Impending MZ4 Purchase

[TheArchitect]

Hi Guys,

Looking for a weekend toy, until I can afford a 997 Gen 11 911 then I was thinking about the MZ4C. They look absolutely stunning. Just at the investigation stage just now. I've seen the thread Z4 vs MZ4 for running costs and power comparisons and don't want to re-hash that here. I'm sure you're all fed up responding to that query.

However do you think the MZ4 is worth the extra costs?
Any MZ4 owners wish they'd went for the Z4 and vice versa?

I "think" I want "M" for the power and because I've never owned one, so therefore not so sure I'd be happy settling for the Z4C. I doubt I'll do any more than 5k miles a year.

I've had a look on PistonHeads for both MZ4C and Z4 are to be honest there's only a few thousand between purchase prices based on a reasonable mileage 07 plate. I understand insurance will be more expensive and tax is twice as much.

With regards to service history I saw an interesting car http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/z4-coupe/bmw-z4m-m-coupe--41k-miles-with-bmw-service-history--stunning-condition/2787173

the history worried me as there's been nothing done to it since May 2011, I would have though these cars should really have an oil change at least every 18 months regardless of mileage.

 

[stevo///m3]

I haven't owned both so can't confirm any comparisons but the M is a beautiful driving machine.

See Bing's recent thread for all you really need to know about the M: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=70338

Happy shopping!
Stevo

 

[simonlpearce]

I actually went to view the one at Super Car Rooms and am waiting for a call back on an offer i have made on it today

 

[TheArchitect]

I haven't owned both so can't confirm any comparisons but the M is a beautiful driving machine.

See Bing's recent thread for all you really need to know about the M: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=70338

Happy shopping!
Stevo

Cheers for that. A car that puts a smile on my face and that I look back at after locking...is exactly what I'm after. I do the commute in either a Bluemotion Passat or a TT 1.8t Sport. So after some real power without having to worry about commute costs or practicality.

I've never driven one, I can't even find any for sale in Scotland to test drive one.

 

[TheArchitect]

I actually went to view the one at Super Car Rooms and am waiting for a call back on an offer i have made on it today

Good for you mate, far too early for me anyway. I hope you enjoy it.

They seem pretty reputable and used to dealing with performance cars. Did you get anything off?

Edit: Just read you're waiting to hear.

 

[StevenH72]

Servicing should be oil and brake fluid at least every two years. 3.5 years without either would be enough for me to walk away. Although it's only covered 9k miles, so not completely terrible.

As for the M vs non-M....I had the same query......I knew I'd always long for the M unless I went for it. I haven't been disappointed!

 

[LostBoy_84]

The car at Supercar Rooms was discussed here when it was with its previous owner if you're interested in reading it http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64146&p=948367#p948367

This dealer is local to me and seem to change their trading name every so often, most recently they were called 'Halo Cars'.
I know people who have both good and bad things to say about them as I suppose you get with most car dealers.

 

[simonlpearce]

The car at Supercar Rooms was discussed here when it was with its previous owner if you're interested in reading it http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64146&p=948367#p948367

This dealer is local to me and seem to change their trading name every so often, most recently they were called 'Halo Cars'.
I know people who have both good and bad things to say about them as I suppose you get with most car dealers.

Thanks, made for some interesting reading. Brake fluid and coolant are not an issue for me as i will have them done myself by an indy and i doubt that it will affect the resale value if they are now done regularly. The 2 years is only a guide, there will be millions of cars on our roads which run for much longer than this.

The mileage/service history is a bit of a blip. But i know my cars and know what an engine should or shouldn't sound like and the history on this is much better than a lot of other out there around my budget at the moment.

I think you are confusing Halo and Super Car Rooms. Halo is further along the bypass towards Worcester where Super Car Rooms is in the Hartlebury estate. However Adam the guy selling the Z4 MC used to be the owner of Halo (or whatever it was before Halo) and he moved and took his inventory with him. Super Car Rooms i believe has been round a good while.

Either way they are going to give it an detail and inspection 2 for me before i buy it, plus it comes with 3 months warranty. I will just drive it hard for 3 months and see if anything breaks

 

[TheArchitect]

The car at Supercar Rooms was discussed here when it was with its previous owner if you're interested in reading it http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64146&p=948367#p948367

This dealer is local to me and seem to change their trading name every so often, most recently they were called 'Halo Cars'.
I know people who have both good and bad things to say about them as I suppose you get with most car dealers.

An interesting read thanks.

 

[LostBoy_84]

The car at Supercar Rooms was discussed here when it was with its previous owner if you're interested in reading it http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64146&p=948367#p948367

This dealer is local to me and seem to change their trading name every so often, most recently they were called 'Halo Cars'.
I know people who have both good and bad things to say about them as I suppose you get with most car dealers.

Thanks, made for some interesting reading. Brake fluid and coolant are not an issue for me as i will have them done myself by an indy and i doubt that it will affect the resale value if they are now done regularly. The 2 years is only a guide, there will be millions of cars on our roads which run for much longer than this.

The mileage/service history is a bit of a blip. But i know my cars and know what an engine should or shouldn't sound like and the history on this is much better than a lot of other out there around my budget at the moment.

I think you are confusing Halo and Super Car Rooms. Halo is further along the bypass towards Worcester where Super Car Rooms is in the Hartlebury estate. However Adam the guy selling the Z4 MC used to be the owner of Halo (or whatever it was before Halo) and he moved and took his inventory with him. Super Car Rooms i believe has been round a good while.

Either way they are going to give it an detail and inspection 2 for me before i buy it, plus it comes with 3 months warranty. I will just drive it hard for 3 months and see if anything breaks

Ah ok, that's what made me think it was the same company. I knew some of the stock at The Supercar Rooms was at Halo Cars before.
That's good that they're doing the service for you.
Hope the car does you well, it's one of my favourite colour/ interior combinations for sure

 

[gwatson]

I used to have a supercharged Z4 3.0 and now in a ///M. The 3.0 was faster and felt lighter on it's feet.

However, the ///M is better in every way, better engine, bags of character, LSD, better brakes, handling is better on the limit, better steering feel, carbon interior transforms the interior.... the list could go on.

So depends if you value these things....

Running costs are probably 30% higher for consumables, insurance and fuel, road tax and servicing is a killer though and can be hard to justify on a car like this...

 

[Paza3]

I used to have a supercharged Z4 3.0 and now in a ///M. The 3.0 was faster and felt lighter on it's feet.

However, the ///M is better in every way, better engine, bags of character, LSD, better brakes, handling is better on the limit, better steering feel, carbon interior transforms the interior.... the list could go on.

So depends if you value these things....

Running costs are probably 30% higher for consumables, insurance and fuel, road tax and servicing is a killer though and can be hard to justify on a car like this...

This

I have had

2 x e85 3.0 sold
1 x e86 30.si Coupe sold
1 x e86 M coupe sold
Currently back in M power

The difference on paper really does not look like much .... but the real world difference is night and day

 

[monkadill]

I have had a standard Coupe and now own a Z4M Roadster. There is a big difference. Both are special cars but a M is awesome.
If you have a desire to go to a 911 then vista the land of M before you do other wise you won't have had the best out of a Z.

 

[Z4M-2006]

i have had an M roady,3.0si coupe and M coupe...

The 3.0 is no slouch,and its good on fuel ... It just lacks the character and outright pace of the M..

I pretty much say you could drive the 3.0 at 90% everyday and not even break a sweat... Try that with the M and you will be in a ditch/lampost/roundabout or field....
Like you say,the difference in price is minimal... The insurance was more or less identical for me,tax is £200 more..


If they do an inspection 2 for you,make sure you get them to do valve check(with evidence).. Being honest i would be suprised if they paid out for a "real" inspection 2 (£600-£900) and a detail (£300)...
More likely a normal service and a posh valet.......


Ask him to refurb the rims in OEM colour too....lol...

 

[NavZ]

I pretty much say you could drive the 3.0 at 90% everyday and not even break a sweat... Try that with the M and you will be in a ditch/lampost/roundabout or field....
Like you say,the difference in price is minimal...

THIS :withstupid:

If you want a challenge, the ///M is for you.
If you want comfort & 'user-friendly' speed, the 3.0 is for you (in auto).

 

[srhutch]

I pretty much say you could drive the 3.0 at 90% everyday and not even break a sweat... Try that with the M and you will be in a ditch/lampost/roundabout or field....
Like you say,the difference in price is minimal...

THIS :withstupid:

If you want a challenge, the ///M is for you.
If you want comfort & 'user-friendly' speed, the 3.0 is for you (in auto).

x2

You may find insurance is cheaper with the ///M. A number of us who have upgraded from lesser zeds have found it drop. mine went down by 20% going from a 2.5si.

 

[stevo///m3]

not a 'weekend choice', an animal.
911s are just sooooo common aren't they?
Not that I don't want one.
Stevo

 

[TheArchitect]

not a 'weekend choice', an animal.
911s are just sooooo common aren't they?
Not that I don't want one.
Stevo

I know they are, and so do I. Don't want to take the chance of a IMS failure with a 996 or early 997, so will wait until I can afford the 997 Gen 2.

Having said that the looks of the MZ4C have me smitten I must admit. I don't intend to track it so perhaps I'd be better with the Z4 3.0 si. I just can't get past the "M" though especially when compared in price to the Z4. I don't really intend to push the boundaries too much as I suspect it would be pretty easy to lose my licence, I like everyone else just love the sound and the torque in the lower gears. Most people won't even know by looking at the car the power it possesses.

Anyway thanks to everyone for their comments, appreciated.

 

[Bing]

Went from a 3.0Si to an M, and you've seen my thoughts. You simply can't drive the M at anywhere to 90% like the 3.0, it will kill you, or at the very least itself. And you really don't need to. If you've got a halfway sensible head on your shoulders you won't find the limit, self-preservation and satisfaction will keep you well away. It's awesome in every respect and I always wanted an M car so I bought it when the opportunity arose. There's very little 'head' in the decision beyond condition and history, the rest is all heart

 

[Z4M-2006]

I have had 3 x 911's including a very nice C4S..

Like you say,the chocolate engine and crap gearbox are painful on the pocket if and when they fail..

The Z4M is quicker than all 911's apart from the turbo of course.The M is very underated as a sports car,and once you get the hang of it can be an absolute weapon.
The only let down for me is the handling,under certain circumstances(like a bouncy B road) the suspension just doesnt have a enough compliance and travel to cope.That said its a small sacrifice for all the other bits that are superb about it...