Z4M VS Z4 E9 3L?

[FD3S]

Hello guys. I haven't participated here in the forum since my Z4M was stolen since logging on here makes me think the whole story again and again and makes me sad.

After 10 months without the car and a lot of consideration, I have started to think buying a new toy. My preference is something with 2 seats, cabrio, black and rear wheel drive. These narrow my choices to 2 cars according to my budget and taste. Z4M again and Z4 E89 3L. I don't like SKLs, Boxter and old 911's and I find S2000 and RX7 out of my taste for the moment.

Due to the fact that I have never driven a Z4 E89 3L (only a 2.5 liter) could someone please give me a hint about the differences? Would you change M for a E89? I am considering seriously the E89 since 9 months not a single z4m is available for sale here but last week I sourced one through a friend. It needs a some things to be changed since it was 3 years abandoned this car.

 

[Silverstar]

I can't help with regards to Z4M v E89 but when you say you've tried the 2.5L are you referring to it in the E89? If so I tried both the 2.5L (23i) and the 3.0 (30i) before settling on the 30i. The 30i sounds much better and is faster and the fuel consumption and other running costs are more or less the same, so for me it was a no brainer really to go for the 30i. Saying that there are way more 23i for sale and they can go for a lot less money too, there again this I believe also plays into the 30i favour for the rarity value and future collectability.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Sorry to hear about your Z4M OP.

It may depend on what you are after, but I did test drive an M Coupe this year and it is definitely more of an event than my 3.0Si.

So you might find a 3 litre disappointing after owning an M - if you want a manual E89 might looking for a manual 35i be an option? (And if you want even more, it can always be remapped)!

 

[FD3S]

I can't help with regards to Z4M v E89 but when you say you've tried the 2.5L are you referring to it in the E89? If so I tried both the 2.5L (23i) and the 3.0 (30i) before settling on the 30i. The 30i sounds much better and is faster and the fuel consumption and other running costs are more or less the same, so for me it was a no brainer really to go for the 30i. Saying that there are way more 23i for sale and they can go for a lot less money too, there again this I believe also plays into the 30i favour for the rarity value and future collectability.

Silverstar thank you for your kind reply. I am only considering the z4m and the E89 3L not the 2.5. I have driven the 2.5L E89 and that car had nothing to thrill me like the z4m.

Sorry to hear about your Z4M OP.

It may depend on what you are after, but I did test drive an M Coupe this year and it is definitely more of an event than my 3.0Si.

So you might find a 3 litre disappointing after owning an M - if you want a manual E89 might looking for a manual 35i be an option? (And if you want even more, it can always be remapped)!

Thank you also for your reply. I am looking a car that makes me smile every time I drive it and continues to thill me after months of owning without making me get bored. I don't want an everyday car or something similar. Also I need something that can hold its value since in 1.5-2 years I plan to change a car. By the way what made you feel that driving the M is more of an event than your 3.0L? Manual E89 is out of the question, since there are 7 available cars for sale and non has a manual.

Can you make a E89 more interesting by modding it and changing the suspension etc?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thank you also for your reply. I am looking a car that makes me smile every time I drive it and continues to thill me after months of owning without making me get bored. I don't want an everyday car or something similar. Also I need something that can hold its value since in 1.5-2 years I plan to change a car. By the way what made you feel that driving the M is more of an event than your 3.0L? Manual E89 is out of the question, since there are 7 available cars for sale and non has a manual.

Can you make a E89 more interesting by modding it and changing the suspension etc?

Well obviously the engine is the main event in an M!

I didn't drive it far, but it seemed to ride better than my car (which still has run-flats) and the steering felt better than the Electric PAS I've got.

I've not had an E89, but hopefully "mr wilks" might read this as he's had most varieties of Z4 including E85 Ms and E89s.

 

[Anonymous]

I take it it's a 35i/35is you're after?

 

[buzyg]

Welcome back. Treat yourself to another ///M. This time you can enjoy it for all the things you loved about the last one and then one day part on your own terms, instead of those dictated by some theiving scrotebag.

 

[FD3S]

I take it it's a 35i/35is you're after?

Unfortunately there are no 35is for sale at at the moment. So I have to go for a 35i.

Welcome back. Treat yourself to another ///M. This time you can enjoy it for all the things you loved about the last one and then one day part on your own terms, instead of those dictated by some theiving scrotebag.

Welcome back. Treat yourself to another ///M. This time you can enjoy it for all the things you loved about the last one and then one day part on your own terms, instead of those dictated by some theiving scrotebag.

Thank you for the welcome back. I wish I come back with a car soon. I hope if I buy a new car that I will be lucky to enjoy it the way I should. Tbh I will never loose that feeling that the next car will have the same luck of the previous.

 

[scootr]

I went through a rigorous search this last summer. I found a beautiful Z4M that just sold on bring a trailer here > https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m-roadster-38/
I had previously driven an 07 2.5 auto with very low miles. I was a bit surprised how much go it actually had but I knew I wanted more.
The Z4M was a real roaster reminiscent of the old British racing cars. Rough and snappy.
The 3.0 E89 with manual 6 spd I bought is the bees knees. Still a roadster when you want it to be and yet completely civilized when you want it to be also. My description is lovely on new Michelins & Bilsteins.
The manual transmission only came in the base model E89 (in the USA) so you will not find it in the 35i or 35is. Those are all DCTs which could be nice but I wanted to row my own gears. I'm tickled with E89.

 

[PinkPineapple44]

I love my manual e89 30i, it has been a fantastic car. Not sure it's comparable to a z4m though! The N52 is a great engine too, although again no S54.

I've never been a fan of the n54 but it is noticeable faster than the n52 when modified.

 

[enzed4]

I take it it's a 35i/35is you're after?

Unfortunately there are no 35is for sale at at the moment. So I have to go for a 35i.

Welcome back. Treat yourself to another ///M. This time you can enjoy it for all the things you loved about the last one and then one day part on your own terms, instead of those dictated by some theiving scrotebag.

Welcome back. Treat yourself to another ///M. This time you can enjoy it for all the things you loved about the last one and then one day part on your own terms, instead of those dictated by some theiving scrotebag.

Thank you for the welcome back. I wish I come back with a car soon. I hope if I buy a new car that I will be lucky to enjoy it the way I should. Tbh I will never loose that feeling that the next car will have the same luck of the previous.

I went through a rigorous search this last summer. I found a beautiful Z4M that just sold on bring a trailer here > https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-m-roadster-38/
I had previously driven an 07 2.5 auto with very low miles. I was a bit surprised how much go it actually had but I knew I wanted more.
The Z4M was a real roaster reminiscent of the old British racing cars. Rough and snappy.
The 3.0 E89 with manual 6 spd I bought is the bees knees. Still a roadster when you want it to be and yet completely civilized when you want it to be also. My description is lovely on new Michelins & Bilsteins.
The manual transmission only came in the base model E89 (in the USA) so you will not find it in the 35i or 35is. Those are all DCTs which could be nice but I wanted to row my own gears. I'm tickled with E89.

Where is member FD3S located? Manual 35i was an option (Mr. Wilks had one if I recall), didn't know you couldn't get them in the US.
I think it's a risky premise trying to compare a Z4M with any E89, they are just completely different cars designed with different goals in mind. Having said that, I think a remapped manual 35i would be about the closest you could find if you had to have an E89. Again though, don't expect one to be like the other, they don't share the same DNA and the experience will be quite different to what you had in the ///M. Good luck with the search

 

[beanie]

Can’t help on the Z4 comparison but if it were me, I’d be tempted to look at the 370 or possibly a 350z. You can get a virtually new 370z for sensible money (even a nismo) and they generally sound better than any Z4 (excluding airboxed s54s!)

Just a thought

 

[Adam D]

Can’t help on the Z4 comparison but if it were me, I’d be tempted to look at the 370 or possibly a 350z. You can get a virtually new 370z for sensible money (even a nismo) and they generally sound better than any Z4 (excluding airboxed s54s!)

Just a thought

Great cars but too many have loud pipes which sound like a slide trombone

 

[ga41]

Hello mate, happy to hear that you're thinking of rejoining the Z4 family. I've also not driven an E89 and from what I read online and from video reviews I guess it will not give the same sense of event as the Z4 M, especially one like yours was. You will not have the same high RPMs, not have the same sound and not have the same intake noise especially.

That said, I really do think the E89 is underrated. Sure it's not so raw as the previous gen, the M in particular, but the 35i (I presume you are talking about the turbo 3.0?) can become a beast with the right mods! It will not sound the same as the M but it can sound very exciting in its own way and it can get MUCH faster than the M in a straight line and maybe faster than the M in the corners too with some choice suspension mods.

It's a different sort of car. Lot's of torque, lots of power, more comfortable but good for some twisty roads too. I don't want to say better or worse than the E85 M but just different.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

Can’t help on the Z4 comparison but if it were me, I’d be tempted to look at the 370 or possibly a 350z. You can get a virtually new 370z for sensible money (even a nismo) and they generally sound better than any Z4 (excluding airboxed s54s!)

Just a thought

I was going to suggest these too and I've been really happy with my 370Z Roadster that I've had for 6 months now. Mine also has the predictable custom made stainless exhaust with sports cats on it, so it is very loud but I love it for that!(my TVR spoilt me in the noise dept).

I've managed to set my neighbours car alarm off 5 times now with the exhaust!! I bet they love me!! :lol:

 

[sunnydays]

Can’t help on the Z4 comparison but if it were me, I’d be tempted to look at the 370 or possibly a 350z. You can get a virtually new 370z for sensible money (even a nismo) and they generally sound better than any Z4 (excluding airboxed s54s!)

Just a thought

I have owned both a 370Z Nismo, 350z, and multiple Z4 35is cars.
The Z4 is a world apart from the 370Z nismo. The 370Z is a very different drive, to the Z4. IMO the 35is is the vastly better car.

 

[R60BBA]

When I saw E9 3l I thought you were referring to the original CSL.