Commuting in the Z4M - thoughts please.
- Thread starter FirstKnight
- Start date
Disco Steve
Member
Hi there!
I upgraded to a Z4M roadster a month ago and it is used daily as it's my only car (bought with company car allowance, all the guys that took the company A3,1 series etc are now regreting it!! :lol: ) . In terms of fuel my drive to work isn't maybe as stop start as yours but not motorway by any means, the trip computer states I'm doing around 27mph (300miles per tank). Driving it back up from the dealer it was slightly over 32mph at a steady 70mph and obviously when giving it the beans it drinks alot faster but I haven't driven mine hard through a tank.
I've found that when i'm just driving about I very rarely rev the car over 2.5k revs as it starts to get noisey, great fun at the weekend on a country road but about town you just look a plank!
It is a truly awsome bit of kit, after owning a Z4 before I had veryh high expectations of the car and so far it totally exceeded them!
With regard to the "wife" issue mine also wasn't that delighted with the amount of money but after we left the dealer and the car properly warmed up I give a little prod on the go pedal and she is also now very smitten!! Result!! :lol:
I am really glad I go the ///M and not the 3.0 because as good as the 3.0 is you would always know that the ///M is better!!
Go on you know it makes sense!!!!
I upgraded to a Z4M roadster a month ago and it is used daily as it's my only car (bought with company car allowance, all the guys that took the company A3,1 series etc are now regreting it!! :lol: ) . In terms of fuel my drive to work isn't maybe as stop start as yours but not motorway by any means, the trip computer states I'm doing around 27mph (300miles per tank). Driving it back up from the dealer it was slightly over 32mph at a steady 70mph and obviously when giving it the beans it drinks alot faster but I haven't driven mine hard through a tank.
I've found that when i'm just driving about I very rarely rev the car over 2.5k revs as it starts to get noisey, great fun at the weekend on a country road but about town you just look a plank!
It is a truly awsome bit of kit, after owning a Z4 before I had veryh high expectations of the car and so far it totally exceeded them!
With regard to the "wife" issue mine also wasn't that delighted with the amount of money but after we left the dealer and the car properly warmed up I give a little prod on the go pedal and she is also now very smitten!! Result!! :lol:
I am really glad I go the ///M and not the 3.0 because as good as the 3.0 is you would always know that the ///M is better!!
Go on you know it makes sense!!!!
Most of my journeys are short trips of the nature you have described (30-50mph) and I am averaging 23-24mpg in my Z4M.
I have never driven the 3.0si but have seen quite a few of them around and am always pleased to be in the Z4M when I do - it may sound churlish but if there is such a small difference in price could you live with yourself every time you see an "M" (which won't be often by the way, in the six months I have had mine I have only seen 3 others and have driven a lot around London and the kind of areas where you might expect to see these) if you bought the 3.0.
As a daily driver, I have learnt to drive it relatively smoothly even at low speeds, even without the CDV mod, and would agree that it can be very firm on some roads for passengers, but hey, it's a sports car!
I also much prefer the styling on the M, in particular the creased bonnet and think the 3.0 just looks a bit "soft" in comparison.
Go on......you know you want to......
I have never driven the 3.0si but have seen quite a few of them around and am always pleased to be in the Z4M when I do - it may sound churlish but if there is such a small difference in price could you live with yourself every time you see an "M" (which won't be often by the way, in the six months I have had mine I have only seen 3 others and have driven a lot around London and the kind of areas where you might expect to see these) if you bought the 3.0.
As a daily driver, I have learnt to drive it relatively smoothly even at low speeds, even without the CDV mod, and would agree that it can be very firm on some roads for passengers, but hey, it's a sports car!
I also much prefer the styling on the M, in particular the creased bonnet and think the 3.0 just looks a bit "soft" in comparison.
Go on......you know you want to......
Just a note on price, I just picked up a 2008 3.0si coupe (4 months old 4000 miles) black alloys, Xenons, bluetooth heated seats, cruise control (retro fit), no sat nav though for under 26 (no part ex) so you might be able to haggle further on the si... if you go for it.
Neil
Neil
FirstKnight
Member
vinny09 said:Most of my journeys are short trips of the nature you have described (30-50mph) and I am averaging 23-24mpg in my Z4M.
I have never driven the 3.0si but have seen quite a few of them around and am always pleased to be in the Z4M when I do - it may sound churlish but if there is such a small difference in price could you live with yourself every time you see an "M" (which won't be often by the way, in the six months I have had mine I have only seen 3 others and have driven a lot around London and the kind of areas where you might expect to see these) if you bought the 3.0.
As a daily driver, I have learnt to drive it relatively smoothly even at low speeds, even without the CDV mod, and would agree that it can be very firm on some roads for passengers, but hey, it's a sports car!
I also much prefer the styling on the M, in particular the creased bonnet and think the 3.0 just looks a bit "soft" in comparison.
Go on......you know you want to......
I do want to...just haggling at the moment with 3 Dealers but I'm hoping to be in a Z4M in time for the long weekend.
What is the CDV mod?
The main worry I have at the moment is that while my wife loves BMW's, she isn't into very fast performance cars. She's heard that the Z4 has a heavy clutch and she is concerned this will be a problem for her.
She will need to use the car occassionally - not that she has any issue with the idea, per se as she thinks Z4's are great and loved my Z4 2.2i - and hence the low-speed commuting driveability of the car could pose a problem for me. Y'see, to qualify for my car allowance I must drive a car with 4 adult seats - archaic, I know but thems the rules where I work. So I plan to take her 325i Touring in now and again to prove I have access to an approved car - apparently this will suffice. Obviously she will test drive it this weekend with me too so I guess I'll find out then if she can live with it or not.
Disco Steve
Member
Like you wife my girlfriend isn't into "fast cars but she loved driving the 2.0l and now the ///M. She even asks if she can drive when we go out together in the ///M, she's hilarious!! 
For me the decision was to get another 2.0 or the ///M, I didn't think that the insurance/fuel/tax cost between the other 6 cylinder cars was great enough especially with the price for a BMW approved car ///M. As you are finding!!
Also with the new M3 having 8 cylinder my view was that if the new Z4 has an ///m version that it is likely to be the 8 pot from the M3 therefore, for me, the running costs become just that bit to high. This is not to mention the actual cost of the car, the new M3 is far more expensive than the older one!
To be fair whatever car you get you will love it they are awesome! They are defo an everyday car!
For me the decision was to get another 2.0 or the ///M, I didn't think that the insurance/fuel/tax cost between the other 6 cylinder cars was great enough especially with the price for a BMW approved car ///M. As you are finding!!
Also with the new M3 having 8 cylinder my view was that if the new Z4 has an ///m version that it is likely to be the 8 pot from the M3 therefore, for me, the running costs become just that bit to high. This is not to mention the actual cost of the car, the new M3 is far more expensive than the older one!
To be fair whatever car you get you will love it they are awesome! They are defo an everyday car!
FirstKnight said:
The clutch is definitely heavier than the 3.0 in stop start traffic, but the only time I found it wearing was a jammed Friday night when it took 2 hours to get from Tower Bridge to Earls Court...other than that, no big deal.
Highly recommend you drive a 3.0 and an M back to back. See which you prefer, the 3.0 may tick enough boxes
FirstKnight said:
Clutch delay valve - it's a mod that quite a few of the Z4M crown seem to have that makes the clutch a bit smoother - it is quite jerky in 1st/2nd gear and takes a while to get used to.
Blimey - I almost sounded like I knew what I was talking about there.
Got my car detailed today - Sapphire Black is an awesome colour when clear...
My wife loves driving my M and she's only 5ft4 and 8 stone. She has no issue at all with the clutch. Tell your missus that it will be fine and
go buy the M.
IMHO it will depreciate less now than the si because as you say, it's taken it's biggest hit. I think they'll get to £20k and sit there for a while,
waiting for time to weed out the high mileage cars, just as the z3m did. In fact they've risen a little in the last couple of years.
Anyway, who cares if it depreciates, just keep it. I toyed with selling but what's the point? I paid £39k for mine (8K off list!!) and I'm not giving soemone
else the benfit of my depreciation.
I have only one thing to add....
M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M
go buy the M.
IMHO it will depreciate less now than the si because as you say, it's taken it's biggest hit. I think they'll get to £20k and sit there for a while,
waiting for time to weed out the high mileage cars, just as the z3m did. In fact they've risen a little in the last couple of years.
Anyway, who cares if it depreciates, just keep it. I toyed with selling but what's the point? I paid £39k for mine (8K off list!!) and I'm not giving soemone
else the benfit of my depreciation.
I have only one thing to add....
M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M
I drive my M every day and have never had any issues with it. It is more than comfortable enough (although I came from a Civic Type-R so I may just be used to it ). I have noticed that it is on comparison with a lot of the other BMWs I have driven which have thise stupid run flats to be honest!
As for fuel economy, I do a lot of mixed driving with the main being town driving. I average 250 - 260 miles to a tank (that is the fuel reading down at about 10 miles left) although I do enjoy flooring it, especially in 2nd so I can hear the exhaust rasp :wink:
I would say that at that bargain price, def get the M, you will not look back...except in your mirror at the car you just overtook maybe
). I have noticed that it is on comparison with a lot of the other BMWs I have driven which have thise stupid run flats to be honest!As for fuel economy, I do a lot of mixed driving with the main being town driving. I average 250 - 260 miles to a tank (that is the fuel reading down at about 10 miles left) although I do enjoy flooring it, especially in 2nd so I can hear the exhaust rasp :wink:
I would say that at that bargain price, def get the M, you will not look back...except in your mirror at the car you just overtook maybe
mmmm - the M is no doubt a superior package in outright performance terms, but for stop start UK traffic, commuting, the slightly increased service costs, insurance, likley higher tax band, then I really wonder if I'd go that route?
Problem with boards is that in geneal people suggest the bigger, better, faster, more specced of everything.
Don't count on deprecition having ended. My buddy is in a the car trade as a mid priced family saloon trader and reckons we have at least 12 months to go as people hold onto their motors seeing what happens in the credit crunch. Dealer prices will continue to drop.
I have the 3.0i and rarely find that I think I need more power, harder suspension (although I do have m Sport set up, etc.)
I'd really take them both for a drive as suggested before and see what does it for you (and not on the dealers perfectly selected smooth no traffic route).
As an aside, for traffic driving the auto is the hands down option without doubt, making it so much less challenging. Having just spent 2 weeks driving mountain tracks and roads in a heavy clutched 4x4 I'll be delighted to get back to silky smooth autos in my Zed and X5
Problem with boards is that in geneal people suggest the bigger, better, faster, more specced of everything.
Don't count on deprecition having ended. My buddy is in a the car trade as a mid priced family saloon trader and reckons we have at least 12 months to go as people hold onto their motors seeing what happens in the credit crunch. Dealer prices will continue to drop.
I have the 3.0i and rarely find that I think I need more power, harder suspension (although I do have m Sport set up, etc.)
I'd really take them both for a drive as suggested before and see what does it for you (and not on the dealers perfectly selected smooth no traffic route).
As an aside, for traffic driving the auto is the hands down option without doubt, making it so much less challenging. Having just spent 2 weeks driving mountain tracks and roads in a heavy clutched 4x4 I'll be delighted to get back to silky smooth autos in my Zed and X5
FirstKnight
Member
Okay...the latest is...I BOUGHT A Z4M!!
It is a 2008 car with 3200 miles on it and the spec is:
Silver Grey with Individual Champagne Nappa Leather
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive-Assist
Cruise control
Extended storage
Hi-Fi Sys Prof DSP
Leather interior
Navigation-system Professional
Park Distance Control (PDC). rear
Seat heating
Wind deflector
Multi-func. Steering Whl
Remote Control Alarm
Fully Automatic Hood
Floor Mats
First Aid Kit & Triangle
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
Headlamp Washer System
Rain Sensor
Xenon Headlamps
Automatic Air Conditioning
M Steering Wheel
Oh, and a little 3.2 six cylinder 343 bhp engine! All for £28k.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I haven't even driven one yet... so I'd better like it, I guess.
It is a 2008 car with 3200 miles on it and the spec is:
Silver Grey with Individual Champagne Nappa Leather
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive-Assist
Cruise control
Extended storage
Hi-Fi Sys Prof DSP
Leather interior
Navigation-system Professional
Park Distance Control (PDC). rear
Seat heating
Wind deflector
Multi-func. Steering Whl
Remote Control Alarm
Fully Automatic Hood
Floor Mats
First Aid Kit & Triangle
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
Headlamp Washer System
Rain Sensor
Xenon Headlamps
Automatic Air Conditioning
M Steering Wheel
Oh, and a little 3.2 six cylinder 343 bhp engine! All for £28k.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I haven't even driven one yet... so I'd better like it, I guess.
That sounds like a really great car and a massive discount to list price new.
Look forward to pics.
Look forward to pics.
FirstKnight
Member
mikedav said:
Well, if the chap I've bought 4 Beemers from in the past is to be believed £28k is below book for this particular car. He is a very decent bloke so I have no reason to doubt him. He advised me on this deal as he couldn't source me a car to my budget and he is himself amazed the car was sold to me for that price in the end -1 week of haggling. It is very clean, not even one tiny stone chip; it looks brand new. Indeed, it is sitting in the showroom and doesn't look like a secondhand car at all. It is an ex-BMW GB car so they usually get prepared very well.
I get to collect it next week - most likely Saturday as I have a very busy work schedule unfortunately.
I had my 2.2i SE when the M car came out and so wanted one. The last time I saw one on the road was nearly a year ago so they aren't very common. I cannot wait!
FirstKnight
Member
Road Trip said:I agree
Same spec as mine; although a slower colour
Sytner High Wycombe have a very nice '07 Imola Red example - same spec, champagne leather, low mileage etc for £27450. It was the first M car I tried to do a deal on but they just wouldn't give me the p/x I wanted for my 335i citing their car as being extremely aggressively priced to sell. Very good looking car though!
That is an absolutely amazing deal....FirstKnight said:Okay...the latest is...I BOUGHT A Z4M!!
It is a 2008 car with 3200 miles on it and the spec is:
Silver Grey with Individual Champagne Nappa Leather
Bluetooth phone prep + telematics
BMW ConnectedDrive-Assist
Cruise control
Extended storage
Hi-Fi Sys Prof DSP
Leather interior
Navigation-system Professional
Park Distance Control (PDC). rear
Seat heating
Wind deflector
Multi-func. Steering Whl
Remote Control Alarm
Fully Automatic Hood
Floor Mats
First Aid Kit & Triangle
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Elec Fr Seats + Driver Memory
Headlamp Washer System
Rain Sensor
Xenon Headlamps
Automatic Air Conditioning
M Steering Wheel
Oh, and a little 3.2 six cylinder 343 bhp engine! All for £28k.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I haven't even driven one yet... so I'd better like it, I guess.
Crikey.
Congrats. You WILL enjoy
