Thinking of selling Z4M coupe after nearly 9 years - possible move to 911 997 GTS

[nickw6666]

After nearly 9 years of owning my Imola Red Z4M coupe, I've reached a point where I'm thinking of selling the car song can scratch an itch I've had for some time - that is, owning a Porsche 911.

Today I test drove a 911 997.2 GTS, Guards Red with PDK. I was hugely impressed and in particular found the brakes to be amazingly firm yet easy to modulate compared to the Z4M coupe's standard brakes which I find too soft and over-servoed.

The thing is though, whenI drove home in my Z4M, it confirmed again the stunning value that the Z4M provides.

The 911 was a Porsche OPC car with 17000 miles and priced at £65,000. An incredible car but when I drove home I just thought that the Z4M is unbelievable value for what is a very stylish coupe with one of the all-time great engines..

I have a BMW dealer trade offer of £20k for my low mileage (31,000 miles) car but I'm having difficulties in my mind to sell such a great car...

Has anybody else felt the same way when considering moving on and trying something else?

These cars certainly get under your skin.

Interestingly, the Porsche sales guy said to me that he loved the Z4M coupe and when I parked up he was wondering what I could replace it with and the car that he instantly thought of was the one that I'd gone to view, he 997.2 GTS.

I feel the 911 thing is something I need to do but not sure I can deal with letting go of the Z4M at this point.

Anyone want to offer me any thoughts on this predicament.?

Thanks, Nick.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That is a bit of a dilemma you have there! :idunno:

If you've always fancied a 911 maybe you need to scratch that itch, but the biggest problem you will have if you want to return to a Z4M will be finding one with such a low mileage!

It depends on your situation whether it is an issue, but I would guess the 911 is going to drop in value for at least a few years whereas I doubt a Z4M will.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, and I hope you enjoy it! :driving:

 

[Bumpy]

Nine years and only 2 Posts.
That's gotta be a record !

:driving:

 

[ZermattV]

997.2 GTS is becoming a bit of a holy grail 911 in the current market . I went through similar thoughts when I bought my 997 as the M is such an incredible car for the money. I thought I would really regret selling the M but in truth the 997 has made up for its loss.

But if the 911 itch needs to be scratched a 997.2 GTS is probably the way to do it - from what I understand it they are incredibly sought after with little or no depreciation in 2 years. I would be inclined to check the service history carefully as to be honest 65k for an OPC backed GTS seems a little on the low side.

 

[pvr]

I did the same move, and there are a number of reasons why it was a success for me:

- My wife did not like the Z4M ride, so long journeys or even shorter ones were not being enjoyed as the ride is so crashy. That did not bother me, but the 911 is much more of a comfortable ride with regards to the state of the UK roads.
- What I missed in the Z4M, coming from other BMWs, was that there was no luxury in the car. No leather dash and generally quite a few gaps everywhere and a dashboard that contains a lot of plastic.
- More settings in the 911; I am thinking here of the adaptive suspension, sport mode, sport +, sports exhaust on/off, which makes the car more usable for different circumstances. The same car can be in hooligan settings or "silent" mode, so making it a truly everyday car depending on your mood (or passenger).

Unfortunately, a manual E89 M would have been a nice followup from the Z4M, but as that was never introduced there is only a natural path from Z4M to 911.

 

[nickw6666]

Thanks, some interesting points here.

I love the analogue simplicity of the Z4M, but I don't use it as a daily driver so don't have the issues so much that some may experience with regular commutes in traffic.

The 997.2 GTS is a bit of a halo car, and should hold its value very well like the Z4M which at the moment is undervalued compared to some other cars such as 1M.

I wouldn't be using the 911 GTS as a daily driver as I leave this to a 335i 'beater'.

I suppose I'm just a little worried that if I enjoy the 997.2 for a period then want to get out of it I'll feel that I will want my Z4M back again.

Maybe I should sell the 335i, and go all in by keeping the Z4M and using a 997 GTS everyday.

It wouldn't probably massively depreciate doing that.

Then I could evaluate both cars over time without losing my prized Z4M until I know I want to stay with the 997 long term etc.

The other thing with the 997 GTS is that it's a PDK as manuals are hard to find.

I would miss the manual gearbox as my 2nd driver..

It's difficult making decisions on these cars sometimes.!

 

[RedUn]

Nick, I've been around this loop about 500 times myself so know exactly how your feeling :headbang:

Some thoughts of mine, in no particular order...

If you want to scratch the 911 itch what benefits will you gain with a GTS over say a mint C2S that's probably 35k cheaper?

Sell the 335 and buy a C2S(or similar) for everyday use and keep the zed for the weekend/fun car?

I use my zed as a toy and I love the fact there's no electronics(traction off obviously) or fancy gearbox, if I was to swap it I'd want a similar car but they don't seem to make them anymore unless you go more extreme and buy an atom or an older GT3 but they are now ££££.

I chose to spend a few quid on the zed (brakes, suspension and some noise) which has made it even more fun to drive and all of that probably cost less than 6 months depreciation if I bought another car?

Boring but I already scratched the porsche itch a few years ago, it cost me a lot of money for not a lot of excitement hence why I love the zed

 

[markos]

I'm also close to selling my Z4MC (after just 5.5 years though!), and I think I'm in a similar position to you OP: I'm going to stump up a lot more cash for something that might not be that much better!

If I didn't like what I replaced it with I too would want my Z4MC back, so the ideal solution would be to keep the Z4MC, get the new car and keep both for 3-6 monts to see which I really prefer, but in reality I need the funds from the existing car to get to the next... I guess it says a lot about Z4Ms in that some owners struggle to let go of them!

 

[Babw]

What I would be if financially possible is to buy the 997 and keep the Z4M for a period of time before making the decision to sell one.

After 9 years you know the state of your Z4M, if you sell and regret it then it might take some effort + even more money to get another.

If you don't get on with the 911 then I'm sure you'd be able to sell if for virtually no loss.

I went through a similar 911 shaped dilemma but fortunately I was able to borrow a friends for a long term and actually realised I enjoyed the no frills nature of the Z4M but wanted something that was much (scares me) faster as an assault on the senses so ended up buying a GTR to go alongside the Z4M.

The thing about 911 is that they keep making them better, it might seem a given that successive iteration are made better but other manufacturers don't always get it right. I certainly wouldn't buy a 911 for the toys although they're designed to be the everyday consummate sports car because those benchmarks are moved on yearly where as that feeling/connection behind the wheel can't always be replicated. I've driven the 997 and 991 GTS, I would struggle to argue how the 997 GTS is anyway better than a 991 GTS. You can always bring the hydraulic steering card but when you're behind the wheel the sum of the parts are just great if you want a polished involving drive which is quite different to what the Z4M offers.

 

[Franzino]

997.2 GTS is becoming a bit of a holy grail 911 in the current market . I went through similar thoughts when I bought my 997 as the M is such an incredible car for the money. I thought I would really regret selling the M but in truth the 997 has made up for its loss.

But if the 911 itch needs to be scratched a 997.2 GTS is probably the way to do it - from what I understand it they are incredibly sought after with little or no depreciation in 2 years. I would be inclined to check the service history carefully as to be honest 65k for an OPC backed GTS seems a little on the low side.

The 997.2GTS is becoming so loved because it's the next best thing besides the 997 GT3 (RS) and those cars are becoming so expensive. For me personally; if I could only have one car and it is also my daily car then I would trade in my Z4M for a 997.2 GTS. It was my second fun car I would only trade in my Z4M for a GT3, GT4, GT3RS if we are talking about the Porsche brand. My Z4M is my sun & fun car and for daily driving I have an M2 on order. Selling the Z4M is not an option for me. I have to much love for this car and it's a great car for the money (same story with the M2).

 

[breezer]

Don't underestimate the benefits of having a smaller car in terms of fun. The porkers are getting porky aren't they?

 

[DLT222]

Ive had 3 911's and loved every one of em!

The 964 Carrera Ruf was something else and actually pulled better than the 997 C4S I had. I bought the 991 C2S when it came out and owned it 2 weeks till someone offered me over list and it was flipped, largely due to the fact I was travelling extensively.

The GTS is such a great car also, and as one member said, values are strong.

Imola Red Z4m you say?....

oke:

 

[nickw6666]

Some great points here. Thanks for the thoughtful feedback.

Keeping the Z4M until I'm happy with the 997.2 does make a lot of sense. Just have to sell 335i but this is proving useful as a beater as I have a 75 mile round trip office commute 3-4 days a week.

A great point regarding another option of saving myself £35K and going for a mint C2S. I assume this would be a Gen1 etc. Great cars and great value and this solves the other issue I have as to whether PDK or manual. The gen1 tiptronic is a no no for me.

The PDK is impressive on the 997.2 GTS but I think the manual is still the best. So hard to find though. When I drove hone from the Porsche dealer I so enjoyed the manual and raw driving experience of the Z4M, which made me think.. Hang on a minute here...!

I am in the financial position at the moment where I can keep both so maybe best option. Another would be to not buy the 997.2 GTS and stay with my two current cars for now, and in the interim try a manual gen1 997 C2S.

The one thing I really liked about the Porsche above all else was the fantastic brakes. I'd love to have the Z4M brakes as firm as the GTS. Is it possible to get stock Z4M brakes to have a really firm pedal like the GTS with better brakes lines and fluid, or is the sliding calliper too much of a compromise compared to the fixed calipers of the Porsche?

My car is an Imola Red Z4M coupe January 2007 with 31,000 miles. Drives great on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres which I think make a huge difference.

 

[ocrx8]

Parked next to a 997 yesterday. There's something about them :wub:

 

[nickw6666]

Very nice.. The 997 does look good. The Z4M Roadster looks good too! :driving:

 

[pHilli0]

Some great points here. Thanks for the thoughtful feedback.

Keeping the Z4M until I'm happy with the 997.2 does make a lot of sense. Just have to sell 335i but this is proving useful as a beater as I have a 75 mile round trip office commute 3-4 days a week.

A great point regarding another option of saving myself £35K and going for a mint C2S. I assume this would be a Gen1 etc. Great cars and great value and this solves the other issue I have as to whether PDK or manual. The gen1 tiptronic is a no no for me.

The PDK is impressive on the 997.2 GTS but I think the manual is still the best. So hard to find though. When I drove hone from the Porsche dealer I so enjoyed the manual and raw driving experience of the Z4M, which made me think.. Hang on a minute here...!

I am in the financial position at the moment where I can keep both so maybe best option. Another would be to not buy the 997.2 GTS and stay with my two current cars for now, and in the interim try a manual gen1 997 C2S.

The one thing I really liked about the Porsche above all else was the fantastic brakes. I'd love to have the Z4M brakes as firm as the GTS. Is it possible to get stock Z4M brakes to have a really firm pedal like the GTS with better brakes lines and fluid, or is the sliding calliper too much of a compromise compared to the fixed calipers of the Porsche?

My car is an Imola Red Z4M coupe January 2007 with 31,000 miles. Drives great on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres which I think make a huge difference.

For relatively little money you could turn your Z4M into something that would equal the 997 in so many areas. Brakes, suspension etc. Spend around 5k and you will close the gap a surprising amount to the 997, and then question even more if it warrants the massive outlay.

 

[Babw]

I'd tend to disagree with the above.

What makes the 911 special is the fact it seems better than the sum of it's parts. The delicate balance of the chassis, the traction compared to a FR setup and what seems perfect weighting of the controls for the weight/power/size the 911 is. I'm sure you can spend on an Z4M and beat a 911 around a track but as a road car you don't get the same interaction as you feel like you're in a bit more of a battle to keep the thing on the road.

If I had to have one car to drive quickly and regularly with toys + refinement then Porsche wins but it doesn't have that imperfection which the Z4M does so I don't think they would fulfil the same role.

 

[dalecan]

Nick,
I was in this position a couple of weeks ago when my Z4MC sold within 2 hours of the advertisement (I'd owned her for 5 years). As soon as she sold I though, "Oh no, what have I done.'

All of that anguish was immediately forgotten when I collect my 2012 V8VS! The drive home from Saratoga CA to Seattle was an immediate love affair. I miss the MC, but the new purchase is not regretted one bit.

You only live once!

 

[nickw6666]

Good point. One of the areas I do really like about the 911 over the Z4M is the rock solid brakes compared to the soft pedal of the Z4M, even though the actual stopping power is similar.

I could look at upgrading brakes such as different pads, braided hoses, upgraded fluid etc or even a BBK.

In terms of outlay it would be a lot less than a 997 GTS!

 

[nickw6666]

Nick,
I was in this position a couple of weeks ago when my Z4MC sold within 2 hours of the advertisement (I'd owned her for 5 years). As soon as she sold I though, "Oh no, what have I done.'

All of that anguish was immediately forgotten when I collect my 2012 V8VS! The drive home from Saratoga CA to Seattle was an immediate love affair. I miss the MC, but the new purchase is not regretted one bit.

You only live once!

Great pics of your before and after. The Z4M looks gorgeous but I can see why the AM V8S replaced it etc. Lovely looking car. Sometimes you just have to go for it!