Z4M v M3 CS v 135i
Z4M v M3 CS v 135i
Author
Discussion

Falz

Original Poster:

13 posts

209 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
What would you buy, in what order and why....

Assume purchase price is the same

rampz

108 posts

215 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
m3 cs, z4m, 135i

why? faster to slower!

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
1. Z4M (assuming coupe)
2. CS
3. 135

Quickest and best handling first; 135 last.

scz4

2,769 posts

265 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
Great Pretender said:
1. Z4M (assuming coupe)
2. CS
3. 135

Quickest and best handling first; 135 last.
I disagree sir smile, haven driven all three (well standard E46 M3) 135i is the quickest in a straight line and that's before a 385bhp remap. Most magazines are finding they do 0-60 in abotu 4.7 to 4.8 seconds. Huge amount of torque. Handling is another story of course. The 135i also has the best brakes, 6 pots as standard, but lacks the character of any ///M powered car.

I would take:

1- Z4M (easy one)
2- 135i
3- M3



Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th April 14:42

Mermaid

21,492 posts

195 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
Great Pretender said:
1. Z4M (assuming coupe)
2. CS
3. 135

Quickest and best handling first; 135 last.
+1.

The CS is a great M3, and in time will be revered but will often be confused with the bog standard M3 and seen as wannabee to the ultimate driving focused E46 - the M3 CSL.

The Z4M will suffer no such confusion, it is an intense car (designed with gutsy driving in mind) and therefore not be as user friendly as the CS.

Have one of each smile


The 135i can be remapped to 400ps, but there is a sense that it is "synthetic" power.



Edited by Mermaid on Tuesday 6th April 14:43

mat205125

17,790 posts

237 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
Mermaid said:
The 135i can be remapped to 400ps, but there is a sense that it is "synthetic" power.
That is a brilliant term, and one I may steal for the future. I know exactly what you mean.

It's the kind of power that AMG Mercs and RS Audis produce .... Power that gives you that initial "wow, thats fast", quickly followed by a shrug and a "hmmm, so what?" .... Its the curse of forced induction primarily IMO, and it will be interesting to see (hear and feel) how successful BMW are with the next M5.

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
scz4 said:
Great Pretender said:
1. Z4M (assuming coupe)
2. CS
3. 135

Quickest and best handling first; 135 last.
I disagree sir smile, haven driven all three (well standard E46 M3) 135i is the quickest in a straight line and that's before a 385bhp remap. Most magazines are finding they do 0-60 in abotu 4.7 to 4.8 seconds. Huge amount of torque. Handling is another story of course. The 135i also has the best brakes, 6 pots as standard, but lacks the character of any ///M powered car.

I would take:

1- Z4M (easy one)
2- 135i
3- M3



Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th April 14:42
Bah! You and your bloody forced induction obsession tongue out

scz4

2,769 posts

265 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
Great Pretender said:
Bah! You and your bloody forced induction obsession tongue out
biggrin I've converted back. The supercharged Z4 was way quicker than my M3 in every scenario, but not nearly as entertaining or as rewarding. Now a supercharged S54, that's the best of both worlds! smile

That said I believe my ECU has arrived at the house... will let you know how I get on.


Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th April 14:56

wrighty78

6,313 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
Having owned a Z4MC and a M3CS, I would really struggle to rank them. Really depends on priorities.

The Z4MC is more fun in the twisties and (arguably) looks better. It is rarer (compared to an M3, but not the CS) and surprisingly practical for a 2 seater. Lighter and firmer than the M3 - noticeable on a country road blast.

The M3CS was an incredibly competent long distance cruiser, has the benefits of 4 seats and a large boot and (to my ears) sounded a little better. Very comfortable way to travel quickly across long distances! Looks brilliant in Interlagos blue.

Both were epic and I would gladly own either again.

Can't comment on the 135i.



Edited by wrighty78 on Tuesday 6th April 15:23

Mermaid

21,492 posts

195 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
mat205125 said:
That is a brilliant term, and one I may steal for the future. I know exactly what you mean.

It's the kind of power that AMG Mercs and RS Audis produce .... Power that gives you that initial "wow, thats fast", quickly followed by a shrug and a "hmmm, so what?" .... Its the curse of forced induction primarily IMO, and it will be interesting to see (hear and feel) how successful BMW are with the next M5.
No need to steal, you may borrow for free and forever biggrin

The RS2 produced 143ps per litre, but drive a 90ps per litre E30 M3 (ditto 190E 16V Merc) and the drive felt for real. And of course the RS & GT3 Porsches.

The RS6 is incredibly efficient, like the TGV and all that entails. The latest RS4 (B7?) is better for it is the only NA RS Audi, shortly to be joined by the RS5 that promises a lot.

Do real PH's drive AMG Mercs? smile

Fidgits

17,202 posts

253 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
i tried the CS after thinking a CSL was just a bit too impractical for everyday use...

then tried a Z4M and bought that.


havent regretted buying it for a second.

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Tuesday 6th April 2010
quotequote all
scz4 said:
Great Pretender said:
Bah! You and your bloody forced induction obsession tongue out
biggrin I've converted back. The supercharged Z4 was way quicker than my M3 in every scenario, but not nearly as entertaining or as rewarding. Now a supercharged S54, that's the best of both worlds! smile

That said I believe my ECU has arrived at the house... will let you know how I get on.


Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 6th April 14:56
bounce

rage999

33 posts

193 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
not in any special criteria but if i were to buy one

1. M3CS
2. Z4M
3. 135i

i think no matter what, the 135i will be at the bottom or a different prospect in the sense that its a compromised car no matter how fast in a straight line or how much bhp and torque its got. and also, its not an ///M.


Mermaid

21,492 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
rage999 said:
... no matter how fast in a straight line or how much bhp and torque its got. and also, its not an ///M.
Good, but not true blue blooded.

Oh Behave

342 posts

249 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
1. Z4M
2. M3CS
3. 135i

I test drove the 135i before buying my Z4M. Whilst the 135i was rapid it just didn't excite me, it was almost too accomplished. Where as the M was a lot more raw, I felt alive from the moment I turned the key, and then stalled it...rolleyes

ferrisbueller

30,198 posts

251 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
CS
Z4M
135i

0836whimper

978 posts

222 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
Well the 135i is not an M car, so that's ruled out.

If you want a low slung and good looking sports car where space is not an issue, get the Z4M.
If you want a coupe you can put loads of stuff in and carry passengers, and still get thrills from, get the M3.



custardkid

2,514 posts

248 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
0836whimper said:
Well the 135i is not an M car, so that's ruled out.
thumbup well said that man!

custard

custardkid

2,514 posts

248 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
ask your self one question:

are you ever going to walk a way from the 'ugly baby' that is the 1 series and look over your shoulder and smile?

what about for this:


my work here is done
biggrin
custard

Vinny09

249 posts

216 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
custardkid said:
ask your self one question:

are you ever going to walk a way from the 'ugly baby' that is the 1 series and look over your shoulder and smile?

what about for this:


my work here is done
biggrin
custard
No doubt it's a beautiful car....but I reckon you've ruined it by adding that ridiculously large spoiler.....

biggrin