Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Z4C v Z4MC

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Z4M-2006
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 7020
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:53 am
Location: High Peak,Derbyshire.

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Z4M-2006 » Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:40 pm

I have had both..And both driven as daily users and a cheeky blast at weekend.

You will get about 75% of the M car with the 3.0Si for about 50% of the running costs..

Both are great,the M is better as its quicker with a decent diff in.

Is it worth it for the extra £6-8k that it will cost,probably not for the majority.

Deek
Member
Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:56 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Deek » Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:28 pm

Z4M-2006 wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:40 pm I have had both..And both driven as daily users and a cheeky blast at weekend.

You will get about 75% of the M car with the 3.0Si for about 50% of the running costs..

Both are great,the M is better as its quicker with a decent diff in.

Is it worth it for the extra £6-8k that it will cost,probably not for the majority.
Thanks for this, I think you’ve made up my mind to continue cherishing my 3.0. It’s only covered 56000 miles and should do me for many years to come.

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Jembo » Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:28 pm

Deek wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:28 pm
Z4M-2006 wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:40 pm I have had both..And both driven as daily users and a cheeky blast at weekend.

You will get about 75% of the M car with the 3.0Si for about 50% of the running costs..

Both are great,the M is better as its quicker with a decent diff in.

Is it worth it for the extra £6-8k that it will cost,probably not for the majority.
Thanks for this, I think you’ve made up my mind to continue cherishing my 3.0. It’s only covered 56000 miles and should do me for many years to come.
At least go & test drive an M... or are u afraid of what will happen...
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

User avatar
Argenta
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1051
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Argenta » Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:38 pm

The service dilemmas alone (expensive valve adjustments/rodbearings etc) makes it a weekend/summer car, never mind the massive fuel consumption. However the notchy gearbox is easy fixable (Redline oil) and the rock hard suspension too (Eibach Pro).
Another thing I realized when buying is the issue with altered meters, check MOT history etc to validate the milage

Deek
Member
Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:56 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Deek » Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:55 pm

Jembo wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:28 pm At least go & test drive an M... or are u afraid of what will happen.
Yes !

no fit state
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1031
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:03 pm
Location: UK

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by no fit state » Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:26 pm

Angelus666 wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 2:43 pm I daily my M, it doesn’t lose its specialness.
Me too and it's still an event every time even after 4 years :driving:
Z4MC Imola red

Deek
Member
Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:56 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Deek » Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:23 pm

I have asked 2 dealers to give a ball-park figure to change.
However, I think the cost will be too much to justify the ‘extra 25%’ smiles that the M will give.
Hoping an M will come up close to home for a test drive.

User avatar
shuey
Member
Member
Posts: 328
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:00 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by shuey » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:21 pm

If it makes u feel any better, I’m in the same boat. I bought a mint Z4C last year as my daily, and absolutely love it. I decided not to test drive the M as I knew what would happen.

So far I’ve yet to get bored of the 3.0, but the M is on the cards... I can live with servicing costs, but fuel is what I’m more concerned about.

And the hard suspension - Manchester roads aren’t the best - so I probably shouldn’t consider an M... but end of the day it’s an M car..
M2 OG / Manual / Grey

Previous
Z4C Si Sport / Manual / Alpine White
350Z VQ35DE / Manual / Silver
Seat Leon Cupra MKII / Manual / Silver
Ford Puma 1.7
Rover 214 Si (I know!)

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Mr Tidy » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:54 pm

I'm in that boat too!

I've had a 3.0Si E86 for over 4 years, but probably because I don't use it as a daily it still feels special to me whenever I use it - like it did today! :driving:

Not having driven an M is probably a good thing - if I did I'm pretty sure I'd have to find one. :lol:

Even if only to get a decent steering set-up - the EPAS on the 3.0Si is probably it's worst feature!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

User avatar
Ed Doe
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2192
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:06 pm
Location: Ashbourne or Frimley

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Ed Doe » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:58 pm

I've just jumped from a daily driver 3.0si coupe (albeit modified - Bilsteins, Quaife Diff, Big Big Brakes, Poweflexed, CSL Geo and so on). I kept the si for almost 5 years and 50k - the running costs of it vs an M as a daily doing the daily mileage I was on top of trackdays meant it made far more sense for me. As one of the previous posters above has said - the si is comfortably 70% of the car for 50% of the running costs of the M, and the gap is even smaller with some choice mods...!

I bought my M in the end because I always wanted one and when this one turned up I just couldn't say no to the spec (imo it's absolutely perfect). Conveniently the fact that it's a weekend toy means it's likely to hold its value better than an si coupe. Not that I'm really fussed about such things - I had mulled the conundrum over for months even before selling the si coupe, and just couldn't find a car that looks as good, and is as rewarding to drive fast on road and track as the Z4 Coupe for the budget I had, so it always had to be an MC..... but I digress.

The only way you'll know if you want one and that it fits with how you use your si currently is by getting some seat time in an M - definitely drive one before you ponder any further. They are definitely less smooth to drive and lower speeds, but the engine noise and the revs are pretty intoxicating once you're up it :roll: and concentrating that little bit harder to drive round the foibles of the M makes it that little bit more rewarding when it's just a toy right!? :driving:
Carbon Black '07 M Coupe: Intrax 1k2 Coilovers, AP-Racing, Raybestos ST45s, Tillets, Schroth, Vibratechnic, Apex EC7, Strongstrut, Eventuri, H&S, RTD, 4.1FD :evil:
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD :(

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Mr Tidy » Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:04 am

Great insight Ed - if I bump into you PLEASE don't let me near your MC! :lol:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

Simon 3.2M
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1668
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2018 11:36 am

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Simon 3.2M » Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:12 am

I put a Gruppe on mine - now that did change the engine note!!
Sepang Coupe
Imola Roadster - For sale
Interlagos Coupe - For sale

Previous:
Stratus Grey Coupe
Titan Silver 3.0 Roadster
Carbon Black Coupe
Silver Grey MR
Silver Grey 3.0si Roadster
Maldives Blue 2.5
Sterling Silver 3.0 - twice

User avatar
Ed Doe
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2192
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:06 pm
Location: Ashbourne or Frimley

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Ed Doe » Tue Jan 22, 2019 10:25 am

Mr Tidy wrote: Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:04 am Great insight Ed - if I bump into you PLEASE don't let me near your MC! :lol:
Absolutely no promises :lol: tbf mines certainly a lot further towards the raw/uncompromised end of the spectrum so isn't really representative of the standard car anymore but god it delivers the buzz I wanted 8)


@Simon - I really want a gruppe M but biding my time for now as house decoration and so on does come first!
Carbon Black '07 M Coupe: Intrax 1k2 Coilovers, AP-Racing, Raybestos ST45s, Tillets, Schroth, Vibratechnic, Apex EC7, Strongstrut, Eventuri, H&S, RTD, 4.1FD :evil:
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD :(

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Jembo » Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:41 pm

Despite my wife’s loathing of my M (mainly because am sure she knows I’m hiding what am buying) it’s far cheaper & less problematic (touch wood) than another woman... with a temperament that will thrill you, can easily kill you yet you’ll just want to come back for more.

The additional costs 2 me are worth every penny... & glad I was able to live the dream
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

Deek
Member
Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:56 pm

Z4C v Z4MC

Post by Deek » Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:09 pm

Based on the cost to change into a Z4MC (very poor trade in offer for my coupe), have definitely decided to stick and have treated the car to a new set of 4 Vredesteins and booked in for a gearbox oil change.

Post Reply