Some info on the Z4MC

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Drac

Member
Hi guys,

I'm looking at changing my car in the next few months and the Z4MC is at the top of my list. I've been lurking on here for a while building up my knowledge but I have a couple of questions if anyone could help?

I've read quite a bit about the relatively hard ride these cars give which doesn't worry me too much as I currently drive a Clio 182 with the optional cup suspension and I've noticed one or two of you on here have had a 182 in the past - how do the two cars compare for ride quality?

I notice the Z4MC along with many other BM's have variable service intervals. If the car is drvien hard do the service intervals become closer together or is not that simple?

TIA for any help you can give.

Cheers.
 
Been in a 182 and don't think the M is as harsh, but someone else might chime in.

The service intervals - yes it's almost that simple, it goes on fuel usage. Expect somewhere between about 11 - 14k between inspections / oil services... I'd look at my book but having said that it would probably depress me :cry:

Good luck - best bet is to drive one. There's a couple of excellent condition forum members cars for sale at the moment, see if there's one local to you.
 
Welcome...

Never driven the Clio, the Z4M is firm but not ridiculously so...

Drac said:
I notice the Z4MC along with many other BM's have variable service intervals. If the car is drvien hard do the service intervals become closer together or is not that simple?
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Yup, but most are driven hard (it's that kind of car) so not hugely...12k - 13k miles seems to be the norm, but it can be anywhere from 11k-15k.

1st : Oil Service (£150 - £200)
2nd : Insp 1 (£600 - £900)
3rd : Oil Service (£150 - £200)
4th : Insp 2 (£800 - £1200)

...and repeat each interval...prices are UK main dealer, Indys charge less
 
I dont find the ride all that uncomfortable to be honest and we have terrible roads here!
 
Just to add... re - service intervals. It's not just when they are driven hard it depends on fuel economy so if you do lots of city driving the intervals are also shorter.
 
Not sure about ///m but my 3.0SE manual says oil service should be done either as per on board computer or every 2 years, whichever comes first. My local Stealer comfirmed this today when I requested oil service.
 
Thanks for the replies so far everyone :) I do intend to drive one at some point which will enable me to make a definite decision, but there hasn't been an AUC available for sale (or indeed privately) within 50 miles of me (in Lancs) for several months - apart from the one in Preston without the 1200 mile service :thumbsdown: so I'll have to travel to see one. I did go to see the last one for sale near me but the dealer was a bit reluctant to let me drive it - although tbh I wasn't a serious buyer at the time - more exercising a curiosity and liked what I saw! It's been covered on here and PH many times, but I just don't think there is a car out there at the moment which matches the Z4MC for style, performance or value!

I'm pretty happy with the servicing being based on fuel consumption but am still interested in the ride quality - the 182 is pretty damn firm but I don't mind it - I've gotten used to it after 4.5 years!

Another question is how everyone feels when they leave their pnj parked in town or in car parks - I'm always careful where I park the 182 but the MC is another 2 or 3 levels above it! How do people react?
 
In the beginning i was a bit worried to be honest and here where parking spaces are few and far between you often have to squeeze into some pretty tight spots which made it even worse but after going back a couple of times and finding a scratched door panel and front bumper i just got used to the idea.. Unfortunately it's something that was sure to happen sooner or later so i just accepted it. (Doesnt mean i wasnt pissed off about it though.) Anway I usually try to park somewhere where there's no other cars around or right next to or between the most expensive and shiny cars in the car park. If i'm worried about dented doors and scratches then they're bound to be worried too so they'll be careful! :D
 
I came to the Z4M from a Honda S2000 and found the ride much softer in comparison, a really pleasant surprise as I had the same concerns as you. I used to really suffer after a long stint down the M4 but no such problems now in the Z4M.

I think the people that say the ride is hard are used to driving Mondeo's or something....
 
I cam to the Z4M for a 16 year old MR2 Turbo with lowered suspension and low profile tyres which has an incredibly hard ride! Compared to that the M is positive luxury...like driving a soft floaty cloud!

After a 350 mile trip to Cumbria I feel like I could turn round and do the whole journey again, unlike the MR2 which I was glad to get out of by the end of the journey.

M's are a fantastice drive...
 
Drac said:
Thanks for the replies so far everyone :) I do intend to drive one at some point which will enable me to make a definite decision, but there hasn't been an AUC available for sale (or indeed privately) within 50 miles of me (in Lancs) for several months - apart from the one in Preston without the 1200 mile service :thumbsdown: so I'll have to travel to see one.
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Drive it anyway, show interest then when he calls you for follow up, explain 'the 1200 mile thing is really putting you off' ;) That's assuming it is at a dealer of some kind, I wouldn't do that to a private seller...

Another question is how everyone feels when they leave their pnj parked in town or in car parks - I'm always careful where I park the 182 but the MC is another 2 or 3 levels above it! How do people react?
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Not a lot you can do...the Z4M definitely get's quite a bit of attention (much more than my old M3) but it isn't at the F430 or Gallardo level, it's just a nice sports car. Sure, the first time you get a stone chip or notice a ding in the door that must have happened from another car you get miffed, but it's life and it can all be sorted...it's not a classic Ferrari or £100k Aston. If day to day blemishes upset you, it would have to stay in the garage and be a weekend car really...apart from parking at the back of the lot etc there is not much you can do
 
Mine's no more pampered than any of my cars have been and that includes leaving them in back alleys in Liverpool city centre when I've been out and had a drink or just copped of with someone and got a taxi home with them.

Don't bother driving round a car park for 20 minutes to find a nice parking space either.

It's only a car after all, and worth £20-£25k. It's not a Bugatti after all.
 
Ride isnt that bad- compared to my 2.5i with RFTs its lot better. as far as dents/scratches go- i usually kind worry until i get the first one then I dont bother. Jus enjoy the ride.
 
Cheers guys - some useful feedback there - sounds like the ride may be slightly better than my 182. Speaking of which, as always happens, you think about changing it and have a meeting with a gate post as I did this morning driving into the work car park! Bloody snow :( Not too bad and I'm sure I'm not alone in doing this over the last few days!

Re parking I get a little bit OCD sometimes, although I'm not as bad as I was when I first got the 182 - the Mrs is always complaining about me not parking on the front row or near 4x4's and people carriers..... :wink: As me and the Mrs travel to work together (but don't work together) daily driver duties will probably (hopefully?) move over to her car if I get a Z4MC.... although we'll see.....
 
You cant be too OCD when parking, but if it means that much you will deal with the marks as and when they come, simple as that !Remember everything can be sorted, albeit at a cost!
 
I've owned both the 182 and Z4MC and they are both hard rides but the Z just has a more refined hardness then the 182 if you know what I mean. I did have 17" wheels fitted to the 182 which made it even harder. The 182 was one hell of a car. I loved it!! but the Z4MC is just in a different league
 
Cheers for that, sounds like the Z4MC may ride slightly bettter than the 182 which is good news - my next step will be to get a drive of one in the next month or two and I'll report back my thoughts when I do. Thanks for all the info everyone - been really helpful :thumbsup:
 
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