My Z4 M This is the car that the Z3 M wasnt

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 10:34

Where do i start.

Well the sound of my old Z3 M was the biss but the Z4 M has it beat.

You only get around 22bhp more but i can tell you its so much more rapid than the Z3 M.

Cornering there is non of that bouncy back end when you catch a bump in the road. The handling is so so so much better.

If you go for the Loud speaker upgrade once again its so much better than the HK upgrade in the Z3 M. Proper subs.

Seats are more comfortable and the backs are electric too unlike the Z3 M.

Rear glass window instead of plastic. Better of course.

Boot is twice to three times the size.

No catches to pull on the roof and you can drop it down by the key before getting in.

Much more room inside.

Six speed smooth gear box the main thing the Z3 m needed.

Roof folds away nicely, no need for messy toneau cover.

Lighter clutch.

Angel eye side lights

Much better brakes thanks to the CSL

Downers

We all no that they could of done more with the body and dash. There was a massive different between the Z3 and the M.

They could of gave it 19? wheels. V8 would of been nice too but this straight 6 sound so nice.

Dash is a bit plain.

Oh yes as Phoenix Nights says the PRICE is a bit on the high side but i will honestly say it is a better car but that is to be expected as it is about 8 years newer than the Z3 M.

Phoenix Nights · Post by **Phoenix Nights** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 10:50

Delighted to hear such a favourable report. I'm looking forward to seeing one.

The only thing I'd add to the 'Downer' side is the price, but that's BMW for you.

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 11:16

I think one of the reasons it feels quicker is due to the 6-speed gearbox meaning intermediate gears are shorter/closer which makes a huge difference to the feel of the power delivery.

btw Are you not running the engine in?

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 12:53

Just tested a Z4M.
I was the 1st to, so doesn't seem to be that much enthusiasm.
I agree with pearsonjohnboy.
Stunning car to drive. The exhaust note is so so good.
I much prefer the chunkier smaller steering wheel. The seats are more comfortable. Felt more at one with the car. No wobbly rear end etc etc.
Personally I didn't notice much difference in acceleration to the Z3M.
Apart from when I floored it in 1st in the wet & no spin obviously.
Minor criticism is the return spring on the accelerator could do with being stronger as I also found with a 1 series & a new 3 series recently, so as to balance the weight of one's foot.. but then maybe I've got heavy feet.
Also I'm not as keen on the Z4 styling as the Z3.
My verdict... Not the best looker, but fantastic in bed

AussieZ3 · Post by **AussieZ3** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 12:57

pearsonjohnboy wrote:Also i can say that Z3 M never felt that stable at 140-150mph (

A key ingredient for a street car.

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 13:09

c_w

I have been in the M3 E46 and i can say just like the Z3 M it will beat that hands down. You just need to drive one to experience it (It not just the speed the corner handling is better to. Only one of my mates has drove it so far and he said the same, he also got pulled by the coppers aswell asked him what he was doing my mate replied just a little overtaking maneuver copper said you were doing 75 i replied nooooooo wasnt that fast was it my mate said no dont think i was going that fast then copper then asked him is it your car he said no just doing a test drive (1:30am) asked me if it was mine, he then took my mate to the diesel focus and gave him a producer (new we were safe when i heard the sound of a diesel never known of one of these with a stun gun and that was it). We were doing a hundred then slowed down so more like he then had to do 75 to catch us. Yeah car is being run in but you can still talk it to 5500rpm and i think it 105mph, you just cant help but squeeze the throttle a bit. But now its one of those cars when your doing 90-100mph it feels like 60mph unlike when you are in the Z3 M you no your doing that speed. Also i can say that Z3 M never felt that stable at 140-150mph (got there quick though). Cant wait to get 1200 miles on the clock so that the Mrs can try this out at that speed, its going to be a push to do that kind of milage though, last year in the middle of June i think it was when i mot'ed my Z3 M untill the middle of November when i sold it the car had only done about 1000 miles.

OH YEAH FORGOT TO ADD WHEN MY MATE WAS IN THE BACK OF THE COP CAR THE CHEEKY GIT ASKED HIM IF IS WAS A 2.0L THEN A 3L MY MATE SOON PUT HIM RIGHT.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 13:28

pearsonjohnboy wrote:
Robin wrote:Just tested a Z4M.
I was the 1st to, so doesn't seem to be that much enthusiasm.
I agree with pearsonjohnboy.
Stunning car to drive. The exhaust note is so so good.
I much prefer the chunkier smaller steering wheel. The seats are more comfortable. Felt more at one with the car. No wobbly rear end etc etc.
Personally I didn't notice much difference in acceleration to the Z3M.
Apart from when I floored it in 1st in the wet & no spin obviously.
Minor criticism is the return spring on the accelerator could do with being stronger as I also found with a 1 series & a new 3 series recently, so as to balance the weight of one's foot.. but then maybe I've got heavy feet.
Also I'm not as keen on the Z4 styling as the Z3.
My verdict... Not the best looker, but fantastic in bed

Who has got one for demo car there is suppost to be over a years waiting and also what about the brakes come on. As with the the styling i agree they should of made it more different to the standard car as they did with the Z3 M. BMW just saw $$$$$$$$$ signs.

You mean Scotthall waiting years for someone to ask for a test drive. It had been in the showroom since Sat am unveiling day. I was the 1st to drive.
It took em half an hour to find the keys !

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 13:31

Robin wrote:Just tested a Z4M.
I was the 1st to, so doesn't seem to be that much enthusiasm.
I agree with pearsonjohnboy.
Stunning car to drive. The exhaust note is so so good.
I much prefer the chunkier smaller steering wheel. The seats are more comfortable. Felt more at one with the car. No wobbly rear end etc etc.
Personally I didn't notice much difference in acceleration to the Z3M.
Apart from when I floored it in 1st in the wet & no spin obviously.
Minor criticism is the return spring on the accelerator could do with being stronger as I also found with a 1 series & a new 3 series recently, so as to balance the weight of one's foot.. but then maybe I've got heavy feet.
Also I'm not as keen on the Z4 styling as the Z3.
My verdict... Not the best looker, but fantastic in bed

Who has got one for demo car there is suppost to be over a years waiting and also what about the brakes come on. As with the the styling i agree they should of made it more different to the standard car as they did with the Z3 M. BMW just saw $$$$$$$$$ signs.

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Mon 27 Mar, 2006 13:50

Specialist Cars at Stevenage have two.

One customer order in Blue and one silver for the showroom, unsold as yet.
Neither have been out, but they're playing it down coz they're moving premises up the road this week.

The Silver one is as yet unlisenced, but they've put a plate on it: ZM06 BMW.
That'd be SO cool if it was real.

I sat in it and felt very comfortable although the seat was very 'firm'.
LUV the steering wheel.

Styling is boring and undistinctive, but the interior looks more interesting than standard.

I reckon whoever takes the plunge won't regret it.

A.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 09:03

Thought occurred to me that the 41k price tag isn't too bad. That was the price of the Z3M eight years ago I believe.
The RPI has increased by about 20% since 1998.
By rights the Z4m should be around 49k with inflation if compared like for like to the Z3M !

Phoenix Nights · Post by **Phoenix Nights** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 09:48

Z3M was dramatically over priced too. Eight years later some are going for 11.5 / 12 K. But like I said, that's BMW for you.

What WILL be interesting to see is whether I can get a Z4M for 13 or 14K in several years time.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 10:05

Provided the Vanos problem is solved & they don't spin bearings, then maybe they'll hold their price better than the Z3M. Could mean a longer wait for a 13k to 14k one.

greg_ch · Post by **greg_ch** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 11:30

Robin wrote:Provided the Vanos problem is solved & they don't spin bearings, then maybe they'll hold their price better than the Z3M. Could mean a longer wait for a 13k to 14k one.

Would the experience of existing ///M owners be one of higher residuals after 3 years when compared to the regular models? I ask because in general the Z4 has not been fantastic in this respect.

AussieZ3 · Post by **AussieZ3** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 12:35

Robin wrote:Provided the Vanos problem is solved & they don't spin bearings, then maybe they'll hold their price better than the Z3M.

With only 79 S54's ever made, I think our cars may even appreciate in the future (ie 15+ years)

Phoenix Nights · Post by **Phoenix Nights** » Tue 28 Mar, 2006 14:30

It is also not fair to say that the Z3M 'spins bearings'. This has happened to just a couple of vehicles. Occasional and catastrophic engine failures can and do occur in all cars.

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 09:01

Robin wrote:Thought occurred to me that the 41k price tag isn't too bad. That was the price of the Z3M eight years ago I believe.
The RPI has increased by about 20% since 1998.
By rights the Z4m should be around 49k with inflation if compared like for like to the Z3M !

Umm I do believe after just buying one that the base price for Z4 M is £5 under £43K.

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 09:09

Looks like you all want one so why dont you just treat yourselfs and just buy one.

Simmer · Post by **Simmer** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 12:08

OK I'm going to risk adding my two pennies worth. Please bear in mind this is only my opinion and I do not consider myself any better than an average driver but here goes.....

I have been lucky enough to have owned a 3.0l Z4, Alpina Roadster S and a Boxster S(987) over the last couple of years.

Yesterday I test drove the new Z4M and my initial comment would be it has the raw power of the Alpina delivered a lot more smoothly and the sound is just awesome!!
The handling for me personally was a lot closer to the Boxster than I expected, I was always a little nervous as the Alpina tended to twitch and sometimes tramline depending on the surface, whereas the Z4M feels solid and planted. The brakes are way better than the Alpina, I was surprised at the stopping power.
The build quality is sooooo much better, the door closed with a proper "clunk", not the tinny sound many of you will have experienced. The full leather also includes the centre console and roll bars, and just adds a touch more class to the interior, still not sure on the "carbon Look" leather
Is it overpriced? well my Boxster was specced up to about £49k with full leather, sat Nav and all the toys and with 18"s, specced a comparable Z4M online and came out to £250.00 cheaper for the same spec, and also the Boxter only had a 2 year warranty.

To cut a long story short I was impressed (doesn't always take much)........ would I buy one

You betcha

Simmer · Post by **Simmer** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 12:45

Allowing for the AMV8 of course!!!

Simmer · Post by **Simmer** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 13:02

pearsonjohnboy · Post by **pearsonjohnboy** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 13:05

Simmer your lucky enough to have drove one i have only been the passenger but you can still get the feel. Glad your gunna get one. But i do own one i bought it for my Mrs.

Simmer · Post by **Simmer** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 13:06

JAY wrote:Simmer..

What car are you taking to Gaydon....

Could it be...........

Aston? I wish, although they're made there

Simmer · Post by **Simmer** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 13:08

JAY · Post by **JAY** » Wed 29 Mar, 2006 13:15

Simmer..

What car are you taking to Gaydon....

Could it be...........