Drove a Z4M again after selling mine in 2018 (impression)

[RedUn]

No I have not really considered a Lotus as a replacement, I think most of them are too low and the sills are very wide making them very awkward to get in and out of. I’ve always wanted a Porsche and feel it’s now or never at my stage of life, however the Alpine A110s is still tempting, but I need to drive the Porsche before I make my mind up!

What Porsche are you going to drive?

One of the big benefits which you shouldn't overlook is how good the GB Porsche club is, they are very active and if your into doing events and meets etc you can't go wrong.

I like the Alpines, how similar are they to a 4C?

 

[beanie]

Never really understood the criticism of the seats, certainly not enough to say they are terrible. The Z4m is not a track car and whilst they might lack a bit of bracing in extreme use, I can’t say I’ve ever felt myself sliding around. The only thing I would change/add would be adjustable lumbar support.

There aren’t many production cars with seats that can compare to a full bucket, but considering the Z4s target market and use, I think they’re a fair compromise. Of course, if more support and connection is what you want then buckets are the way to go, but as with the Z4 seats, not all buckets suit all bodies.

 

[tomscott]

Problem with the Porsche market is its so inflated and even the special stuff in 12 months time is probably going to depreciate. Going to be a lot of unhappy campers, can't continue in this direction.

The Porsche club is awesome tho, so much going on.

 

[Franzino]

No I have not really considered a Lotus as a replacement, I think most of them are too low and the sills are very wide making them very awkward to get in and out of. I’ve always wanted a Porsche and feel it’s now or never at my stage of life, however the Alpine A110s is still tempting, but I need to drive the Porsche before I make my mind up!

I was talking about the new Emira; this car is the daily usable Lotus and not comparable with the Elise/Exige. To my eyes not exactly a A110 rival, but it certainly is an awesome alternative for a Porsche Cayman. Me personally I really like Porsche; but only the GT4/3 models do it for me (personal thing).

 

[Franzino]

Never really understood the criticism of the seats, certainly not enough to say they are terrible. The Z4m is not a track car and whilst they might lack a bit of bracing in extreme use, I can’t say I’ve ever felt myself sliding around. The only thing I would change/add would be adjustable lumbar support.

There aren’t many production cars with seats that can compare to a full bucket, but considering the Z4s target market and use, I think they’re a fair compromise. Of course, if more support and connection is what you want then buckets are the way to go, but as with the Z4 seats, not all buckets suit all bodies.

When I mentioned the seats are terrible (and more terrible then I remembered) then it’s not because of the lack of side support (when driving on track). Most standard seats don’t have big side bolsters that hold you in place on track. From all the cars I occasionally drive; the Z4M is the only car where (after driving 5 minutes) I get horrible pain in my lower back and shoulders. For me the support of the lower back and shoulders is the problem on the seats. It could be a personal thing; but for me the Z4M seats are indeed horrible and even worse then I remembered (when I owned one myself).

 

[Franzino]

I like the Alpines, how similar are they to a 4C?

They are totally different then the 4C...the A110 drives how the 4C should drive. My Italian buddy even sold his 4C after he testdrove the A110. An Italian guy buying a French car says it all

 

[beanie]

Fair enough, everyone is different and I do agree on the lower back support-I have similar complaints in pole position buckets as well. Nothing a small pillow can’t sort though.

The seats in the alpine look fantastic. It’s a car I’d love to try as it seems perfect for twisty mountain (alpine!) roads

 

[Franzino]

Problem with the Porsche market is its so inflated and even the special stuff in 12 months time is probably going to depreciate. Going to be a lot of unhappy campers, can't continue in this direction.

Every car is going to depreciate....want an investment that gains money instead of losing money. Easy; don't put a lot of money in cars and don't buy a new one (in most cases). For me cars are a hobby and I never looked at the possible depreciation. I always bought rather special/unique cars and the depreciation was already lower then normal cars. Not something I expected or counted on, but of course it's nice if it happens. To be honest; the depreciation worries is mostly an issue for people who change cars very often or maybe buy cars that are a bit above their (real) budget and they really need that money back to get the next car (or next lease). Back in the days; people just bought cars they wanted and could afford without worrying much about resale value. But maybe back then; people were also smarter and did not buy cars they could not really afford?

Me personally if I buy a car it's to own for a very long time and I don't want to worry about future value (this would take away part of the enjoyment for me). I love a GT3! If I would make an effort I could personally buy (lease/finance) a GT3; drive it for two years and then sell it back on (with hopefully a minimal loss). But then I would need to keep an eye on mileage, think about the best resale spec, don't drive on track, hope nothing bad happens (accident can diminish value), etc. The restricted use would take away so much of the enjoyment of the car that I see no point of doing this....but of course I'm no You Tuber and buy cars for my own fun to use as much as I can and not as business model

 

[tomscott]

Problem with the Porsche market is its so inflated and even the special stuff in 12 months time is probably going to depreciate. Going to be a lot of unhappy campers, can't continue in this direction.

Every car is going to depreciate....want an investment that gains money instead of losing money. Easy; don't put a lot of money in cars and don't buy a new one (in most cases). For me cars are a hobby and I never looked at the possible depreciation. I always bought rather special/unique cars and the depreciation was already lower then normal cars. Not something I expected or counted on, but of course it's nice if it happens. To be honest; the depreciation worries is mostly an issue for people who change cars very often or maybe buy cars that are a bit above their (real) budget and they really need that money back to get the next car (or next lease). Back in the days; people just bought cars they wanted and could afford without worrying much about resale value. But maybe back then; people were also smarter and did not buy cars they could not really afford?

Me personally if I buy a car it's to own for a very long time and I don't want to worry about future value (this would take away part of the enjoyment for me). I love a GT3! If I would make an effort I could personally buy (lease/finance) a GT3; drive it for two years and then sell it back on (with hopefully a minimal loss). But then I would need to keep an eye on mileage, think about the best resale spec, don't drive on track, hope nothing bad happens (accident can diminish value), etc. The restricted use would take away so much of the enjoyment of the car that I see no point of doing this....but of course I'm no You Tuber and buy cars for my own fun to use as much as I can and not as business model

Not really my point, currently people are paying way over RRP atm because of shortages that's not really a "buy because you love cars" analogy, once supply catches up these cars are going to depreciate really quickly. Like base 992s for example going for 10+K more because there's an 18 month waiting list.

Because people can't buy new cars they are buying older cars to fill the gap and that market has inflated a huge amount too. Mentioned in other threads but my dad has a 2012 991.1 Carrera S with 20k on it, he was going to trade it in against a new Boxster GTS and got offered 56k for it back in November and just WBAC'ed it and they offered 66k for it... 10k in 8 months.

When cars that have just been released are 50-60k over list because people are taking punts and get the allocation, its just ridiculous like the new GT3. Plus the majority of people wouldn't get an allocation be able to buy one because you haven't bought 2 other Porsches this year.

So ye if you could get one new then great, but for the normal person walking in off the street probably not. Its who you are not how much you have unfortunately. Its pretty poor really because the real enthusiasts can't get into the cars as go up for sale instantly with a 50-60k premium off the bat.

 

[Franzino]

Not really my point, currently people are paying way over RRP atm because of shortages that's not really a "buy because you love cars" analogy, once supply catches up these cars are going to depreciate really quickly. Like base 992s for example going for 10+K more because there's an 18 month waiting list.

Because people can't buy new cars they are buying older cars to fill the gap and that market has inflated a huge amount too. Mentioned in other threads but my dad has a 2012 991.1 Carrera S with 20k on it, he was going to trade it in against a new Boxster GTS and got offered 56k for it back in November and just WBAC'ed it and they offered 66k for it... 10k in 8 months.

When cars that have just been released are 50-60k over list because people are taking punts and get the allocation, its just ridiculous like the new GT3. Plus the majority of people wouldn't get an allocation be able to buy one because you haven't bought 2 other Porsches this year.

So ye if you could get one new then great, but for the normal person walking in off the street probably not. Its who you are not how much you have unfortunately. Its pretty poor really because the real enthusiasts can't get into the cars as go up for sale instantly with a 50-60k premium off the bat.

Ok; this is what you mean... Honestly; seems more a RHD UK problem then in our country. I never bought a new Porsche and I can order a new GT3/GT4 tomorrow if I wanted (at normal price and yes I informed already). Same with used 992's; there are some great deals to do on used 992. Paying way over RRP is just stupid and the people their own fault if they want to do this, would personally never do that for any car.

 

[tomscott]

That is basically the situation in the UK atm

 

[RedUn]

That is basically the situation in the UK atm

Greed is what screwed it in the UK, people started flipping cars and ruined it for the enthusiasts...

 

[Nickbmw08]

With my roadster being collected on Saturday I’ve started to look for an Z4mc and shocked by the prices!

They were never this high when I started my search for an M back last spring what’s going on!

 

[Mr Tidy]

You sound like I've always been in the past! As soon as I got a new car I was wondering what the next one might be. :lol:

But since I got my MC there is nothing I would rather have that is even remotely likely to be in budget!

As you say prices have gone up considerably since last Spring. Asking prices for MRs now are up where they were for MCs last year, but they are only asking prices - not too many seem to be selling at those levels.

Anyway roll on Saturday - just make sure you go home the long way. :driving: