Z4M - Modern Classics March 2018

[99ron]

Good feature in this months Modern Classics - "Tiffs BMWs to buy now" covers the E46 M3, E39 M5, E24 635CSi, 130i Msport and the Z4M roadster. Good few pages on the Z4M pointing out what a great car it is to drive and what a bargain it is right now compared to the Coupe price.

[Mad Professor]

Good feature in this months Modern Classics - "Tiffs BMWs to buy now" covers the E46 M3, E39 M5, E24 635CSi, 130i Msport and the Z4M roadster. Good few pages on the Z4M pointing out what a great car it is to drive and what a bargain it is right now compared to the Coupe price.

Suprised the 130 msport on the list
Needs to shed 10k to be a shrewd buy IMHO

[derin100]

As a ZMR owner I'll read this article and it's certainly true IMHO that amongst that list the ZMR remains an absolute bargain at the moment. However, I'm also of the opinion that this article will simply be an example of the next round of hype conducted by the motoring press in conjunction with the 'usual suspects' of 'classic dealers'.

When I was looking last year for something to put some money into I settled on the Z4M and the Alpina Roadster. But, before buying those I'd already considered and dismissed the E46 M3 and E39 M5 as I noticed that the boat was already sailing for those. Already I couldn't find a decent, low mileage E39 M5 nor a manual E46 M3 Coupe that wasn't already being sold for much increased prices and only by dealers. Virtually all of the remainder of E39 M5s were leggy, rough potential money pits. The E39 M5 is already 'flavour of the month' at the moment and the scramble is already on!

The E24 635 CSi is possibly the most stupid piece of advice ever as a "BMW to Buy Now"! It's only good to buy now if a lot of other 'sheep' follow this advice for sometime into the future! Over the course of 35 years I've owned many, many models of BMW. There is one model that is glaringly prominent by its absence....the E24. If ever there's been a model made over the 35 years that will now break your wallet it's one of these! Buy a good one now and you really are buying a ticket on to a boat that sailed a long, long time ago and you'll be paying accordingly.

I can't comment on the 130 M-Sport but of the others the only one IMHO to buy now is the ZMR the others mentioned were cars to buy 2-3 years ago...not now!

[buzyg]

It's Feb 4th and we're reading the March issue.

Will hunt down a copy, I do enjoy that mag now and again.

[abar121]

That's cool, I'll take a read.

I was thinking of changing for an Evora 410 and so took one for a spin last summer. It was enjoyable and certainly different to a zed or Boxster. Stepping back into the Z4MR was a revelation though. Roof down with the S54 singing it's heart out on the back roads coming back! What a sound.

For me it's all about having the roof down, after all it was designed as a convertible. As they say in the auction world, when the roof goes down..

[99ron]

Ignoring any of the price speculation the article is really positive about the ZM, even saying in either form "offers a more satisfying overall package than the god-like M3 CSL". Tiff mentions the great steering and says there's so much front end grip, whereas a lot of articles in the past mention understeer and slightly woolly steering which are things I've never experienced in my car, but maybe because I've never driven one with anything other than PSS tyres although not sure what the car he drove was fitted with or what mods have been done. He sums up with "can you really do better for the money" and posts a nice picture of him drifting, roof down, thumb in the air. Lovely positive stuff about the Z4MR and reminds me why I own one, although mine is tucked up for the Winter and I now really want to take it for a blast.
Could not care less about prices rising really as I already have one and I don't intend to let it go anytime soon,

[abar121]

In these days of EPAS, the hydraulic rack in the zed has excellent feed back and weighting. I personally think it's only average in this regard for a hydraulic rack, but that's way better than any EPAS system I've tried, including the 718S, ND MX5, GT86 etc.

Also these days the oft criticised ride quality is pretty much the norm amongst similar cars. Certainly a 991 on 20" wheels doesn't ride any better. That is if your zed doesn't have a snapped rear spring or shot dampers

As Tiff says, I don't think you can get any more character and fun for the money

[Argenta]

Suprised the 130 msport on the list
Needs to shed 10k to be a shrewd buy IMHO

To me it’s a great looking midsize hatch with a fantastic engine, great to drive too albeit a tad heavy.
Considering the newer 1-series the Bangle 1st gen look so much better (less fussy interior too) and has that NA straight six, manual box & hydraulic steering.

With a Z4MC already in place tho, I’d have the identical looking 116-120iM ’08-’11 as a economical premium winter car.

[Beedub]

130msport was absolutely brilliant, i had a grey one and i adored that car.... wish i still had it !!

[colinlw]

Ignoring any of the price speculation the article is really positive about the ZM, even saying in either form "offers a more satisfying overall package than the god-like M3 CSL". Tiff mentions the great steering and says there's so much front end grip, whereas a lot of articles in the past mention understeer and slightly woolly steering which are things I've never experienced in my car, but maybe because I've never driven one with anything other than PSS tyres although not sure what the car he drove was fitted with or what mods have been done. He sums up with "can you really do better for the money" and posts a nice picture of him drifting, roof down, thumb in the air. Lovely positive stuff about the Z4MR and reminds me why I own one, although mine is tucked up for the Winter and I now really want to take it for a blast.
Could not care less about prices rising really as I already have one and I don't intend to let it go anytime soon,

Thanks for the comment - it’s actually my car in the article. It’s a fully standard original spec car wearing the OEM spec Conti Sport Contact (2’s I think) tyres - they have been replaced since new!

I’ve heard quite a few people slag off the Conti’s over the years but they are in my view a decent tyre and I think they suit the car very well for fast road use - plenty of grip but capable of being over-ruled when you want the back to push out. No doubt other tyres are better suited if you plan on heavy track use though.

Personally, I’ve never felt understeer was a major issue with the MR, but worth remembering that Tiff was pretty much on a drift mission on the day of the shoot....lightly damp conditions were perfect for it!

What the day did show me is how I’m probably only extracting 60-70% max of the car’s potential during my ownership. A skilled driver like Tiff can really show you what they’re capable of.

It was also interesting the Modern Classics team’s view on the car - the one they’d used last year for the MR / C4S review was modded (coilovers and overly loud sports exhaust) and that had really tainted their view on the car as a whole.

Thanks for pointing me to the thread Jose!

[Spaniarduk]

No probs. I thought youd like to know about this thread

[colinlw]

As a ZMR owner I'll read this article and it's certainly true IMHO that amongst that list the ZMR remains an absolute bargain at the moment. However, I'm also of the opinion that this article will simply be an example of the next round of hype conducted by the motoring press in conjunction with the 'usual suspects' of 'classic dealers'.

When I was looking last year for something to put some money into I settled on the Z4M and the Alpina Roadster. But, before buying those I'd already considered and dismissed the E46 M3 and E39 M5 as I noticed that the boat was already sailing for those. Already I couldn't find a decent, low mileage E39 M5 nor a manual E46 M3 Coupe that wasn't already being sold for much increased prices and only by dealers. Virtually all of the remainder of E39 M5s were leggy, rough potential money pits. The E39 M5 is already 'flavour of the month' at the moment and the scramble is already on!

The E24 635 CSi is possibly the most stupid piece of advice ever as a "BMW to Buy Now"! It's only good to buy now if a lot of other 'sheep' follow this advice for sometime into the future! Over the course of 35 years I've owned many, many models of BMW. There is one model that is glaringly prominent by its absence....the E24. If ever there's been a model made over the 35 years that will now break your wallet it's one of these! Buy a good one now and you really are buying a ticket on to a boat that sailed a long, long time ago and you'll be paying accordingly.

I can't comment on the 130 M-Sport but of the others the only one IMHO to buy now is the ZMR the others mentioned were cars to buy 2-3 years ago...not now!

I agree with your points generally but surely the best place to put your money is based on what type of car you want, what your aspirations are for investment potential and probably most importantly, what your budget is. The E39 and E24 may still be great cars to own and great investments, but that doesn’t mean that we can all afford them as they sit right now. If I had a spare £15-20k, would I buy a decent E39? Yep. Would I be kicking myself that I didn’t but a similar car for £10-£15k a couple of years back? Yep. Would I still love the car and expect an upside. Yep. Simple.