Total BMW mag gives Z4MC a thumbs down!
- Thread starter LeeZ4MR
- Start date
jrainlay said:LeeZ4MR said:Why does the Z4M generate such opinion? & not always good!
There's a similar anti Z4MC thread on PisHeads, but none of this nonsense diminishes my Z4MC enthusiasm one iota. It's a great car and, as a long-time BMW owner (including an E46 M3), I can say categorically it's one the best cars BMW has ever built. But the Z4MC stirs controvery among BMW owners and non-owners alike because it represents a potential paradigm shift: That is, it demonstrates the company's ability to step outside its traditional "sports sedan" niche and build a stylish, affordable and competitive, hard-core sports car. As such, the car effectively challenges the pro-porker European Sports Car Establishment, attracting all manner of criticism from those would would nip this transgression in the bud.
+1
Fair point. Chris Harris does have a point though: they should have gone a lot further with the Z4MC (as in making in GT3 direction) and in that sense, it is a disappointment. there is one area where I disagree completely with some on this forum: the suspension. Its not dreadful. It simply that BMW could not decide whether its a mini-GT car or proper sports car. The result is that it is choppy and lively on small bumpy roads and not a comfy as it could be in town or long journeys. Nonetheless show it some fast or slow corners on smooth roads and its just fab with understeer building gradually if you get in too hot. Some good driving techniques quell that. It makes for a very characterful, playful but extremely safe handling car, if not exactly the most comfortable. Same on track. I've driven on soaking wet and dry tracks pretty much to the limit of my modest abilities on OEM suspension and it was brilliant. Whereby a Z3 Coupe just runs out of talent and you can't get the power down and the chassis just is nasty at the limit of grip, the Z4 is with you all the way.
Better knowledge of the track and the car will always give you an advantage. Even with cars that have way more power…mmm-five said:Just goes to show where a bit of driver training can save you £9k and still have as fast a car.BMWZ4MC said:I went head to head with a 450bhp E46 M3 on my last track day. The owner was very upset that >10K of mods to the brakes and suspension, as well as Recaros, Cups and a stage I ESS supercharger meant he could only just keep up with me
Did a similar thing with an R8 (don't know the difference between a V8 and V10) at the 'Ring. He was on his second lap of the day and I was on my 10th or so.
343HP Z4M roadster vs 530HP Porsche Turbo S vs other traffic @ Nurburgring 2013
[youtube]h6DrdXTGB30[/youtube]
Upon release Total BMW had good things to say about the Z4M- I should know as I wrote part of the piece comparing it to Cayman S and the Alpina Roadster S. Although quite exactly what I said I can't recall but I remember it being favourable!
Anyhoo, I think there's something coming up in BMWCar magazine next month re the Z4M so hopefully that will redress the balance. Not that it matters really though!
I really like mine but interesting to hear that I can make it even better for quite a small outlay.
A
Anyhoo, I think there's something coming up in BMWCar magazine next month re the Z4M so hopefully that will redress the balance. Not that it matters really though!
I really like mine but interesting to hear that I can make it even better for quite a small outlay.
A
Franzino said:
Good call
they work well on track for the coupe and are good on the road too on their softest setting. Make sure you get the rear axle properly sorted though, there is a lot of movement there and guys following on the track have commented on just how hard they see the rear end work! I am fairly ham fisted though 
I posted earlier that BMW Car magazine this month had a Z4MC as a cover star and gave the 'Last of the straight six M cars' a thumbs up and a positive write up - get one whilst you can was their message.
So hope that balances out the thumbs down
So hope that balances out the thumbs down
I completely agree with you as all the reviews I read waxed lyrical about the E92 M3 but for me its been one of the most disappointing cars that I have owned, the reviewers only use the car for about 10 minutes but when you live with it day in day out that experience is the one that matters.nightyard said:
LeeZ4MR said:
Really? I'm thinking of getting a 4 door. please tell me more!
The main problem was I used mine as my daily & after 4 weeks ownership I was bored with it, the interior was just standard 3 series bar the seats & dials, I thought the exhaust note was very poor as standard for a V8, pretty much nothing happens below 6k revs so it didn't have any usable torque in daily driving, the brakes are woeful even just driving hard on the road & for me at over 1600kg it just felt too heavy & just to comfy & grown up overall.ChawenHalo said:
I was very disappointed with it & I had wanted one for years but at least I ticked the box but for me personally they are over rated & not really aimed at the enthusiast anymore they are more of a business mans car.
The highlights were the induction noise its great & very addictive & the chassis was the best I had experienced in a car that I have owned very playful & very controllable with the traction off which was always off for me! I think if used as a second car that would make more sense to keep it feeling a little more special...did I mention the fuel economy obviously its a V8 so not great but the range & the amount of time you spend filling it up starts to grate.
I owned mine for 10 months & 10k miles but I seem to be in the minority as most owners from what I have read loved them to bits but I always see my cars for what they are & just share my honest view from my experience.
Hope this helps
