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

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

"M" Specific discussion
beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:49 am

I've been eyeing up Caymans and Boxsters lately but was wondering how they ride compared to a Z4M. There are plenty of reviews to look at but seeing as a few here have some experience with them I was hoping for some real world opinions.

I also quite like the look of the M2 and despite it being a modern, turbocharged family car in drag :fuelfire: I wonder if it might be a great antidote to the raw and sometimes tiresome Z4M, so I'd also be interested in any feedback on those as well :)

The main reason for the wavering love of mine is that I'm tiring of the crashy suspension in the Z4 and instead of trying to solve it with the aftermarket, I thought I might be better off just jumping ship. Also, ive had my car five years now and whilst I'm not entirely convinced I want to change, I wouldn't mind trying something else before my girlfriend invests all of my car fund :D
Last edited by beanie on Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26423
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2 ride quality and ownership

Post by buzyg » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:00 am

There one simple solution to the crashy ride. Swap it for a Z4MR. :driving: :D :thumbsup:
Image

beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:02 am

Funnily enough, I was thinking it might be a good solution to use the roadster setup if it comes to doing a suspension refresh :o

Not sure how much difference it's likely to make though :?
Last edited by beanie on Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

mmm-five
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 12714
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
Location: Liverpool
Contact:

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by mmm-five » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:05 am

From my limited experience of a Cayman S, I'd say the perfect compromise would me the Cayman chassis and the BMW S54 engine.

I found the ride, brakes & seats much better in the Cayman, and it felt more planted on bumpy sweepers than the Z4MC, but the power delivery felt a bit 'underwhelming'. I'm sure a later car or the GTS/GT4 would help there, but you're looking at a lot more money for those.

If I had the choice of identical spec Z4MC or a Cayman S for the same money, then I'd find it hard to choose.
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

mmm-five
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 12714
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
Location: Liverpool
Contact:

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by mmm-five » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:07 am

beanie wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:02 am Funnily enough, I was thinking it might be a good solution to use roadster setup if it comes to doing a suspension refresh :o

Not sure how much difference it's likely to make though :?
It's not mostly down to just the suspension though - you'd have to remove half of the structural/torsional rigidity of the coupe to match that of the roadster.
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:11 am

As good as the S54 is, it's not without its worries/issues and that's also a part of my reasons for thinking of something else. Not that Porsches aren't without their share of problems, but I'd look to avoid the troublesome models and try to get in to a 981 S if I could.

A gts would be lovely but they're beyond me unfortunately :(
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:13 am

mmm-five wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:07 am It's not mostly down to just the suspension though - you'd have to remove half of the structural/torsional rigidity of the coupe to match that of the roadster.
I'm pretty nifty with a grinder and a holesaw, how hard can it be?!
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

InterlagosZ4MR
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2016 8:09 pm

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by InterlagosZ4MR » Thu Mar 15, 2018 4:01 pm

mmm-five wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:07 am
beanie wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:02 am Funnily enough, I was thinking it might be a good solution to use roadster setup if it comes to doing a suspension refresh :o

Not sure how much difference it's likely to make though :?
It's not mostly down to just the suspension though - you'd have to remove half of the structural/torsional rigidity of the coupe to match that of the roadster.

Even if you halved the torsional rigidity of the coupe you wouldn’t notice.

User avatar
abar121
Member
Member
Posts: 499
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:14 pm

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by abar121 » Thu Mar 15, 2018 4:07 pm

mmm-five wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:05 am From my limited experience of a Cayman S, I'd say the perfect compromise would me the Cayman chassis and the BMW S54 engine.

I found the ride, brakes & seats much better in the Cayman, and it felt more planted on bumpy sweepers than the Z4MC, but the power delivery felt a bit 'underwhelming'. I'm sure a later car or the GTS/GT4 would help there, but you're looking at a lot more money for those.

If I had the choice of identical spec Z4MC or a Cayman S for the same money, then I'd find it hard to choose.
I would agree with this. If they made a Cayman with a GT3 MK1 engine, that would be perfect. Or it would in a convertible form for me, one of the reasons I got bored with a 911.

Even the GT4 feels slower than it is, due to insanely long gearing and a ton of grip. The new 718S models finally have decent grunt, but sound awful. Damm quick though.

The Z4 roadsters (remember it was designed as a drop top), are extremely stiff ( nearly 3 x more ridged than a Z3, stiffer than an E46 Coupe..) and ride OK, provided the dampers are in good condition. Goodyear F1s also help the ride quite a bit, being a bit wider than the norm too. The ride is quite similar to a 991 or 981 / 718 on 20" wheels.
'07 Z4M Interlagos Blue. All options except extended leather.

User avatar
Vanne
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1578
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:55 pm
Location: Dubai
Contact:

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Vanne » Sat Mar 17, 2018 9:51 pm

Swap out the suspension for some quality products, you won't look back.
:thumbsup:
2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC Building/Developing Z4 GT3
Powered by Severn Tuning

Image

User avatar
Havard
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1168
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:42 pm
Location: Wigan

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Havard » Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:23 pm

981 Cayman S is a wonderful car and corners like nothing I have ever been in. Great ride and although firm, it is quite forgiving. It is well insulated in the cabin from noise but you are aware of the exhaust noise. The Z4M is more fun and a lot more raw. Noise is everywhere from tyres, wind and more importantly the axe weilding maniac behind the bulk head.

Out of my two I have one that I love on the outside and one that makes grin when I am on the inside.

H.
ImageImage

beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Sun Mar 18, 2018 1:37 pm

Thanks for your input guys. I have in no way reached any kind of decision on this but it's good to get balanced opinions from those with experience. :)

I think the root of my 'problem' is that I've got an itch to change something (well, that and the appalling state of the Italian roads) Whether that's the components of the Z4 or the entire car I'm not sure, but it's annoying to have something so close to being brilliant but at the same time something that never fails to frustrate me in some way or another.

The 981 S appeals hugely at the moment as it seems to offer a blend of attributes that I 'think' will satisfy me more of the time than those of the M. Whether the trade off in excitement/fear is worth it I don't know, especially as my cars primary use is for fun. I'll have to try one at some point to get a better idea, though it may be some time before I can.

Coilovers are a subject where I remain unconvinced, all too often I've read of 'miracle' suspension that lowers, stiffens and yet somehow improves the ride. Most of the time it turns out to be rubbish and the truth only comes out much further down the line after the owners try something else or the buyer justification wears off. I'm not saying that's always the case, and I'd love to be wrong about it, but In my experience you don't often get to have your cake and eat it, especially with suspension. That said, I am tempted :lol:
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

User avatar
Franzino
Member
Member
Posts: 851
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 2:53 pm

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by Franzino » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:18 pm

My personal review of owning the M2 and Z4M: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=102188

User avatar
RedUn
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1102
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:33 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by RedUn » Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:01 pm

beanie wrote: Sun Mar 18, 2018 1:37 pm Thanks for your input guys. I have in no way reached any kind of decision on this but it's good to get balanced opinions from those with experience. :)

I think the root of my 'problem' is that I've got an itch to change something (well, that and the appalling state of the Italian roads) Whether that's the components of the Z4 or the entire car I'm not sure, but it's annoying to have something so close to being brilliant but at the same time something that never fails to frustrate me in some way or another.

The 981 S appeals hugely at the moment as it seems to offer a blend of attributes that I 'think' will satisfy me more of the time than those of the M. Whether the trade off in excitement/fear is worth it I don't know, especially as my cars primary use is for fun. I'll have to try one at some point to get a better idea, though it may be some time before I can.

Coilovers are a subject where I remain unconvinced, all too often I've read of 'miracle' suspension that lowers, stiffens and yet somehow improves the ride. Most of the time it turns out to be rubbish and the truth only comes out much further down the line after the owners try something else or the buyer justification wears off. I'm not saying that's always the case, and I'd love to be wrong about it, but In my experience you don't often get to have your cake and eat it, especially with suspension. That said, I am tempted :lol:
If you buy good quality coilovers it's entirely possible, OEM suspension is built to a budget. The z4m standard suspension is awful, a decent setup transforms the car.

No buyer justification here, sold my Cayman S to buy the z4m a few years back :thumbsup:
IMOLA Z4///MR

beanie
Member
Member
Posts: 834
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:57 pm
Location: Bournemouth/Turin

Z4M vs Cayman/Boxster and M2- ride quality and ownership

Post by beanie » Tue Mar 20, 2018 1:08 pm

Franzino-thanks for that. I must have missed it first time around :thumbsup:

RedUn- Any regrets after the change?
Image
RUBYIMOLACARBON

Post Reply