I miss a proper community following, n e 1 else?

[Beedub]

guys, guys i gotta ask you a question, i absolutly love my //m its one awesome car, but i sorely miss being able to log onto a site and see loads of questions being asked, lots of new mods coming out, new exhausts, new engine mods, then everyone getting the mods and explaining why it was or wasnt good, do you kinda get my drift? basically the z4m seems to have a very little following and coming from other cars that really had cult status (escort rs cosworth/EVO/R5 turbo 2 to name just afew) and i could literally research every fact about the car i do sorely miss that. the tuners arent interested in developing new mods for a car thats so limited production/obsolite due to development costs. I class myself as a true enthusiast and with other like minded people their really is indepth detailed mecanical discussions but the z4m or even the z4 really doesnt seem to attract this sort of owner and i just really miss the community that comes with a celebrated model if you like. Literally every forumn for the z4 is so slow with new posts, it still looks the same 2 weeks on. Anyone else get what im saying, maybe just alittle?

byron

 

[mmm-five]

Maybe it's something to do with the type of person who owns a Z4 compared to the fast Ford/Scooby/Evo brigade?

A lot of the engine mods for a Z4 - whatever the engine - are available on other cars in the BMW stable, so they should be easy to find.

The body mods will be more limited due to there being a smaller market for a tuning company to exploit - why spend money developing new products if you're not going to make a good return on it?

This forum seems to have new posts every hour, so I don't know what you mean about being 'slow' - I frequent the M5Board too, and the e34 M5 section is slower than here, and there's probably less tuning available for that engine than for the Z4s.

 

[Beedub]

whats the type of person that buys a rs cos or z4 got to do with the community that follows it? we all love cars isnt that all that matters? five this forum is not just slow its sloath like ,theirs still posts on this page from dec 1st(i do like this forum ,well i have to because what else is their? ). im just saying i miss things like model specific meets ect, you know a buzz around our p and js, maybe its me but it just an opinion, my opinion in fact :wink:

 

[scotia_steve74]

I like this community

 

[mmm-five]

Well I see a lot more (as a percentage) of RS/GTR/Evo/Scooby getting modified than I do Z4Ms. Also, there were more Cossies, Evos, and Scoobys built than Z4Ms. If there's less Z4Ms than Evos, then it means there'll be less of them to do meets - plus they'll be spread more thinly across the country.

How 'model-specific' do you want to go? Do you tell an Evo X owner that he's not welcome at your Evo V meeting because he's too many generations away, or do you welcome them with open arms as a fellow Evo owner? (I assume the latter). For some people there will never be enough meets, and for others there will be too many. I've got enough to do in my social life that I don't need a Ruby Black Z4MC owners meet every Tuesday - plus it starts to get boring if the same 5 people turn up every time.

How often do you think there should be a meet - have you tried to arrange one? I'd prefer to have a meet with 50 people once every 3 months than a meet with 5 people every Tuesday.

I've only been on here since December and I've already got a meet, dinner, & drive to go to next week. I'd like to do more, but I also attend BMW Car Club events, M5Board.com events and Pistonheads events. If Z4-Forum did any more events that about 1 every two months then I don't think I'd be able to take advantage of them anyway.

BTW, I bought the car as I specifically DIDN'T want to be part of a huge community - hence my last 5 cars have been Polo G40, Corrado VR6, 3.8 M5, 3.6 M5 and Z4MC.

 

[fridaypassion]

Its all about numbers. The Z4M is a very rare car and I personally dont think there are enough cars in the country to make a dedicated site work.

I run a successful owners club for the Renaultsport Megane. Thats taken 5 years to properly get going and I would imagine there are 20 more times RS Meganes out there than Z4M's. Its very hard to get websites up and running!

 

[paddy wright]

if ur not happy then dont come on the forum-but for someone so keen to be active u only have 48 posts!

 

[Wondermike]

Mmmm I'd have to agree with Paddy here, you can't have a post count of 0.33 posts per day and then complain about the lack of activity. The forum is what you make it.

 

[Darren M]

I think we`ll find the modders and real techies (talking about suspension geometry etc etc :| ) will come along when the early cars are around 5 years old, which is the case for the Z4 Roadsters but not the ///M cars. The original buyers differ from those who will buy a few years down the line. And lets face it, if someone bought a £45,000 new car only now to find it`s worth £26,000, they might not want to go out and spend huge amounts on mods.

We have to remember the Z4M is quite limited in numbers. I have no idea how many Z4 ///M Roadsters were sold but probably only around 5000 ///M Coupes were sold so I doubt there will be a huge market for mods, but who knows. The BMW E30 M3 was made in limited numbers (15,000 max between 1987 and 1991)and there`s a good market for mods and the following is cult like and quite massive. Some of the people who own those cars have upgraded the 2.3 engines to 2.5 litres and 320bhp (normally aspirated). I can see some of those owners possibly moving on to Z4 M coupes in the future

The Z4`s (and ///M`s especially)are well equiped to start with so people don`t see the point in messing with them. I remember the first time I lifted the bonnet of mine (3.0 coupe) to find a strut brace going back to the bulkhead from each of the front strut towers - now that`s structural strength, not like the crappy aftermarket bolt on braces that can be bought that just connect two struts together I don`t even think the Z4`s need a more sporty exhaust. I know my 3.0 coupe gets quite rowdy as it. I don`t care what it sounds like outside, inside it`s enough noise for my enjoyment.

And yes,the BMW crowd are a little different than owners of Japanese turbo cars.

 

[WLH]

And yes,the BMW crowd are a little different than owners of Japanese turbo cars.

They are a lot different on this side of the pond... :wink:

 

[Smokin]

Also, these cars are a complete package. They're tuned for us from the factory and are much more balanced than some of those others you mentioned. They are also marketed at a different demographic. If I were 20 years old again, had a shot at a hot Shelby Mustang fastback, I'd do it. Now, what I want is what a have--an upscale sport luxury car that just flat runs without me screwing around with aftermarket. I got what I paid for and I'm loving it.

 

[toplad]

guys, guys i gotta ask you a question, i absolutly love my //m its one awesome car, but i sorely miss being able to log onto a site and see loads of questions being asked, lots of new mods coming out, new exhausts, new engine mods, then everyone getting the mods and explaining why it was or wasnt good, do you kinda get my drift? basically the z4m seems to have a very little following and coming from other cars that really had cult status (escort rs cosworth/EVO/R5 turbo 2 to name just afew) and i could literally research every fact about the car i do sorely miss that. the tuners arent interested in developing new mods for a car thats so limited production/obsolite due to development costs. I class myself as a true enthusiast and with other like minded people their really is indepth detailed mecanical discussions but the z4m or even the z4 really doesnt seem to attract this sort of owner and i just really miss the community that comes with a celebrated model if you like. Literally every forumn for the z4 is so slow with new posts, it still looks the same 2 weeks on. Anyone else get what im saying, maybe just alittle?

byron

yeah, i know what mean, it a bit slow

I'd like to see more posts about mods too.

Limited supply of cars being the biggest issue

 

[senwar]

There's not many mods these cars need.

And not many people mod new(ish) cars.

Pretty odd post to be honest, but each to their own.

I also wouldn't say this is a slow forum - its certainly grown and there's some great info on here, and is regularly updated.

 

[scotia_steve74]

I have a modded gear knob and a custom stereo install!

A titanium metal knob thing which is bloody freezing in winter but works great. The stereo I found it difficult to get info on due to the limited number of installs on a small production car. Trial and error and my iPaul amp Rainbow speakers set up works great


Only one mod I need now - seat belt covers - kills my neck every time.

The car is pretty much perfect and as was said above, you don't want to be throwing money at it if it's losing so much with the market right now....

This forum is pretty good and to be honest, the one I personally post on most for the Z4M.

 

[sp3ctre]

yeah, i know what mean, it a bit slow

I'd like to see more posts about mods too.

Limited supply of cars being the biggest issue

To be honest you get what you pay for... Sure, the M section is a bit slow, but with the upper range of cars I think that is normal... go and have a look at the Merc SL forums, or the Audi R8 forums and you will see the same. Sure, the M isn't an R8 but I am talking about the fact that they aren't 10 a penny like the Jap cars owned by 17 year old kids who want to talk about how the latest noisy exhaust extends their manhood by a couple of inches.

Funny how the criticism is coming from the guys with the low post count This isn't to say I'm picking on them, just that I think there is a simple explanation to why the M section is quiet, but if some of you guys want it to change then it's easy... go and get some mods done, go and get some new info etc, I'm sure we are all happy to discuss it with you.

 

[mmm-five]

My mods:

Cigar lighter torch


Seatbelt cushion


Cupholders

'Cargo' net

 

[sp3ctre]

Cool, like the torch idea, v.useful

 

[pvr]

Also remember the warranty elements. I have only fitted the RPI scoop to the M and iPod integration, anything else will mess up my warranty which is too valuable to have on M cars.

On my previous 3.0, I did the complete SatNav retrofit, changed the CDV, fitted a carbon fibre cold air intake, changed the wheels etc but the M is just a different type of car altogether.

 

[Dragonsbreath]

yeah, i know what mean, it a bit slow

I'd like to see more posts about mods too.

Limited supply of cars being the biggest issue

To be honest you get what you pay for... Sure, the M section is a bit slow, but with the upper range of cars I think that is normal... go and have a look at the Merc SL forums, or the Audi R8 forums and you will see the same. Sure, the M isn't an R8 but I am talking about the fact that they aren't 10 a penny like the Jap cars owned by 17 year old kids who want to talk about how the latest noisy exhaust extends their manhood by a couple of inches.

Funny how the criticism is coming from the guys with the low post count This isn't to say I'm picking on them, just that I think there is a simple explanation to why the M section is quiet, but if some of you guys want it to change then it's easy... go and get some mods done, go and get some new info etc, I'm sure we are all happy to discuss it with you.

Why does anybody want to get "mods" done to an ///M car? - unless you have more money than sense in the current economic climate - & are taking the piss out of your employees...........

I know that I am correct in saying that I and Joe Public are getting mightily pissed off by reading the excesses of this forum. A small percentage here (Me included) have spent nearly as much on our cars as our house for our passions. But despite what we have sacraficed for a late model ///M, we have to realize that the "W*****s" who spout forth, & only owning an "M" - rather than a Bugatti Veyron or Zonda know bugger all about enjoying cars for what they are - but like to tell everybody at the dinner party what they own (but can't possibly use or enjoy!).

 

[Breaker]

But despite what we have sacraficed for a late model ///M, we have to realize that the "W*****s" who spout forth, & only owning an "M" - rather than a Bugatti Veyron or Zonda know bugger all about enjoying cars for what they are - but like to tell everybody at the dinner party what they own (but can't possibly use or enjoy!).

Agreed! A bit like people who spout things like "but i have just noticed you only have a 3.0i are you not man enough for a MMMMMM?" on Forums!