Should I Buy A Z4C?

Y

YorkshireJohn

Member
Hello

I'm thinking of buying a Z4 Coupe 3.0. I love the look of the car - unique and special. I've also been considering an early Porsche 996 but have been put off by the maintenance costs and the risk of bore scoring. I don't want a convertible.

The Z4 would be my daily driver. I understand that the 6 cylinder engine is terrific. My questions/reservations are about the following:

Ride Quality
I understand that ditching the runflats can make a big improvement. Does wheel size also have an impact? What's the ride quality like with normal tyres? For comparison, I currently drive a Subaru Legacy. Previous car was a Mazda 323.

Sticky Steering
Does this only apply to particular model-years?

Z4 or Z4M?
Ignoring prices for a moment, any forumites thoughts on the differences between the two models in actual usage would be much appreciated.

Finally, what should I look for when viewing cars? I'm not a mechanic, and neither are any of my mates.

All comments/suggestions very welcome. Thanks in advance!
 
As a daily drive the coupe would be perfect.

The sticky steering were only prefacelift z4, so no coupes would be affected.

In terms of ride quality if you want to sacrifice the looks somewhat getting an SE version with non run flats would be ideal... Even with 18" wheels.

In terms of the non cost difference between a Z4M... The non m would be easier as a daily as the gearing would be less jumpy, and the boot is bigger (as the M has the battery on top) The advantage the standard M would have is taller profile tyres so would offer some comfort.

However many here use the M as a DD so aside from the difference in running costs, and servicing either would be ideal.


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We use our M coupe as a daily and its fine...

But the 3.0 coupe is also a cracking car.. It's just cheaper to run on fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance.

But it's not an "M"...

As for ride quality I would go out and drive both.. Only you can decide what's acceptable to yourself..

Performance... A 3.0 is similar to an early 996, although the Z will drive soooo much better..

Z4M will spank all the NA 996's inc C4S...
 
Hi, there, I too was in a quandary about a whether to buy a 3.0 or an M. I was concerned about maintenance and economy. I decided to buy an M and I am so pleased I took the plunge. I get 24mpg around town and 30mpg on a long run. The Coupe is such a unique car anyway, but the M is just absolutely amazing to drive I drive it most days and always look forward to driving it, even if it is going to work! 8) . I was concerned that if I bought the 3.0, then I would end up wanting to upgrade to an M, so decided to go for the M straight away. As you are probably aware the M does not come with run flats and I think the ride quality is very good considering it is a sports car. :)

Either way I guarantee you will not be disappointed in your purchase. Good luck with your car hunting :driving:
 
Ive had both , imo Zc still looks fresh & cool , 996s don't :roll: 996 was a more comfortable ride over distance than the ZC ( sport spec).
Straight 6 265 BHP is a great engine but the flat 6 once opened after 3k gives a proper buzz :driving:
I would try a ZC in both SE & Sport to compare ride quality , the SE would be my choice then upsize the wheels for a sportier looks/stance
 
Captainmorgan is right. The Coupe is a current and future icon - the shape, stance and lines are beautiful. The 3L is quick, the M quicker still with maniac noise thrown in. Clearly I am biased but we're all allowed to be every once in a while! Not sure if/where you are in Yorks but round my way every third car is a Porsche so a Coupe has significant rarity factor/value. I thought hard about a 996 but maintenance and a somewhat dated interior were the deciding factors for me. Big failures will always cost big money whichever car you're in and, having had an M3 before, I knew I could likely live with the M running costs - the M does not go wrong if you treat it well so just keep up with the maintenance regularly and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about after a while! And you'll always look back at it when you leave it after a drive, it's just that kind of car. It's fine (more than fine) as an only car, I can get a large amount of golf stuff or two large suitcases in if you pack carefully. Suspension/ride is also pretty good for what the car is and can do. I'd always thought that if I had a 3L I'd wish I'd spent a few more £ and got the M.
Choice is yours but, yeah, Coupe is the right answer!
Stevo
 
For daily use Id choose the 3.0. The M will be a collectors car in future (or now), and piling daily mileage on it will impact resale value more than a 3.0.

You could easily pay top dollar for a low mileage MC example which would nose dive in value putting an average 12k per year on it over say 2-3 years.

3.0 is easier to live with too (I had a 3.0 roady before my coupe). An M is higher maintenance etc and I wouldn't want it as a daily.

That said. We all have different reasons for buying a zed, and it's your money - so do what suits you.


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I used my 3.0si as a daily driver for 2 years and it was fantastic, even on run flats (Pirelli).

As I only use it for weekends now I'm thinking of swapping for an M.

Don't think you'll be disappointed whatever you go for. If costs aren't an issue then I'd go for an M
 
I have M as daily driver but only 8000 a year so its not too bad but you do get nailed for tax and servicing,I contemplated changing recently for e92 M3 but the costs on that were even more and the M coupe is quite a rare sight I love the looks and the feel you get driving it enough to forego the rock hard ride.
 
Simple answer is Yes, you should and make it an ///M for all sorts of reasons. Most would probably agree the brakes ride and steering feel, are considerably better in the ///M. Plus there's the extra 78 ponies, delivered in the most thrilling manner, through a lovely rasping exhaust. Make sure you test drive both though, fine cars.
 
Yes im sure the other questions have been answered but I cant emphasise enough how good the car looks and how unique it is.. :thumbsup:
 
Thank you very much indeed for all the helpful comments. It sounds as though the best bet for me is either an SE or an M, depending on how I feel about the ride quality.

Given that I'm going for a Coupe and therefore don't need to worry about ailing roof motors, are there any particular problems I should watch out for? I'm aware of the issue with rear springs. In particular, are there any engine or transmission noises which I should expect and not worry about?

Thanks again.
 
There are a few spots on the boot that are known to rust. Worth checking the forum for related threads.
 
My coupe is a daily drive, it's lowered 30/20 and sits on 19's with Michelin Super Sports.

I have no complaints about handelling, comfort or economy. Truly a pleasure to drive even when it's grim outside.

:)
 
I'd go with the 3.0 as a daily drive, much more accessible / easy to live with on a daily basis. The ///M is a great car, but is a bit "cranky" in the mornings, when cold. Gear changes are pretty stiff, I wouldn't fancy a motorway tailback in one.

If I had to use a daily driver, I'd go with a 3.0 over the ///M.
 
There's a lovely grey 3.0Si coupe for sale on here at the moment. Could be just the ticket if you're settled on the coupe.

Would make a fantastic daily driver and would still be special enough when enjoying it at the weekend...

GLWTS and hope you find something soon!
 
I'd not seen anything on rust in the tailgate area? Can anyone provide more information on this?


If it helps, I purchaseed a 3.0Si Sport Coupe in April, and have done just under 10,000 miles in it to date. I've loved every mile, and still keep finding excuses to go for a drive (our fridge has the best stock of Milk in the neighbourhood)! I've probably averaged less fuel economy than most due to the roads I drive (all lovely A-roads that are far too good to drive slowly), but even having fun I've rarely seen less than 24mpg from a tank. At the minute with the inclement weather, I'm getting 33mpg so far this tank, which I think is pretty unbelievable, given the capacity of the engine.

I wish in some respects that I could justify the costs of the //M coupe, but the way I see it is the //M tax insurance, fuel & maintenance costs are around half on the si, so I can do twice as many miles and really get to know the car and enjoy it. M ownership will come in the next couple of years, but at the minute I cannot justify the additional performance etc against the significant uplift in running costs, and the depreciation associated with the annual mileage I do.
 
Ed Doe said:
I'd not seen anything on rust in the tailgate area? Can anyone provide more information on this?


If it helps, I purchaseed a 3.0Si Sport Coupe in April, and have done just under 10,000 miles in it to date. I've loved every mile, and still keep finding excuses to go for a drive (our fridge has the best stock of Milk in the neighbourhood)! I've probably averaged less fuel economy than most due to the roads I drive (all lovely A-roads that are far too good to drive slowly), but even having fun I've rarely seen less than 24mpg from a tank. At the minute with the inclement weather, I'm getting 33mpg so far this tank, which I think is pretty unbelievable, given the capacity of the engine.

I wish in some respects that I could justify the costs of the //M coupe, but the way I see it is the //M tax insurance, fuel & maintenance costs are around half on the si, so I can do twice as many miles and really get to know the car and enjoy it. M ownership will come in the next couple of years, but at the minute I cannot justify the additional performance etc against the significant uplift in running costs, and the depreciation associated with the annual mileage I do.
Click to expand...

I'm still not convinced that the running costs are as manifestly different as people say.

Tax, sure is double.

Insurance - Negligible
Servicing - 25% higher in ///M (if broken down to a 4 service cycle, i.e Oil, Insp 1, Oil, Insp 2)
Fuel - 24-27MPG in ///M, 30-33 MPG in 3.0

If you worked out your average monthly spend for the 3.0, I would imagine you wouldn't have to add a huge amount more on for the ///M, certainly not double. This is a table I put together to try to help me decide between the two:

costcom_zps7bdc6974.png

Insurance was based on actual quotes (Male, 26, 7 NCB, 0 points) Servicing was based on needing a Insp II after the first two years (biggest cost differential between the two). Consumables was me merely taking a "budgetary" view, both are pretty reliable.
 
That's why people join, read and enjoy this forum so much. Given Ed Doe's and StevenH72's replies!

Excellent information and clarity and reasoning!!

:driving: :thumbsup: :)
 
Should also factor in that bought wisely the M versions should depreciate much less than standard if at all .
Don't want to start the whole "is my M going to be a collectors car? " debate but they have grounded over recent years so common sense tells you where they will head next :wink:
For the number crunchers i would say over the next 3 years once depreciation (or lack of) is considered then i doubt there would be much in costs bewtween the M or the 3.0Si
 
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