Z4MC - What to look out for, buying advice?
Discussion
Chaps,
I've been scratching my head trying to think about what to replace the Boxster with......as our inbetween summer vehicle.
The Cayman underwhelmed me, R32 has no sense of occasion and after that, our list ran dry (6 cylinder, £20k budget, fun to drive, reliable as a daily and 06 model year onwards....)....
It's just occurred to me today...
A Z4MC.....
I've had a few E46 Coupes before but never an 'M' power....
Are there any particularly areas that I should be looking at insofar as buying tips?
There's a 07 plate not far from us with about 40k on that I plan to go to view tomorrow.....
Any pointers appreciated!!!
I've been scratching my head trying to think about what to replace the Boxster with......as our inbetween summer vehicle.
The Cayman underwhelmed me, R32 has no sense of occasion and after that, our list ran dry (6 cylinder, £20k budget, fun to drive, reliable as a daily and 06 model year onwards....)....
It's just occurred to me today...
A Z4MC.....
I've had a few E46 Coupes before but never an 'M' power....
Are there any particularly areas that I should be looking at insofar as buying tips?
There's a 07 plate not far from us with about 40k on that I plan to go to view tomorrow.....
Any pointers appreciated!!!
- Make sure it has had its 1st service at circa 1,200miles (Crucial)
- FSH, either BMW or Indy that specialises in BMW's (correct engine oil is important with these, especially if doing track days)
- Broken rear springs are a known fault - Easy fix, not too expensive, many replace all 4 with stronger after-market items (Eibach or HR most popular)
- O2 sensors are known to fail - again not a big problem
Oh and Z4 forum friendly place to get good advice from fellow owners...
Did you try a Gen I or Gen II Cayman.. and Cayman or Cayman S?
I'd had 5 years of M cars (E36 m3 gt, E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3) and now have a Gen II Cayman S... and as a drivers car, I'd put it on at least a level with the CSL. (and I had the CSL for 3.5 years, done many hundred laps of the 'ring in it, and loved it).
So I'm surprised if you're saying a Cayman is leaving you feeling underwhelmed.
What kind of roads did you test drive it down?
I'd had 5 years of M cars (E36 m3 gt, E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3) and now have a Gen II Cayman S... and as a drivers car, I'd put it on at least a level with the CSL. (and I had the CSL for 3.5 years, done many hundred laps of the 'ring in it, and loved it).
So I'm surprised if you're saying a Cayman is leaving you feeling underwhelmed.
What kind of roads did you test drive it down?
cpufreak said:
Did you try a Gen I or Gen II Cayman.. and Cayman or Cayman S?
I'd had 5 years of M cars (E36 m3 gt, E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3) and now have a Gen II Cayman S... and as a drivers car, I'd put it on at least a level with the CSL. (and I had the CSL for 3.5 years, done many hundred laps of the 'ring in it, and loved it).
So I'm surprised if you're saying a Cayman is leaving you feeling underwhelmed.
What kind of roads did you test drive it down?
I've no doubt a Porsche Caymen of any variety is an extremely accomplished driver's car. I'd had 5 years of M cars (E36 m3 gt, E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3) and now have a Gen II Cayman S... and as a drivers car, I'd put it on at least a level with the CSL. (and I had the CSL for 3.5 years, done many hundred laps of the 'ring in it, and loved it).
So I'm surprised if you're saying a Cayman is leaving you feeling underwhelmed.
What kind of roads did you test drive it down?
The problem they have when they go up against an M3 or a Z4M, is that they lack that instant hit of sheer straight line grunt and screaming sound track that makes these cars such an event when you first drive one.
My friend has just found himself in almost the same position as the OP. Decided that he wanted a Boxter S, did his research, looked at a few cars, had a couple of test drives and was ready to do a deal on one. He then saw a Z4M Roadster at his local BMW dealer, decided he'd have a quick test drive just to see how it compared to the Boxter, and ended up signing on the dotted line for it there and then.
M5Dave said:
I've no doubt a Porsche Caymen of any variety is an extremely accomplished driver's car.
The problem they have when they go up against an M3 or a Z4M, is that they lack that instant hit of sheer straight line grunt and screaming sound track that makes these cars such an event when you first drive one.
My friend has just found himself in almost the same position as the OP. Decided that he wanted a Boxter S, did his research, looked at a few cars, had a couple of test drives and was ready to do a deal on one. He then saw a Z4M Roadster at his local BMW dealer, decided he'd have a quick test drive just to see how it compared to the Boxter, and ended up signing on the dotted line for it there and then.
+1 The problem they have when they go up against an M3 or a Z4M, is that they lack that instant hit of sheer straight line grunt and screaming sound track that makes these cars such an event when you first drive one.
My friend has just found himself in almost the same position as the OP. Decided that he wanted a Boxter S, did his research, looked at a few cars, had a couple of test drives and was ready to do a deal on one. He then saw a Z4M Roadster at his local BMW dealer, decided he'd have a quick test drive just to see how it compared to the Boxter, and ended up signing on the dotted line for it there and then.
the Caymen S is extremely efficient and precise tool, but left me cold
Custard
Both!!!
A bit of history!!
A was/am an automotive engineer....NVH/Powertrain and now general management......so, when looking for a car nowdays I look at the entire package really.
We had a Boxster 986s with 13k miles and every extra possible.....it was a great place to be in and the soundtrack above 5k was superb....
Moving on to a Gen 1 Cayman S.......good engine note and superb handling.......but, I found it had far too much cabin noise, the body paneling was flimsy and the cabin itself was just so cheap....(flimsy handles, wobbly radio buttons, cheap cheap switch gear, cheap leather......)....perhaps I was benchmarking a bit too much......but, as a package it was not worth another £25k.....infact, I would have had our Boxster back in an instant!!
Drove a Gen 2 too.......now, this only had 3k miles and was a bit tight......overall impression, better cabin insulation, nicer place to be (still not great.....you need the full extended leather for this I think)......but, the engine now is a bit 'cold'........off idle it might as well be a Honda......when you wind it up then you get a nice growl.....but, overall.....a bit of a disappointment....
So, with the Z4M....I'm hoping for the engine note, sense of occasion and a cabin that doesn't feel like you're in a Daewoo Matiz!!....aswell as bucket loads of torque!!
A bit of history!!
A was/am an automotive engineer....NVH/Powertrain and now general management......so, when looking for a car nowdays I look at the entire package really.
We had a Boxster 986s with 13k miles and every extra possible.....it was a great place to be in and the soundtrack above 5k was superb....
Moving on to a Gen 1 Cayman S.......good engine note and superb handling.......but, I found it had far too much cabin noise, the body paneling was flimsy and the cabin itself was just so cheap....(flimsy handles, wobbly radio buttons, cheap cheap switch gear, cheap leather......)....perhaps I was benchmarking a bit too much......but, as a package it was not worth another £25k.....infact, I would have had our Boxster back in an instant!!
Drove a Gen 2 too.......now, this only had 3k miles and was a bit tight......overall impression, better cabin insulation, nicer place to be (still not great.....you need the full extended leather for this I think)......but, the engine now is a bit 'cold'........off idle it might as well be a Honda......when you wind it up then you get a nice growl.....but, overall.....a bit of a disappointment....
So, with the Z4M....I'm hoping for the engine note, sense of occasion and a cabin that doesn't feel like you're in a Daewoo Matiz!!....aswell as bucket loads of torque!!
Peppermint said:
* Make sure it has had its 1st service at circa 1,200miles (Crucial)
Oh and Z4 forum friendly place to get good advice from fellow owners...
+1- FSH, either BMW or Indy that specialises in BMW's (correct engine oil is important with these, especially if doing track days)
- Broken rear springs are a known fault - Easy fix, not too expensive, many replace all 4 with stronger after-market items (Eibach or HR most popular)
- O2 sensors are known to fail - again not a big problem
Oh and Z4 forum friendly place to get good advice from fellow owners...
Great cars. Possibly the last 'wild' BMW; a car that you feel might one day bit your arm off if you're not careful. The E9x M3 by comparison feels big and slightly cumbersome.
The ride can come in for criticism, but upgraded suspension really sorts them out.
D'oh.custardkid said:
M5Dave said:
I've no doubt a Porsche Caymen of any variety is an extremely accomplished driver's car.
The problem they have when they go up against an M3 or a Z4M, is that they lack that instant hit of sheer straight line grunt and screaming sound track that makes these cars such an event when you first drive one.
My friend has just found himself in almost the same position as the OP. Decided that he wanted a Boxter S, did his research, looked at a few cars, had a couple of test drives and was ready to do a deal on one. He then saw a Z4M Roadster at his local BMW dealer, decided he'd have a quick test drive just to see how it compared to the Boxter, and ended up signing on the dotted line for it there and then.
+1 The problem they have when they go up against an M3 or a Z4M, is that they lack that instant hit of sheer straight line grunt and screaming sound track that makes these cars such an event when you first drive one.
My friend has just found himself in almost the same position as the OP. Decided that he wanted a Boxter S, did his research, looked at a few cars, had a couple of test drives and was ready to do a deal on one. He then saw a Z4M Roadster at his local BMW dealer, decided he'd have a quick test drive just to see how it compared to the Boxter, and ended up signing on the dotted line for it there and then.
the Caymen S is extremely efficient and precise tool, but left me cold
Custard
Test drove a Cayman S then a Z4M, bought the Z4M because whilst the Cayman would undoubtedly out handle it, the Z4M was more of a thrill to drive and feels much quicker than the Cayman S.
It is also a rarer sight on the roads.
I can honestly say I have not for one moment regretted that decision - Z4M is such a hoot
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