resale.

The Interlagos Blue is the most common colour though, so that won't help.

I'm getting 27mpg on my Liverpool to London commute at an average of 85mph - all according to the OBC. I'm getting 300 miles out of a tank and then filling up, which takes 48 litres (of 55).

thigger

8 posts

206 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
Cruising on the motorway I can get 31mpg without too much fuss. Love the car, it burbles nicely when kept in low revs on a run to work; but the noise (and power) you get when you let it up into the higher range is truly impressive.

Not sure about those seats though! I turned one down with the lighter seats but I'm sure there are people who'll want them.

sammyz

13 posts

213 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
I've had 34 M.P.G on a run from Liverpool to the Cotswolds at 75ish all the way. I seem to get better MPG since I fitted a straight through exhaust system.
Light colour for seats is problematic, I've seen someone with a Z4M sitting on a light coloured towel to help poreserve his seats!!! Couldn't be bothered with that myself.

Vinny09

249 posts

215 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
I'm finding Sepang Bronze seats easy enough to look after provided I apply regular turtle wax leather cleaner.

Made the mistake of wearing a new pair of dark blue jeans recently but it came out alright.

Nano2nd

3,426 posts

279 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
i've got IB and champagne, i personaly love the interior... i use mine every day and do 20k a year, i'm not worried about the seats?

as above it is about the most common colour, however there so rare i don't think it makes much odds! personaly i think the spec is more important... i've bought 2 and i bought on spec first then colour (after discounting red and white - i'm not keen on non metallic red, and whites just too impractical for 20k a year)

mpg i get av 26-38 on my 35 mile commute - motorway and a bit of stop start junction queue work

best i manages was 33.something on a 110 mile 80lepton m'way cruise (with cruise on wink)

KENZ

1,229 posts

216 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
White seats are a bit gay..lol

Edited by KENZ on Tuesday 17th February 07:22

KENZ

1,229 posts

216 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
Light seats are a bit gay..lol


Edited by KENZ on Tuesday 17th February 07:23

Vinny09

249 posts

215 months

Monday 16th February 2009
quotequote all
I agree - they do seem to lighten my mood.

rofl

Porscheplayer

381 posts

213 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
I'm gay and have light seats, do I win a prize?

Not Really

Get at least 22 mpg, round town and 30 mpg on the MW, the engine is good on juice

My seats are light and have no problem with marking or cleaning them, I've only cleaned them once since I've had the car, it's not an issue at all

Fidgits

I recall the name from the Porsche forum, I think?


I’ve very happy with my Z4M Coupe, I’ve had it a while now so the novelty has wore off and it’s the best car I’ve owned to date, it’s quick off the line and gathers speed on the Motorway quicker than any of the Porsches I’ve owned in the past. Its does the boring stuff pretty well, not quite as good as Porsche it that respect, but it’s more engaging to drive and is more thrilling generally. It’s possible to drive the car both neat and tidy, but if you want to be a bit lairier, that’s an option too. The backend is very controllable when it comes to over steer and it’s practically a requirement. The car doesn’t flatter your driving the same as the 911 or Boxster, but it’s more rewarding because of it. I found TVR to raw and generally poor, Porsche’s perhaps a bit too refined, the Z4M is smack bang in the middle, having some comfort and toy’s, but still fairly mad when your in the mood.

It’s great on juice and mine has been 100% reliable without any squeaks or rattles

Downsides are the low speed ride; it’s pretty poor below 30 mph on rough roads, but gets much better when you gain a bit of speed. Interior could be better too and the Sat Nav works fine, but my Tom-tom is easier to use. Traction control isn’t as good as the later Porsches, it interferes more, but it’s not as intrusive as the E46 M3 system.

I’ve had a 911, Cayman S, Boxster S, TVR Tamora and if I had the money to spend again I would still pick the Z4 M coupe, I always look over my shoulder as I walk away and emerge with a grin on my face after a drive


Edited by Porscheplayer on Tuesday 17th February 11:02

Johnwebster12

16 posts

206 months

Tuesday 17th February 2009
quotequote all
I have Sepang Bronze seats and they are fine, dead easy to look after, and look great.

MPG for me is about 23 (i must have a heavy foot)

David111

171 posts

211 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Hi I think I agree with every word Porscheplayer said.beer Utterly my experience with the car. It can drive to work or you can drive it hard. Fun every time and whatever journey. One tester said it was like a TVR in its soul but with bmw build and reliability.

The car will do 23+ mpg. I get 26 with mainly commuting and a bit of ermmm 'fun'. Lots of fun will still give over 23mpg! Just commuting could be 28 or more depending on how 'economy minded' your driving is.

This car is amazingly good fun and beautiful. I looked at Cayman (£28k so relatively expensive - ny £10k), TV - beautiful but didn't appear durable, Exige, wonderful looking but compared to that the Z4M is a GT......

texasjohn

3,687 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Would anyone buy a Z4M that had missed the 1200 mile service?

It hasn't missed it as such but it was done relatively late at 2800 miles.

The car is an 08 plate Interlagos Blue with Black Nappa and is being sold by a Volvo main dealer at £22800.

The spec isn't huge but it has everything I want bar HiFi speaker system (which can be 'fixed' quite easily)

What is BMWs position on this (it is a Sytner group car but not being sold through their BMW arm), have there been any denied warranty claims on this basis?

My attitude is 'plenty more fish in the sea' even at that price.

What do you reckon?

KENZ

1,229 posts

216 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
You could get an 07 at that price with the correct service history. TBH I wouldn't touch it. It will always be in the back of your mind when you drive it hard.

KENZ

1,229 posts

216 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
I quite like Interlagos blue. Looks a bit flat on a dismal day. But on a sunny day it looks fantastic.

Edited by KENZ on Wednesday 18th February 14:23

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

252 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
texasjohn said:
Would anyone buy a Z4M that had missed the 1200 mile service?

It hasn't missed it as such but it was done relatively late at 2800 miles.

The car is an 08 plate Interlagos Blue with Black Nappa and is being sold by a Volvo main dealer at £22800.

The spec isn't huge but it has everything I want bar HiFi speaker system (which can be 'fixed' quite easily)

What is BMWs position on this (it is a Sytner group car but not being sold through their BMW arm), have there been any denied warranty claims on this basis?

My attitude is 'plenty more fish in the sea' even at that price.

What do you reckon?
I called them about that car (spoke to Seth and assume you have too).

The simple fact was, I called BMW customer service - and they told me while the warranty would still be in place, any failure that may be related to that would not be covered.

i.e. ANY (And they said ANY) engine failure..

Seth seemed to think you could fight this, and offered a years warranty on the engine, plus some money off the car as well (we didnt talk figures, but i doubt under the £22k mark)


However - I personally would be very put off buying any M car without the 1200 run-in done, and thought this car could be very hard to sell later on.


So, i bought a slightly older one (that had the running in service done at 1100 - which is perfect (BMW give 100 mile grace either side, so early shows very considerate owner) that had a much better spec (albeit the champagne seats)..

Oh, and ive only just driven it home, in the rain - but im very impressed... and echo the 'TVR' comments, it is capable of being quite brutal, but also quite civlised if you need it!

texasjohn

3,687 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
I have driven one before and they are nuts!

I think you are right and I would sooner spend a little more or get something a little older.

Thanks for the advice, it is resale as well as the risk during ownership.

They talked about a 'minute risk' to which my response was 'well you will be happy to underwrite it, then?'

At which point the deal came to a halt! wink

The Milfman

1,107 posts

212 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Fidgits, Coupe or Roadster?

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

252 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
yeah - the thing is, they will underplay the risk as they want to sell a car - there arent that many about, but for that one your throwing away 2 years warranty on the engine, it would've had to be £20k for me to even seriously consider it.

texasjohn

3,687 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
quotequote all
Fidgits, have you discovered zroadster.net as yet? Good bunch of people there and some are on here too.