Z4MC to 123d Coupe (Now with pics on page 3)

[SittingBull]

Well the Z4MC has finally gone

Had it less than a year, but it's the only car I've ever had that I've sold for more than I paid for it (and that's back to a dealer) so even including 2 tyres and an Inspection I service I'm still up on the deal. It has been the highest performance yet cheapest car i've ever owned.

It will be up for sale at Sytners Solihull shortly for significantly more, but looking at what is currently for sale in Pistonheads, I think they gave me a good price and it was a lot less hassle.

Funnily enough I'm really loving the 123d. My back pain has virtually gone whilst driving, the heated seats are much comfier and softer, the driving position better, and the ride better even though it is an M sport on runflats. The performance is good for day to day driving, and all the toys and gadgets are keeping me amused. The new idrive is a huge step forward from the Mk IV Nav. Been getting 44mpg too so far, double the Z4MC.

Decided against the Bluefin remap after research, but found a local tuner with a good reputation to do the job for £345 so seems a bit of a no brainer really.

I am glad I owned a proper M car, and will always have the memories and the photos to look back on.

The Z4MC may well be destined to be a future classic (not sure about the roadster though! :wink: :lol: )

My last post (really). Sorry could not reply earlier as I've just returned from a week's holiday in Crete.

As MarkW said, the Sports seats in the 123D M-Sport are much softer & nicer than the Z4M. I've been averaging 48mpg in my 123D over one month, compared to 27mpg in my old Z4MR, with £120 VED compared to £405.....

Hilariously I bought my Z4MR in Jan 2009 with 15,700 miles on the clock & one owner (Bmw Leasing - so god knows who owned it) from Cooper BMW Chelmsford for £18,400. I traded it last month for a direct swap for a 58 plate 3,600 mile fully loaded 123D 3Door M-Sport 1 series that Bowker were asking 19,990 for. They have put my old Z4MR (Reg: SJ56 LHG) up for £22,990 :lol: .

I've laughed all the way to the bank. The 123D is as fast on normal UK roads as my old ///M car. It is more comfortable & seats 5 people. Road tax is 1/4 of the ///M. Insurance is substanially lower (Less than £200 pa for me) & the car is a blast.

 

[SittingBull]

Well the Z4MC has finally gone

Had it less than a year, but it's the only car I've ever had that I've sold for more than I paid for it (and that's back to a dealer) so even including 2 tyres and an Inspection I service I'm still up on the deal. It has been the highest performance yet cheapest car i've ever owned.

It will be up for sale at Sytners Solihull shortly for significantly more, but looking at what is currently for sale in Pistonheads, I think they gave me a good price and it was a lot less hassle.

Funnily enough I'm really loving the 123d. My back pain has virtually gone whilst driving, the heated seats are much comfier and softer, the driving position better, and the ride better even though it is an M sport on runflats. The performance is good for day to day driving, and all the toys and gadgets are keeping me amused. The new idrive is a huge step forward from the Mk IV Nav. Been getting 44mpg too so far, double the Z4MC.

Decided against the Bluefin remap after research, but found a local tuner with a good reputation to do the job for £345 so seems a bit of a no brainer really.

I am glad I owned a proper M car, and will always have the memories and the photos to look back on.

The Z4MC may well be destined to be a future classic (not sure about the roadster though! :wink: :lol: )

My last post (really). Sorry could not reply earlier as I've just returned from a week's holiday in Crete.

As MarkW said, the Sports seats in the 123D M-Sport are much softer & nicer than the Z4M. I've been averaging 48mpg in my 123D over one month, compared to 27mpg in my old Z4MR, with £120 VED compared to £405.....

Hilariously I bought my Z4MR in Jan 2009 with 15,700 miles on the clock & one owner (Bmw Leasing - so god knows who owned it) from Cooper BMW Chelmsford for £18,400. I traded it last month for a direct swap for a 58 plate 3,600 mile fully loaded 123D 3Door M-Sport 1 series that Bowker were asking 19,990 for. They (Bowker BMW Blackburn) have put my old Z4MR (Reg: SJ56 LHG) up for £22,990 :lol: .

I've laughed all the way to the bank. The 123D is as fast on normal UK roads as my old ///M car. It is more comfortable & seats 5 people. Road tax is 1/4 of the ///M. Insurance is substanially lower (Less than £200 pa for me) & the car is a blast.

 

[Pardeep]

shittings back!

 

[SittingBull]

I think Senwar and I came to a similar coclusion.

I've had high performance cars for the last 10 years and enjoyed them immenseley, but I've got to the point where I resent the high costs in running such cars (plus I have a bad back), and most of my driving is for necessity not pleasure.

The 123d (or 120d) seemed like an ideal compromise. I get £120pa road tax, 42mpg over the last few days which includes several short journeys, cheaper servicing (every 20k) and cheaper insurance.

I am really impressed as to how good this car is as a daily driver, apart from sounding like a taxi and the steering being a bit light, I can't really fault it at the moment.

So why are you spouting forth on "http://www.babybmw.net/forum/index.php" then? :?

 

[GarethZ4MC]

I think Senwar and I came to a similar coclusion.

I've had high performance cars for the last 10 years and enjoyed them immenseley, but I've got to the point where I resent the high costs in running such cars (plus I have a bad back), and most of my driving is for necessity not pleasure.

The 123d (or 120d) seemed like an ideal compromise. I get £120pa road tax, 42mpg over the last few days which includes several short journeys, cheaper servicing (every 20k) and cheaper insurance.

I am really impressed as to how good this car is as a daily driver, apart from sounding like a taxi and the steering being a bit light, I can't really fault it at the moment.

So why are you spouting forth on "http://www.babybmw.net/forum/index.php" then? :?

Can I just say...if you can't afford to run a performance car then don't buy one.
I can probably afford a M5 or a Merc C63 AMG etc. but I doubt I could afford the running costs...hence why I don't have one.
I'm a car fan and can't see me ever letting go of performance cars for a 2.0 diesel unless I continue my Elise on the sidelines for track day fun.
I bought the Z4M as I love it's looks and it's performance. Who gives a toss it's £410 to road tax, 26mpg...or £600 for it's next service. All things I considered before I bought it. It's all about motoring.

 

[MarkW]

I think Senwar and I came to a similar coclusion.

I've had high performance cars for the last 10 years and enjoyed them immenseley, but I've got to the point where I resent the high costs in running such cars (plus I have a bad back), and most of my driving is for necessity not pleasure.

The 123d (or 120d) seemed like an ideal compromise. I get £120pa road tax, 42mpg over the last few days which includes several short journeys, cheaper servicing (every 20k) and cheaper insurance.

I am really impressed as to how good this car is as a daily driver, apart from sounding like a taxi and the steering being a bit light, I can't really fault it at the moment.

So why are you spouting forth on "http://www.babybmw.net/forum/index.php" then? :?

Can I just say...if you can't afford to run a performance car then don't buy one.
I can probably afford a M5 or a Merc C63 AMG etc. but I doubt I could afford the running costs...hence why I don't have one.
I'm a car fan and can't see me ever letting go of performance cars for a 2.0 diesel unless I continue my Elise on the sidelines for track day fun.
I bought the Z4M as I love it's looks and it's performance. Who gives a toss it's £410 to road tax, 26mpg...or £600 for it's next service. All things I considered before I bought it. It's all about motoring.

That's a bit harsh mate. All I was doing here is sharing my thoughts and experiences. It's got nothing to do with 'affording' it, I could easily afford to run the Z4M or even something more expensive. It down to how much I want to or can justify spending on something against the pleasure you get from it. I'm a performance car fan as you can see from my history, and have had a number of performance cars, but my needs have changed as (a) I have a bad back, and (b) I do very little driving for pleasure any more, so I got something to better suit my circumstances.

I think if you are a petrolhead now the only way to really enjoy it is on the track, as round here there is just too much traffic, too many cameras, and blanket 50/60mph speed limits to enjoy a performance car any more

 

[GarethZ4MC]

Apologies Mark...it was actually aimed at the big Bull 5hitter and his negativity.

 

[dgm]

Bull is continuing to spout utter dross on pistonheads about the imaginery Z4M he owned. I quote:

"Wow, I had my M delimited this year & pulled an indicated 173mph on the Koln autobahn. I managed 16.6 mpg on the round trip from the UK to Munich/Austria. Sold the bloody car for a BMW bi-turbo diesel & now get 47mpg however I drive it!
And for you idiots out there, the BMW electronic 155 mph limiter only kicks in in 6th gear - not 5th.

Enjoy your ///M's & your £415 Road Tax/ 24mpg. I enjoyed mine for 9 months but I can assure you that the servicing costs/Road Tax/MPG is a waste of space on UK roads. It's an EGO thing & you only bought a piddly Z4M because you could not afford an AM V8... Become a Labour MP......."

What an utter tool. Get that psychiatric help I recommended to you Bull.

 

[MarkW]

Apologies Mark...it was actually aimed at the big Bull 5hitter and his negativity.

No problem Gareth, in that case please carry on :lol:

 

[flimper]

I've had a 118d while my car's had some stuff done to it and I've got to say I didn't like it one bit. Absolutely gutless thing. But then I suppose the 123d would blow the 118d out of the water. Getting back in the M from the 118d always brought a smile to my face. Sod the money

 

[RX-78]

I think it depends on your perception of enjoyable driving. Whilst I love it, my missus likes it for style only. She wants to ride it to show it off to her mates, but prefers her 118d for every day commuting - comfy ride, good mpg, easier to park and doesn't have to worry about scratches in car park.

As for me I'll drive it for all occassion and wouldn't want to drive 118d even for short supermarket run. The Zed brings smile to my face everytime I get in, and wouldn't want to miss the chance to get in it Well, may it can get a little more stable at high speed......

 

[MarkW]

I know it's no Z4MC in the looks or performance stakes, but here's some pics taken after it's first wash yesterday...

 

[senwar]

Looking good mate

Although I don't get what they've done with the newer nav screens, just looks odd. Great system though.

Nice colour too

 

[gannet]

Thats lovely

 

[RX-78]

You know I think I'll make that my wife next car

 

[WelshGirl2009]

looking very nice..

 

[Breaker]

Looking good mate

Although I don't get what they've done with the newer nav screens, just looks odd. Great system though.

Nice colour too

I never had the Nav in my last Z4 but this new one is more of a media centre than a Nav unit. Navigation is just part of it! You can even search Google on it and get the weather forecast for the area your in!!

 

[flimper]

Looks good

 

[ga41]

Ooou shiny!

I do hate that rear light arrangement though... Awkward shape and a tad too big.

 

[pvr]

Nice colour

Need to lose the 123d badge though ...

I don't find the rear too bad, it is the front headlights that to me look like a scared deer in the light.