Help!! BMW Z4M Coupe buying advice (and alternatives)
Discussion
Hey guys - finally getting around to buying a weekend toy and looking for some advice!
Looking for something fun for weekends only, relatively low maintenance, ideally a classic/modern classic which is or will be likely to appreciate in the next 4/5 years... budget up to £20k. Ideally something which is happy to be kept outside (no space in garage... or so I'm told!)
Originally considered things like mk1 Cayman S, mk 1 TT, E46 M3, Jag XKR... (long list), but a friend suggested a BMW Z4M Coupe and I'm pretty keen on them as they're just that little bit rarer and more special than the others, just something different...
Three questions I'm hoping for some help with!
- if Z4M Coupe, what should I look for when buying... particular issues or spec levels I should look at?
- Are there any particular problems with high mileage (100k+) Z4M's
- Would anyone strongly suggest something different?
Cheers guys
Looking for something fun for weekends only, relatively low maintenance, ideally a classic/modern classic which is or will be likely to appreciate in the next 4/5 years... budget up to £20k. Ideally something which is happy to be kept outside (no space in garage... or so I'm told!)
Originally considered things like mk1 Cayman S, mk 1 TT, E46 M3, Jag XKR... (long list), but a friend suggested a BMW Z4M Coupe and I'm pretty keen on them as they're just that little bit rarer and more special than the others, just something different...
Three questions I'm hoping for some help with!
- if Z4M Coupe, what should I look for when buying... particular issues or spec levels I should look at?
- Are there any particular problems with high mileage (100k+) Z4M's
- Would anyone strongly suggest something different?
Cheers guys
Edited by Stoco on Friday 4th June 19:39
I’ve had a Z4M Coupe for over 10 years. Always lived outside and so far has been fine in terms of rust/corrosion.
Downsides are that the road tax isn’t cheap (£500+) and servicing is cheap either if you do it on time rather than mileage - lots of debates on what you should actually do if it’s not a daily.
Some people complain about the gear shift. Seems to vary by car. Mine is fine, but I did test drive a few duffers.
Cayman is the obvious alternative and is certainly a more resolved car. For me, however, it didn’t feel raw enough and that was back in 2010 when I was buying it as a fun daily driver. It’s not a weekend car, so it’s even more true now. IMHO, obviously.
Before they stopped publishing, Modern Classics magazine did a nice comparison between the Z4M, Cayman and 350/370Z (can’t remember which) that was quite a good read. Think you can still get the digital version.
Other option would be a roadster. Some times I wish I could put the roof down on a sunny day and hear that glorious engine. That said, I love the look of the coupe and they are much rarer.
Have you considered and Elise/Exige? With the current direction lotus are taking I can see these being a solid investment. If I had a spare garage/driveway space I’d definitely be looking at the of these. Not sure how well they fare living outside though.
Downsides are that the road tax isn’t cheap (£500+) and servicing is cheap either if you do it on time rather than mileage - lots of debates on what you should actually do if it’s not a daily.
Some people complain about the gear shift. Seems to vary by car. Mine is fine, but I did test drive a few duffers.
Cayman is the obvious alternative and is certainly a more resolved car. For me, however, it didn’t feel raw enough and that was back in 2010 when I was buying it as a fun daily driver. It’s not a weekend car, so it’s even more true now. IMHO, obviously.
Before they stopped publishing, Modern Classics magazine did a nice comparison between the Z4M, Cayman and 350/370Z (can’t remember which) that was quite a good read. Think you can still get the digital version.
Other option would be a roadster. Some times I wish I could put the roof down on a sunny day and hear that glorious engine. That said, I love the look of the coupe and they are much rarer.
Have you considered and Elise/Exige? With the current direction lotus are taking I can see these being a solid investment. If I had a spare garage/driveway space I’d definitely be looking at the of these. Not sure how well they fare living outside though.
I've had a Z4M Roadster and I personally didn't get on with the ride/suspension/gearbox, however they are a proper event to drive though I reckon, plus the Coupe looks stunning for sure.
I've now got a 370Z Roadster that I've been really happy with for the last 2 years, so the 370Z Coupe or 370Z Nismo could be worth a look I think.
I've now got a 370Z Roadster that I've been really happy with for the last 2 years, so the 370Z Coupe or 370Z Nismo could be worth a look I think.
survivalist said:
I’ve had a Z4M Coupe for over 10 years. Always lived outside and so far has been fine in terms of rust/corrosion.
Downsides are that the road tax isn’t cheap (£500+) and servicing is cheap either if you do it on time rather than mileage - lots of debates on what you should actually do if it’s not a daily.
Some people complain about the gear shift. Seems to vary by car. Mine is fine, but I did test drive a few duffers.
Cayman is the obvious alternative and is certainly a more resolved car. For me, however, it didn’t feel raw enough and that was back in 2010 when I was buying it as a fun daily driver. It’s not a weekend car, so it’s even more true now. IMHO, obviously.
Before they stopped publishing, Modern Classics magazine did a nice comparison between the Z4M, Cayman and 350/370Z (can’t remember which) that was quite a good read. Think you can still get the digital version.
Other option would be a roadster. Some times I wish I could put the roof down on a sunny day and hear that glorious engine. That said, I love the look of the coupe and they are much rarer.
Have you considered and Elise/Exige? With the current direction lotus are taking I can see these being a solid investment. If I had a spare garage/driveway space I’d definitely be looking at the of these. Not sure how well they fare living outside though.
Thanks for the advice! I did consider the Elise's along with caterhams and others... unfortunately I've been told by the missus we don't have enough space in the garage - I did assure her I can just bolt everything to the walls and build some roof hung storage.. but I got a straight "No." so I'm picking my battles...Downsides are that the road tax isn’t cheap (£500+) and servicing is cheap either if you do it on time rather than mileage - lots of debates on what you should actually do if it’s not a daily.
Some people complain about the gear shift. Seems to vary by car. Mine is fine, but I did test drive a few duffers.
Cayman is the obvious alternative and is certainly a more resolved car. For me, however, it didn’t feel raw enough and that was back in 2010 when I was buying it as a fun daily driver. It’s not a weekend car, so it’s even more true now. IMHO, obviously.
Before they stopped publishing, Modern Classics magazine did a nice comparison between the Z4M, Cayman and 350/370Z (can’t remember which) that was quite a good read. Think you can still get the digital version.
Other option would be a roadster. Some times I wish I could put the roof down on a sunny day and hear that glorious engine. That said, I love the look of the coupe and they are much rarer.
Have you considered and Elise/Exige? With the current direction lotus are taking I can see these being a solid investment. If I had a spare garage/driveway space I’d definitely be looking at the of these. Not sure how well they fare living outside though.
a few friends own Elise's and have said they wouldn't keep them outside so would unfortunately steer away..
Really hard one on the Cayman as it does everything.. but its just less special...
Re Z4M Coupe info, worth checking out here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/index.php
Never driven a z4 but have driven a M3 brilliant engine. I like you prefer the looks and rarity of the z4m. A boxster/ cayman is a good shout. How about a s2000? I have a mate with one and he loves it.
Personally I’d have the battle with the mrs/ get a new one! Haha and get a lotus . Just make sure the new woman isn’t fat or she won’t get init!
Personally I’d have the battle with the mrs/ get a new one! Haha and get a lotus . Just make sure the new woman isn’t fat or she won’t get init!
If you are intending to keep it for the long term - would question how important chassis dynamics is to the overall enjoyment proposition.
I had a concours spec z4m and it was an absolutely stunning thing. To look at. In every other department a cayman is a massively more satisfying proposition
The reviews of the time were right about the chassis on the z4m. It’s horribly unresolved. Suspension that somehow seems to be crashy and roll to much.
Steering that has no feel, a chassis that understeers then oversteers between corner entry and mid corner On a steady throttle.
Dare I say it as well - I think the engine is over rated as well. A std 3.4 flat six is a much nicer engine.
No doubt it has more character than a cayman - but I would arguably say for all the wrong reasons aside from looks.
I had a concours spec z4m and it was an absolutely stunning thing. To look at. In every other department a cayman is a massively more satisfying proposition
The reviews of the time were right about the chassis on the z4m. It’s horribly unresolved. Suspension that somehow seems to be crashy and roll to much.
Steering that has no feel, a chassis that understeers then oversteers between corner entry and mid corner On a steady throttle.
Dare I say it as well - I think the engine is over rated as well. A std 3.4 flat six is a much nicer engine.
No doubt it has more character than a cayman - but I would arguably say for all the wrong reasons aside from looks.
As others have mentioned above - flawed chassis dynamics; coil springs appear to be serviceable items; 1st-2nd gear change challenging.
Mr Tidy will be along soon to fill you in on S54 rod bearing issues.
Had mine for 9 years now and love it as weekender/euro schleps. Feels/looks special.
Couldn't live with it as a daily though.
Good review here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbE2BC97Wh4&t=...
S
Mr Tidy will be along soon to fill you in on S54 rod bearing issues.
Had mine for 9 years now and love it as weekender/euro schleps. Feels/looks special.
Couldn't live with it as a daily though.
Good review here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbE2BC97Wh4&t=...
S
Str6mik said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Someone once described them as BMW's version of a TVR and having owned one I'd agree. Stunning cars that are flawed in some areas but seem no worse for those same flaws.
Yes never a truer word said. I did really like how unpredictable the Z4M was to drive though(it made it a scary drive), and the fear that it could bump you off the road because of the suspension is why some people compare them to a TVR perhaps. In every other way they are a world apart for me though.
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