What real world difference is there between engines?
- Thread starter Breaker
- Start date
Back on topic. Probably the biggest difference, IMHO, is the depreciation. Looking at total cost of ownership, the //M will cost a good deal more at the time of trade-in/selling. Most people, and especially dealers, are fully aware the //M has been driven hard due to the nature of the car, and will pay accordingly. If the car is out of warranty, then you can expect much higher service costs, in particular during the Inspection, and this alone may force the buyer to go lower on offers. My 2 cents/pence 
ovrkll said:Operating costs betwee the two are neglible here in the US, that is one of the reasons for some of the posts seen here.
Play nice, guys!
No problem playing nice. I think that most in this thread take issue with some individuals stating that because "they" didn't see that the M is worth the extra money "for them" that it must be so for everyone else. IMO just like religion - I won't say anything if you believe whatever you want to, as long as you don't try to shove it down my throat.... :wink:
Cheers!
I think the most important thing is to know what you want and how you plan to use the car. Nothing sadder than seeing the kids on some E46 boards buying a 323i/325i, then pour thousands into it trying to make it look and perform like an M3. A year later, they're grousing about how the car is unsaleable because no one will pay them for all the alterations they've done. And why are they selling? Oh, they're getting an M3...
If you're confident that the non-M will meet your needs, then paying for the extra horses is a waste. But if you "know thyself" and think you'll want more horses, it's better to buy factory thoroughbreds right from the dealer. Aftermarket ponies tend to be more expensive, don't hold their value, and void the warranty on the rest of the herd.
If you're confident that the non-M will meet your needs, then paying for the extra horses is a waste. But if you "know thyself" and think you'll want more horses, it's better to buy factory thoroughbreds right from the dealer. Aftermarket ponies tend to be more expensive, don't hold their value, and void the warranty on the rest of the herd.
That works both ways!Rama said:ovrkll said:Operating costs betwee the two are neglible here in the US, that is one of the reasons for some of the posts seen here.
Play nice, guys!
No problem playing nice. I think that most in this thread take issue with some individuals stating that because "they" didn't see that the M is worth the extra money "for them" that it must be so for everyone else. IMO just like religion - I won't say anything if you believe whatever you want to, as long as you don't try to shove it down my throat.... :wink:
Cheers!
:wink: I'm stating why I didn't buy an M, and others are defending buying an M ! No winners here I guess!I go back to the first post. What really is the main difference on the road. Lets face it, in a spirited drive between the 2 cars on the road it will be mainly down to the driver as to which car would win. Having driven both, this is what I think.
I bought a Yamaha R1 motorbike once and before that I had a Honda 600R. The Yamaha was an awesome bike (150 odd BHP, 1000cc), but on a timed run on one of my favourite roads I was actually slower on the R1!!
Breaker said:
This is true, but if both drivers are equal, the M wins, especially if you have to make turns. I've been following this thread, trying not to get involved, but I have to say this. I owned a Z4 3.0 and LOVED it for three years. I've owned my M for 14 months now and it is a VERY different car, especially as a daily driver. Some differences are too subtle to distinguish on the first drive, but they are there. Others are very noticeable (steering, brakes, suspension, driving comfort). The 3.0 is a great car and so is the M, just different. Enjoy whatever you have to the fullest!
Was the 3.0 you had the facelift 3.0si? Mine is the 2007 model with the M sport kit (M suspension, M seats, M steering wheel) so it's interesting you say the drive comfort is better.rabman5 said:Breaker said:
This is true, but if both drivers are equal, the M wins, especially if you have to make turns. I've been following this thread, trying not to get involved, but I have to say this. I owned a Z4 3.0 and LOVED it for three years. I've owned my M for 14 months now and it is a VERY different car, especially as a daily driver. Some differences are too subtle to distinguish on the first drive, but they are there. Others are very noticeable (steering, brakes, suspension, driving comfort). The 3.0 is a great car and so is the M, just different. Enjoy whatever you have to the fullest!
Beacuse of the extra running cost aren't worth it! Again!! :lol:Caddyshk said:I'm starting to guess the question "why didn't you get the M" has been uttered a number of times to the OP
Actually (if this is what you were thinking) I didn't fit the M stuff, it comes as standard with the 3.0 si (not se) which furthers my argument that there isn't much in owning the M on the road!
As stated before by someone, I really do think BMW should have made the M a lot more of a difference to the rest of the Z4's!
My first Z4 was a 2004 3.0i. I did have the Sport Package but don't recall it being labeled as the "M suspension". If the sport package and M suspension are the same, that's news to me. I thought I read somewhere that the M had a different suspension not available on other cars, I may be wrong.
When I speak of driving comfort, I mean that the M is in fact a harder car to drive. Shifting, braking, turning, everything is different. it was much easier to take a leisurely cruise in the 3.0. Don't diminish the effect the electronic steering has on the non M's. Daily driving with this type of power without the steering assist makes a big difference.
When I speak of driving comfort, I mean that the M is in fact a harder car to drive. Shifting, braking, turning, everything is different. it was much easier to take a leisurely cruise in the 3.0. Don't diminish the effect the electronic steering has on the non M's. Daily driving with this type of power without the steering assist makes a big difference.
This is from the BMW UK website
3.0si http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications_detail/0,,1156_160051043__bs-WjQ%3D%40bb-Q1A%3D%40bm-WjRDNA%3D%3D,00.html
z4M : http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications_detail/0,,1156_160075412__bs-TQ%3D%3D%40bb-RFU5Mg%3D%3D%40bm-RFU5Mg%3D%3D,00.html
It does say "M specific suspension set-up" so you could be right, although the 3.0si does say M sports suspension.
3.0si http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications_detail/0,,1156_160051043__bs-WjQ%3D%40bb-Q1A%3D%40bm-WjRDNA%3D%3D,00.html
z4M : http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications_detail/0,,1156_160075412__bs-TQ%3D%3D%40bb-RFU5Mg%3D%3D%40bm-RFU5Mg%3D%3D,00.html
It does say "M specific suspension set-up" so you could be right, although the 3.0si does say M sports suspension.
Suspension is not close to being the same - essentially M sport suspension in non M's is shock tuning. The e46 3 series M sport and ZHP packages had the same part numbers for all components as non sport packages e.g. springs, sways etc. exception shocks.Breaker said:
Breaker said:Beacuse of the extra running cost aren't worth it! Again!! :lol:Caddyshk said:I'm starting to guess the question "why didn't you get the M" has been uttered a number of times to the OP
As stated before by someone, I really do think BMW should have made the M a lot more of a difference to the rest of the Z4's!
Subjective comment - not worth it to you - worth it to many of us who justify it
0.6 to 0.7 0-60 is material
I track my car 3-4 times per year and the M is a world of difference on a track.
Enough said.
If you track the car then it's worth it to you.Caddyshk said:Breaker said:Beacuse of the extra running cost aren't worth it! Again!! :lol:Caddyshk said:I'm starting to guess the question "why didn't you get the M" has been uttered a number of times to the OP
As stated before by someone, I really do think BMW should have made the M a lot more of a difference to the rest of the Z4's!
Subjective comment - not worth it to you - worth it to many of us who justify it
0.6 to 0.7 0-60 is material
I track my car 3-4 times per year and the M is a world of difference on a track.
Enough said.
I'm not saying no one thinks the M is worth it, I just asked what the real world difference on the road was between cars. I still don't think it is worth it in the UK.
Why so defensive?
This road test sums up what I am on about! :wink: http://motortorque.askaprice.com/reviews/auto-0607/niche-and-exclusive-the-new-bmw-z4-coupe.asp
