Interesting guys, But having had a 2.5i , driven a 3.0si for 1hr and then test driven M and owning it I would say M is worth every penny, its more fun to drive, the steering is better. The engine is great, the sound is awesome and in total a great car. yes its a bit expensive to own but overall for what u get out of it, I would say M is definitely the car. Of course its my opinion, So far having owned it for 6 months I would say i still havent thought abotu changing it. I can see myself holding it longer than i usually do(about a year most cars). I have had a toyota supra twin turbo, briefly RX8, celica for sometime, Z4 2.5i, the longest i had the supra. With todays prices definitely worth having if they dont make a new Z4M then u got urself a classic.
Upgrade from 3.0si to M.......??
- Thread starter zeddy
- Start date
I remember very similar discussions going on some years ago about the difference between the 330c and M3 and a lot of people argued that there wasn't enough of a performance difference to justify the additional expense both in purchase price and running costs. When I made the change I immediately realised that there was so much more to the M3 than the 330c and that those arguing to the contrary were deluding themselves.
Forget residuals, running costs, comparitive purchase prices and roads where you supposedly can't exploit the M's performance. If you're willing to take the extra costs on and you drive your cars to anywhere near their potential then the M is a substantially better car from steering and handling through to outright pace. The character of the 3.0si may well suit many people better than an M and that's fair enough. The M, however, is the better drivers car, all in my opinion of course.
Forget residuals, running costs, comparitive purchase prices and roads where you supposedly can't exploit the M's performance. If you're willing to take the extra costs on and you drive your cars to anywhere near their potential then the M is a substantially better car from steering and handling through to outright pace. The character of the 3.0si may well suit many people better than an M and that's fair enough. The M, however, is the better drivers car, all in my opinion of course.
Judgement is always clouded by what you have in a way, I went from a 1994 MX5 worth less than £2k to a Z4M costing over £20k, but I still miss some aspects of the MX5 and found it hard selling it.
3.0SI owners will say M cars are not worth the extra and M drivers will say 3.0SI owners are jealous. Fact is, the 3.0SI comes close in performance, the M is better (not just for performance, for looks too), but you have to accept higher running costs and higher tax etc.
I drove the 3.0SI but I was after something that felt really special and the M did it for me, but I don't commute that far. If I was commuting, I'd pick the 3.0SI or a 2.0.
Drive what you want and enjoy what you have!
3.0SI owners will say M cars are not worth the extra and M drivers will say 3.0SI owners are jealous. Fact is, the 3.0SI comes close in performance, the M is better (not just for performance, for looks too), but you have to accept higher running costs and higher tax etc.
I drove the 3.0SI but I was after something that felt really special and the M did it for me, but I don't commute that far. If I was commuting, I'd pick the 3.0SI or a 2.0.
Drive what you want and enjoy what you have!
The price wasn't against a particular car - just their internal book value, regardless of what I was doing. Basically I think I bought it at the bottom of the market and in the winter - but I didn't expect to be in this position.
However, it doesn't mean anything unless I actually sell it! If an M came up for say £20 - £21K from a dealer, then I would - but I can only see one at the moment and its Red (which I like, but my wife does not!). Would have to be Interlagos or Black.
However, it doesn't mean anything unless I actually sell it! If an M came up for say £20 - £21K from a dealer, then I would - but I can only see one at the moment and its Red (which I like, but my wife does not!). Would have to be Interlagos or Black.
alexman said:Judgement is always clouded by what you have in a way, I went from a 1994 MX5 worth less than £2k to a Z4M costing over £20k, but I still miss some aspects of the MX5 and found it hard selling it.
3.0SI owners will say M cars are not worth the extra and M drivers will say 3.0SI owners are jealous. Fact is, the 3.0SI comes close in performance, the M is better (not just for performance, for looks too), but you have to accept higher running costs and higher tax etc.
I drove the 3.0SI but I was after something that felt really special and the M did it for me, but I don't commute that far. If I was commuting, I'd pick the 3.0SI or a 2.0.
Drive what you want and enjoy what you have!
I agree with you up to a point but jealousy or justification for what car you decided to buy shouldn't come in to this. I've seen it in several other threads on this forum recently where owners can't help themselves in justifying their car choice over other model variants. On occasion this stretches to self delusionment and I admit it irritates me. You made your joice, you're happy with it then fine. Just don't constantly find mostly baseless arguments about performance similarities between cars that are some difference apart. pvr's comment just about sums up the difference in the 2 cars perfectly. Rant over.
It irritates you because you already have a Z4. If I was looking at buying a Z4 I would probably find some of this interesting. :wink: I would feel a bit more informed about the 2 cars from owners (admittedly a biased view!) but info all the same. 
Actually, going on pvrs statement and having owned my Z4 for a while now, I'd say the Z4 is an OK sports car, not a great one.
I like the whole package of mine. The looks, the interior finish and colour, the engine, the sound, the rarity, but I have driven far better drivers cars. :wink: I decided to buy the car when I saw it in the dealership. It was a combination of the looks and package v mileage and price that sold it to me. At the time it was a bargain! I could buy it without finance which was a bonus! I was very pleased with the test drive, but I wasn't bowled over by it. Same with the Z4M.
Actually, going on pvrs statement and having owned my Z4 for a while now, I'd say the Z4 is an OK sports car, not a great one.
I like the whole package of mine. The looks, the interior finish and colour, the engine, the sound, the rarity, but I have driven far better drivers cars. :wink: I decided to buy the car when I saw it in the dealership. It was a combination of the looks and package v mileage and price that sold it to me. At the time it was a bargain! I could buy it without finance which was a bonus! I was very pleased with the test drive, but I wasn't bowled over by it. Same with the Z4M.
Its all down to what you want from it imo. If its for commuting to work, the occasional spirited run, or a saunter into the countryside then the 3.0 would suffice, the performance differences doesnt justify the extra cost, in theory.
If regular track days are your thing then the M is the one to go for, this is where the differences in performance will show up most vs a 3.0
Plus the added prestige (premium) of owning an M, and the fact its the ultimate Z4.
If regular track days are your thing then the M is the one to go for, this is where the differences in performance will show up most vs a 3.0
Plus the added prestige (premium) of owning an M, and the fact its the ultimate Z4.
Zed_Steve said:
In theory but not in practice. The spirited drive, and lets face it there's no point in owning either car if you don't drive it in this fashion, is where the M will outshine the 3.0si. It's nothing to do with track days from my perspective, the extra performance of the M is very useable in everyday use.
Breaker, you may not have been bowled over by the Z4M on your test drive but the car is brutal and very satisfying to drive quickly when you get it on some decent tyres. I would suggest that an extended period of driving the car would change your mind but that would also depend on the style and manner of your driving.
Without being controversial and making it clear that I would prefer an M! For me though, the Z is the second car and having already splashed out on our first car last year, spending even more on what was an impulse purchase is something I can't justify right now.
I think that while we have our opinions, I think the press were similarly confused. Some raved about the M - others did not and some said the additional cost of the M was not worth it over the Si which was brand new at the time (I'm talking about Autocar and EVO here, so driving orientated mags).
I think that while we have our opinions, I think the press were similarly confused. Some raved about the M - others did not and some said the additional cost of the M was not worth it over the Si which was brand new at the time (I'm talking about Autocar and EVO here, so driving orientated mags).
I would never put a lot of weight on anything Autocar has to say, Evo though is a different matter. They tested the car on the OEM Conti tyres and I cannot stress enough how unsuited to the Z4M these tyres are. When they followed up their original reviews with a test drive of Steve Davies' (now involved in the Drivers Republic website) Z4MC shod with 19" PS2's and an OEM strut brace, they revised their opinion on the car favourably. I would advise anyone who has only driven the car on the Conti's to try again with decent tyres, I think your opinion of the car might change.
dgm said:
To be honest if I had any more horsepower I'd get into trouble!!
I tend to drive cars quite hard when I feel the need to and handling has always meant more to me than horsepower (to a point!). Cars don't really excite me though as I come from riding a long line of superbikes! I am mainly a biker. I only learnt to drive when I was 28 because I needed a van to cart my guitar stuff around when I joined a band! :wink: I had a "play" in my Z4 last night and I honestly couldn't pick a spot where I needed (read could use) more horsepower.
No way would a Z4M leave me on the road so I can't see the point other than owning an M car for the badge, but that's just me. :wink:
I wasn't always the same with motorbikes though! I bought things like 1000cc Honda Fireblades and Yamaha R1's, but the I knew the quickest bike from A to B on the road was always my Honda CBR600!! I only bought them to look good when I went out to bike meets so I had the most powerful bike at the time!! I've grown up since!
This thing is so subjective it cant be settled. Each to his own. But at the end of the day if you are not happy with what u drive then u change otherwise enjoy ur car. The best way to enjoy the car(any car) is to take it to its limits. Breaker is right in a certain way but what the hell- I enjoy my M so thats my car.
Evo magazine usually have their reviews pretty spot on. They rated the Z4MR to 41/2 stars and it came out on top of a shoot out with a Boxster S, TVR something and Z4 Alpina. If they rated it better than the Boxster for driving fun/pleasure then they must rate it as the Boxster is still their recommended convertible sports car