Newbie - Z4 or SLK or Cayman ?

[imported]

That's mainly down to the E89 sucking arse...

You're like a guy in a speedboat saying that the luxury cruise liner next to him is too slow.

The only reason I chose an E89 over an E86 is speed. I'd have to stick a supercharger on the M Coupe to get the kind of torque and power figures I need.

It's a luxury cruise liner that passes speedboats

Is your e89 in your signature white or silver? If it's white you considering getting your alloys painted/powder coated matte black.

[BMWZ4MC]

That's mainly down to the E89 sucking arse...

You're like a guy in a speedboat saying that the luxury cruise liner next to him is too slow.

The only reason I chose an E89 over an E86 is speed. I'd have to stick a supercharger on the M Coupe to get the kind of torque and power figures I need.

It's a luxury cruise liner that passes speedboats

I don't understand this - the stock Z4M is faster than any stock E89, both in terms of acceleration and handling. Agreed, getting more power and torque from a turbo charged E89 is easier though.

[R.E92]

Is your e89 in your signature white or silver? If it's white you considering getting your alloys painted/powder coated matte black.

It's silver. Black wheels don't look as good on a silver car. On a white car I would be very tempted!

I don't understand this - the stock Z4M is faster than any stock E89, both in terms of acceleration and handling. Agreed, getting more power and torque from a turbo charged E89 is easier though.

The N54 engine is a great platform for tuning. A Stage 1 remap which you can apply yourself for as little as £150 will get you above 400bhp. Combine that with the DCT and you pick up pace very quickly.

I'm happy enough at Stage 1 but there are other E89 owners on more tuning focused forums pushing the cars. With just minor bolt on mods Lambobimmer at Bimmerpost is making 422whp (485bhp~).

If he decides to upgrade the turbo inlets then you could stick another 50hp on to that. Upgrade the turbos themselves and you could be looking at over 800bhp. The DCT box is a lot stronger than people initially thought and seems to holding some serious power.

[imported]

I don't understand this - the stock Z4M is faster than any stock E89, both in terms of acceleration and handling. Agreed, getting more power and torque from a turbo charged E89 is easier though.

Nobody ever got laid in a Z4M, am I right guys ?

[techathy]

The only reason I chose an E89 over an E86 is speed. I'd have to stick a supercharger on the M Coupe to get the kind of torque and power figures I need.

It's a luxury cruise liner that passes speedboats

I don't understand this - the stock Z4M is faster than any stock E89, both in terms of acceleration and handling. Agreed, getting more power and torque from a turbo charged E89 is easier though.

I won't argue about lateral grip but a quick google of real world timings suggest the 35iS has longer legs than the Z4M, especially for in-gear acceleration.

[Stug]

I don't understand this - the stock Z4M is faster than any stock E89, both in terms of acceleration and handling. Agreed, getting more power and torque from a turbo charged E89 is easier though.

Nobody ever got laid in a Z4M, am I right guys ?

Classy...

[Stark]

I'm not one for taking it easy in my cars but no hesitation in confirming an M could leave a 35iS standing.

[ronk]

And my dads bigger than your dad !

[techathy]

I'm not one for taking it easy in my cars but no hesitation in confirming an M could leave a 35iS standing.

Really? for instance 100-200km/h
recorded - Z4MC 12.3, 35iS 12.1s
manufacture - Z4MC 12.4s, 35iS 12.5s

Of course most people would rev the 35iS out to 7k rather than changing round the 6.3-6.5krpm mark. At which point the Z4MC should win.

[R.E92]

I'm not one for taking it easy in my cars but no hesitation in confirming an M could leave a 35iS standing.

Accurate data on performance is hard to get hold of. But from a quick look at google it seem that as far as the 1/4 mile is concerned the 35is will be ahead. Thanks to the American obsession with drag strips there's plenty of times posted.

The fastest laps data isn't perfect but from the few comparable track times posted the 35is actually comes out faster than the M Roadster. Not bad considering the E89 is so much more comfortable and those times were likely done with the stock gripless run-flat tyres!
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_m_roadster.html
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

[Jasey]

I'm not one for taking it easy in my cars but no hesitation in confirming an M could leave a 35iS standing.

Accurate data on performance is hard to get hold of. But from a quick look at google it seem that as far as the 1/4 mile is concerned the 35is will be ahead. Thanks to the American obsession with drag strips there's plenty of times posted.

The fastest laps data isn't perfect but from the few comparable track times posted the 35is actually comes out faster than the M Roadster. Not bad considering the E89 is so much more comfortable and those times were likely done with the stock gripless run-flat tyres!
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_m_roadster.html
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Obviously the ///M wasn't trying (Ever)

[Nictrix]

I'm not one for taking it easy in my cars but no hesitation in confirming an M could leave a 35iS standing.

Accurate data on performance is hard to get hold of. But from a quick look at google it seem that as far as the 1/4 mile is concerned the 35is will be ahead. Thanks to the American obsession with drag strips there's plenty of times posted.

The fastest laps data isn't perfect but from the few comparable track times posted the 35is actually comes out faster than the M Roadster. Not bad considering the E89 is so much more comfortable and those times were likely done with the stock gripless run-flat tyres!
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_m_roadster.html
http://fastestlaps.com/cars/bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Obviously the ///M wasn't trying (Ever)

Well M owners do have to keep the milage down and make sure they are properly warmed up before being abused

[Z4M-2006]

I have had my 35is remapped and its "around " 400bhp at the moment...

On my BMW app thing on my Iphone i can get under 4.5secs pretty consistantly in the 35.... In my M its was around 4.8secs with map and exhaust..

In the real world i doubt there is much in it,the 35is has more torque,but if there was side to side upto 155mph i doubt there would be a car length in it..

An M definatly wouldnt leave a 35is standing,nor vice versa..

[jimmybell]

+1 to this thread, there's so many different conversations going on i cant fathom a decent response, but i did slate the E89 against the M Coupe in another thread, in a 'raw sports car' competition that is.

In response to OP, out of the options presented, at that budget, i'd be considering a z4mc, or a 35is (if they are that price or not, i duno). You're picking noisy, loud, brash sportscar that' cost a bomb to run, but reward you every time you drive it.. or a bit more modern cruiser with a softop, and with the jb4 it'l eat the other options alive in a straight line. The cayman is a great drive, but i'm not personally a fan of the looks at that price point.

Also well done for saving a lump of cash and putting a Z4 on your list

I think tomscott made a decent post - if the z4mc is what you're after, there's not much competition in it's space. Be warey though - once you get it, you'll be wanting GT3's for your next car.

[techathy]

relatively inefficient with fuel

On paper maybe but my 35S gets better fuel economy (1-3mpg) than a friends SLK 350 AMG Sport on motorway & rural driving but marginally worse (0.5mpg) on urban driving.

has limited front visibility (the front shade/mirror flappers are really just for show

I find with a decent driving position the Z4 gives better visibility.