Z4 M40i Test Drive Impressions
- Thread starter gwatson
- Start date
bonzo said:
Don’t know which G29 you have Bonzo but not my experience at all in the M40i TBH. In fact, I think its a better all round drive than my previous M2. It’s lap times around Nurburgring supported this when being developed. Some of the high roads in the Alps can be pretty poor and uneven but the M40i has always felt grippy and planted to me.
Argyll Andy said:bonzo said:
I have to say [ref]bonzo[/ref], that’s the opposite of what I’ve found and mine has been driven very spiritedly and mostly on forum runs.
What you describe is how I found my 35iS and because I noticed the difference straight away on the M40i I had that down as a huge improvement with how well it handled and how well planted it was.
My caveat to this is that it’s definitely more “wayward” on the SuperSports until they’re up to temperature but after that happy days
[ref]Ian J[/ref], Ian, wash your mouth out, Comfort mode :ycard:shortly I’m going to code mine to start in sports mode automatically. In fairness, there was a few times on the NC500 I put mine into Comfort because of the roads and conditions. It stopped the car bottoming out where others in E85/E89’s were and I wasn’t
I kept mine in sports mode all the time on the nc500. But to be fair I’ve set my sports individual to sports plus for everything except the suspension being on comfort and just switch between sports plus and sports individual depending on the road.
Ian J said:Argyll Andy said:[ref]Ian J[/ref], Ian, wash your mouth out, Comfort mode :ycard:
Wait until you get to my age as you'll probably be driving a Suzuki Ignis
I’m fingers crossed I’ll reach your age Ian
:wink: A Suzuki what? I know not what this thing is you speak of
…………. Only Suzuki’s I’ve ever owned have had 2 wheels
Ledg said:
It was in sports mode 99% of the time but the pace we were travelling at I had to soften off some of the route. When I could see the sparks from under the 35iS’s in front of me a quick change of setting and it was grand.
I think my Sports individual is configured the same as yours but I’ve not used it much and not had time to play around.
The one thing I’m embarrassed to admit in relation to the title if this thread is that I haven’t actually sat for any prolonged period with the car and gone through all the options and settings for the car yet. That’s very likely why I’ve said in another thread I’m not that fussed about the touchscreen. My daughter can’t believe I haven’t even brought Apple CarPlay up never mind not used it. I haven’t even looked at how to switch it on, if that’s what you do :lol:
It looks like you had a great time on the NC500
reasonably local to me and as mentioned we did it as a forum run a couple of months ago. I’ve already signed up for another forum run next year called not the NC500 which does all the bits in between so that should be a good few days too 
Argyll Andy said:A Suzuki what? I know not what this thing is you speak of
It's an old man's car - small and upright for those with bad backs and who tend to drive with a hat on.
I only know this as I was following one yesterday
Me and my wife rented M40i for 4 day roadtrip driving on French alps. Only used small or even smaller roads with endless number of corners and some city driving on riviera. Have to say it was greatest trip ever.
Coming from E85 2.5 years back to nowdays E89 30i manual owner. To me zed is always been just fun car without any need for practicality. M40i saw 800km mountain roads, so I think it was good testdrive for me.
First the power. It is very fast. As someone said, real hp numbers might be even higher. It might be even pointless to have that fast car on alps. It just jumps out of corner to next corner without any hesitation or effort. Sound could be better though. Tech is great (very well specced car) and it feels car is like guiding and helping you to be better driver. More room in cabin, more room in back, great seats(much better than sports on E89) and everything is just miles better than E89. It is even much higher so it is easier to climb out with dadbody. Much more comfortable suspension, and still very planted drive. Lot less of wind buffeting.
But then why not. Whole time I was thinking that this is great, but something is missing. It doesnt feel special, it is too easy, bonnet isnt that long. It feels like middle of my G12 7 series and E89. Of course it isnt landyacht, but it is too effortless.
It is great modern cabriolet, but I would like it more if Bmw would make it bit more edgy. There is something on NA motor with manual. It is feel of you really driving, and you have to work to push power out of engine. As an everyday car G29 is superior compared to E89 and mostlikely faster on everyway. Still since I am looking replacement for just backroad fun car, I might save for something else for change. Maybe I am just fighting the way modern cars are.
Coming from E85 2.5 years back to nowdays E89 30i manual owner. To me zed is always been just fun car without any need for practicality. M40i saw 800km mountain roads, so I think it was good testdrive for me.
First the power. It is very fast. As someone said, real hp numbers might be even higher. It might be even pointless to have that fast car on alps. It just jumps out of corner to next corner without any hesitation or effort. Sound could be better though. Tech is great (very well specced car) and it feels car is like guiding and helping you to be better driver. More room in cabin, more room in back, great seats(much better than sports on E89) and everything is just miles better than E89. It is even much higher so it is easier to climb out with dadbody. Much more comfortable suspension, and still very planted drive. Lot less of wind buffeting.
But then why not. Whole time I was thinking that this is great, but something is missing. It doesnt feel special, it is too easy, bonnet isnt that long. It feels like middle of my G12 7 series and E89. Of course it isnt landyacht, but it is too effortless.
It is great modern cabriolet, but I would like it more if Bmw would make it bit more edgy. There is something on NA motor with manual. It is feel of you really driving, and you have to work to push power out of engine. As an everyday car G29 is superior compared to E89 and mostlikely faster on everyway. Still since I am looking replacement for just backroad fun car, I might save for something else for change. Maybe I am just fighting the way modern cars are.
I keep hearing about how good the ride is, especially on the M40i.gwatson said:
My M30i has the adaptive suspension but is (To me anyway) firm as hell, even in comfort mode. Perhaps I just got used to how comfortable the ride was in my 35is even in sport. I think I read somewhere that earlier models were stiffer. Perhaps I have one of the last of those?
Must admit the handling is far better than the 35is though.
Must try a test drive in an M40i to compare in terms of ride quality.
it may just be me getting old.Scubaregs said:
May try and get a test drive of another M30 m sport to compare just in case there is an issue with mine.
Still happy with her though but if I can catch STMBO in a good mood at some point and there happens to be an M40i available in SFR at the right price, who knows?
