Z4M - where to go next?
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Anonymous
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So a bit of a bump of one of the very many "where next" threads.
I have itchy feet. The car has been great, especially recently with the added Monkey Magic (modded exhaust back boxes). However, I feel I want more noise, occasion and sense of enjoyment from the car.
Having said that, the ///M does everything so well. Roof down in minutes, great handling, quick as needed and a decent boot/cabin.
So what's out there in budget (£25k)?
- TVR Cerb, Chimaera, Tuscan
- Porka Boxster (not a fan of the 911)
- SLK55
- SL55
Any input?
I have itchy feet. The car has been great, especially recently with the added Monkey Magic (modded exhaust back boxes). However, I feel I want more noise, occasion and sense of enjoyment from the car.
Having said that, the ///M does everything so well. Roof down in minutes, great handling, quick as needed and a decent boot/cabin.
So what's out there in budget (£25k)?
- TVR Cerb, Chimaera, Tuscan
- Porka Boxster (not a fan of the 911)
- SLK55
- SL55
Any input?
Liverpool
JAD said:
If you need a car that's actually going to get you to your destination, then TVRs are out. I don't like the Boxster (back looks like the front.) SLK55 awesome engine, but still a bit hairdresserish. SL55 - a bit big.
I think that it's disappointing that the automotive industry hasn't produced anything aspirational in the mould of the Z4M in 9 years.
I think we are consigned to drive to our graves in our Zeds. Still, there's worse ways to go!
mmm-five said:Supercharge it...all in for less than £10k, then spend the other £10k on suspension, brake upgrades & petrol/track days
That's my plan anyway...just need the supercharger fund to complete my plan!
I second this plan. Shame I've spent my supercharger fund many times over on a piece of polished carbon and the ever-growing costs of my impending nuptials! I've tried to explain that a supercharger is far more exciting than a diamond and more enduring than a wedding day, alas to no avail
RickRob said:JAD said:
If you need a car that's actually going to get you to your destination, then TVRs are out. I don't like the Boxster (back looks like the front.) SLK55 awesome engine, but still a bit hairdresserish. SL55 - a bit big.
I think that it's disappointing that the automotive industry hasn't produced anything aspirational in the mould of the Z4M in 9 years.
I think we are consigned to drive to our graves in our Zeds. Still, there's worse ways to go!
so true, and the things are are direct competitors now days are knocking on 100k..... ( gt4 and Spyder comes to mind)
Beedub said:
Scenario: Manufacturer releases lots of boring cars and they retail for increasing prices each year. The cars get more and more complex every year and heavier and less fun to drive, more complex to fix, not really any more spacious and safer but not by factors of 100s. The masses buys them with abandon.
Then someone releases a "back to basics" car and the reviews go nuts for it. It is lighter, no eco tech and hassle, less of everything no needed, and would that not that make it simpler to design, build (less to actually put together and make work) and maintain (less to go wrong)
What am I missing?
Why is the decent driving simpler cheaper to make and maintain car the outsider here? Surely every manufacturer could make such a car, in their supposed driver segment, be that hot hatch, super hot mini, or sports car sectors. The thing that annoys me is I am trying to buy these rare fun cars and so is half the rest of the world. The used prices for interesting cars is massive, compared to the dross. I am not actually that brand conscious. I want choice. Lots and lots of awesome light fun sexy great to drive cars to choose from. And I want lots of boring heavy eco rubbish cars as well to have as dailys or company car or family wagon etc.
I am sick of the market ignoring the driver.
pHilli0 said:
this is why i keep my z4.... spent alittle bit more on getting what i want from it., but i look in today market and for my particular vehicle and performance range, its well over the 105k bracket to replace in todays world and hasn't cost half that in buying and creating.
To my thinking, all the main manufacturers are making driver focused cars now....maybe more than ever before. There's bloody loads of them...from the Fiat 500 Abarth, Audi S1/A3/TTRS, BMW M2, Ford Mustang/Focus RS, Hyundi 130i, Jag F Type, Merc A45, Mini JCW, Nissan GTR, Seat Leon Cupra, Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS, Golf R/GTI Clubsport.
I think if we were to go back 10/20 years the list would be much smaller.
I think if we were to go back 10/20 years the list would be much smaller.
Beedub said:
Probably going to be controversial, but you could get a bog standard V10 R8 manual that would destroy any Z4 for around £50k-ish.
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Anonymous
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Angelus666 said:
Driver focused to me doesn't necessarily mean fun. I'd prefer an MX5 over most of that list.
Fiat 500 Abarth - don't appear special as so many 500s and they're FWD
Audi S1/A3/TTRS - came from an S3, never again, the BMW feels far superior in driver focus - TTRS new ones are out of my budget range
BMW M2 - out of budget range
Ford Mustang - not keen on yank tanks
Focus RS - chavvy image
Hyundi 130i - eugh
Jag F Type - out of budget range
Merc A45 - feels too fast VW/Audi like
Mini JCW - great but FWD
Nissan GTR - out of budget
Seat Leon Cupra - not a chance having come from the S3
Honda Civic Type R - FWD
Renault Megane RS - if it comes with AA breakdown as standard, fine...
Golf R/GTI Clubsport - they're Golfs
Although there are lots of Z4s around my area, the ///M is special, much like the Alpina. Anything that stands out is either unreliable (TVRs) or out of budget range for a decent example... :thumbsdown:
Angelus666 said:
My take on that list is yes there are some impressive, and very performant/fast cars. For me they fall down on the simple, raw, alive and driver centric qualities. I am not knocking any of the new age cars but the exhausts will be muted from factory, the interiors will be highly insulated, the gearboxes will mostly be DCT or Autos, there will be safety kit and senors galore that hitting an ESP button doesnt entirely remove.
Out of the list, the GTI Clubsport and Renault Megane RS would be interesting as they are getting close to the mark. The Audis are not even worth mentioning. The M2 is a missed opportunity for me, and doesn't go far enough to bring back the simpler days. The GTR is a playstation on wheels and the very opposite of a driver car.
:thumbsdown:
Don't know what your budget is, but how about (for £24k) an Abarth 695 Biposto (i.e. the 2 seat 'race' version) or the 'Record' version.
Of course it's still FWD, but they seem to have a lot of fun at the 'Ring.
'Standard' Biposto
'Record' Biposto
I'd still supercharge the Z4 myself.
Of course it's still FWD, but they seem to have a lot of fun at the 'Ring.
'Standard' Biposto
'Record' Biposto
I'd still supercharge the Z4 myself.
I think that most recent posts have highlighted what we already know - there are two types of Z4Ms and they each appeal to different folk for different reasons.
Most of the posts about alternatives have come from Coupe owners. Some of the alternatives, but not many of them, come in Roadster versions. In other words the list is a lot shorter if you want another Roadster.
Not that I care so much. At my time of life I decided when I bought my Z4MR that I would keep it forever or until I didn't feel able to keep up with it. Fortunately neither of those situations have yet been reached.
Most of the posts about alternatives have come from Coupe owners. Some of the alternatives, but not many of them, come in Roadster versions. In other words the list is a lot shorter if you want another Roadster.
Not that I care so much. At my time of life I decided when I bought my Z4MR that I would keep it forever or until I didn't feel able to keep up with it. Fortunately neither of those situations have yet been reached.
At some future point I'll probably have an Alfa Quadrafoligio which is an absolutely stunningly quick car. I'll wait for 1st yr depreciation to kick in tho as I'm wary of buying a new car at any point and particularly an Alfa. Had an extended test drive in one and in race mode it's unbelievable in full auto, quicker than my R8 and lightning fast rev matching downshifts. Already dropped to 55k 2nd hand within first few months. Once these get down further you will get a lot of car for the money