Z4 3.0i vs z4m...

[ShaunKC]

I have just swopped from a 3.0si Coupe to a ///M Coupe, I realise that you are talking about a roadster, so I hope you don't mind my waffle below, please feel free to not read any of it!

I am using my car every day and I don't find it a problem as a daily driver, which has really surprised me, from the posts I had read on here I thought it was going to be too much of a handful and would make my commute miserable, it isn't and hasn't (the opposite actually). However I do agree that driving the 3.0 felt much more controlled and less on the edge, (much easier to drive), I find with the ///M that I either drive it slowly or very quickly, but never like I drove the 3.0, which was always somewhere in the middle. It's hard to explain, but the ///M is happy to tootle about, and it's really happy to be driven hard, but its not that happy just been driven generally quickly. I find if you put your foot down it wants to rev and forces you through the gears quicker than you would necessarily be wanting, then it wants to kick its back out and roar up the road, suddenly you have big grin on your face and your foot on the brake getting back under the speed limit. With the 3.0 you can put your foot down and drive quickly, but its controlled, yes it's exciting and fun, but not as thrilling, mind you I very rarely drove my old 3.0 without a grin on my face, I owned it for 3 years and never wanted to drive anything else, so its all relative at the time.

Ownership will definitely cost more, buying them is more expensive and so is servicing, and petrol, well if you are worried about petrol then don't buy an ///M (seriously!). However I do think that depreciation will be close to nil and if you can keep the milage low then I would imagine you will make money over the price you paid. But that's the rub, who wants a car that they can't drive just to try and make a few pounds, plus I'm sure there are better cars to buy as an investment (if thats what you are after). With my ///M I don't think I can bring myself to drive it through the winter, (as its so lovely), which means that where I drove my 3.0 all year round and didn't worry (much) I will now end up driving something rubbish for 5 - 6 months of the year. I hadn't expected to feel this way about the car when I bought it, but now I do own it I realise that its something special that could be mine for a lifetime, this is a big cost of ownership that I think many ///M owners end up spending.

As for reliability, at the end of the day, its an engine, gearbox, brakes and wheels, yes it could break down, but in my (unqualified) opinion I don't think a major manufacturer would have mass produced a car that couldn't live with day to day driving. Yes it needs looking after a bit more than the 3.0, more oil changes, and more extensive services, but I'm sure that if these are done on time and by reputable garages then the ///M will be every bit as reliable as the 3.0.

For me there are big bonuses to the ///M, (and not all will agree with my opinions). The more aggressive styling of the bonnet with its additional creases, along with the front and back bumpers and of course the quad exhausts give the car a very different look. These additional styling elements greatly improve the appearance of an already beautiful car, in my opinion it should have also come with aero skirts, but after that, I don't think the look could be improved, (again my opinion only)! Also the subtle details like the digital dash, illuminated gear knob and lights in the footwell make the interior just feel like a nicer place to be, again these may have all been options on other versions, I am only speaking from my experience.

So on the whole I agree with Tusks assessment of the 3.0, 90% of the car for 50 - 70% of the set up costs, but that extra 10% might just be the extra that turns a great car into an epic car! I bought mine as I wanted a coupe in Sepang Bronze and they only came in the ///M variation, and whilst I had always looked wistfully at the ///M's I'm fairly sure I would have never have upgraded unless I had found the perfect one for me, (although I was considering upgrading the body panels to ///M spec versions), I guess that is what it comes down to in the end. My heart said ///M and my head said keep my lovely 3.0si, I don't regret my decision to go with my heart, but if I could have just kept the 3.0 for the winter then my head would have been satisfied too!

Of course the final and perhaps the most important upgrade from a 3.0 to an ///M is that every time you write the word ///M you get to add three ///'s before the letter. When you own anything less than an ///M, you think this is ridiculous, but when you own one, well those ///'s come with ownership of the car!

[Yorkie Z]

I have just swopped from a 3.0si Coupe to a ///M Coupe, I realise that you are talking about a roadster, so I hope you don't mind my waffle below, please feel free to not read any of it!

I am using my car every day and I don't find it a problem as a daily driver, which has really surprised me, from the posts I had read on here I thought it was going to be too much of a handful and would make my commute miserable, it isn't and hasn't (the opposite actually). However I do agree that driving the 3.0 felt much more controlled and less on the edge, (much easier to drive), I find with the ///M that I either drive it slowly or very quickly, but never like I drove the 3.0, which was always somewhere in the middle. It's hard to explain, but the ///M is happy to tootle about, and it's really happy to be driven hard, but its not that happy just been driven generally quickly. I find if you put your foot down it wants to rev and forces you through the gears quicker than you would necessarily be wanting, then it wants to kick its back out and roar up the road, suddenly you have big grin on your face and your foot on the brake getting back under the speed limit. With the 3.0 you can put your foot down and drive quickly, but its controlled, yes it's exciting and fun, but not as thrilling, mind you I very rarely drove my old 3.0 without a grin on my face, I owned it for 3 years and never wanted to drive anything else, so its all relative at the time.

Ownership will definitely cost more, buying them is more expensive and so is servicing, and petrol, well if you are worried about petrol then don't buy an ///M (seriously!). However I do think that depreciation will be close to nil and if you can keep the milage low then I would imagine you will make money over the price you paid. But that's the rub, who wants a car that they can't drive just to try and make a few pounds, plus I'm sure there are better cars to buy as an investment (if thats what you are after). With my ///M I don't think I can bring myself to drive it through the winter, (as its so lovely), which means that where I drove my 3.0 all year round and didn't worry (much) I will now end up driving something rubbish for 5 - 6 months of the year. I hadn't expected to feel this way about the car when I bought it, but now I do own it I realise that its something special that could be mine for a lifetime, this is a big cost of ownership that I think many ///M owners end up spending.

As for reliability, at the end of the day, its an engine, gearbox, brakes and wheels, yes it could break down, but in my (unqualified) opinion I don't think a major manufacturer would have mass produced a car that couldn't live with day to day driving. Yes it needs looking after a bit more than the 3.0, more oil changes, and more extensive services, but I'm sure that if these are done on time and by reputable garages then the ///M will be every bit as reliable as the 3.0.

For me there are big bonuses to the ///M, (and not all will agree with my opinions). The more aggressive styling of the bonnet with its additional creases, along with the front and back bumpers and of course the quad exhausts give the car a very different look. These additional styling elements greatly improve the appearance of an already beautiful car, in my opinion it should have also come with aero skirts, but after that, I don't think the look could be improved, (again my opinion only)! Also the subtle details like the digital dash, illuminated gear knob and lights in the footwell make the interior just feel like a nicer place to be, again these may have all been options on other versions, I am only speaking from my experience.

So on the whole I agree with Tusks assessment of the 3.0, 90% of the car for 50 - 70% of the set up costs, but that extra 10% might just be the extra that turns a great car into an epic car! I bought mine as I wanted a coupe in Sepang Bronze and they only came in the ///M variation, and whilst I had always looked wistfully at the ///M's I'm fairly sure I would have never have upgraded unless I had found the perfect one for me, (although I was considering upgrading the body panels to ///M spec versions), I guess that is what it comes down to in the end. My heart said ///M and my head said keep my lovely 3.0si, I don't regret my decision to go with my heart, but if I could have just kept the 3.0 for the winter then my head would have been satisfied too!

Of course the final and perhaps the most important upgrade from a 3.0 to an ///M is that every time you write the word ///M you get to add three ///'s before the letter. When you own anything less than an ///M, you think this is ridiculous, but when you own one, well those ///'s come with ownership of the car!

Great summary mate

[Mangozac]

I have just swopped from a 3.0si Coupe to a ///M Coupe, I realise that you are talking about a roadster, so I hope you don't mind my waffle below, please feel free to not read any of it!

I swapped from a 3.0si roadster to an M roadster 1 week ago and I agree with everything Shaun has said. Mine is a daily driver too. The 3.0si is definitely easier to drive and impressively fuel efficient, so probably the more sensible choice as a daily driver. But to me the difference between the two could not be larger. Performance is obviously the main factor, but put side by side the M looks far better too (the cited bonnet creases are also my favourite part). I do a lot of DIY maintenance, but I'd definitely be more wary of the M running costs if I didn't.

The comment about the 10% difference between the two cars is interesting. I feel that it's a 10% difference on individual aspects of the car, however it results in a car that is 100% different. To me there is no comparison between the two. That's not to say that I would tell everybody to forego a 3.0si, but if you want to really drive a car then the M is for you

[z4all]

All very interesting views. Thanks very much. With regard to ongoing costs, I don't mind paying as long as I get enough of a thrill. I got a bit bored with the e46 m3 after having 3 of them. But that same engine in a light car like the z. I can't only imagine the fun that can be had.

I am putting it on hold for now but it's still simmering away in the back of my mind...perhaps if I pick up a winter bargain it may make me feel better about ownership. I will find it hard to sell my 3.0i though, I know that for a fact!!

[goldbcfc]

Interesting thread as I've had 3 E46 previously before my Z4. I had 320ci coupe,325ci coupe and a 330ci convertible. I've only had my Z4 3.0 manual since January. I've tracked it a few times and did 1/4 mile a few times too. Whilst its more fun to drive than the E46's I just feel real lack of quality with this car. It seems put together cheaply with some things they done to save weight but it is a sports car I guess. I'm currently debating transferring my personal plate this week so I can sell the car ASAP not because I dislike it. Only because if I keep it im gonna need to spend money to make it quicker,better suspension etc which I think its worth just spending the cash on getting better car. I'm possibly going back to E46's and getting a M3 or 645i on comparison. As mentioned I think the S54 issues are reasonable just higher cost are they worth it risk (Id say yeah). I think if I get another Z4 later would definately be a e89 model depending on build quality. They sure do look put together better those 35is shift as well the latest 2015 is one of the quickest bmw about for 1/4 mile good tuned one will do 12s like those 135i at santapod

[Bigpow]

I came from a boxster s to my mr. This was also my choice over a 3.6 996. Mine at first tramlined and skipped about, but once the toe was corrected it was awesome. I was expecting precision like the Porsche but it's more like a woman with pmt.. There's no calmness just grip the wheel and hold on tight. The sport button is like swapping to match of the day when she's watching east Enders...

Running costs, find one that's been loved and a good spanner man that looks after m3's...

Depreciation look at it as a driving asset as the prices click up...

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks so much ShaunKC and mangozac - really helpful views from members who have owned both.

I guess like most of life you get what you pay for - 3.0Si is a great car, but an M is just that bit greater so if you want (and can afford) it that is the way to go!

In a previous work situation we tended to work to an 80/20 rule! Because I need something my 94 year old mother can get in and out of I can't just have a Z4C (and sadly an M is out of budget!) so I also have a 325ti Sport Compact for "nonagenarian duties". My 325ti was about 20% of the cost of my Z4C, but probably provides 80% of the fun factor and sound-track! But on the right occasions, like a blat down to Sussex this weekend, that extra 20% from the Z4C feels like a good investment!

[Vanne]

Same issues you would get with any engine.

I've known of some bullit proof s54 and some that have had heads redone, and other issues all with a mix of low and high miles.
In fact the s54 doesn't like being sat around so don't be afraid by high miles either

I wouldn't be so concerned mate.

There seems to be a fair few M owners who have been unfortunate to have bearing shell problems with the S54 engine, that's pretty major-threads on here about it
Rob

Bearing shells isn't that big a deal really mate, unless you don't catch it in time, then it becomes a much bigger deal.

I did mine at 200k kilometres (roughly 130k miles) and yeah they had some wear and tear, but could have probably gone for another 30k.. From memory, it was 300US for the shells, another 350 US for the install.. Pretty cheap.. much cheaper than a service on my 2012 JKU.

[BMWZ4MC]

Bearing shell failure was more of an issue in early S54 engines (Z3MC / pre-2003 E46 M3). Premature cam and follower wear seems to be far more prevalent in the Z4MC than does bearing shell failure.

[GuidoK]

Imho every s54 will show the distinct wear spots on the shells at 50k miles or more.
Zpost is full of pictures with those. Dozens of examples and all show wear.

[Beedub]

I have just swopped from a 3.0si Coupe to a ///M Coupe, I realise that you are talking about a roadster, so I hope you don't mind my waffle below, please feel free to not read any of it!

I swapped from a 3.0si roadster to an M roadster 1 week ago and I agree with everything Shaun has said. Mine is a daily driver too. The 3.0si is definitely easier to drive and impressively fuel efficient, so probably the more sensible choice as a daily driver. But to me the difference between the two could not be larger. Performance is obviously the main factor, but put side by side the M looks far better too (the cited bonnet creases are also my favourite part). I do a lot of DIY maintenance, but I'd definitely be more wary of the M running costs if I didn't.

The comment about the 10% difference between the two cars is interesting. I feel that it's a 10% difference on individual aspects of the car, however it results in a car that is 100% different. To me there is no comparison between the two. That's not to say that I would tell everybody to forego a 3.0si, but if you want to really drive a car then the M is for you

yeah i agree awesome package the 3.0si is. its not in the same league for driving experience , feel, specialness, etc etc it requires a certain type of owner who's not scared to really dig deep into the driving experience such a wonderful car, but the cars couldnt be more different, 10% just doesnt begin to cut it.

[pHilli0]

As above, just get the M. And then mod it to your personal taste and love life.

[goon]

I've had my M coupe nearly 5 years now,was looking at the 3 litre model but found it was no faster than my old Focus,then I drove the M and the howling,snarling acceleration clinched it.

[NavZ]

Bearing shell failure was more of an issue in early S54 engines (Z3MC / pre-2003 E46 M3). Premature cam and follower wear seems to be far more prevalent in the Z4MC than does bearing shell failure.

+1… Having my cams/followers replaced now. Parts on order from Germany :headband:
Oh & the ///M is only on 70k KM.

[Smartbear]

I've had my M coupe nearly 5 years now,was looking at the 3 litre model but found it was no faster than my old Focus,then I drove the M and the howling,snarling acceleration clinched it.

Wow, what Ford Focus does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds?
I never realised they were that fast!