Z4M - Roadster or Coupe?

[domcross]

I was on the verge of buying a Lotus Exige this week then realised that it's simply not practical as a work car. A mate of mine works at a BMW dealership and suggested I take a look at a Z4M Coupe. It's one of the ex-BMW GB cars doing the rounds.... 2007, 2K miles, £32K. Seemed fair money for the car.

Drove it... loved it Today I went and drove a Z4M Roadster. Loved that too. Now, I prefer the look of the Coupe, but I do like the idea of dropping the roof on warm days. I'm generally going to use the car for the odd trip to my office in London, sunny weekend blasts in the country and maybe the odd track day if I get time.

Which one should I buy??? I don't really know what the differences are in performance or handling, if any. The collective knowledge of your estimed minds would be much appreciated

Cheers,
Dom.

[Broccers]

domcross said:

I don't really know what the differences are in performance or handling

Buy the drop top in that case if youve driven both.

[elliotdavies]

buy the roadster, i was in the same mind as you, the coupe is stunning but you get 2 for 1 if you buy a roadster, you get to put the top down too.
PS. I bought the roadster myself

[domcross]

Thanks guys... that's 2-0 to the roadster

[kentmotorcompany]

I recently bought the Z4 M coupe. I much prefer the looks. I also feel there are a lot more Z4 roadsters around in all engines, and the coupe seems that little more special. My one certainly seems to get loads of attention where ever I go in it.

[rassi]

If you want a more "special" car that you don't see everywhere, then the Coupe all the way. The Z4 roadsters are everywhere, and you need to put your anorak on to spot the more aggressive front and the 4 exhausts to realise that it's the M version, whereas the Coupe is nowhere near as "common".

Edited by rassi on Thursday 27th September 10:10

[Marki]

domcross said:

Thanks guys... that's 2-0 to the roadster

I prefer the looks of the coupe ,, but on a hot sunny day you will wish you got the vert

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

what he said,


and I have the roadster.

[bennem]

Love the look of the coupe but getting your top off is what the summer and bright blue sunny winters days are made for.

I have a Z4M roadster

[mbutchers]

Coupe all day for me - yes the soft top appeals on sunny days, but the Coupe is quite a bit more exclusive and a more unique looking car - a modern day E-type if you like....

[Cheburator mk2]

mbutchers said:

Coupe all day for me - yes the soft top appeals on sunny days, but the Coupe is quite a bit more exclusive and a more unique looking car - a modern day E-type if you like....

Agree - took my Imola Red Z4M Coupe to the South of France and everywhere I stopped I had people taking pics, including Z4 roadster drivers. It is such a unique and rare car on the road, that I am willing to forgo the pleasure of open top motoring. For that I will buy a MB 500SL

[domcross]

I can see where Coupe fans are coming from; I love the look of the car and the exclusivity that comes with it. It's really a case of which is more important to me - the looks and exclusivity or the driving experience. Personally, I'm inclined to go for the experience and just love getting the top down on a sunny day

From a performance perspective, is there any real difference? I didn't notice it on the test drives, but that was on busy roads at 5pm!

Thanks again to all of you for your comments and advice.

Dom.

[dbroughton]

roadster is a bit hairdressy and suffers from looking pretty much the same as the 2.0 (2.2?) version.

Coupe is something altogether more special and very masculine and only has the 3.0 to be confused with so everyone knows instantly it is a serious car and you are a serious driver.

[Marki]

dbroughton said:

so everyone knows instantly it is a serious car and you are a serious driver.

Sorry but

[dbroughton]

3.0 got 5 stars from EVO. I think someone else said of the z4mc that it was the best TVR since TVR stopped making cars


I drive pretty serious cars and I think the coupe has way more credibility with your average pistonhead (non BMW owners) than the roadster. Choosing a hardtop over the broadly equivalent soft top always makes the right statement. The Cayman is way cooler than the boxster

[Mags]

Do you cut peoples hair for a living? If Yes, buy the Roadster
If not and you want a drivers car, buy the Coupe

Also, the Coupe has an element of practicality about it, bigger boot.

(lights blue touch paper and backs away...)

I'm biased, I have a Z3M Coupe and the Roadster is a non starter for me.

[domcross]

Guess it's a career change for me then... out with IT sales and in with hairdressing I've gone and bought a roadster. As much as I love the looks of the coupe, I think I'd just get frustrated in the summer with not being able to put the roof down. Collect the car tomorrow morning so looking forward to some sun at the weekend

I'm starting a new job on Monday with a brand new internet company... if all goes well I'll be able to afford a few more cars in a year or 2. If so, I might well get a coupe too and have it tuned into an insane track machine.

Thanks again all for the advice... off to wield the scissors now.

Gervais

PS. Does anyone know if you can get an iPod kit for the Z4 that fully integrates with the audio system?

[shunt]

I had an Alpina Roadster and have swapped it for the Coupe, I don't miss dropping the roof, and my mates have stopped calling me 'Vidal' behind my back!

As for the ipod, do a google search on BMW Phatnoise, the best BMW hi fi upgraded and no wires around the dash into the Aux port. I got mine off ebay for £160 with an 80 gig disc. fits in the boot out of sight and integrates with the dash controls. I usually turn it off though as the engine sounds far better.

[kentmotorcompany]

Well done, Im glad you went with your own feelings, and hope you are well pleased with your new toy.

Tell us the details then. Price/spec/colour/dealer etc etc.

Some pics would be great too.

[domcross]

kentmotorcompany said:

Well done, Im glad you went with your own feelings, and hope you are well pleased with your new toy.

Tell us the details then. Price/spec/colour/dealer etc etc.

Some pics would be great too.

Won't have any pics till tomorrow, but... It's a 2007 car with 2k miles on the clock (ex-BMW GB car). It's got the upgraded ICE (DSP I think he called it), cruise control, prof sat nav, prof phone with bluetooth, the SOS button thingy (no idea what it's called), storage compartment, wind deflector (don't want to mess up the hair now I'm going to be a hairdresser!) and a few other bits and pieces that I can't really remember. It's Interlagos blue with champagne nappa leather and the carbon leather dash.

Sure the wife will enjoy it even if I don't

Cheers,
Dom.