3.0si to M

S

Simon 3.2M

Senior member
A quick question for the M men - I'm considering jumping from the SI to the M. Have many of you guys done this and whatcare your findings or thoughts if you don't mind sharing.
 
Simon 3.0si said:
A quick question for the M men - I'm considering jumping from the SI to the M. Have many of you guys done this and whatcare your findings or thoughts if you don't mind sharing.
Click to expand...

Look up Paulgs1000 as he made the same move & wrote a fair bit on his thoughts between them :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Yes I did 4 years ago. Like chalk and cheese. Basically, the M is all about the engine. The character of it and the experience is completely different from the boggo 3 litre, and dominates every second. It’s a total event to drive. The cars make look the same (or similar) but they’re completely different in every way. Other than the engine, they drive differently (much better, bigger brakes, LSD, non electric steering, etc). My 3l lasted a few months - I just didn’t see the point, whereas I still have the M. Having said that, I also love being able to take the roof off and the combination of a convertible and that engine are brilliant. I’ll whisper it here but I don’t really see the point of the MC - a 911 or Cayman is much better in every way, whereas a Boxster drives better (handles, is more compliant) but doesn’t have that engine.
 
I think it's the turning point where the Z4MC will start climbing up in price soon, might as well jump in and bag one now :wink:
 
I did it 7 years ago and have never looked back, And it will get under you skin :evil:
So if you want an M go for it :thumbsup: And if you want an M with looks get an MC :wink:
 
InterlagosZ4MR said:
Yes I did 4 years ago. Like chalk and cheese. Basically, the M is all about the engine. The character of it and the experience is completely different from the boggo 3 litre, and dominates every second. It’s a total event to drive. The cars make look the same (or similar) but they’re completely different in every way. Other than the engine, they drive differently (much better, bigger brakes, LSD, non electric steering, etc).
Click to expand...
Exactly this. I made the change 2 years ago and was driving the two cars back to back often while the 3.0si was for sale. They really are chalk and cheese. As a friend with an M3 says: the Z4M is closer to being an M3 than it is a Z4.
 
On paper the differences appear marginal, but in reality the S54 is absolutely dripping with character. This, combined with hydraulic steering make it a completely different (much better IMO) experience to the 3.0si.

Still love mine two years on.
 
I own both and drive them back to back. The M is completely different. Completely different beast. It's more fun and addictive and raw, everything a sports car should be. The si is great as a daily or tourer, but if you want to take on fun roads, I'll grab the keys to my M every day.

If I could only have one? M.

20180513_162807.jpg
 
... I first had an hour’s test drive in my //M, would have been more had I had the time, then only last weekend.

So much has been written before... sound (especially with the Grupp), less acceleration effort, vastly improved steering especially over uneven surfaces & brakes that really have a nice blend of mild to tree stopping anchors.

The gearbox is interesting - the misses would call it a pig compared to the AUDI / Volvo - so if you’re a lazy uncoordinated moron it’s not for you, though with firm & smooth hand/foot motion it’ll become a pleasure.

The only thing I need more time with is it’s @rse, to look at, fondle & understand its squirmy little devil character which loves to tease & dig in.

Of the 2 Zed’s I’ve passed since last Friday (in its nest this week) each one waved or flashed...
 
I went the other way, M down to the SI. Only noticeable thing is the overall costs change, mainly due to my long trips and track days.
 
I'm definitely getting an M, even if I only own it for a year or two. Someone mentioned it is an "event" driving one of these, well I couldn't agree more. On paper it is true, they are evenly matched however in the real world, they aren't!! They are brutal....just how a sports car should be :evil:
 
Tbf, I’ve never driven a Z4M but have driven an E46 M3 which is more or less the same platform (just weighs slightly more).

The difference between the N52 and the S54 is not as big as one might initially think.

The N52 ticks all the boxes, it is fast enough, has good low end torque, revs to 7,000rpm, sounds good and is smoother than the S54.

The S54 feels like it has less torque (even though it doesn’t) which requires the driver to rev the engine all the way up to 8,000rpm. For town driving this isn’t as handy, however once past 4,000rpm the sound of the S54 is another level and I’m sure would be noticeable on a race track.

Picking one over the other all depends on the purpose of the car. If you want a good sports car which is relatively cheap to run I would highly recommend the N52. However if you want a faster car which is a bit more raw, and on the edge then I highly recommend the S54.

IMHO one cannot say the S54 dicks over the N52 in all departments...as it doesn’t.
 
R60BBA said:
Tbf, I’ve never driven a Z4M but have driven an E46 M3 which is more or less the same platform (just weighs slightly more).

The difference between the N52 and the S54 is not as big as one might initially think.

The N52 ticks all the boxes, it is fast enough, has good low end torque, revs to 7,000rpm, sounds good and is smoother than the S54.

The S54 feels like it has less torque (even though it doesn’t) which requires the driver to rev the engine all the way up to 8,000rpm. For town driving this isn’t as handy, however once past 4,000rpm the sound of the S54 is another level and I’m sure would be noticeable on a race track.

Picking one over the other all depends on the purpose of the car. If you want a good sports car which is relatively cheap to run I would highly recommend the N52. However if you want a faster car which is a bit more raw, and on the edge then I highly recommend the S54.

IMHO one cannot say the S54 dicks over the N52 in all departments...as it doesn’t.
Click to expand...
No it doesn't I agree, I currently have a very well sorted N52 that is more than enough car for most of us. I'll come back to my comment that the M is more of an "event" to drive. I will take your point in that it doesn't feel as fast initially but then you look down at the speedo and you are definitely travelling!! Again I'll take you point regarding town driving, this will take some getting used to but it is quite driveable - people need to remember that whilst these cars perform better further up the rev range, this doesn't mean they have to be constantly driven there. The M for me is more old school motoring and is essentially not as refined as the N52. I've found my N52 to be a great all round car with the exhaust note that is somewhat muted....and there is the big difference - the N52 is more refined daily driver so I won't suddenly slate the N52, its a brilliant car. The M appears to sit in a lesser window and be more focussed (at the top of the rev range) which at this moment in time, is what attracts me to it as a sports car. I also hope that if I sell in a year or two I won't lose a fortune - if anything. Do I buy into the future classic narrative? not at the moment, in time maybe but it will be the pristine low mileage examples that will command big money.
In the ideal world the SI would have a LSD and probably closer to 300bhp...but it doesn't and it is what it is..its a highly capable car. For the money it's very difficult to find an alternative car in both performance and looks. I love mine and if the M doesn't work out I'd go back to one in a heartbeat!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom