Upgrade from an 3.0is to the M/// ?????
- Thread starter 2dogs
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ksher said:
One is about £18,000 - £25,000, the other is £40,000+, so that might affect the decision. Personally I have upgraded to a more powerful version of the same car several times before (e.g. 330 to M3) and you definitely notice the difference. Test drive one and see if you think it is worth the cost to change.
ksher said:
That's a bit silly. Of course it's an M. You do know what the M stands for don't you ?
The point that PVR was trying to make was that its the whole experience of an M that makes it special. I've owned the 231bhp 3.0 roadster and driven the admittedly excellent S-Drive 35i twice now but the M has something special IMO. It's the engine noise, the feel, the steering (hydraulic none of this electric nonsense), just the sense it's been designed for someone who is a real enthusiast. I didn't feel that in 35i (can't comment on the 35is because haven't driven it). Yes it was quick, yes the interior is light years better than mine but for that sense of occasion but I don't think it's quite got it. It's also slower.....
although not much !!! before Breaker/Kryton intervene 
I'd say upgrade....it will take months to wipe the smile off your face.
2dogs said:
Not done it, but the 3.0 is about as fast as the Honda S2000. The M is another step up the ladder at least.
You notice the performance more at the top end; it keeps going past 85 like a stabbed rat, the 3.0 doesn’t
It also has better brakes, steering, a diff and is quite rare.
Only you can decide if it's worth, it's a no-brainer for me.
Buy the //M - I didn't and I regret that I didn't. More power, the last Naturally Aspirated Straight 6 M engine that we'll see for a long time, if ever. Proper steering too. Remember also that they cost over 30% more than the 3.0Si when new, so the additional cost now I think is good value.
I do believe though (perhaps contrary to what I said above) - in the long term the residuals will be much better.
I do believe though (perhaps contrary to what I said above) - in the long term the residuals will be much better.
I have done it - I had a 3.0si Coupe which I had to sell (don't ask) and figured I'd get an M instead. I then ended up with another 3.0si Coupe instead of the M I planned(don't ask again) but couldn't get the M out of my mind, so after 9 months of wondering what it would be like I finally did the change to a Z4MC.
I do absolutely love it, but taking everything in to account including the cost to change I'm undecided as to whether it was worth it financially. I think that's mostly down to the fact that I was impatient and just traded my 3.0si in for the Z4MC whereas if I'd sold privately not only would I have got a better price for it but I would have been in a stronger position as a cash buyer (so they say, not sure how true that is because BMW are always after good used cars anyway). So after I'd paid £5K extra for an older, higher mileage car with more expensive insurance, tax, fuel economy and servicing and I felt like it wasn't my best financial decision, but I have always lost a lot of cash in cars!
Despite all that - do it!
In terms of actual driving differences, it is in a whole different league in terms of acceleration. The first time I floored it from 3000rpm in 1st I genuinely scared myself! I find the overall ride better than the 3.0si despite the fact that the suspension is stiffer, but the non RFTs make it feel less like the whole suspension system is made of oak which I found on the 3.0. The sensitive throttle and notchy gears are slightly harder to drive around town but are a good thing when you're on the open road.
I do absolutely love it, but taking everything in to account including the cost to change I'm undecided as to whether it was worth it financially. I think that's mostly down to the fact that I was impatient and just traded my 3.0si in for the Z4MC whereas if I'd sold privately not only would I have got a better price for it but I would have been in a stronger position as a cash buyer (so they say, not sure how true that is because BMW are always after good used cars anyway). So after I'd paid £5K extra for an older, higher mileage car with more expensive insurance, tax, fuel economy and servicing and I felt like it wasn't my best financial decision, but I have always lost a lot of cash in cars!
Despite all that - do it!
In terms of actual driving differences, it is in a whole different league in terms of acceleration. The first time I floored it from 3000rpm in 1st I genuinely scared myself! I find the overall ride better than the 3.0si despite the fact that the suspension is stiffer, but the non RFTs make it feel less like the whole suspension system is made of oak which I found on the 3.0. The sensitive throttle and notchy gears are slightly harder to drive around town but are a good thing when you're on the open road.
Hmm, I went from pre-facelift 3.0 to post-facelift M and actually never even considered them to be the same car as they look different and there are so many differences aesthetically.
Not even mentioning the engine and driving experience difference (and the exhausts ...).
Not even mentioning the engine and driving experience difference (and the exhausts ...).
mikedav said:Breaker said:
...but of course it's certainly not the same car at all, otherwise everyone would buy the 3.0is
No, I meant the interior. The view you have when driving.
Can't argue it's a great car for the money these days mind. Get the coupe, they are well cooler! :wink:
Breaker said:Get the coupe, they are well cooler! :wink:
Yeah you don't even want to consider the roadster
Every M owner is going to tell you to get one. 
The extra cash you need to upgrade to an M isn't too much TBH and if you're raising the question you can obviously afford it.
The thing that'll cost more is running costs and insurance. As you guess you're probably looking at around 30-40% more of what it is now??
If your worried that it won't be much of a change as it's still a Z4, then why don't you consider getting the roadster since you have the coupe?
I have the a roadster and if I were ever to upgrade to an M then would get the coupe.
The extra cash you need to upgrade to an M isn't too much TBH and if you're raising the question you can obviously afford it.
The thing that'll cost more is running costs and insurance. As you guess you're probably looking at around 30-40% more of what it is now??
If your worried that it won't be much of a change as it's still a Z4, then why don't you consider getting the roadster since you have the coupe?
I have the a roadster and if I were ever to upgrade to an M then would get the coupe.
My insurance was £50 more then when I had a 3.0 (a year that is). I suppose my real cost will come in when I have to have an inspection I as so far, I only had an oil service and brake fluid one as the car is only 3 years old.
If I was to sell now, I could state that the cost was £150 more in insurance, and about £50 more in servicing (in my case actually less as I provided the oil this time myself). Brake fluid part was the same cost as the 3.0.
If I was to sell now, I could state that the cost was £150 more in insurance, and about £50 more in servicing (in my case actually less as I provided the oil this time myself). Brake fluid part was the same cost as the 3.0.