tehdarkstar
Member
Hello guys,
I'm really struggling with my choice of car. I've ordered a new Z4 3.0si Coupe Sport, but I keep having second thoughts about an ex-demonstrator Z4M Coupe. I found one dealer that has got a Z4M in the right spec costing the same as my Z3 3.0si and he's open to negotiation, so I think I can knock a couple of grand out of it still.
I have read every review I could find of both cars and what I could gather so far is that where the 3.0si feels balanced and fine-handling, the Z4M feels unsettled and difficult to put drive. The reviews range from being a good car with too many flaws (Autocar) down to being a very bad car (J. Clarkson on the Times). Evo has given the 3.0si SE 5 stars saying that it was a trully entertaining car and has given the standard Z4M 4.5 stars and said it was just scraping that mark. It later awarded full 4.5 stars to a modified M that had CLS rims, strut-brace and the styling pack. One thing that no-one can deny though is that the 3.2 engine from the M3 is a fantastic performer and almost impossible to beat. With 80bhp more than the 3.0si and 1 second less in the 0-62mph it must be extremely quick.
My intended used for the new car is entertainment: I do lots of trackdays and every once in a while I will do cruises in the continent. I want something that can trully entertain me on the track and it seems that neither option will fulfill that in standard guise, so I'm considering a number of modifications to make the car handle the way I want. I just think that perhaps the M car will be closer to what I want than the 3.0si, therefore will cost me less in mods and will have that stonking engine that I won't be able to match otherwise. I'm concerned that the 3.0si not having M-diff, having a much softer suspension (because of the runflats) and smaller brakes will require a lot of work to be great, whereas the M perhaps with the strut-brace in the front to give it more rigidity, lighter alloys and better tyres (Michelin PS2) will be there...
What I would like is to get some opinions from people that own both cars about how their cars go. It seems that there are some trackday enthusiasts over here, so I wouldn't mind hearing what you guys got to say.
BTW, I will drive up north this Saturday to test-drive the Z4M in the right spec...
I'm really struggling with my choice of car. I've ordered a new Z4 3.0si Coupe Sport, but I keep having second thoughts about an ex-demonstrator Z4M Coupe. I found one dealer that has got a Z4M in the right spec costing the same as my Z3 3.0si and he's open to negotiation, so I think I can knock a couple of grand out of it still.
I have read every review I could find of both cars and what I could gather so far is that where the 3.0si feels balanced and fine-handling, the Z4M feels unsettled and difficult to put drive. The reviews range from being a good car with too many flaws (Autocar) down to being a very bad car (J. Clarkson on the Times). Evo has given the 3.0si SE 5 stars saying that it was a trully entertaining car and has given the standard Z4M 4.5 stars and said it was just scraping that mark. It later awarded full 4.5 stars to a modified M that had CLS rims, strut-brace and the styling pack. One thing that no-one can deny though is that the 3.2 engine from the M3 is a fantastic performer and almost impossible to beat. With 80bhp more than the 3.0si and 1 second less in the 0-62mph it must be extremely quick.
My intended used for the new car is entertainment: I do lots of trackdays and every once in a while I will do cruises in the continent. I want something that can trully entertain me on the track and it seems that neither option will fulfill that in standard guise, so I'm considering a number of modifications to make the car handle the way I want. I just think that perhaps the M car will be closer to what I want than the 3.0si, therefore will cost me less in mods and will have that stonking engine that I won't be able to match otherwise. I'm concerned that the 3.0si not having M-diff, having a much softer suspension (because of the runflats) and smaller brakes will require a lot of work to be great, whereas the M perhaps with the strut-brace in the front to give it more rigidity, lighter alloys and better tyres (Michelin PS2) will be there...
What I would like is to get some opinions from people that own both cars about how their cars go. It seems that there are some trackday enthusiasts over here, so I wouldn't mind hearing what you guys got to say.
BTW, I will drive up north this Saturday to test-drive the Z4M in the right spec...
......especially if you plan on track days.