Z4 Coupe - SE or Sport??
Discussion
A dilemma!
And yes, I know that many might say I should be aiming higher, for the Z4M. But I'm not, for reasons that will become apparent (and because the £10k difference is a lot of money).
Anyway, back to the dilemma. A few of the reviews I've read say the suspension on the Sport (and the M) is uncomfortably hard over British roads and long distances. I'm after a car I can use to take the better half away for the weekend, or drive down to the south of France in relative comfort. And I live in London, with all the accompanying pot-holes and speed bumps. I have no plans to take the car on track days, so don't really NEED the benefits of Sport suspension. All of which perhaps suggests the SE - and the reviews seem to conclude the SE is perfectly well set up to handle its 265bhp for "enthusiastic" road use. But I rather like the wheels / seats / steering wheel etc that come as standard on the Sport. And the Sport might have better residuals.
I am, of course, planning to test drive both the Sport and the SE. But I'm fully aware that test-driving a car (excitement, adreneline etc) and living with it for the next 3 years are very different. So... I'd be very grateful for any views, especially from z4 roadster or 330Ci Sport owners, on whether the Sport suspension set-up really is as unforgiving in the long term as some of the reviews suggest.
Apologies if this all sounds a bit "wussy", but please bear in mind I'm currently the proud owner of a 635csi - which is a bit like driving a fast arm chair.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Steve
And yes, I know that many might say I should be aiming higher, for the Z4M. But I'm not, for reasons that will become apparent (and because the £10k difference is a lot of money).
Anyway, back to the dilemma. A few of the reviews I've read say the suspension on the Sport (and the M) is uncomfortably hard over British roads and long distances. I'm after a car I can use to take the better half away for the weekend, or drive down to the south of France in relative comfort. And I live in London, with all the accompanying pot-holes and speed bumps. I have no plans to take the car on track days, so don't really NEED the benefits of Sport suspension. All of which perhaps suggests the SE - and the reviews seem to conclude the SE is perfectly well set up to handle its 265bhp for "enthusiastic" road use. But I rather like the wheels / seats / steering wheel etc that come as standard on the Sport. And the Sport might have better residuals.
I am, of course, planning to test drive both the Sport and the SE. But I'm fully aware that test-driving a car (excitement, adreneline etc) and living with it for the next 3 years are very different. So... I'd be very grateful for any views, especially from z4 roadster or 330Ci Sport owners, on whether the Sport suspension set-up really is as unforgiving in the long term as some of the reviews suggest.
Apologies if this all sounds a bit "wussy", but please bear in mind I'm currently the proud owner of a 635csi - which is a bit like driving a fast arm chair.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Steve
I have an SE Z4 roadster and find the suspension set up fine for fast road driving. I have the 18" alloys too and find the ride acceptably comfortable. The car only seems to struggle when being driven fast on really bumpy B-roads. It can feel like it is literally going to bounce off the road! However, I suspect the sport may be even worse in this respect? For the kind of life it sounds like your Z4 will have i'd recommend going for SE.
I have a Mk1 SE on 18" alloys and M Sport suspension. The ride is harsh, and dont forget on a more practical level you need to be VERY careful parking nose-on to a kerb, or approaching ramps (entering car parks, boarding a ferry etc).
Aesthetically however, the lowered suspension and big wheels fill the arches well and improve the looks. If I had the choice (I didn't - mine was secondhand), I'd take the big wheels/tyres and forget the M-Sport suspension.
Aesthetically however, the lowered suspension and big wheels fill the arches well and improve the looks. If I had the choice (I didn't - mine was secondhand), I'd take the big wheels/tyres and forget the M-Sport suspension.
Thank you all for the helpful comments. I think you're right - SE spec'd up to include most of the Sport bits I wanted - especially those rather splendid M Sport seats. Now for the test drive! I haven't felt this excited since Dad took me to Halfords to choose a mountain bike 20 years ago...
On the off chance that anyone is interested, I got to testdrive a 3.0si Sport at the weekend. FANTASTIC!! Incredible engine and a wonderful sound. And what a beautiful car. The order has gone in and delivery is due for early October.
The Sport suspension was a touch too hard for my liking, so I've gone for the SE spec, but with 18 inch wheels and the "M" seats.
As the boot isn't as big as the old 6 series (and, of course, no back seats) we've spent the last couple of days trying to work out what we'll leave behind so that we can take it down to Le Mans next year. Is that a bit sad?
How the heck I'm supposed to wait until October I really don't know.
Now... anyone want a 635csi?? Looks like it'll be going in the classifieds in the next couple of weeks, just as soon as I find time to wash it and take some photos.
Many thanks again to pk, MD San and Sortie 10 for the helpful comments.
Steve
The Sport suspension was a touch too hard for my liking, so I've gone for the SE spec, but with 18 inch wheels and the "M" seats.
As the boot isn't as big as the old 6 series (and, of course, no back seats) we've spent the last couple of days trying to work out what we'll leave behind so that we can take it down to Le Mans next year. Is that a bit sad?
How the heck I'm supposed to wait until October I really don't know.
Now... anyone want a 635csi?? Looks like it'll be going in the classifieds in the next couple of weeks, just as soon as I find time to wash it and take some photos.
Many thanks again to pk, MD San and Sortie 10 for the helpful comments.
Steve
Nice one. Our 3.0i Sport (I know 
) arrives early/mid August, but then the order was placed last November 
What colour did you go for?Black. Sorry..."Black Sapphire"! With red leather. What about yours?
And I must say - I'm impressed at your commitment and foresight, ordering in Nov!
I'm wondering whether I can legitimately tour BMW dealerships, arranging testdrives at each one, just to feed the craving until October....
And I must say - I'm impressed at your commitment and foresight, ordering in Nov!
I'm wondering whether I can legitimately tour BMW dealerships, arranging testdrives at each one, just to feed the craving until October....
ccroaker said:
The guy who sold me mine on Saturday was telling me they've put the same 3.0l engine in a 1 series, the result being an absolutely bonkers hot hatch (though admittedly not as bonkers as the Hartge H1).
PK - ignore that little Japanese voice!
PK - ignore that little Japanese voice!
So you have a Z Coupe now? Is that what you mean?
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