Pros & Cons of 3.0 Si & ///M Coupe ownership.

D

DLT222

Member
New here and I'm trying to ascertain the pros and cons of Z4 Coupe ownership.

What are the good points, bad points, things to check when buying etc.

Your thoughts would be greatly received.

Ideally I'm looking for an Imola red coupe, going by what a member posted, it will have to be an M.

I am open to the 3.0 variant but it has to be an Si and not SE & standard red is out of the question.

I've been told about the valve clearance adjustment which is fine.

What other gremlins are there on a coupe that I should look for?

Thx in advance

D
 
I believe the coupe was only sold in the uk as 3.0si or M variants.

For the 3.0.
Check the engine (N52) does not make a loud tapping from the top end, this could be a sign of the hydraulic valve adjusters not working as well as they should, not uncommon in cars which don't get taken on a good run often - mainly an annoyance from what I have read on here - negotiation point?

Check whether it still has run flat tyres fitted or not, they hamper the ride quality so most switch to conventional tyres + can of foam or AA/RAC.

Check around the boot for signs of water ingress or corrosion, it can trap water.

Style 108 wheels often corrode around the polished lip, most get the whole wheel repainted as polishing and lacquer will not last for more than a few years.

Check the front lower bumper for scrapes, it's low and good for finding kerbs when parking. :roll:

For the M
Diff can be noisy at slow speeds when turning, this is normal - some add friction modifiers to the oil to quieten.

Valve adjustments, best done by a specialist - main dealers may not do it as thorough as you will like...paperwork showing the clearances before/after is a good sign.

Perforated discs brakes can be noisier under hard use, some mistake as warped discs. They need regular hard use to clean them up if they start to rumble.

My advice, drive a few and see what you like. Expect the M will lure you away from the 3.0 but with it comes higher running costs.
 
Adam D said:
I believe the coupe was only sold in the uk as 3.0si or M variants.

For the 3.0.
Check the engine (N52) does not make a loud tapping from the top end, this could be a sign of the hydraulic valve adjusters not working as well as they should, not uncommon in cars which don't get taken on a good run often - mainly an annoyance from what I have read on here - negotiation point?

Check whether it still has run flat tyres fitted or not, they hamper the ride quality so most switch to conventional tyres + can of foam or AA/RAC.

Check around the boot for signs of water ingress or corrosion, it can trap water.

Style 108 wheels often corrode around the polished lip, most get the whole wheel repainted as polishing and lacquer will not last for more than a few years.

Check the front lower bumper for scrapes, it's low and good for finding kerbs when parking. :roll:

For the M
Diff can be noisy at slow speeds when turning, this is normal - some add friction modifiers to the oil to quieten.

Valve adjustments, best done by a specialist - main dealers may not do it as thorough as you will like...paperwork showing the clearances before/after is a good sign.

Perforated discs brakes can be noisier under hard use, some mistake as warped discs. They need regular hard use to clean them up if they start to rumble.

My advice, drive a few and see what you like. Expect the M will lure you away from the 3.0 but with it comes higher running costs.
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Adam,

Thanks for the huge wealth of info there. Ive only just started looking and I'm in no rush to buy the first one I see.

Other colours I would consider are Grey & Interlargos Blue & Black, so I'm sure there will be many to view.
 
An extended ramble on my thoughts, here. It's 2.5si roadster vs Z4MC, but a lot of it is relevant.

Tough choice. I think ultimately it comes down to a test drive, and whether the performance/excitement of the ///M is worth the additional cost. Would definitely recommend doing what you are doing, i.e. getting the "on paper" argument straight before you drive an ///M, because all sense will go out of the window when you do. :D
 
3.0si has electric steering and it's possibly my least favourite thing about the car, the M has hydraulic.

The 3.0si has low running costs for how capable it is, I get about 31mpg commuting part A-road, part motorway and part town. Oil and filters are pretty much all you need to do regularly and that's like £50.

The 3.0Si had too much body roll for me so I've put H&R ARBs on for about £400 and that has much improved the handling. The M has much thicker ARBs as standard. The interior is basically the same save for the effect on the dash where M has 'carbon leather'. You lose a chunk of boot space in the M as the battery sits in it whereas on the 3.0Si it goes under the floor (thank the quad exhaust on the M). The M front bumper looks better but side on they are virtually the same (bonnet creases on the M look cool but not a deal breaker for the 3.0Si).
 
Steve84N said:
3.0si has electric steering and it's possibly my least favourite thing about the car, the M has hydraulic.

The 3.0si has low running costs for how capable it is, I get about 31mpg commuting part A-road, part motorway and part town. Oil and filters are pretty much all you need to do regularly and that's like £50.

The 3.0Si had too much body roll for me so I've put H&R ARBs on for about £400 and that has much improved the handling. The M has much thicker ARBs as standard. The interior is basically the same save for the effect on the dash where M has 'carbon leather'. You lose a chunk of boot space in the M as the battery sits in it whereas on the 3.0Si it goes under the floor (thank the quad exhaust on the M). The M front bumper looks better but side on they are virtually the same (bonnet creases on the M look cool but not a deal breaker for the 3.0Si).
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Boot space not an issue for me as my boot is always empty :)

Thx for the info re the 3.0 though.
 
All 3 litre coupes have the si engine, SE and Msport are spec variants. The SE has different seats, a higher and softer suspension as standard and I think a square set up with the wheels. But everything like the sports seats, and a staggered wheel setup and sports suspension could be specified on an SE so don't disregard all 3litre si SE models. Some have been specced to M sport.

If you have a choice like it sounds like you do I would go for the M coupe over the si even though for me the si has been a fantastic car for over 3 and a half years. It hasn't given any nasty surprises and as people have already said,for performance versus running costs the si has got to be one of the best.

Which ever you choose I'm sure you will be happy in the long run.

Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
 
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