Honest (Unbiased....) opinion please!

[Bing]

^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said

And the noise. It's the noise I love. You get so much more of it in the roadie than the coupe - roof down, hooning the lanes, the roar of the engine up front and the shriek of the exhausts behind bouncing off walls and hedgerows... It is aurally orgasmic surround sound bliss 8)

Esp if you fit a GruppeM :wink:

I am saving for an Eventuri

 

[stupot67]

Now then Stupot - no doubt the M is a more capable Zed. Driving the M is a very different experience to driving the si. The handling and brakes are worth the difference in price. The engine is dependent upon what type of engine noise and characteristic you like. The M engine is raw and brutal, it sounds metallic and thrashy. In comparison the si is turbine smooth and quiet - a very different experience. The si is an easier drive in one sense - lighter clutch, gearbox and steering. I find the M so capable on corners at road speeds it can take away some of the enjoyment and thrill. I don't understand owners that find the ride is harsher than the 3.0si - for me the suspension is far more sophisticated on the M and both me and my wife much prefer the ride in the M to the si.
The performance of the si is strong and in third gear it pulls superbly. You have low down torque and a willingness to rev but in comparison to the M it runs out of the ultimate rush at the top end. The M has performance which is ultimately in another league. Hold onto revs in lower gears and it all happens very quickly and can get you into licence busting speeds in seconds. It simply covers the ground faster and more securely.
The dilemma for me was not whether the M was a better Zed but whether it was the right Zed for me? I loved my 3.0si and thoroughly enjoyed using lots of it's potential where possible on the road. It's very rare to get that opportunity in the M. The 3.0si is a relaxing drive as well - it took me some time to find a relaxing driving style which both suited me and the M. Finally, like you. I wondered if the increased costs were worth the returns.
And yet I've stayed with the M - why . . . . ?
Well for me it is a very special Zed and it has a cache and standing way above it's monetary value. Certainly the performance it offers is something I would not be able to access at such a relatively low cost. It's mine and my wifes' hobby and as such it's lovely to have something special and so capable. The 3.0si is an outstanding Zed but for me the M (for all it's down sides of extra maintenance and running costs) offers that ownership experience alongside a thrilling and challenging driving experience. That ownership experience has tipped the balance with the added bonus of sensing I have so much more to learn in the M.
Finally - it's taken me a few thousand miles and 3 months to get to this decision - a short test drive might not be enough for the M to get beneath your skin BUT like Bing you may be smitten in seconds. . . . I decided to upgrade from my 2.0 litre to 3.0 litre in 200 yards and two roundabouts :lol: Interestingly it's been a long process making the decision for the M but a fulfilling one in the end.
Good luck!

Thanks for that Paul,

I read your thread when you first got yours with interest, and enjoyed your balanced view of things. That's the trouble with a 30 min test drive, sure you will be listening out for unusual noises and seeing if everything works, but you seldom get a real feeling for a car. That said I think I'm going to have to take one for a spin.

Again thanks one and all for your input.....As per usual thr forum comes up trumps

 

[srhutch]

^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said

And the noise. It's the noise I love. You get so much more of it in the roadie than the coupe - roof down, hooning the lanes, the roar of the engine up front and the shriek of the exhausts behind bouncing off walls and hedgerows... It is aurally orgasmic surround sound bliss 8)

Esp if you fit a GruppeM :wink:

I am saving for an Eventuri

Traitor :lol:

 

[Stuart Truman]

My advice - drive one, maybe a member near you will let you have a go. Stuart Truman let me drive his and I was hooked.

I remember us doing that and you driving up Cheddar Gorge. You were enjoying it and then I pressed the sport button...

 

[Bing]

My advice - drive one, maybe a member near you will let you have a go. Stuart Truman let me drive his and I was hooked.

I remember us doing that and you driving up Cheddar Gorge. You were enjoying it and then I pressed the sport button...

Yeah, that got exciting pretty quickly :lol:

I am still very grateful for that - and Mrs B knows it's all your fault

 

[Beedub]

the ///M platform is just so so so so suited to this car, even after all these year this thing still puts a smile on my face, the way it drives, feels, sounds, performs, looks, its small by todays standards ( my ST is bigger) , the chassis is so solid, but with that engine, the hydraulic steering , the m-diff.... this thing is just a bargain right now... mine is never going anywhere, if you've got a good one in your ownership, feel very smug imo! but the s54..... what an engine.

 

[paulgs1000]

the ///M platform is just so so so so suited to this car, even after all these year this thing still puts a smile on my face, the way it drives, feels, sounds, performs, looks, its small by todays standards ( my ST is bigger) , the chassis is so solid, but with that engine, the hydraulic steering , the m-diff.... this thing is just a bargain right now... mine is never going anywhere, if you've got a good one in your ownership, feel very smug imo! but the s54..... what an engine.

Enjoyed reading that post Beedub - put a smile on my face

 

[Bing]

the ///M platform is just so so so so suited to this car, even after all these year this thing still puts a smile on my face, the way it drives, feels, sounds, performs, looks, its small by todays standards ( my ST is bigger) , the chassis is so solid, but with that engine, the hydraulic steering , the m-diff.... this thing is just a bargain right now... mine is never going anywhere, if you've got a good one in your ownership, feel very smug imo! but the s54..... what an engine.

Enjoyed reading that post Beedub - put a smile on my face

Made me feel smug

 

[Taz]

If you have a good 3ltr tgen personnally I don't think an M is worth the extra money

 

[john-e89]

If you have a good 3ltr tgen personnally I don't think an M is worth the extra money

Without wanting to be controversial I wonder if any views are influenced by the M's reputation rather than pure un-biased opinion, a bit like nobody says they don't like the Beatles. There can't be just you and me that don't think they're worth the extra surely Taz?

 

[Beedub]

If you have a good 3ltr tgen personnally I don't think an M is worth the extra money

Without wanting to be controversial I wonder if any views are influenced by the M's reputation rather than pure un-biased opinion, a bit like nobody says they don't like the Beatles. There can't be just you and me that don't think they're worth the extra surely Taz?

the ///M is awesome, but if i had a super mint 3.0si with some choice mods i wouldnt cry about the ///M, I'm just very happy i have such an awesome car at my disposal. i would feel the same about the 3.0si too.

 

[Pastry]

If you have a good 3ltr tgen personnally I don't think an M is worth the extra money

Without wanting to be controversial I wonder if any views are influenced by the M's reputation rather than pure un-biased opinion, a bit like nobody says they don't like the Beatles. There can't be just you and me that don't think they're worth the extra surely Taz?

I don't like the beatles

 

[AndyBeech]

If you have a good 3ltr tgen personnally I don't think an M is worth the extra money

Without wanting to be controversial I wonder if any views are influenced by the M's reputation rather than pure un-biased opinion, a bit like nobody says they don't like the Beatles. There can't be just you and me that don't think they're worth the extra surely Taz?

I don't think it's got anything to do with reputation or bias. Let's be honest, and I mean no offence to the OP genuinely, but does anyone really care if he buys one or not (apart from those selling maybe!)? What I mean by that is why would anyone need to convince him by being biased for it or talking it up above it's station, it won't affect me or anyone else if he chooses to buy one or not so surely all the opinions are unbiased and are based solely on honest personal experience, which is what he asked for?
Moreover, most including me have owned a 3.0si previously and 'upgraded' so have first hand experience of the jump if you like.

Personally I think the opinions given are totally fair and balanced so far and there's little to be added, just to echo....go and test drive one and see if it lives up to what you want from it. Everyone has their own reason for upgrading and usually it's a personal thing that the other models don't quite deliver. For me it was purely the engine and rawness which the 3.0si didn't quite do it for me and was eventually quite happy to sell it, upgrading to the M fulfilled what I was looking for out of a Z4 and when selling time comes it will be the hardest sale ever as it's an exciting drive every time. Not biased, just my honest opinion
I don't doubt though that it doesn't do it for everyone, it's a unique car and it'll either suit your driving style and what you want out of a car or it'll grate pretty quick. I guess you've got to decide what it is you want out of the upgrade, if it's the engine which I think it is for a lot of people, then I very much doubt you'll be disappointed by the upgrade!

 

[dannytheduck1985]

One word..... Sound!!!!

This alone warrants double doh!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

:dance2: :dance2: :dance2:
I personally don't have an SI but Dan has
We meet up regularly as mates and compare cars all the time
To the point of installation asked him to jump in my car and take it for a spin
And visa versa
Comparison I felt, the loud pedal carried the car on whereas when I lift it instantly pulls off power giving me a more in control feel
Brakes mine will rip your face off whilst his whilst very capable I feel under powered but I do have ds2500 pads so not a fair comparison to his ebc reds
He felt mine was an angry terrier and demanded more respect
Whilst as I first found mine as we both laughed his bonnet lifted upon acceleration and floaty I've done a few mods to kill this in mine
We have driven hard both on way somewhere
And found comparable until I decided to hit the 4k revs and say goodbye
Side by Side we both love each others cars
But for me the Bonnet the squat arches the fanged front and ducts the rear and quad pipes give it a more complete look
Noise I've decatted and race exhausts fitted, so alot louder than standard plus dear God the over runs and the intake noise get me tingling and bystanders turning

To me the looks are like a standard 911 v a Gtrs
My humble opinion but God I love the bloody thing
The whole package makes it damn hard to get out of it !
Do ask Dan for his comparison as he loves his car and we both have fun in them
But last words, on our cruise up and back to zed fest
Stormtrooper and I when opened up the noise power and bye bye to the 3.0 crew was noticeable and that's not meant derogatively

 

[Anonymous]

:dance2: :dance2: :dance2:
I personally don't have an SI but Dan has
We meet up regularly as mates and compare cars all the time
To the point of i asked him to jump in my car and take it for a spin
And visa versa
Comparison I felt, the loud pedal carried the car on whereas when I lift it instantly pulls off power giving me a more in control feel
Brakes mine will rip your face off whilst his whilst very capable I feel under powered but I do have ds2500 pads so not a fair comparison to his ebc reds
He felt mine was an angry terrier and demanded more respect
Whilst as I first found mine as we both laughed his bonnet lifted upon acceleration and floaty I've done a few mods to kill this in mine
We have driven hard both on way somewhere
And found comparable until I decided to hit the 4k revs and say goodbye
Side by Side we both love each others cars
But for me the Bonnet the squat arches the fanged front and ducts the rear and quad pipes give it a more complete look
Noise I've decatted and race exhausts fitted, so alot louder than standard plus dear God the over runs and the intake noise get me tingling and bystanders turning

To me the looks are like a standard 911 v a Gtrs
My humble opinion but God I love the bloody thing
The whole package makes it damn hard to get out of it !
Do ask Dan for his comparison as he loves his car and we both have fun in them
But last words, on our cruise up and back to zed fest
Stormtrooper and I when opened up the noise power and bye bye to the 3.0 crew was noticeable and that's not meant derogatively

 

[Mr Tidy]

Great thread - it seems to be a choice between silly quick (3.0Si) and rip your face off (M)! :lol:

Maybe I need to save up...........!

 

[Anonymous]

Plus.......haha

 

[mmm-five]

I'd offer a 3rd option - an Alpina Roadster - might be the best of both worlds

 

[PerryGunn]

I'd offer a 3rd option - an Alpina Roadster - might be the best of both worlds

Shhhh! Don't tell everyone.....