E85 Roadster to Z4MR upgrade worth it?
- Thread starter mintstuff
- Start date
Adam D said:
Do this. Good advice.
I used to have the pre-facelift 3.0, and loved it. Spent about a year internally debating the upgrade just as you. Over that year test drove several Ms for repeated comparisons. This didn't help, sometimes came away from the test drive satisfied with keeping the 3.0, sometimes happy with a decision to spend more cash and get the M.
Eventually 'upgraded'. The 3.0 is a very accomplished car for the price (especially today's prices) is rapid enough to beat most things, involving to drive (as long as the sport button is pressed so the steering is suitably weighted), sounds great with the roof down (and can be cheaply enhanced with Remus), and all in all pretty cheap to run. IMHO also still great looking on the road, esp. roof down.
The M is a little bit better in a lot of ways. And these add up enough to make it worth the upgrade for me. But I had to convince myself to get a coupe so it was a "different car" to justify the extra outlay! There is something unique about the M experience. The running costs are of course more, but not so much that I've really noticed in fairness.
For me, 17 months on, I'm still more than happy with the choice. (but I do miss the top down experience blasting along a country lane, late summer evening with the sound of the exhaust just behind my left ear- but I'll never admit to it :wink: )
[/quote]For me, 17 months on, I'm still more than happy with the choice. (but I do miss the top down experience blasting along a country lane, late summer evening with the sound of the exhaust just behind my left ear- but I'll never admit to it :wink: )[/quote]
Driving doesnt get any better than that does it...
Its a rarity,but a real experience..
Driving doesnt get any better than that does it...
Its a rarity,but a real experience..
For me, 17 months on, I'm still more than happy with the choice. (but I do miss the top down experience blasting along a country lane, late summer evening with the sound of the exhaust just behind my left ear- but I'll never admit to it :wink: )[/quote]
Driving doesnt get any better than that does it...
Its a rarity,but a real experience..[/quote]
+1
Driving doesnt get any better than that does it...
Its a rarity,but a real experience..[/quote]
+1
I did the upgrade but only after having a couple of other cars in between. For me it was more of a choice of which to buy, knowing I wanted a second Z4.
The price for a similar aged model of either a 3.0si or the M was pretty close, insurance was pretty close, fuel usage isn't massive and I don't do too many miles. Servicing does end up more, especially when it comes to replacing things like brake discs.
It's a much harder decision if you're already invested in your current Z4 and probably makes less financial sense, just like changing car always really costs you more in the long run.
I think it comes down to, how easily can you afford it? It's not worth the price if you're going to be stretching yourself when it comes to running the M, but if things are comfortable, you'll be able to have many happy years with the best Z4 available
The price for a similar aged model of either a 3.0si or the M was pretty close, insurance was pretty close, fuel usage isn't massive and I don't do too many miles. Servicing does end up more, especially when it comes to replacing things like brake discs.
It's a much harder decision if you're already invested in your current Z4 and probably makes less financial sense, just like changing car always really costs you more in the long run.
I think it comes down to, how easily can you afford it? It's not worth the price if you're going to be stretching yourself when it comes to running the M, but if things are comfortable, you'll be able to have many happy years with the best Z4 available
shortfuse 2
Senior member
just go for it they are the best car out of all the zeds .
thats why so many copy the m with the bumpers wheels twin exhausts and try and match the sound etc .but they havnt got the performance of the m open it up and you can see and feel the difference.as per miles per gall in average 28-30 and thats with booting it but the car is looked after by son a bmw tec so it should be running perfect or god help him . as for road tax you can aford the m road tax should not be worth worring about . 
thats why so many copy the m with the bumpers wheels twin exhausts and try and match the sound etc .but they havnt got the performance of the m open it up and you can see and feel the difference.as per miles per gall in average 28-30 and thats with booting it but the car is looked after by son a bmw tec so it should be running perfect or god help him . as for road tax you can aford the m road tax should not be worth worring about .
wantanM said:
Driving doesnt get any better than that does it...
Its a rarity,but a real experience..[/quote]
+1[/quote]
yessss...... that is a wonderful experience.... the sun just setting but still light, deserted lane...... no matter what is going on in your life.... that experience makes you think..... im alright!! Many a time that exact scenario has put a smile on my face during the most depressing of times.....
shortfuse 2
Senior member
beedub
bang on mate never looked back my smile gets bigger and bigger .god nos what it would be like if i had your mean machine
bang on mate never looked back my smile gets bigger and bigger .god nos what it would be like if i had your mean machine
There is actually a big difference in performance from the 3.0i to the M. Not to mention the steering feel, LSD and a better ride, in the MR.
You haven't said what you use your car for. If you use it mainly for fun and the odd track day then I think it's a no brainer, great car though the 3.0i is, the M is in the next division.
If it's for the daily commute with a bit of weekend fun thrown in, then I can see how the extra running cost of the M, might out way the extra fun factor.
Personally I think I wanted an M before I ever drove a Z, of any description. Driving one after driving a 3.0i simply clarified what I was hoping to find and made my decision simpler. Of course I didn't have another perfectly capable/practical and great looking roadster already sat in the Garage.
Try an M, if you can afford the initial price difference, then difference in running cost is not vast.
You haven't said what you use your car for. If you use it mainly for fun and the odd track day then I think it's a no brainer, great car though the 3.0i is, the M is in the next division.
If it's for the daily commute with a bit of weekend fun thrown in, then I can see how the extra running cost of the M, might out way the extra fun factor.
Personally I think I wanted an M before I ever drove a Z, of any description. Driving one after driving a 3.0i simply clarified what I was hoping to find and made my decision simpler. Of course I didn't have another perfectly capable/practical and great looking roadster already sat in the Garage.
Try an M, if you can afford the initial price difference, then difference in running cost is not vast.
mad4slalom
Senior member
most of the depreciation occurs in the the first 3 years, so the earlier owners took the hit, i lost 1000 quid on my z3m roadster in five years, the lesser zed lost a lot more comparatively in the same period.the extra costs a lot of non m owners always quote as the reason for not upgrading, consist of , m servicing and parts, and depreciation, the newest m is 08 , i think its pretty simple really, if you chuck thousands of pounds away in stealer services over the period you own the car, just to keep main dealer stamped history,lets say it makes a grand more on sale price realised over a car without the stamped book. well the costs saved by using a good specialist indy more than make up for dealer sevicing and POSSIBLE higher sale price. most owners of these cars are pretty fastidious anyway so the cars want for very little and are usually pretty mint, if you sell to a stealer they do their utmost steal your car for as little as possible anyway regardless of dealer history or not.we all know stealer serviced cars are in no way guaranteed to be any better condition than one serviced by an indy, in conclusion GO FOR IT, you wont regret it , the car is way better, find a good indy build a personal relationship with them , support a small business at the same time,... result.
shortfuse 2
Senior member
bang on
Z4M-2006 said:
£40 per month from tax, £20 for a non -///M
£40 per month for servicing, £15 for a non -///M
£40 per month for tyres, £20 for a non -///M
£60 per month for warranty, not required for a non -///M
That's £125 PER MONTH extra before you've even driven anywhere, and remember, an extra 10 mpg is a 40% increase on the ///Ms 23mpg. The above are based on 7000-8000 miles per year.
So, excluding depreciation, an ///M will cost you an extra £3000 over the two years. Including fuel, that increases to almost £4800.
Having owned both and calculated both VERY carefully, I can assure you these figures are pretty accurate.
BTW, the ins 1 service is almost £700, which is substantially more than the £170 I just paid for my 330i Sport Tourings Insp 1.
Additional to this, the gearbox on the ///M is utter rubbish; and much as I pine after my ///MC everytime I see one, I wouldn't buy another. I think I'd spend £5-6k less and buy an auto 3.0si coupe.
I'm not sure where your getting the doubled cost for tyres from? The sizes aren't much different and wear is largely down to how you drive each of them. People do tend to put slightly cheaper rubber on the non M, but not by much and it's down to personal choice as to what tyres people want to use/pay for.
Warranty is again a personal choice, the major difference between the cars in terms of reliability is the engine and gearbox, which maybe the M has had a few more problems with but it's nothing like the worries you get with a Porsche... Plenty of people drive the M without a warranty. (/runs off to touch some wood)
Yes it costs more, but I feel your figures are a little high.
Personaly I quite like the M's gearbox quirks
it's rewarding when you drive it right It's far from utter rubbish.
Warranty is again a personal choice, the major difference between the cars in terms of reliability is the engine and gearbox, which maybe the M has had a few more problems with but it's nothing like the worries you get with a Porsche... Plenty of people drive the M without a warranty. (/runs off to touch some wood)
Yes it costs more, but I feel your figures are a little high.
Personaly I quite like the M's gearbox quirks
it's rewarding when you drive it right It's far from utter rubbish.My Fiat Panda has a better box than the ///M. The manual in the Cayman S is sublime. 1st to 2nd in the ///M is appalling.
Tyres on the non ///M are around £550 a set vs £700 a set for the ///M, but my rears on the ///M lasted less than 9k, but lasted 16k on the 3.0se. So in 2 years you'll need 2 sets of rears on the ///M at £400+. Hence the extra £££.
Tyres on the non ///M are around £550 a set vs £700 a set for the ///M, but my rears on the ///M lasted less than 9k, but lasted 16k on the 3.0se. So in 2 years you'll need 2 sets of rears on the ///M at £400+. Hence the extra £££.
As an ownership experience the 'M' has been incredible. Reliable over 30k and 5 years, never used the exended warranty on it in three years! Can be frugal(ish) I pottered up to the Lakes last Monday and the OBC showed 36 MPG at 60-70 mph.
My favourite memory I think was driving a wonderful twisting Welsh 'B' road on a summer evening little traffic, sun shining and just me and the 'M' nailing as many bends as we could. I remember thinking that driving can't get much better than this !!!
I went from 2.5 Z4 to 'M' and never regretted the decision at all.
My favourite memory I think was driving a wonderful twisting Welsh 'B' road on a summer evening little traffic, sun shining and just me and the 'M' nailing as many bends as we could. I remember thinking that driving can't get much better than this !!!
I went from 2.5 Z4 to 'M' and never regretted the decision at all.
I've not had another Z4 before my ///M , I haven't got extended warranty, I don't really care, if something breaks I'll get it fixed, I didn't do any calculations, I just wanted an ///M, I don't care if it uses more fuel, tyres wear quicker, road tax is astronomical, or servicing costs more, not always the case it you use a good Indy , it's a car, I love it to bits, every time i get in it, clean it, look at it, drive it, my heart races , if it's pounds , shillings and pence that makes the difference then go for a different model, because they do cost more, if not go for ///M