Would you guys mind passing your views directly onto the guy from Pistonheads please (email at the top of this page)? 
Forthcoming Pistonheads M Guide
- Thread starter Fishy Dave
- Start date
that's good going 
kaplaah said:I've been using mine as a daily driver since purchase at the end of Jan and it has been a joy. Whilst it's not the most comfortable, mainly due to the suspension setup, it is enough of an occasion to put a smile on your face. I actually bought the Z4M over a 996 C4S and 997 C2S Porsche.
For me, the engine is a masterpiece. I owned an E46 M3 some years back and for me it definitely feels more at home in the Z4M chassis. The aggressive chassis setup combined with the high revving engine make for an entertaining driving experience - if you push on you do need to know what you're doing. The more you drive it, the better the engine gets. It's very 'old skool racing car' in the way it drives, which is where I find it's charm; finding the power by working it through the rev range, for me I just find it extremely rewarding.
The styling is something that I personally find magnificent. Against a normal Z4 it's incredibly stealthy. I can turn up to a meeting and it's understated enough to go unnoticed, and for those who take a second glance at it and realise what it is, gains a tremendous amount of appreciation. I think it gets more recognition now than it did when it first came out. I wasn't a particular fan of it's styling when the Z4 first came out, but I now think it's a beautiful looking car. It has an intellectual beauty. I was sat at some traffic lights by Covent Garden the other day and the amount of people taking pictures left me pleasantly surprised - comparatively popular as my R8.
These car's get a lot of comparisons against TVR's, for which I've owned several, and for me I think it couldn't be more of a compliment. (I've put a picture below against my old T350 - near enough exactly the same: Wheel base, engine displacement, body type; the TVR being a little lighter, noisier and perhaps more radical looking).
The only things I'd change or would have been nice from standard; would be the suspension setup, as I think it could ride far better than it does for the road - I get the impression little engineering went towards as it is poor, and perhaps a bit more theater from the exhaust.
loved reading that, nicely put, fair and great comparison!! welcome to the site!
mr wilks said:Whoooooa forum meltdown againonly this time in a record busting 2 pages :?
Damn, been off the forum for too long and missed that juicy one. Could we have mike a "gossip bowl" sort of news round up section for baboons like me who do not contribute regularly enough to the forum? You know, mike who is sleeping with who, who's got rid of their prams top for a real sports car. Wannabe racedriver who've seen the light quite literally and bought a prams top etc.
PS: For the record Z4 M is a good strong workhorse with very few problems of well maintained like all highly strung cars. All the people on this forum and who generally "give them hell" come rain or shine and who track their car regularly will testify to this.
And yes the interior trim matt paint around the steering wheel is made of chocolate but frankly who gives a sh!t. :worshipbmw:
My Z4MC is also my daily drive.
I only own it for a year but drove more than 15,000 miles including an European road trip last summer.
I think I can say I know my car very well.
What to look for:
- tyre quality and thread: The car is very sensitive to tyres. I recommend the use of Michelin PSS. It massively increased the grip levels and even helped to "calm down" the DSC. - compared to the Continental M3.
- idle problems: dont worry too much, it may well be a dirty/stuck Idle Control Valve. Remove it (it's under the intake plenum!), stick in a hyperrsonic bath, dry it well with a hair dryer, clean it with carb cleaner and it's as good as new.
- make sure you have a compression test done before you buy one as it cna save you wallet. Any mechanic will be able to help you with this.
- exhaust rattling: the Catalyzator's heatshield is prone to rattle when cold, easy fix, do not panic but use it to in your favour to negotiate the purchase price.
- rear diff noises: under full lock and low speeds the Rear Differential might develop a grinding noise. Do not worry, BMW ackowledged this and formulated a new Differential fluid with "FM". - Friction Modifier. This eliminates the grinding noise.
- 6 CD changer can get stuck. Check if you can remove the CD carrier.
POSITIVES:
- it's a beautiful car
- it's too cheap for what it is
- it's 100% realiable if not negleted
- it's a great cruiser
- it's a great road hooligan car (if you know what I mean)
- fuel consumption is great - especially when Touring
- it's confortable (discussable, but I really dont think it's too bad)
When I was 10 I promised myself that I would own a Porsche 911.
I was in a position to buy one last year, I even test drove a few, then I got in a Z4M Coupe.
After 15k miles, I don't think I will ever get rid of this car for a 911.
I think I will need to work harder so I can have both!
Great car.
I only own it for a year but drove more than 15,000 miles including an European road trip last summer.
I think I can say I know my car very well.
What to look for:
- tyre quality and thread: The car is very sensitive to tyres. I recommend the use of Michelin PSS. It massively increased the grip levels and even helped to "calm down" the DSC. - compared to the Continental M3.
- idle problems: dont worry too much, it may well be a dirty/stuck Idle Control Valve. Remove it (it's under the intake plenum!), stick in a hyperrsonic bath, dry it well with a hair dryer, clean it with carb cleaner and it's as good as new.
- make sure you have a compression test done before you buy one as it cna save you wallet. Any mechanic will be able to help you with this.
- exhaust rattling: the Catalyzator's heatshield is prone to rattle when cold, easy fix, do not panic but use it to in your favour to negotiate the purchase price.
- rear diff noises: under full lock and low speeds the Rear Differential might develop a grinding noise. Do not worry, BMW ackowledged this and formulated a new Differential fluid with "FM". - Friction Modifier. This eliminates the grinding noise.
- 6 CD changer can get stuck. Check if you can remove the CD carrier.
POSITIVES:
- it's a beautiful car
- it's too cheap for what it is
- it's 100% realiable if not negleted
- it's a great cruiser
- it's a great road hooligan car (if you know what I mean)
- fuel consumption is great - especially when Touring
- it's confortable (discussable, but I really dont think it's too bad)
When I was 10 I promised myself that I would own a Porsche 911.
I was in a position to buy one last year, I even test drove a few, then I got in a Z4M Coupe.
After 15k miles, I don't think I will ever get rid of this car for a 911.
I think I will need to work harder so I can have both!
Great car.
Vanne said:that sounds a little "weedy" to me.
Don't get me wrong, my car's got more bling on it than most. Cosmetic stiff is just fine! As effective as the ARB I have on may be, it looks like I pinched it from a tractor...
Argenta said:Some great write-up!
Not too sure about "great cruiser" tho.
Having driven up to the Lake District and back three times now each time at a steady 60-65 mph, I can vouch for the Roadster at least being a great cruiser. Roof down relax and let the miles bimble past. No need to rush when your on holiday and the suns out. just remember the sun cream. 8)
You even get mid 30's fuel consumption on a motorway cruise, :wink: Though my average is still 19 on Cornish roads.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Haha I missed out on this topic a treat
One meltdown, period probably and wondered why offended members of whom are here due to loving cars he's just slagged off haha
Circle jerking
hahahahaha
This aside (smirk removed)
Plus sides
- low wide stance esp if csl wheels and big MSS
- rear mean and purposeful 4 glorious pipes and if kept clean the rear boxes just look awesome
(Beefed mine with diffuser and spoiler)
- noise when valves open
- bloody massive bonnet hiding a seriously lovely engine
- pulls like a train
- interior although some say dated, if simply do as I and fit new Led lights for bulbs, it gives a bright white fresh look on what I'd say is a very neat practical clean looking dash no clutter etc
( carbon leather helps meanlook)
- handles so well once know its apex point on corners
- for a older car if mint looks better than most generic new cars
- cabin space can be increased with cargo net as I've done on drivers side tunnel £12 from Bmw
-butt over rear wheels for extra knowledge of where car is at all times
-performance destroys ALOT of what people call quick cars
- stiff ride but not too stiff " purposeful" it's not a granny taxi
-a joy to simply poodle or to open up
- great mpg
- servicing isn't that expensive if haggle
- Dsc+ I find let's me get back out when I want it to and there if I have a brown paper moment and didn't realise
- I could go on and on
Think I like mine?
Bad points to be " balanced"
- I do wish drivers seat could go back a bit more as tall
- 6 stacker bad design as silicone dampers dry if unused ( mine now has audiovox media bridge fitted at end of tunnel under dash and iPhone lightning usb in black fitted and only sign is 6inches of lead in front of ashtray, now music etc from phone)
- I've never used any incar sat nav "ever"
But wish ours could have a sexier screen
- I'm struggling here!
- only squeak is pass visor against screen bar (black fuzzy pad)
- no lasers or rocket launchers as honestly can't complain ???
- ok I wish had put bigger calipers on them there said it
One meltdown, period probably and wondered why offended members of whom are here due to loving cars he's just slagged off haha
Circle jerking
hahahahahaThis aside (smirk removed)
Plus sides
- low wide stance esp if csl wheels and big MSS
- rear mean and purposeful 4 glorious pipes and if kept clean the rear boxes just look awesome
(Beefed mine with diffuser and spoiler)
- noise when valves open
- bloody massive bonnet hiding a seriously lovely engine
- pulls like a train
- interior although some say dated, if simply do as I and fit new Led lights for bulbs, it gives a bright white fresh look on what I'd say is a very neat practical clean looking dash no clutter etc
( carbon leather helps meanlook)
- handles so well once know its apex point on corners
- for a older car if mint looks better than most generic new cars
- cabin space can be increased with cargo net as I've done on drivers side tunnel £12 from Bmw
-butt over rear wheels for extra knowledge of where car is at all times
-performance destroys ALOT of what people call quick cars
- stiff ride but not too stiff " purposeful" it's not a granny taxi
-a joy to simply poodle or to open up
- great mpg
- servicing isn't that expensive if haggle
- Dsc+ I find let's me get back out when I want it to and there if I have a brown paper moment and didn't realise
- I could go on and on
Think I like mine?
Bad points to be " balanced"
- I do wish drivers seat could go back a bit more as tall
- 6 stacker bad design as silicone dampers dry if unused ( mine now has audiovox media bridge fitted at end of tunnel under dash and iPhone lightning usb in black fitted and only sign is 6inches of lead in front of ashtray, now music etc from phone)
- I've never used any incar sat nav "ever"
But wish ours could have a sexier screen
- I'm struggling here!
- only squeak is pass visor against screen bar (black fuzzy pad)
- no lasers or rocket launchers as honestly can't complain ???
- ok I wish had put bigger calipers on them there said it
A
Anonymous
Guest
Pics of leds lights inc reverse make it such a clean looking place