BMW Z4 3.0si: PH Carpool
This PHer has loved the Z4 M Coupe for a decade, but has found lots to like in its lesser-known counterpart
Car: BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) 3.0si
Owned since: April 2013
Previously owned: BMW E36 316i and BMW E36 320i
Looks sold it to Daniel a long time ago!
"I distinctly remember an Imola Red Z4 M Coupe that I used to walk past every day back in 2006/7. Being an impressionable teenager at the time, I instantly fell in love and knew I had to get one someday!
"Fast forward six years and I needed to find a new car. Criteria: six cylinders, at least 3.0-litres, comfort, reliability and, ideally, something not too expensive to run.
"With those filters on PistonHeads I found many E46 330is and somewhere near the end of my price bracket, I saw a Z4 3.0si. I didn't even know these existed and I had to have one as Z4 M Coupes were out of my price range - I could fulfil the childhood dream to some degree, though I still want the M!"
70K miles in four years means it's busy!
"I wish I had researched the different options lists that were available; I initially thought most were the same until I joined a forum and that revealed the differences.
"However, that being said, there were very few for sale at the time so I had limited options anyway. I also wish I'd known how much the interior rattles - the interior build quality isn't great even though it looks like a pleasant place to be."
Things I love:
"The shape! My word... Have you seen the way this thing looks?!"
"The way it drives. It was slightly lacking in steering feel but this was significantly improved with new steering arms and polybushes. To me, it's a very rewarding drive on the road, I can place it where I want with very a balanced but rear-led chassis."
Polybushes a worthwhile upgrade
"The interior rattles - I'm constantly chasing rattles! The standard sound system is mediocre and when the tyres get low, it has a tendency to tramline.
"I have had a few little niggles that I have learnt to live with, including the one-touch windows that forget they're one-touch, so I have to reset this 90 per cent of the time I'm in the car."
Costs:
"Beyond consumables I have fully poly-bushed this car, replaced all lower arms, replaced the front brake callipers, sorted the wheel alignment and had an exhaust Vanos solenoid fixed. In terms of fuel, I am currently averaging 29mpg but I have seen 53mpg whilst hypermiling. Not bad for a 3.0-litre straight-six!"
A few more modifications might be on the way...
"Pretty much across the whole of the south of England - I have covered 70,000 miles in the four years I have owned the car! It has had a trip around Brands Hatch once too. I have always planned a Euro trip but I have never got around to actually doing it... I will one day!"
What next?
"I want the Z4M Coupe; however the prices seem to have skyrocketed and I am not convinced for the extra cash that I would fully appreciate it as a daily driver. But for the time being, I shall be replacing the springs and dampers with Bilstein items and potentially an LSD if I can commit to the cost.
"I'm also looking at exhaust alternatives, as I would like some extra pops and crackles occasionally."
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They are a very good car ... I have a Si Roady, the engine is an absolute peach and mated to a six speed manual is a lovely drive. And it needs to be driven .. it loves to rev and over 4K the engine comes alive and really starts to sing
I live on the edge of the northern Pennines where there are some fabulous roads
I find the Zed is the perfect car for blasts around the Dales.. it’s quick enough to have fun but not too fast .. which means that at 50-80 it is right in the zone, where other cars might not even be getting going
It is compact ., but roomy inside and very easy to place on narrow A and B roads .. you don’t need to be terrified of meeting a tractor !
It handles a bit like a go cart and never fails to put a smile on my face
No it’s not an adventador or 911 but I reckon on the roads I drive on I can get more enjoyment out of the Zed than a much more expensive “Sports” car
I’ve driven mine back to back with a Cayman S and not found it wanting at “sensible” speeds .. yes I think the Cayman would walk away from it over 100+ but at 50-80 along the lanes it’s just fine ??
As for the M .. it’s an itch I keep getting but the Si is probably 90% of the car for 50% of the cost
I do think it’s undervalued and a bit unknown but it does have a strong following on the quiet
As you’ve guessed I quite like mine ??
A couple of track days at Silverstone, one with driver instruction, made it clear the abilities of the car were way beyond mine. The only reason it went was it was not getting driven enough as I moved to central London. I miss its amazing frugality when driven with a light right foot. I have progressed to a 1979 450SLC so those days are long behind me!
This year I was in the United States and by pure chance drove right past the plant at Spartanburg, South Carolina where all of these Z4's were made. A huge facility and had I planned ahead I would have seen if they had a visitor centre and had a word with the air vent guy or gal, or robot.
The other two are a 1994 Fiesta and a 1987 MR2. Both have more "feel", ride far better, and have significantly better visibility. Same went for my recently departed Mondeo.
Whenever Z4s are mentioned people praise the handling and comfort but they must live on a different planet to me. The manual gearbox and clutch are the worst I've ever used. There's no way I'd take one as a daily driver.
If you just want to get from one place to another quickly, the Z4 is great. Massive grip, plenty of pace and very strong brakes. But no involvement and no driver satisfaction. Not much fun sticking the 12 foot long bonnet out in to traffic either before you can see out of a junction.
Just my opinion. Maybe the coupe is better. I've never driven one.
Mine was a weekend car thankfully, and I wouldn't contemplate using one as a daily either.
So much fun, completely changed the character of the car and it's much more fun....
along with...
CDV delete
ZHP gear knob
B12 kit
Had mine for around 18mnths / 20k miles - daily driver,
It's not without it's faults but its so much fun once you grab it by the scruff of the neck, and it gets a lot of positive comments as there's just nothing out there that looks as good (imo)
I've never known a car so fussy with regards to decent tyres, tyre pressure, a decent alignment...you can almost tell with somethings out of whack as it gently tries to kill you
Evo (Henry Catchpole) rated it very highly on the former and I suspect the latter would do it no favours.
Evo (Henry Catchpole) rated it very highly on the former and I suspect the latter would do it no favours.
It does have a hard ride ... but it’s better than some other BMW’s I’ve driven with sports suspension
It definitely appreciates smooth tarmac but I don’t find it tramlines
It is VERY sensitive to tyre pressures though
I haven’t driven one on 17’s though
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