After a Z4, saw one but what is it...

[coldel]

Hi, I signed up ages ago but ended up in another car. I sold the VX220 and now looking at an alternative and I am seriously looking at getting a Z4 3.0si Sport Coupe. I have found one I really like its just appeared on an ad, it doesn't though state if its a sport or SE. I asked and they didnt seem to know.

Are there any obvious ways of telling if its a Sport or not? It has a three spoke steering wheel with an M on it but looking at adverts for SEs they have it also. I tried checking the seats they look the same. Its hard to know. how to check visually on an advert, if its a Sport or not.

Thanks!

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to to forum. Can't help you with the different specs on the Coupe. Though I suspect the suspension is different, so maybe ride height. I will leave it to some one who actually knows to confirm or laugh at that though.

 

[coldel]

Thanks, yes I think the ride height is meant to be 15mm different but hard to tell on pics alone

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

There are subtle differences between an E86 SE and Msport.

Suspension is one, but an Msport could have sports suspension delete.

The best way to tell an SE is that unless optioned or retrofitted it won’t have Sports seats with bigger side bolsters and the thigh support flap. It has a different steering wheel, no M logo st the bottom, and silver trim on the wheel, rather than all black.

Wheels are another thing to check, ellipsoids were on SE spec cars.

The issue you will have, is that these cars are getting on in age now, and most will have had many owners, each owner wanting to modify or adapt / retrofit something, so you could have an SE with all Msport parts.

There are no exterior styling differences or engine differences as far as I am aware. The Z4M has more aggressive aero and a different engine.

Best thing is to find a car you like, with the options you want. At this point the sports / se is likely irrelevant if you are happy with the options.

Ill put a pic below of an SE steering wheel, but note that many people fit Msport wheels.
Note that the below pic is an SE with Msport seats!

Good hunting.

 

[Zedebee]

The Sport has M-Sport suspension (15mm lower) and M-Sport seats, although some SE models had these as options. If the seats have detachable headrests, then they are non-M-Sport and the car is an SE. If not, then the car is likely to be a Sport.

Question, why do want the Sport? The seats are more comfortable but the suspension isn’t. The SE is also cheaper by a grand. The engine, transmission, braking and the rest of the option list are identical.

 

[Mr Tidy]

As others have said the Sport models have M-Sport seats (lovely), steering wheel and suspension that is 15mm lower but also a black headlining.

However as all of those features were options on the SE models it can get a bit confusing! :?

Both of mine were Sport models primarily for the seats, but if I was buying another I'd definitely consider an SE with the M-Sport seats.

Good luck finding the right one.

 

[coldel]

Thanks for the replies.

I have come from a VX220 turbo, anything else will feel like Im sat in a Rolls Royce, including stiff suspension. I would imagine dynamically the Sport is better than the SE due to the suspension and ride height. Additionally, I have seen a nice one but dont want to pay Sport money for it if its an SE. It has the M badged steering wheel etc https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969796 but hard to tell on the seats?

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Thanks for the replies.

I have come from a VX220 turbo, anything else will feel like Im sat in a Rolls Royce, including stiff suspension. I would imagine dynamically the Sport is better than the SE due to the suspension and ride height. Additionally, I have seen a nice one but dont want to pay Sport money for it if its an SE. It has the M badged steering wheel etc https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311969796 but hard to tell on the seats?

I suppose a definite way to tell, is see what it is registered as on GoCompare.

The car on your link looks to be an SE, but has MSport options.

I suppose the suspension may matter on track, but on the roads if you can tell the difference, you probably shouldn't!
Depending on the age/mileage, you could change the suspension anyway.

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

but hard to tell on the seats?

Those are Msport seats

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281889725

This is an unmodified SE, if you compare to the one in your link, you can see that the one you posted is lowered in comparison.

I didn't actually realise the SE was that high, so I withdraw my previous comment on the height not making much of a difference!

 

[buzyg]

There are subtle differences between an E86 SE and Msport.

The Z4M has more aggressive aero and a different engine.

And different suspension and different brakes and hydraulic Steering and a different gearbox and different exhaust and different wheels and a battery in the boot, with a compressor for the standard none run flat tyres.

Good hunting.

Just added a few bits there. :wink:

 

[ponchi101]

Can't they give you the VIN and then look it up online? Most search engines for VIN will list at least the model of the car, and the basic specs. You would have to pay extra for the detailed report, but that is not what you are asking for.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

There are subtle differences between an E86 SE and Msport.

The Z4M has more aggressive aero and a different engine.

And different suspension and different brakes and hydraulic Steering and a different gearbox and different exhaust and different wheels and a battery in the boot, with a compressor for the standard none run flat tyres.

Good hunting.

Just added a few bits there. :wink:

Hehe.

The M is a beast. …. One day… the Z4M roadster is really starting to appeal to me :|

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hehe.

The M is a beast. …. One day… the Z4M roadster is really starting to appeal to me

Based on my experience all I would say is don't drive one, unless you are willing to need one in your life! :lol:

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

Hehe.

The M is a beast. …. One day… the Z4M roadster is really starting to appeal to me

Based on my experience all I would say is don't drive one, unless you are willing to need one in your life! :lol:

Yes, I very much imagine as soon as you get in it, you don’t get out!