Z4 Coupe vs Z4M Coupe - which is best

[gIzzE]

I currently own a Z3M Coupe and love it for its outright rawness and driving appeal i.e. totally connected to the road. I have just sold my M240i Daily Driver as it was just Soooooooo boring!
My Dilema is do I buy a Z4 3.0 si Coupe or the Z4M Coupe as my daily driver. Bear in mind that I will sometimes have a passenger so a reasonable ride is a minor priority.
Cost is not an issue (I can pick up a really good 3.0 si for under £10K or a Z4MC for circa £20K) it is simply a case of which is the best for a DD considering that I also have an S50 Z3MC.
All comments appreciated

As you have the Z3 M Coupe, have you considered a Cayman?

I know I probably shouldn't say it on here, but as a daily it is spectacular.
A 987.2 from 2009 with either the 2.9 or 3.4 would be my choice.

Out the box the suspension set up is just spot on, just really well damped.

The Z4 imho, really needs money spent sorting the damping out, firmer dampers with a progressive spring that has a slightly lower spring rate when pootling about but firms up when pressing on, Eiback pro kit is a good choice with a B6 damper.
Plus put on PS4s or similar.
Then you have the EPAS steering on the non M car, which is OK, but not brilliant.

As you have the Z3 MC I would certainly give a Cayman a go.

 

[R60BBA]

I currently own a Z3M Coupe and love it for its outright rawness and driving appeal i.e. totally connected to the road. I have just sold my M240i Daily Driver as it was just Soooooooo boring!
My Dilema is do I buy a Z4 3.0 si Coupe or the Z4M Coupe as my daily driver. Bear in mind that I will sometimes have a passenger so a reasonable ride is a minor priority.
Cost is not an issue (I can pick up a really good 3.0 si for under £10K or a Z4MC for circa £20K) it is simply a case of which is the best for a DD considering that I also have an S50 Z3MC.
All comments appreciated

3.0si is a better car for daily usage.

Plus you already have an M, which I presume is your weekend car. If so, no need for 2 M cars.

 

[brin1960]

I currently own a Z3M Coupe and love it for its outright rawness and driving appeal i.e. totally connected to the road. I have just sold my M240i Daily Driver as it was just Soooooooo boring!
My Dilema is do I buy a Z4 3.0 si Coupe or the Z4M Coupe as my daily driver. Bear in mind that I will sometimes have a passenger so a reasonable ride is a minor priority.
Cost is not an issue (I can pick up a really good 3.0 si for under £10K or a Z4MC for circa £20K) it is simply a case of which is the best for a DD considering that I also have an S50 Z3MC.
All comments appreciated

As you have the Z3 M Coupe, have you considered a Cayman?

I know I probably shouldn't say it on here, but as a daily it is spectacular.
A 987.2 from 2009 with either the 2.9 or 3.4 would be my choice.

Out the box the suspension set up is just spot on, just really well damped.

The Z4 imho, really needs money spent sorting the damping out, firmer dampers with a progressive spring that has a slightly lower spring rate when pootling about but firms up when pressing on, Eiback pro kit is a good choice with a B6 damper.
Plus put on PS4s or similar.
Then you have the EPAS steering on the non M car, which is OK, but not brilliant.

As you have the Z3 MC I would certainly give a Cayman a go.

I have considered a 3.4 Cayman as I know how brilliant they drive. It’s just their reliability and expense if anything goes wrong and also they don’t have the wow factor of the Z4 coupe in terms of looks.
I may reconsider though and thanks for your thoughts

 

[brin1960]

So many options!! When I say Daily, I mean a twice weekly 30 mile each way journey over the high peak tops.
Alternatively, I could of course just use my Z3MC every day and just bang approx 8k miles a year on it (95K at the minute) or trade the Z3MC in for a really low mileage Z4MC (seen one for £35K for a 5k Miler!) and put 8k a year miles on that. At the end of the day I just want a bit of excitement driving over the tops twice a week. I have an SUV for the practical stuff.

 

[buzyg]

So many options!! When I say Daily, I mean a twice weekly 30 mile each way journey over the high peak tops.
Alternatively, I could of course just use my Z3MC every day and just bang approx 8k miles a year on it (95K at the minute) or trade the Z3MC in for a really low mileage Z4MC (seen one for £35K for a 5k Miler!) and put 8k a year miles on that. At the end of the day I just want a bit of excitement driving over the tops twice a week. I have an SUV for the practical stuff.

Good man. Sports cars, even Coupes should be about fun. Any one who can afford to run a decent fun sports car, can surely also afford to run a daily shed, if they need something to get to work in or take stuff to the tip. An added bonus, driving your P&J is then even more special.

Fine if your minted and can afford to run a Cayman as you daily and have a Range Rover for the shopping, then run and a Hypercar for the fun bit. In which case the Cayman is basically your daily shed and I would imagine not that special in the grand scheme, to such folk.

As always just my musings over a dreary Monday lunch break.

 

[gIzzE]

I have considered a 3.4 Cayman as I know how brilliant they drive. It’s just their reliability and expense if anything goes wrong and also they don’t have the wow factor of the Z4 coupe in terms of looks.
I may reconsider though and thanks for your thoughts

I suggested a 2.9 987.2 as they are bullet proof.
No IMS bearing on those, and the 2.9 doesn't bore score.

It is also pretty much the perfect balance between power and gearing for UK roads, where you can use it properly above 4000rpm where it sings.
I have a 3.2s and will swap for a 2.9 at some point.
Oh, and both gearboxes are great, the PDK is superb, but the manual is just amazing, clutch and gear change itself, just so mechanical and a real joy. Combine that with the hydraulic steering and it is a great package.

The 2.9 is also incredibly compliant on the road too, amazing comfy compared to the Z, but doesn't loose out handling wise at all.

It is worth trying one out, they are starting to climb in value though, one of those cars that seem to be appreciated more now than at the time.

 

[brin1960]

I think I might take your advice
Just seen a 60k 987.2 with every option for £17500

 

[brin1960]

all.

Bought - 2010 987.2 PDK in guards red - looks amazing! So thanks for “steering” me that way GlzzE

 

[gIzzE]

Enjoy. And report back on here too mate. Most of us like all cars, no matter the marque.

 

[brin1960]

Enjoy. And report back on here too mate. Most of us like all cars, no matter the marque.

Will do for sure

 

[R60BBA]

So many options!! When I say Daily, I mean a twice weekly 30 mile each way journey over the high peak tops.
Alternatively, I could of course just use my Z3MC every day and just bang approx 8k miles a year on it (95K at the minute) or trade the Z3MC in for a really low mileage Z4MC (seen one for £35K for a 5k Miler!) and put 8k a year miles on that. At the end of the day I just want a bit of excitement driving over the tops twice a week. I have an SUV for the practical stuff.

If just two 30 mile drives per week go for the Z4M Coupe.

Ahh just seen you went for a Cayman...

 

[brin1960]

So many options!! When I say Daily, I mean a twice weekly 30 mile each way journey over the high peak tops.
Alternatively, I could of course just use my Z3MC every day and just bang approx 8k miles a year on it (95K at the minute) or trade the Z3MC in for a really low mileage Z4MC (seen one for £35K for a 5k Miler!) and put 8k a year miles on that. At the end of the day I just want a bit of excitement driving over the tops twice a week. I have an SUV for the practical stuff.

If just two 30 mile drives per week go for the Z4M Coupe.

Ahh just seen you went for a Cayman...

Thought I’d have a change and can’t see me ever getting rid of my Z3MC
I’ll let you know how I get on with the Cayman (not even driven one yet!)