Upgrade from 3.0si to M.......??

[Inuit]

I was looking at the new Z4, but have decided I don't like its back end enough to buy one. (and they are quite pricey)

So I'm looking at the z4ms, which are now in my price range.

I haven't ever owned a manual car, and pretty much have next to zero experience driving one. I do, however, ride a cbr600rr motorbike, so the gearing and clutching concepts are well understood.
The hill assist would also be great here.


So I'm wondering if I should upgrade... Found a very nice z4m (low kms, 2007, black on black)

I had similar problem re the auto. I had several autos and when i bought mine was determined i was going to stay with an auto, but after trying a z4 auto did not thing it had enough whow factor and hated the steering. Went out in the M and that was it, back to a manual. The gearbox in the M is great, maybe not the easiest, but the odd bit of kangarooing (and we all do it occasionally!)is worth putting up with.

I have had more smiles,squeals, gasping and screams with this car. I will go back to an auto probably the a new Z (did a test drive and it is a lovely car) after i have got the the M out of my system. The thing with the M is that it is just that little bit different - is it a long term car like my SLK, no its not, but it is the only car on our drive i want to get in and just drive for no reason.

The 3.0 is what i would i should have bought if i had my long term sensible head on.

Only way like others have said is to drive one and see if it is you, think it is an acquired taste.

 

[T2FFN]

Buy a well looked after 3.0L and fit an ESS supercharger :evil: and M front bumper (purely because it looks better, not imitating! )

 

[zeddy]

I had similar problem re the auto. I had several autos and when i bought mine was determined i was going to stay with an auto, but after trying a z4 auto did not thing it had enough whow factor and hated the steering. Went out in the M and that was it, back to a manual. The gearbox in the M is great, maybe not the easiest, but the odd bit of kangarooing (and we all do it occasionally!)is worth putting up with.

I have had more smiles,squeals, gasping and screams with this car. I will go back to an auto probably the a new Z (did a test drive and it is a lovely car) after i have got the the M out of my system. The thing with the M is that it is just that little bit different - is it a long term car like my SLK, no its not, but it is the only car on our drive i want to get in and just drive for no reason.

Have to say that the manual aspect is the only thing putting me off, after having done some research. Quite a few people on the forum complaining how bad the clutch is and how hard it is to change gears smoothly. Currently I can just plant my foot and enjoy the speed, without worrying about gear changes. (sounds lazy, I know)

2 week wait on the test drive as the seller is overseas. No dealers have any M's advertised.

 

[rabman5]

Buy a well looked after 3.0L and fit an ESS supercharger :evil: and M front bumper (purely because it looks better, not imitating! )

...and then what about the steering, brakes and suspension?

I'm sorry, I had to do it.

 

[zeddy]

Buy a well looked after 3.0L and fit an ESS supercharger :evil: and M front bumper (purely because it looks better, not imitating! )

Have to say that supercharging an engine that wasn't designed for it bothers me, as far as stressing the engine and wear and tear..


I already have a 3.0si so a 3.0 aftermarket supercharged would be going backwards........

 

[Inuit]

2 week wait on the test drive as the seller is overseas. No dealers have any M's advertised.

not sure where you are in the UK or whether you are a coupe or roadster fan, but ring sytner leicester or keep a eye on the website - i was in there yesterday trying the new Z and the had a nice grey M roadster sitting outside (no sales ticket though), today as i went past there was a grey Z4 on the sales forecourt - from where i was i could not see if it was the M. Might be a completely different car, but it might be worth a try.

Sure someone on here might let you have a go or at least take you out in one.

As for the gear changing you can take your CDV valve thing off - i have not, but others have and say it has transformed the car.

 

[csmith319]

Where are you looking? There are several on the BMW.co.uk website ranging from a 20Kish imola red roadster to much newer ones in the mid to high 30's.

Also - Sytner have some on their books in the mid 20's - but at least one may have already been sold.

 

[zeddy]

I'm in Australia. Hardly any Z4M's around.

 

[T2FFN]

Buy a well looked after 3.0L and fit an ESS supercharger :evil: and M front bumper (purely because it looks better, not imitating! )

...and then what about the steering, brakes and suspension?

I'm sorry, I had to do it.

Hmm... for my money I'd buy a nice 3.0, add an ESS supercharger, exhaust, Big brake conversion, lowered and uprated arbs, maybe M bumpers (or keep it stock for shock performance)

This is my opinion of course, but I'd hope/expect to pay less for the above than buying a low mileage, well looked after M.

This is based on me recently buying a gorgeous 3.0 for a bargain! I'd expect to pay atleast £10K more for an M, and that'd be at the cheap end of the M scale, so maybe not in the best condition, so I'd rather modify my 3.0

The performance stats posted dont leave much in it between the two, so maybe more powerful and faster to have a 3.0 supercharged than an M

 

[zeddy]

I'm not interested in downgrading to a 2003/2004 3.0. (I'm the OP)

By the time I upgrade the things that annoy me on the 3.0.si, I'd have spent fairly close to the additional M cost. (brakes, suspension, exhaust, sound system (inc. screen), non rfts, etc)


Just waiting on a test drive now - given that the z4m cost about $130K AUD new, there aren't that many around. It was quite depressing to convert some of the uk pounds car prices to AUD. Getting ripped off big time here in Aus.

 

[chetalien]

Hope u find one mate. With all the sun u get it would be nice to have a roadster.

 

[toplad]

That's what I did. When from a 2006 3.0si to a 2007 M Roadster. It's a nice upgrade and the pricing is right...

Could you feel the difference in power from the 3.0si to the M ?


I can't find an options list / brochure anywhere as BMW seems to have taken them all offline :x

These are the differences on paper:

Z4 3.0si Coupe (2006 on):
Emissions: 207 g/km
0-62: 5.7 sec
50-75 (4th gear):5.2 sec
Weight: 1,395
Fuel Consumption (combined): 32.5 MPG
Drag: 0.34
BHP: 265@6600 RPM
Torque (Nm): 315/2750 RPM


Z4M Coupe:
Emissions: 292 g/km
0-62: 5.0 sec
50-75 (4th gear):5.0 sec
Weight: 1,495
Fuel Consumption (combined): 23.3 MPG
Drag: 0.35
BHP: 343@7900 RPM
Torque (Nm): 365/4900 RPM


Way up if you need the extra performance v the extra running costs (although these can vary between countries) and look at the spec compared with what you have now.

The on paper spec tell you nothing at all, the differences in performance increase the faster you go and with the brakes, diff and better steering it's a no-brainer if you love driving, I use the the extra shove every time I'm out in the car. You can't just go off the numbers, it's a classic internet mistake.

 

[zeddy]

Finally had a test drive, and for me, it is worth the upgrade.

The Z4M is a totally different car than the si. Its what the si really should have been imho.

Fantastic brakes, no runflats, better suspension, engine raring to go and an AWESOME sound as it accelerates away. I now see why M owners aren't concerned about the quality of the sound system in the car :lol:

The clutch didn't seem too bad, apart from not having much slipping range, a bit like an on / off switch. Given that I have almost zero manual driving experience, I also had someone else drive the car. He found it no more difficult than his car (also a performance car). The seat just barely goes forward enough for me to put the clutch right in. Ideally I need it a bit more forward, but I'll survive.

If I had to drive in heavy traffic every day, I would also buy a crappy 4 cylinder auto buzzbox as a daily driver and leave the M for weekends. The M probably won't be much fun in traffic, but I don't really have much on my drive to work so I'm not too concerned.