Thinking about changing Z4M for 360...

[alexman]

I'm thinking of changing up for a Ferrari 360 in 4-6 months time. To cut a long story short, I've always wanted one. When I was 18, I was driving my first car, a Peugeot 205, home in the dark one night along a country road, when what looked like the beams from a spaceship came up behind me. I couldn't work out what it was as headlights were so far apart, but when it passed me, oh the sound and the vision of it. Simply stunning. Every time I've seen one since my heart skips a beat. Ok, some may say it's a little "girly" in shape or that the extra power of 400BHP isn't too far off my Z4M, but for the joy of driving it must be superb.

So... I need some grounded pro's and con's advice for changing up. The initial ones (apart from extra purchase cost for a cabriolet) are:

PROS
- Sound, sound and sound
- Looks, looks and looks
- "Sense of occasion" driving (whoa!)
- A good example (FSH, just after cambelt change?) holds value reasonably-ish well if 2000-2002 model

CONS
- Servicing/tires/tyres/petrol/insurance very expensive (but I'm thinking with my heart here guys!)
- Generally hard to park
- The attention one gets in such a car is not always good (especially in Birmingham rather than say Dorset)
- Older "mark" of design (Z4 is newer type car designed around 2004, 360 designed around 1998, so thinner steering wheel, more klonks etc).

Any thoughts that might help?

I hate red ones. I'm thinking either silver/black seats or black/beige seats. :roll:

 

[Mr Whippy]

Insurance wasn't too bad when I got a quote, not vs the Z4M's anyway... about the same really.

Oddly an Alpina Z4 was more than both a 360 and Z4M!

 

[Shunt]

What a great idea, this one looks great: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/907093.htm

I love heart purchases, don't listen to your head just do it.

As I'll be doing more miles in the M for the next year, I'm thinking of a banger to go to work. But the coupe isn't special enough to be a garage queen. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...... Pistonheads classifieds and a pint of San Miguel. Dangerous stuff.

 

[sammyz]

If you can afford it-go for it!

There's no reasoned argument here. You only live on this Earth once so if this is your chance to own the most evocative, sexy, cool make of motor car on the planet......

 

[Dreamer]

If you can affrd to RUN it, then DO IT!!

Please make sure you get it out of this pot-hole ridden congested country though for a few euro blasts, its the only way to enjoy a car like that.

 

[Voodoo]

Do it.

Think back to the last Top Gear episode and Clarksons article on the Aston.

As said above, if you can financially manage it - Do it. Do it now..... Before such machinery is outlawed.


I've set my sights on an Aston V8 Vantage.

Go. Do it for yourself. We're not on this earth long enough to deliberate and waste time wondering about such things.

 

[dan_i]

I'd only go mad on a car like that if I could comfortabley enjoy it. I'd want to be able to go on Euro trips, and go for drives as often as i wanted without worrying about the next service of tyres. If you can do that, then go for it, definately!

 

[MarkW]

If you can do it go for it, you only live once . As long as you go into it with your eyes open to the running costs etc.

It would have to be a second car for me though, not daily driver.

I love red ones

 

[GP20]

If you can't afford to keep the Z4M AND add an F360, then you can't really afford an F360.

 

[alexman]

OK, so Ijust test drove a silver 2004 model with about 11k on the clock. Impressions are:

- Noise is amazing from outside
- Noise from inside is amazing. However, as the engine is so close you can hear every little thing (including a whiring belt at low speedsthough maybe that was something wrong with the one I looked at?)
- It was F1 paddle version which is very different driving experience (think I would get gated manual version)
- Outlook from driver seat is very different to Z4M. You actually don't feel as "cusioned in" as you do in the Z4M (probably partlydue to the fact that the middle base with gear selectors isn't attached to middle front dash as in Z4M), but it does feel lower
- It does feel like an older car due to older design - i.e. no multi function steering wheel, basic dials etc.
- Driving was similar to Z4M in refinement
- Noise much better than Z4M when you put your foot down above 3000rpm. Was surprised to see that red line doesn't start until 8,500 rpm in Ferrari! (did also occur to me though that a better exhaust in Z4M might get more from it, though obviously it won't sound as good)

All in all, I think I need to drive a better manual example to get full feel of the car. Black with black sports seats would be my ideal combo..

 

[outrun]

Try a 550 Modena before you decide on a 360. It's a better car in most ways IMHO

 

[outrun]

I meant 550 Maranello. Too much beer!

 

[Mr Whippy]

Much like with the standard Z4's pre facelift, the sports seats really are an option worth going after imho. They look tons better, and feel lots better if you are into really driving (imho)

OK, my experience is limited to CS vs standard 360 seats on a few runway days, but they are just a bit cooler

Manual with sport seats would be the way I'd go too (with CS bumpers/wheels added)

Dave

 

[alexman]

Yes it has to be cabriolet though...

Not going to rush, but interestingly, the dealer offered me £21k part ex for mine (price I originally paid 6 months ago!)

However, I realised that their price on the car is £58K and there are similar cabriolets at the moment (similar low mileage) as low as £49/50k..

The only real "con" I have is that it isn't an every day car so I would need two - something else to go to work in!

 

[alexman]

Its a funny thing..after driving the 360 and spending a few more days with my Z4M, its reminded me how good the Z4M actually is. Of course I am comparing some of the features to a car designed half a decade earlier.. but for value for money, even the little things such as trip computer, in built sat nav (actually much more handy than you expect) and multi function steering wheel, cd changer etc. are great, but having these with the power, yet the option to drive it slowly and relax if need be is great.

The 360 doesn't have any of these, so in many ways it's a step back in features, but a step forward in noise, driving and performance, but you can't turn this off, and its not exactly a practical car to take to the supermarket. I could always get a gerat exhaust for the Z4M, but it will never sound as good as a 360 and you never make the money back you spend on mods.. on the other hand, I've already been offered back exactly what I paid on the Z4M (8000 miles ago), and good value used 360s seem to hold their value reasonably well.

Just a few thoughts. Anyone drove both?

 

[SittingBull]

I had a F355. Rear engined Ferrari: £6000+ every 6000 miles to have the engine removed for a bloody cam-belt change. Why do you think that the Ferrari UK main dealers have so many VERY low mileage cars for sale?

The Z4M will blow a 360/430 into the weeds & be utterly reliable for it's lifetime at less than one tenth of the ridiculous maintenance costs! Furthermore, the Z4MR/C is much rarer than any currently produced Ferrari.

My F355 (admittedly, sold 6 years ago) was a moneypit. My last car was an Alfa Brera bought for £21,000 & sold after 12 months for £13,000!!!

Unless you work for Morgan Stanley etc & earn HUGE bonuses, don't even consider a Ferrari - nor an Aston Martin.

I worked in Italy several years ago & experienced the ethos first hand. If your car was built during the morning then you were probably OK. If it was built in the afternoon - after the 3 hour lunchbreak - with unlimited free wine - you have a problem car.

Incredibly, Italy manufactures over 95% of the worlds "White Goods" - Washing machines/Fridges/Freezers etc. They all fail fairly quickly. Because the late shift is pissed....

I look forward to the rest of the F1 season with Ross Brawn (English) replaced by a crying Italian.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I had a F355. Rear engined Ferrari: £6000+ every 6000 miles to have the engine removed for a bloody cam-belt change

But you wouldn't use a main dealer for a cambelt change on an older F360, you'd use a decent independent, and it can be done in-place too. Isn't it £600 every few years for an F360.

Not saying it won't be cheaper to run an M, but an F360 is hardly going to break the bank of someone who is more than comfy running an MZ4 imho. Residual strength and good independent prices for servicing will make it cheaper than a brand new one at a main dealer, by a HUGE margin

Dave

 

[daz05]

Sitting Bull on the Italians!! You need to write a book 'pronto'

I hope they don't read this!!

 

[SittingBull]

Sitting Bull on the Italians!! You need to write a book 'pronto'

I hope they don't read this!!

I hope they DO read this, however, the average Italian male will just collapse & weep at the allegations as to his manhood being below par to the rest of Europe.

 

[ali_b]

Now about that Ferrari........