First drive Z4MC - Anyone know the car?

A

Austin

Member
 Huddersfield
Hi All,

I am starting to look around at some options between a Z4 3.0Si Coupe (waiting to see a car of a forum member when the ice melts) and i have just driven a Z4MC which has raised a few questions for me.

The car I drove is
http://www.lawtonbrook.co.uk/current-stock/for-sale/show/BMW-Z4-M-COUPE-3-2-JUST-SERVICED

The car ticks most of my boxes, only missing Sat Nav but I am sure I can cope and I actually really liked the cream leather against the blue and the smoother lines of the dash without the NAV. BUT I am slightly wary of the service history and wanted to gather some thoughts. The car has done 32k miles, but the servicing intervals have been every 2 years and it has not had an Inspection II yet, despite just having another oil service by a non BMW garage. I am not too concerned re the loss of BMW service history, but would this history ring alarm bells and when should an inspection II be done?
Running in 10/08 (1,127 miles)
9800 miles 10/10 (Oil BMW Service)
21k 10/12 inspec 1 (BMW Service)
32k 9/14 (Oil service Redline performance car specialist)

The car is in a good clean condition, but the performance wasn't as brutal as I was expecting, but that said my last toy was an AK Cobra with a 6.7l V8 and at least the Z can stop and change directions!

Thanks
Austin
 
This car was discussed only the other day on here. Have a search..

I questioned the service history but it seems that it is fine in that an inspection 2 is time based and could take upto 10 years to come around with low miles.

I wouldn't be that impressed about such a low mileage car having the history taken from the dealers as it will affect desirability for resale..
 
Service history looks spot on. I've just taken my 32k miler for its Inspection II (ahead of schedule for peace of mind as I was having it stored during a period overseas...which is no longer happening ), anyway I took it to a reputable Indy, even though it previously had a full BMW history.

I don't expect it to impact resale. If you read around here there are a lot of horror stories from main dealers. I'd rather use enthusiasts who actually understand M cars and specifically the S54 engine. When I phoned up to get a quote from My local BMW dealer I was told that it will be the same price as the current Z4 servicing....i didn't continue the conversation.
 
Looks very nice, been up for sale for a while too so maybe negotiate a bit off the price.
 
This is one I was interested in but not able to get up there to test in. Other than not being as brutal as expected, did you spot any issues however minor? Bodywork / interior? Did you drive any rough roads, any rattles? The suspension is not std apparently
worth testing other M's to see how compare and si coupes as those very good too :).I'm considering one of either esp if one comes up close by
 
Bought mine from BMW with 38K on the clock and full service history. No insp 2 yet. I plan to get it done sometime next year.
 
Darren M said:
This is one I was interested in but not able to get up there to test in. Other than not being as brutal as expected, did you spot any issues however minor? Bodywork / interior? Did you drive any rough roads, any rattles? The suspension is not std apparently
worth testing other M's to see how compare and si coupes as those very good too :).I'm considering one of either esp if one comes up close by
Click to expand...

The car was really tidy throughout - minor scrape on one alloy, but they said that would be touched up during the prep for delivery. Interior was clean, with a small mark on the top of the drivers seat, just under where the seat belt lies across the seat, but other than that couldn't see any other marks and even the boot was clean. Car felt solid and the ride was smoother than I was expecting with no rattles or bangs. Test drive was 20 mins along A roads and dual carriages, with a few roundabouts and it sat well throughout and seemed well balanced.

The only things that I am unsure of were:
1. Gear box felt tight going into 4th (Not sure if this just the type of box or if there is an issue)
2. Coming out of 1st into 2nd was a little jerky (But I know this is a quirk of the Z4MC and I just need to learn to drive! :evil: )
3. Power seemed smooth to go down and was constant, but like I said before, not brutal
4. Engine noise - it seemed quite gravelly, but I have never driven an M before, so this may just be the sound they make? It didn't sound like any tapping / scraping / banging etc, so don't think it was anything wrong here.
5. It has a wippy aerial!

The guys at the garage were really helpful and gave you plenty of time with the car.

Hope this helps (but not too much, in case I do want to buy it!)
 
Pop down to Lewis James in town and have a drive of the blue M Roadster they have.

It will give you a good comparison of the Coupe performance / gear changes / engine tone etc..
 
DPG said:
Pop down to Lewis James in town and have a drive of the blue M Roadster they have.

It will give you a good comparison of the Coupe performance / gear changes / engine tone etc..
Click to expand...


Thanks for that - will call in to see them. Good thinking!
 
Austin said:
Hope this helps (but not too much, in case I do want to buy it!)
Click to expand...

Cheers for that, it is indeed helpful.
The fourth gear change sounds a bit dodgy as I don't remember my last one Z4 M or Si COupe(same box) being tight into fourth, but yes 1st to 2nd not easy to get smooth (with smooth acceleration).
Sounds overall a decent car. My last one had a few rattles yet the Si I had which was harsher had none that were noticeable - the build quality I think varies with 'em.

If you do go for it I would recommend not letting them do a service on it before delivery and get it done yourself at a specialist where you know the oil used will be the correct grade) - it was apparently only serviced a little while ago away.
If it's still available end of Jan I might be tempted to try to pop up and have a look, so decide before then :).
 
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