Z4 Coupe Questions
Discussion
Hi there,
I have been longing after a TVR T350 for some time and am now in a position to pick one up, of course niggling doubts over its engine robustness have me looking at alternatives and this brings me to the Z4Coupe, to me there are quite some similarities in the shape etc and its seems to be getting some quite good reviews too so its looking good, now I realize they won't be in the same leagues performance wise but as I currently drive a diesel most things are a step up in that respect.
My question is regarding the interior, some parts of it seem particularly low budget like the standard leather especially when compared to my Alfa, it looks very cheap and the seats lack decent bolstering, not enough to put me off but the Z4 is quite a step up in price, perhaps I expect too much from it but i wondered if there was option combo that would improve the interior, it seems there are quite a few interior options for trim but seeing them all on a car is obviously impossible, I am not very good a visualizing it, has anyone seen the different leather options and whats a good trim pack to go for, any images of good combos would be handy?
I have always liked red leather and I was looking at the two tone option as i have had that before and really liked it, I'm undecided at the moment, Looking at the brochure it doesn't seem entirely clear whats what when it comes to the leather, I'd be looking at a 3.0 sport probably, the active sport leather is not quite what I am after but are the other options worth the extra, bi colour New england leather is £535 but New england leather is £1100? whats that about, apart from being two colours whats the difference if both are New England leather wouldn't they cost the same? also how far does the extended leather go, in the brochure some of the seats have stitching through the base etc like my Alfa which I think looks better, but which option is that? I am visiting the dealer on Friday and hopefully this may clear up some questions but I reckon I could be dithering over teh options list for ages are there any site where someone may have done a comparision of stuff like hifi options.
I know its small things to query over what seems like a great car but once you've chosen the spec you are stuck with it, I made an incorrect colour chioce on my previous Alfa and I ended up not liking it much over time, my current one is spot on because I spent more time and did the research just want to make sure that if the test drive goes well Friday I can make a similarly imformed purchase.
Is there a UK owners forum?
I have been longing after a TVR T350 for some time and am now in a position to pick one up, of course niggling doubts over its engine robustness have me looking at alternatives and this brings me to the Z4Coupe, to me there are quite some similarities in the shape etc and its seems to be getting some quite good reviews too so its looking good, now I realize they won't be in the same leagues performance wise but as I currently drive a diesel most things are a step up in that respect.
My question is regarding the interior, some parts of it seem particularly low budget like the standard leather especially when compared to my Alfa, it looks very cheap and the seats lack decent bolstering, not enough to put me off but the Z4 is quite a step up in price, perhaps I expect too much from it but i wondered if there was option combo that would improve the interior, it seems there are quite a few interior options for trim but seeing them all on a car is obviously impossible, I am not very good a visualizing it, has anyone seen the different leather options and whats a good trim pack to go for, any images of good combos would be handy?
I have always liked red leather and I was looking at the two tone option as i have had that before and really liked it, I'm undecided at the moment, Looking at the brochure it doesn't seem entirely clear whats what when it comes to the leather, I'd be looking at a 3.0 sport probably, the active sport leather is not quite what I am after but are the other options worth the extra, bi colour New england leather is £535 but New england leather is £1100? whats that about, apart from being two colours whats the difference if both are New England leather wouldn't they cost the same? also how far does the extended leather go, in the brochure some of the seats have stitching through the base etc like my Alfa which I think looks better, but which option is that? I am visiting the dealer on Friday and hopefully this may clear up some questions but I reckon I could be dithering over teh options list for ages are there any site where someone may have done a comparision of stuff like hifi options.
I know its small things to query over what seems like a great car but once you've chosen the spec you are stuck with it, I made an incorrect colour chioce on my previous Alfa and I ended up not liking it much over time, my current one is spot on because I spent more time and did the research just want to make sure that if the test drive goes well Friday I can make a similarly imformed purchase.
Is there a UK owners forum?
Edited by sandys on Monday 18th December 13:43
If you do a search or ask the guys on www.z4um.com/ i'm sure you will get some good advice. Go for the sports seats option - they offer plenty of support for most people. Have you seen the piano black interior trim? I think it looks great and really smartens up the interior. There's a nice Z4 Coupe in the classifieds on here
www.pistonheads.com/sales/114153.htm It's automatic which i wouldn't go for personally but fine if you like that sort of thing. I've got a Z4 roadster at the moment but i've got a test drive lined up in the Z4M Coupe shortly which could change things........! Although will be trying the 3.0 as well which is more "comfortably" affordable than the M and fast enough to keep you entertained by all accounts.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/114153.htm It's automatic which i wouldn't go for personally but fine if you like that sort of thing. I've got a Z4 roadster at the moment but i've got a test drive lined up in the Z4M Coupe shortly which could change things........! Although will be trying the 3.0 as well which is more "comfortably" affordable than the M and fast enough to keep you entertained by all accounts.
Nice one for sale in classified section - excellant spec, good colour combo and a good price too - about £7k under list price!!!
[url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/114153.htm
[url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/114153.htm
I agree with MD San - go for the M sports seats and black piano trim - that's what mine will have when it arrives (allegedly next week!). If I were you I'd consider the Si SE model - you get 17 inch wheels (rather than the 18 inch on the Sport), which on the stiff run-flat tyres will give a better ride. I notice most of the test cars given by BMW to the car mags are running the 17 inch wheels, possibly due to early criticism of the jiggly ride quality. When you have a test drive check to see which wheel/tyre combo is on the demo car so you can judge the ride quality for yourself.
When I looked at the types of leather at the dealer, I thought that the standard Oregon leather looked and felt better than the optional New England leather.
The other thing to look for is to see how you feel about the rear visibility - it is very limited! And make sure the Sport button is pressed during your test drive - it makes a big difference.
When I looked at the types of leather at the dealer, I thought that the standard Oregon leather looked and felt better than the optional New England leather.
The other thing to look for is to see how you feel about the rear visibility - it is very limited! And make sure the Sport button is pressed during your test drive - it makes a big difference.
Hi,
I've had my Z4 for a while now, having had a TVR in the past, I enjoy(ed) them both. The TVR will be more exciting, marginally, or is that just plain scary? I think a Z4m would be up there in performance terms, but both fall down for me on being able to live with them. Reviews tend to say the M is too hard a ride for day to day use.
I know whet you mean about the materials inside, and seats. Slightly disappointing for the money, and the standard seats could do with more lateral support, imo. The Sycamore dash looks good on mine with beige leather - I thought the black would be too dark in a small space. Worth thinking about the car's colour, too. Some don't hold their value so well, I'm told. Black, grey and silver most popular.
Overall though, with a BMW you'd hopefully buy into hassle-free driving. My local dealer is helpful - the one time I had a problem, they collected, fixed, washed, delivered, just for a cd jumping. Got a good deal too, and happy with the car since, no problems.
Final thought. If you did still think of a TVR, as far as I know, they still don't have airbags etc, but that's a personal choice.
Almost forgot, auto is definitely worth considering, brilliant when you get used to it, sport modes, sequential etc. try one.
I've had my Z4 for a while now, having had a TVR in the past, I enjoy(ed) them both. The TVR will be more exciting, marginally, or is that just plain scary? I think a Z4m would be up there in performance terms, but both fall down for me on being able to live with them. Reviews tend to say the M is too hard a ride for day to day use.
I know whet you mean about the materials inside, and seats. Slightly disappointing for the money, and the standard seats could do with more lateral support, imo. The Sycamore dash looks good on mine with beige leather - I thought the black would be too dark in a small space. Worth thinking about the car's colour, too. Some don't hold their value so well, I'm told. Black, grey and silver most popular.
Overall though, with a BMW you'd hopefully buy into hassle-free driving. My local dealer is helpful - the one time I had a problem, they collected, fixed, washed, delivered, just for a cd jumping. Got a good deal too, and happy with the car since, no problems.
Final thought. If you did still think of a TVR, as far as I know, they still don't have airbags etc, but that's a personal choice.
Almost forgot, auto is definitely worth considering, brilliant when you get used to it, sport modes, sequential etc. try one.
Edited by HomerJ on Wednesday 20th December 20:58
Thanks for the comments Homer, Like you I think black is a bit sombre I have never had a car with a black interior and don't intend to start 
The lateral support was want I was on about with the bolstering, I did wonder if I was being too picky on the materials because of the price but its seems you agree too, makes me wonder where all the money is going, is the badge, dealer backup worth it?
Hard ride I can handle, I have some pretty stiffly setup coilovers on the Alfa and it doesn't exactly have a world renown chassis to begin with when it comes to soaking up the lumps and bumps, still good fun for what it is
I am really stuck at the mo, I really want the TVR but being a realist I can't see it managing 18-20k a year plus the odd track day without some engine rebuild expense or some inconvenient garage time waiting for parts.
The safe option is why I am pushed towards the BMW rather than a strong desire to own one like I have with the TVR, alot about the Z4 Coupe just seems right though with small things letting it down, looking forward to a decent drive on Friday.
Auto is not for me, I rarely do city driving and have some nice country roads to blat up and down, I rather play with the stick.
The lateral support was want I was on about with the bolstering, I did wonder if I was being too picky on the materials because of the price but its seems you agree too, makes me wonder where all the money is going, is the badge, dealer backup worth it? Hard ride I can handle, I have some pretty stiffly setup coilovers on the Alfa and it doesn't exactly have a world renown chassis to begin with when it comes to soaking up the lumps and bumps, still good fun for what it is
I am really stuck at the mo, I really want the TVR but being a realist I can't see it managing 18-20k a year plus the odd track day without some engine rebuild expense or some inconvenient garage time waiting for parts.
The safe option is why I am pushed towards the BMW rather than a strong desire to own one like I have with the TVR, alot about the Z4 Coupe just seems right though with small things letting it down, looking forward to a decent drive on Friday.
Auto is not for me, I rarely do city driving and have some nice country roads to blat up and down, I rather play with the stick.
Really pleased with ours; beyond expectations TBH which is as good as you can expect. Ours is used every day, getting on for 6k miles already (we ran it in by doing 2k miles round Europe 
) and just feels better and better. Not sure I agree with the interior comments - we've got the brushed aluminium which is nice, and just about everyone who's ridden in it has commented that its got a nice interior.
We went for Sport spec, which bundles some nice bits including M seats which are excellent. Unless you regularly require string acceleration beyond 130mph, you should find the 3.0i pretty strong, it really is a fabulous engine with great low down torque and wonderfully smooth throughout the rev range. Deeply impressive economy too for a sub 6sec 0-60 coupe.
TVR will undoubtedly give more thrills in extremis - perhaps a better choice if you do 3k fun miles per year where you can chooce your times of use. Beemer clearly a better all rounder.....
) and just feels better and better. Not sure I agree with the interior comments - we've got the brushed aluminium which is nice, and just about everyone who's ridden in it has commented that its got a nice interior. We went for Sport spec, which bundles some nice bits including M seats which are excellent. Unless you regularly require string acceleration beyond 130mph, you should find the 3.0i pretty strong, it really is a fabulous engine with great low down torque and wonderfully smooth throughout the rev range. Deeply impressive economy too for a sub 6sec 0-60 coupe.
TVR will undoubtedly give more thrills in extremis - perhaps a better choice if you do 3k fun miles per year where you can chooce your times of use. Beemer clearly a better all rounder.....
Hi trackdemon, can you give me an honest figure for economy on the 3.0 obviously I have been looking at the TVR and considering the 3.2 so its not high up on my list as I expect these to do around 20mpg but having moved from a GTA to the GT JTD I have come to appreciate 600mile tanks versus 250 :lol: you really notice it in your pocket might be a plus point if the 3.0 does decent mileage along with good performance when I want it to, seeing as most of the time i'd be hacking to an from work in it, probably is the sensible option for me.
Morning Sandys
My 3.0 coupe is returning around 27mpg average (mostly motorway / A-road with a bit of central London driving thrown in). I have nothing but praise for it, so far. As TrackDemon has said, the engine is fantastic and I certainly don't have any problems with the build quality. I went for SE spec, rather than Sport, but opted for 18 inch wheels and the M-Sport seats (in red).
As for the "M versus Si" question, a number of the reviews seem to rate them as broadly equal cars in most day-to-day situations (the Si having slightly softer ride, a little easier to drive in town, almost as fast etc). But if you're after a more focussed track-day car, the M is the one to have I'd have thought.
No doubt you'll have some fun tomorrow!
wrighty
My 3.0 coupe is returning around 27mpg average (mostly motorway / A-road with a bit of central London driving thrown in). I have nothing but praise for it, so far. As TrackDemon has said, the engine is fantastic and I certainly don't have any problems with the build quality. I went for SE spec, rather than Sport, but opted for 18 inch wheels and the M-Sport seats (in red).
As for the "M versus Si" question, a number of the reviews seem to rate them as broadly equal cars in most day-to-day situations (the Si having slightly softer ride, a little easier to drive in town, almost as fast etc). But if you're after a more focussed track-day car, the M is the one to have I'd have thought.
No doubt you'll have some fun tomorrow!
wrighty
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff