DB9 vs Z4MC
- Thread starter paulg1979
- Start date
In terms of the debate about Vantages vs 911 etc...
Funny... to put this into my terms with a regular Z4 (I do realise I'm trespassing on M territory here
) I don't drive technically the best car in its class, that accolade is almost universally given to the Boxster. I preferred the look of the Z4. I preferred it's less clinical, harder riding uncomprmising approach. Essentially, I chose the Aston! Like ga41 pointed out, if I had the cash would I buy the very best car? I would not. I would buy a GranTurismo with birdcage allows because to me it's pretty much automotive perfection. If I had even more money, I'd buy the latest GT3 as well, in Viper Green!
I'm all for the veriety, the stats, the bragging rights and pub debates!
Funny... to put this into my terms with a regular Z4 (I do realise I'm trespassing on M territory here
) I don't drive technically the best car in its class, that accolade is almost universally given to the Boxster. I preferred the look of the Z4. I preferred it's less clinical, harder riding uncomprmising approach. Essentially, I chose the Aston! Like ga41 pointed out, if I had the cash would I buy the very best car? I would not. I would buy a GranTurismo with birdcage allows because to me it's pretty much automotive perfection. If I had even more money, I'd buy the latest GT3 as well, in Viper Green!I'm all for the veriety, the stats, the bragging rights and pub debates!
Breaker said:Or you could get a half way between and get the new Z4 35i!
Drove one last month, lovely car and much better inside and out...just get's hideously overpriced when you spec it up...nearly new as you have done is the only way to go IMO. Just waiting for the M.... the one they say is 'not planned' so everyone buys a 35i, then they surprise-announce 2 years later, so they get two sales instead of one - as is default BMW policy on ZMs
That M theory didn't work on me with my 3.0si though! :wink: 
Also, a spec'd up 35i isn't far off the price of the Z4M when new and you are getting a lot more for your money!
The bi-turbo 3.0l engine is so good though I can't see why they would bother with the M version now? It has the same torque figure as the V8 M motor also. Maybe an M Sport upgrade where you get the BMW Motorsport 335i tuning package (chip change)?
Also, a spec'd up 35i isn't far off the price of the Z4M when new and you are getting a lot more for your money!The bi-turbo 3.0l engine is so good though I can't see why they would bother with the M version now? It has the same torque figure as the V8 M motor also. Maybe an M Sport upgrade where you get the BMW Motorsport 335i tuning package (chip change)?
Erhan said:And that "a lot more" makes the car a lot slowerBreaker said:
OMG your right!!
A whole .1 sec to 62!
It's also the same acceleration time from 50 to 70 as the V8 M3! (official figures). Glad I bought another Z4 so the M v threads can keep going! To be fair the M is quicker on the track, but that's what that engine was designed for! :wink:
Breaker said:That M theory didn't work on me with my 3.0si though! :wink:
Fully loaded Z4M Coupe - £46k. Fully loaded Sdrive35i - nigh on £50k or so when I was playing with the configurator? That's used Vantage money IMO. I'd pay early/mid 30's for a nearly new one, but list on a factory order seemed crazy to me. I am sure an M is coming (just like both previous generations, both of which were denied)...probably 2012!
Take the 335i - similar performance to an E46 M3 but a completely different character. I had an M3 SMG, tried a 335i, loved it, kept the M3. Non M cars are set up differently - IMO they are more refined, more grown up...in some ways, a better day to day prospect. M cars are a bit mad, a bit excessive! So along came the E92 M3, which truly feels and drives like an M. With that in mind I would expect either a 3.5 litre Bi Turbo (to fit the 'efficiency' drive of replacing V8s with FI straight 6s, a-la Audi S4) or maybe even the M3 V8 just to get further value out of the M3s development costs. That would be like an SLK55, so there's precedent... but god knows how much it will be though
[:O]
Breaker said:Erhan said:And that "a lot more" makes the car a lot slowerBreaker said:
OMG your right!!
A whole .1 sec to 62!
To be fair the M is quicker on the track, but that's what that engine was designed for! :wink:
I know what you're saying but to be fair it's not only on the track that the Z4M will perform on. On the B roads where I live it's cornering ability at speed is fantastic and I don't think the 35i could live with it. That's not necessarily a criticism, just a reflection of the different target market that both cars are aiming at. It's widely acknowledged that as a fast sports tourer the 35i is a very capable, quick and more comfortable car. I'm quite sure that BMW will come up with a more performance orientated version of the current Z4 that will outperform the Z4M but at the moment the older car has the edge in overall performance terms ie not just in straight line acceleration figures.
dgm said:
I'm just back from a good drive in my 35i and that thing shifts!! It's so much better on B roads than my old Z4 and I though that was good! Hit the Sport + button with the adaptive M suspension and that thing holds the road! I'm impressed. The mid range pull is fantastic!
If your 35i is that good and can compete with the Z4MC I'm driving just now then I'd seriously consider it in the future. The extra weight has to be a concern for me though and I don't really want to go for a car that weighs more than 1500kg. Also I have no interest in a convertible and if the extra weight of the folding hard top could be lost in a future M coupe version then I think I would be very interested. What I was trying to say is that the 2 cars are different enough in character to make the choice simple for someone who knows what they are looking from in a car. The main thing is that you are thoroughly enjoying your car which is the whole point of ownership. I'm glad you've made the right choice and are getting the best from your car.
The first gen Z4 is definitely a different car to the new one. Although I am enjoying my new Z4 and it is, in my opinion now I've been driving it a bit, a vast improvement in both ride comfort, handling and build quality, it doesn't feel as "sports car" as my 3.0si.
You could almost own both cars and you wouldn't think they were both Z4's. I guess, in a way, it's more of a 2 seater 335i! :wink:
The feel of the new car handling wise gives me a lot more confidence pushing into corners than my old one that's for sure! It feels more planted at speed on the motorway also. Actually it feels a bit more like the 370Z, although that did feel a little more direct steering wise.
The one thing that impressed me the most when I had a few test drives in a Z4M Coupe was the steering. I'd say the one I have now is sat neatly between the 3.0si and the Z4M.
As for the folding roof, I was the same. A staunch Coupe man. Mainly because I didn't like cloth soft tops. It feels the same with the roof up as my Coupe did, and it is a nice experience with it down also. Sounds even better with the roof down!
You could almost own both cars and you wouldn't think they were both Z4's. I guess, in a way, it's more of a 2 seater 335i! :wink:
The feel of the new car handling wise gives me a lot more confidence pushing into corners than my old one that's for sure! It feels more planted at speed on the motorway also. Actually it feels a bit more like the 370Z, although that did feel a little more direct steering wise.
The one thing that impressed me the most when I had a few test drives in a Z4M Coupe was the steering. I'd say the one I have now is sat neatly between the 3.0si and the Z4M.
As for the folding roof, I was the same. A staunch Coupe man. Mainly because I didn't like cloth soft tops. It feels the same with the roof up as my Coupe did, and it is a nice experience with it down also. Sounds even better with the roof down!