Z4M? Oh yes........
Discussion
While awaiting the arrival of my 3.0 SI Z4C, BMW UK offered me the use of a Z4M this weekend (working on PH has it's moments). So after a year or so of Boxster S ownership what do I reckon to it......
Wow, it's an amazing car, brakes are superb, handling is spectacular (I feel able to push on with more confidence than in the Box), the engine note is addictive and the car feels nice and small around you, nice positive gearshift and great feeling of solidity.
Bad points, engine seems to make a bit of a 'tappety' noise from the front- at odds with the glorious note from the pipes, uninspiring dash (although it's growing on me), the steering wheel is a bit too fat and err 16 MPG today (ahem, all at legal speeds officer)
I want one for keeps sooooooooo much.
I'm off for a kip and then i'll waste some more fuel tomorrow.
G
Wow, it's an amazing car, brakes are superb, handling is spectacular (I feel able to push on with more confidence than in the Box), the engine note is addictive and the car feels nice and small around you, nice positive gearshift and great feeling of solidity.
Bad points, engine seems to make a bit of a 'tappety' noise from the front- at odds with the glorious note from the pipes, uninspiring dash (although it's growing on me), the steering wheel is a bit too fat and err 16 MPG today (ahem, all at legal speeds officer)
I want one for keeps sooooooooo much.
I'm off for a kip and then i'll waste some more fuel tomorrow.
G
Edited by garlick on Friday 6th April 23:24
Hi ya - yeah, had my Z4MC for a week or so now, and the fuel consumption is improving. When I first got it, it was doing less then 20mpg on the way back along the M9...but now it's done 1000 miles, it does 24-25mpg on the motorway and 20-odd around town.
It does sound great...and the oomph when you give it the beans in 3rd gear is just too tempting! Coming from a Boxster S, I don't find the handling great so far...but I'm assured that the DoctorD treatment (strut brace and PS2s) will sort most of that out. Very pleased with it so far.
One of the best things about it is that there are so few Coupes on the road, and it turns heads everywhere it goes. And in many respects, it reminds me of my TVRs except with proper electrics...it's loud and mean looking!
Enjoy yours when you get it...I'm sure you won't be dissappointed.
J.
It does sound great...and the oomph when you give it the beans in 3rd gear is just too tempting! Coming from a Boxster S, I don't find the handling great so far...but I'm assured that the DoctorD treatment (strut brace and PS2s) will sort most of that out. Very pleased with it so far.
One of the best things about it is that there are so few Coupes on the road, and it turns heads everywhere it goes. And in many respects, it reminds me of my TVRs except with proper electrics...it's loud and mean looking!
Enjoy yours when you get it...I'm sure you won't be dissappointed.
J.
though! I bought my car from Lovett's on the 23d March 2007 at 3400 miles, it currently has 6000 
Managed 50 laps of the Nurburgring during Easter and muchos fun was had...
The good points:
1. The S54 is a work of art. I cannot get tired of listening to the bark of the straight six as you floor it down the Fox Hole...
2. The 6-speed manual and the M-diff work ever so effortlessly...
3. The chassis is definetely there with the all times greats from ///M Power GmBH. So much capability in a stock car, it almost feels unreal...
4. Cabin ergonoimics is brilliant. I am 6' 6" and I fit perfectly. Even the standard stereo is good. Covering 400 miles in one go is surpisingly easy...
The bad points:
1. Did BMW stumble upon a warehouse full of Continental old stock somewhere in Ze Fazerland? The tyre package is absolutely horrendous. I still cannot work out what they were thinking when they fitted it...
2. The brakes are ok, but not good enough on track... My 1990 Porsche 928GT based race car stops better with 300mm discs and 4-pot Brembos...
I would question the need for the CSL wheel upgrade - you just need wider and better rubber at the front. 235/40/18 should have been there at the start! Maybe a touch more camber too...
Overall though, my hat goes off to BMW for designing and braving the market with this cracker of a car. It turns heads wherever it goes, makes me smile when I think about it, and driving even in the UK is fun...
Overall mpg for the 1300 miles trip to Germany and back 17mpg...
BTW, it did BTG at the Ring with the standard setup at 8:1X... Just ask the UK reg CSL trying to catch it...
Managed 50 laps of the Nurburgring during Easter and muchos fun was had...
The good points:
1. The S54 is a work of art. I cannot get tired of listening to the bark of the straight six as you floor it down the Fox Hole...
2. The 6-speed manual and the M-diff work ever so effortlessly...
3. The chassis is definetely there with the all times greats from ///M Power GmBH. So much capability in a stock car, it almost feels unreal...
4. Cabin ergonoimics is brilliant. I am 6' 6" and I fit perfectly. Even the standard stereo is good. Covering 400 miles in one go is surpisingly easy...
The bad points:
1. Did BMW stumble upon a warehouse full of Continental old stock somewhere in Ze Fazerland? The tyre package is absolutely horrendous. I still cannot work out what they were thinking when they fitted it...
2. The brakes are ok, but not good enough on track... My 1990 Porsche 928GT based race car stops better with 300mm discs and 4-pot Brembos...
I would question the need for the CSL wheel upgrade - you just need wider and better rubber at the front. 235/40/18 should have been there at the start! Maybe a touch more camber too...
Overall though, my hat goes off to BMW for designing and braving the market with this cracker of a car. It turns heads wherever it goes, makes me smile when I think about it, and driving even in the UK is fun...
Overall mpg for the 1300 miles trip to Germany and back 17mpg...
BTW, it did BTG at the Ring with the standard setup at 8:1X... Just ask the UK reg CSL trying to catch it...
Edited by cheburator on Wednesday 11th April 10:00
Cheburator,
I think I met you at the 'Ring over Easter. I parked up next to you in the white Z4MC with CSLs.
Had I known you were such a regular and dab hand at the 'Ring I'd have bugged you for a passenger lap! I was happy with my 9:03 though, which my passenger sneakily timed without me knowing on the Monday morning before we left....
You heading back out there with the Z4MC this year? I think we're planning a trip for July. Be good to see what one of these cars can do in the hands of someone with a bit more track knowledge...
I think I met you at the 'Ring over Easter. I parked up next to you in the white Z4MC with CSLs.
Had I known you were such a regular and dab hand at the 'Ring I'd have bugged you for a passenger lap! I was happy with my 9:03 though, which my passenger sneakily timed without me knowing on the Monday morning before we left.... You heading back out there with the Z4MC this year? I think we're planning a trip for July. Be good to see what one of these cars can do in the hands of someone with a bit more track knowledge...
sixspeed said:
Cheburator,
I think I met you at the 'Ring over Easter. I parked up next to you in the white Z4MC with CSLs. Had I known you were such a regular and dab hand at the 'Ring I'd have bugged you for a passenger lap! I was happy with my 9:03 though, which my passenger sneakily timed without me knowing on the Monday morning before we left....
You heading back out there with the Z4MC this year? I think we're planning a trip for July. Be good to see what one of these cars can do in the hands of someone with a bit more track knowledge...
I think I met you at the 'Ring over Easter. I parked up next to you in the white Z4MC with CSLs.
Had I known you were such a regular and dab hand at the 'Ring I'd have bugged you for a passenger lap! I was happy with my 9:03 though, which my passenger sneakily timed without me knowing on the Monday morning before we left.... You heading back out there with the Z4MC this year? I think we're planning a trip for July. Be good to see what one of these cars can do in the hands of someone with a bit more track knowledge...
I am out there for all open weekends and a few of the "cheeky" ones - half Saturday + the whole of Sunday. The car can do a lot , it just needs better rubber and breaks
Had an interesting conversation with a mate, who is a regular passenger: "I have never seen you drive through SX that fast (110mph) indicated. The BMW must be really confidence inspiring..." and my reply "Whatever, mate. It's the shite brakes that cannot slow me down enough as I go over the crest at 150mph"...
All in all, it was a great weekend. Let me know when you guys are going again and I will make sure it is the Z4M and not the Porker, which is scarier...
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