Currently Between Z4s

[blaster1956]

I know what you mean about the 20i, the reason I’m having doubts is that it didn’t feel much of an upgrade from my E89 2.0 mSport, whereas I think the 30i (which I’m yet do test drive) definitely would be.

Trying to figure out how many of the reasons in your list for getting an M40i I would tick!

In terms of equity you’d need to try the M40i too

I know, and my mate has one so I have an open offer for a test drive, I'm deliberately holding off as I know what the outcome would be if I did try it (a call to the dealer within minutes to upgrade my order!)

[blaster1956]

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome, and the sage advice. You all sound such a friendly and welcoming group!

I'll keep the board updated on delivery timescales and my thoughts on which one to go for, but I'm definitely already edging up the 20i -> 30i -> M40i ladder!

Blaster

[Argyll Andy]

I know what you mean about the 20i, the reason I’m having doubts is that it didn’t feel much of an upgrade from my E89 2.0 mSport, whereas I think the 30i (which I’m yet do test drive) definitely would be.

Trying to figure out how many of the reasons in your list for getting an M40i I would tick!

In terms of equity you’d need to try the M40i too

I know, and my mate has one so I have an open offer for a test drive, I'm deliberately holding off as I know what the outcome would be if I did try it (a call to the dealer within minutes to upgrade my order!)

Ok, so sensible, unbiased, logical hat on.

If you’re using this as a weekend/summer/fun car things like running costs, servicing, fuel etc don’t play such a big part.

When buying my G29 I went into it very open minded and was happy to consider a 30i. I’d been reading lots of articles and topics saying that the 30i was the sweet spot but I decided that was largely if you were using it for more as a daily than a total weekender.

There were a couple of things here, firstly a fully spec’d 30i was within touching distance price wise to a loaded M40i. Don’t know about the 20i as I never looked at them. The M40i comes with things like an LSD as standard, it’s an option available on SOME other models.

A fully loaded M40i should be achievable for around £50k, you’ll know what prices you’re getting quoted on a 20/30.

IMHO the M40i, particularly a well spec’d one will hold it’s value much better than the 20/30 largely down to rarity and the 6 cylinder in the changing car market.

There’s also the fun factor and the 6 cylinder to consider, it is a joy. Mine gets driven properly and I’ve not reset the trip to get a good average. I’m getting a tad under 30 mpg and it’s seen some serious speeds in that time (all on private roads of course) My 35iS in the same environment was returning just under 25, which I have to say for a car like this is acceptable. I was happy with the 35 return too.

A major factor for me is this is my first new car so has to comply with all the warranty conditions so no modding for me and the M40i gives me what I want for a “straight out of the box” option for a 2 seater roadster. I tried a Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 a few weeks ago as a possible replacement and couldn’t get comfortable and the cabin wasn’t as nice a place to be as the M40i.

Lastly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. If you’ve got a mate who’ll let you drive his you will be straight onto the dealer changing your order after that. It’s a well known thing on here with the E85/6 35/35iS owners. Don’t drive an ///M/35i(S) because if you don’t buy the one you’ve driven you’ll find yourself parting with a chunk of cash shortly afterwards on another one. I would see no reason why you wouldn’t so the same in this situation with an M40i

My personal view on that is that if you can, if you want to, why not? I was in the very fortunate position that my OH, who won’t drive the Zed Was insistent on us getting the best we could and wanted an M40i.

[blaster1956]

In terms of equity you’d need to try the M40i too

I know, and my mate has one so I have an open offer for a test drive, I'm deliberately holding off as I know what the outcome would be if I did try it (a call to the dealer within minutes to upgrade my order!)

Ok, so sensible, unbiased, logical hat on.

If you’re using this as a weekend/summer/fun car things like running costs, servicing, fuel etc don’t play such a big part.

When buying my G29 I went into it very open minded and was happy to consider a 30i. I’d been reading lots of articles and topics saying that the 30i was the sweet spot but I decided that was largely if you were using it for more as a daily than a total weekender.

There were a couple of things here, firstly a fully spec’d 30i was within touching distance price wise to a loaded M40i. Don’t know about the 20i as I never looked at them. The M40i comes with things like an LSD as standard, it’s an option available on SOME other models.

A fully loaded M40i should be achievable for around £50k, you’ll know what prices you’re getting quoted on a 20/30.

IMHO the M40i, particularly a well spec’d one will hold it’s value much better than the 20/30 largely down to rarity and the 6 cylinder in the changing car market.

There’s also the fun factor and the 6 cylinder to consider, it is a joy. Mine gets driven properly and I’ve not reset the trip to get a good average. I’m getting a tad under 30 mpg and it’s seen some serious speeds in that time (all on private roads of course) My 35iS in the same environment was returning just under 25, which I have to say for a car like this is acceptable. I was happy with the 35 return too.

A major factor for me is this is my first new car so has to comply with all the warranty conditions so no modding for me and the M40i gives me what I want for a “straight out of the box” option for a 2 seater roadster. I tried a Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 a few weeks ago as a possible replacement and couldn’t get comfortable and the cabin wasn’t as nice a place to be as the M40i.

Lastly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. If you’ve got a mate who’ll let you drive his you will be straight onto the dealer changing your order after that. It’s a well known thing on here with the E85/6 35/35iS owners. Don’t drive an ///M/35i(S) because if you don’t buy the one you’ve driven you’ll find yourself parting with a chunk of cash shortly afterwards on another one. I would see no reason why you wouldn’t so the same in this situation with an M40i

My personal view on that is that if you can, if you want to, why not? I was in the very fortunate position that my OH, who won’t drive the Zed Was insistent on us getting the best we could and wanted an M40i.

I agree that the running costs for a car that will probably only do 3-4k miles per year aren't a major consideration. Value for money is a factor though, would I squeeze enough fun out of an M40i to make a purchase worthwhile? I'm not sure I would, although ultimately that may not stop me buying one!

Anyway I saw my mate with the M40i earlier and we are arranging a small road trip down to the Morgan factory at Malvern, so will get my chance for a test drive then.

At the moment I'm still somewhere between the 20i and 30i, but if I actually can't get one until Easter next year then the M40i comes into play, partly because of the money I will save not running a car through the winter, and partly because my state pension kicks in - although not sure my wife would be as understanding as your OH if I blew it all on an M40 !!

[Scubaregs]

Will you use the extra power of the M40? If not you are paying more to buy and run a car for bragging rights down the pub.

[blaster1956]

Will you use the extra power of the M40? If not you are paying more to buy and run a car for bragging rights down the pub.

Probably not much no! But power aside, if I'm buying something that could be a classic (one of the last 6 Cylinder Sports cars), and will possibly hold its residual value well, then I could convince myself that if I keep it for a good few years then it's a worthwhile buy.

[Scubaregs]

How many years are you willing to keep it and how low a mileage would you limit yourself to keep its value as high as possible?

Buy the car that's best fit for you, your lifestyle, your driving style etc, and drive it.

[blaster1956]

How many years are you willing to keep it and how low a mileage would you limit yourself to keep its value as high as possible?

Buy the car that's best fit for you, your lifestyle, your driving style etc, and drive it.

Yeah absolutely, I wouldn't want a car just to sit on the drive and look pretty, and I wouldn't not drive it in order to preserve it's value - but realistically 3-4k has been my average annual miles since I have had a Z4 (9 years or so). As we have dogs there are many journeys where we have to use the wife's Volvo.

As to how long I would want to keep it? If it's a dream car then maybe until I can't use it because my zimmer frame doesn't fit in the boot! Hopefully that's many years away.

[Argyll Andy]

As to how long I would want to keep it? If it's a dream car then maybe until I can't use it because my zimmer frame doesn't fit in the boot! Hopefully that's many years away.

If that’s the case then I’d definitely be considering the M40i in 10 yes that’ll be a low mileage 6 cylinder car that’s no longer available and I’d think there may be quite a price difference between that and a 20/30.

Mine will have circa 20k on it in 2 years we think, we’ve bought it to drive and enjoy it

[Scubaregs]

At that mileage it is worth consideration, I did around 5,000 a year in the Porsche, but I also do the same on the bike.

Will you use the power/acceleration/handling, or is it for relaxed top down driving?

[Optinium]

Unless you're super particular about spec or having used or maybe the running costs, I would go to a dealer and find an M40i at a reduced price. An ok spec 20 will be £40K plus and used M40i's are low £40k's, they'll also hold their value a hell of a lot more and come with most of the goodies pre-installed, they also are still in warranty.
If it were me I'd be going for a used Launch edition M40i in one of the matte finishes, little to no wait, better residuals and all the good stuff Running costs are not bad either tbh.

[blaster1956]

At that mileage it is worth consideration, I did around 5,000 a year in the Porsche, but I also do the same on the bike.

Will you use the power/acceleration/handling, or is it for relaxed top down driving?

Bit of both I’d say - a few road trips a year with genuine mixture of roads and driving styles, plus a couple of fun drives a week where I just go out to enjoy the car. But I’m not by any means someone who would push a car anywhere near its limits, I know my own limitations!

I’m sure a 20i would be fine, but just feel the need for something a bit faster than the old E89.

[blaster1956]

Unless you're super particular about spec or having used or maybe the running costs, I would go to a dealer and find an M40i at a reduced price. An ok spec 20 will be £40K plus and used M40i's are low £40k's, they'll also hold their value a hell of a lot more and come with most of the goodies pre-installed, they also are still in warranty.
If it were me I'd be going for a used Launch edition M40i in one of the matte finishes, little to no wait, better residuals and all the good stuff Running costs are not bad either tbh.

I’m sort of set on having a new car this time, having had used before, and I definitely want the Misano blue, such a great colour for the Z4 imho!

[Scubaregs]

Try and drive all 3, but if you will use the performance of the 40 and don't mind the higher running costs, that will probably be what you go for.

[blaster1956]

So after much deliberation I’ve changed the order to an M40i - the experience in my mates M40 made me realise I couldn’t settle for anything else - never got round to driving the 30i, although I’m sure it would have been absolutely fine for me I would always have been wondering if I should have gone for the M40.

Still no idea on timescales, BMW are not even giving tentative dates to the dealer so I’ll just need to be very patient!

Thanks again everyone for your views and experiences !

Blaster