My new Z4M Roadster

[Bmwz4ruby]

So I have owned my Z4 coupe for for around 3 years and it has been fabulous but I had a nasty M itch bothering me. I did used to think that the coupe was 75% of the M!

Well after having test driven 4x M’s I realised it is a completely different car (realised this after the very first test drive). Now having owned my M for 3 days I am in love, it does everything different and very well. I could go on forever with superlatives but I won’t (for now, ha).

Anyway it’s a 2006 in Sapphire black with 50,000 miles and full history. It has had the rod bearings done about 5,000 miles ago. It has almost every factory option only missing passenger airbag turn off. It even has the factory specced mats and wind deflector. Condition everywhere is really very good and as you may be able to tell I’m thrilled. To anyone contemplating an M I would urge you to do it, it’s a very special car. To some pictures.

 

[Abbas]

Congrats on the purchase! It looks great!

I’m definitely considering going from a 3.0si coupe to an m M roadster so I’d love to know your thoughts and how they compare. There’s nothing like going for a hoon in a roadster for me so I’m weighing up if an M roadster would be the right choice as my only car. I drive mainly around town and the odd motorway drive, and weekend drives when the weathers good. The coupes been fantastic for that, just wish it didn’t have a roof sometimes.

What’s the ride quality like? Mpg around town? I used to have 3.0 roadster a few years ago and i found it perfectly fine for what I need from a car and I loved being able to put the roof down. So if an M is the same but dialled up to 11, that sounds like a very interesting proposition.

 

[LawrenceW]

Pleased to hear that you have found the cure to your M itch!

I too had the same nasty itch a couple of years ago until the soothing ointment called S54 cured me too!!

 

[buzyg]

There quite good aren't they. Nothing like them will ever be build again by BMW. Enjoy.

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

So I loved the 3.0 si coupe but, I thought the factory ride quality was quite poor (partly older dampers) and also had a lot more suspension travel than my e90 330d M sport which rides a lot better than the coupe. Both were not on run flats before anyone asks.

I decided that the roadster over the coupe was the right choice as the negatives didn’t add up to me but the massive positive of having the roof off did. I do not regret that decision at all, it is still a very stiff car as designed from the outset as a roadster.
The handling (wider track, different geometry, LSD), brakes (CSL) steering (Hydraulic) and that engine (which deserves its status, it’s a peach) mean this car is far removed from lesser models. That is not to downplay them at all but we are talking a big leap everywhere.

Using your analogy the the coupe 3.0 si is a 9 the M is a 20.

MPG is almost on a par with the 3.0, I got over 32 mpg on the mixed drive when I picked it up.

Also people who know, know. I had a chap at the first fill up talk to me for 10 mins about it (he was driving the latest a latest M3).

 

[Abbas]

So I loved the 3.0 si coupe but, I thought the factory ride quality was quite poor (partly older dampers) and also had a lot more suspension travel than my e90 330d M sport which rides a lot better than the coupe. Both were not on run flats before anyone asks.

I decided that the roadster over the coupe was the right choice as the negatives didn’t add up to me but the massive positive of having the roof off did. I do not regret that decision at all, it is still a very stiff car as designed from the outset as a roadster.
The handling (wider track, different geometry, LSD), brakes (CSL) steering (Hydraulic) and that engine (which deserves its status, it’s a peach) mean this car is far removed from lesser models. That is not to downplay them at all but we are talking a big leap everywhere.

Using your analogy the the coupe 3.0 si is a 9 the M is a 20.

MPG is almost on a par with the 3.0, I got over 32 mpg on the mixed drive when I picked it up.

Also people who know, know. I had a chap at the first fill up talk to me for 10 mins about it (he was driving the latest a latest M3).

That's really useful to know, thank you. I've seen some POV driving videos of the Z4M with a carbon airbox (evolve I think?) and some exhaust mods and it sounds absolutely unreal.

I used to have an S2000, and it was 10/10 on a b road but it wasn't a nice place to be for just about everything else in my opinion, so I guess I'm hoping the Z4M is almost a GT version of an S2000, which would be perfect! 8000RPM redline is a lovely thing. Maybe I just need to test drive one and all will become clear.

You bought the M at a perfect time to enjoy it!

 

[tomscott]

Congratulations. It looks a stunning example.

Im on my second Z4M they certainly get under your skin.

 

[Doddsy]

Congratulations! I also couldn’t believe the difference and still tempted to get a roadster at some point

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

Great comments all round. It’s a fantastic car (so far, I am very confident she’s a good’un) and I can’t believe I spent what I did and feel 100% happy about it.
I think you could call it a GT against an S2000 but it’s far removed from a soft GT. It really goes well in all respects and feels very but the sports car.

The first picture didn’t upload and won’t for some reason. Anyway it’s an engine bay shot with the Eventuri filter system fitted. With this an exhaust is not needed in my opinion, it sounds so good. Will get another pic and upload.

Definitely recommend anyone thinking about it to get a test drive in one. Be warned though, you will end up buying one!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Definitely recommend anyone thinking about it to get a test drive in one. Be warned though, you will end up buying one!

That is excellent advice.

I went to look at one in June 2019 but didn't get much of a drive in it because it was on SORN, and while I was making my mind up it sold.

I got a proper drive in one a few months later and realised how much I needed one in my life, just not that particular one!

So I jumped on my MC when it got advertised in December 2019 and I just love it. Even starting the engine it feels so special, and then getting the revs right up is spine-tingling. :wub:

For Abbas' benefit I can't comment on ride quality as mine has coil-overs fitted, but I've averaged just over 27mpg for the 15K miles I've done. Just don't drive one unless you're prepared to want one!

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

So I jumped on my MC when it got advertised in December 2019 and I just love it. Even starting the engine it feels so special, and then getting the revs right up is spine-tingling.

Spot on. Everything feels special with it. Starting the mighty S54, very light throttle shift at 1500 rpm whilst it warms up, hearing it at any throttle in mid range or feeling and hearing it sing near or at the redline. It dominates everything and can be heard at any revs or throttle input. Very, very special and it makes you feel special as well.
As a side note I took it out earlier this morning for a blast down Harry Metcalfe’s test route and it excelled. I was beaming and the car was lapping it up.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It sounds like you are as smitten with your M as I was (and still am) so congratulations on making that jump.

 

[john-e89]

Great comments all round. It’s a fantastic car (so far, I am very confident she’s a good’un) and I can’t believe I spent what I did and feel 100% happy about it.
I think you could call it a GT against an S2000 but it’s far removed from a soft GT. It really goes well in all respects and feels very but the sports car.

The first picture didn’t upload and won’t for some reason. Anyway it’s an engine bay shot with the Eventuri filter system fitted. With this an exhaust is not needed in my opinion, it sounds so good. Will get another pic and upload.

Definitely recommend anyone thinking about it to get a test drive in one. Be warned though, you will end up buying one!

Congrats that looks a cracker…!

Agree on the exhaust too, I had a Gruppe M on mine with Remus back boxes, the Gruppe drowned out the boxes, so it came off and was sold as i prefer exhaust, just imho but it’s pointless having both, its one or the other depending which you prefer.

Enjoy…!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Agree on the exhaust too, I had a Gruppe M on mine with Remus back boxes, the Gruppe drowned out the boxes, so it came off and was sold as i prefer exhaust, just imho but it’s pointless having both, its one or the other depending which you prefer.

That's great to know John.

Mine came with Powerflow back-boxes that sound great when I open it up and that's why I've managed to resist all the adverts for Gruppe M, etc. So it's good to know I made the right choice as I prefer exhaust noise too!

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Agree on the exhaust too, I had a Gruppe M on mine with Remus back boxes, the Gruppe drowned out the boxes, so it came off and was sold as i prefer exhaust, just imho but it’s pointless having both, its one or the other depending which you prefer.

That's great to know John.

Mine came with Powerflow back-boxes that sound great when I open it up and that's why I've managed to resist all the adverts for Gruppe M, etc. So it's good to know I made the right choice as I prefer exhaust noise too!

I don't agree - the combination of aFe intake and Remus backboxes was perfect IMHO, each complementing the other and certainly neither sound was overwhelmed. My aFe heat shield started to rust, so I bought a GruppeM and I was pretty disappointed with it. It lacks the metallic rasp of the aFe intake that matches the S54 so perfectly and it's best described as anaemic in comparison. It does look much better under the bonnet though! I was very surprised how muted the GruppeM is for the S54 - I have one fitted to my B7 RS4 and it adds enormous theatre to a car that is fairly quiet in stock form.

I've subsequently fitted a modified post-MAF intake tube that allows the sound generator to be fitted to the ///M and it has restored some of the intake noise, but the tone is still not on a par with that of the aFe intake.

OP - congrats on the new car, it looks lovely (for a roadster ). Personally, I would recommend both intake and exhaust, but not an exhaust that is excessively loud or drones. The Remus backboxes are great - they scream at 5-8k rpm and supply plenty of pops and bangs on the overrun when running hot, but they're never intrusive at motorway rpm.

 

[Abbas]

Great comments all round. It’s a fantastic car (so far, I am very confident she’s a good’un) and I can’t believe I spent what I did and feel 100% happy about it.
I think you could call it a GT against an S2000 but it’s far removed from a soft GT. It really goes well in all respects and feels very but the sports car.

The first picture didn’t upload and won’t for some reason. Anyway it’s an engine bay shot with the Eventuri filter system fitted. With this an exhaust is not needed in my opinion, it sounds so good. Will get another pic and upload.

Definitely recommend anyone thinking about it to get a test drive in one. Be warned though, you will end up buying one!

Awesome!

Maybe GT isn’t the right word as it’s a raw car, and that’s what appeals to me. I meant somewhere with a few creature comforts like heated seats, decent sound system etc, traction control! S2000 didn’t have any of that so felt like a bit of a death trap at times. The M’s obviously the same interior as what I have now so I’m confident it’s still a nice, fairly comfortable place to be on a long drive up to Scotland or whatever.

Anyone reading this wanna swap a coupe for a roadster?

 

[paddy wright]

Looks lovely- and even better as it’s a roadster!

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

Little update on the car. I have over the past few weeks purchased a few items that will enhance the car for the coming years.
A used set of KW V3’s have been fitted (not used yet as car currently off the road), I have also fitted a pair of RPI back boxes (again not driven the car as off the road), it is quite loud though, just blipping the throttle it makes all manor of pops and crackles (I have been laughing out loud at the noise). We will see over the coming months whether I keep them of the car!
Then today I have fitted my new wheels, 260m genuine BMW wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres. They look really good and the offsets fill the arches perfectly (as far as I’m concerned) with no spacers required. A big improvement over the 224m’s and a chunk lighter.
Anyway some pictures.

 

[enuff_zed]

I like those wheels! Something a little bit different from the 'must have CSLs or you're not a serious driver' brigade.

 

[Bmwz4ruby]

They really are lovely I’m a very happy boy.
I do like the CSL’s (I think I like these more though).
I am also happy to go it alone, ha.