z4m roadster vs e92 m3

[z4mroadster]

Whenever I drove an E92 M3 it was basically just a great engine with a very forgettable chassis. Z4M isn't the most dynamically resolved chassis but at least it's memorable for it's quirks. The E92 was just boring I thought unless you're listening to the engine at 8k.

My sister did 60k miles in just under 2 years in one, the fuel bills were horrendous.

Saying that at their current price getting one as a daily driver is kind of tempting!

The prices have dropped considerabley, you couod probabley get a decent one for around 15k now with higher milege. The sound of them is amazing though, when you turn the engine on that v8 just growls.

[z4mroadster]

Did the same thing few years back, wanted a m3 then drove one, nice and smooth, better ride, more room etc but lacked any excitement factor and just looks like a 3 series. Not special enough. Kept the z4.

The m3 does look like a regular 3 series unless you get the competition pack. That particular one does stand out more

[Z4M-2006]

I looked at loads last year as i wanted an M3..

But the more i drove the more i decided that actually they are a bit crap.. Repmobile with a decent although fragile engine,The S65 isnt BMW finest moment..

Without exception every M3 i went to look at needed stuff doing on it to get it to where i would want..

Paint,tyres and brakes being common things,interior and suspension also needed attention on some..

I was looking at cars between £17k and £25k and being honest there wasnt a lot of difference in the quality of cars between the prices.

[Beedub]

I did consider a supercharger but they are a bit expensive to say the least. Ive got some apex arc-8 wheels on the car already which are nice. Maybe upgrading the suspension is the way forward.Any suggestions? The cash is burning a hole in my pocket

arhh i think i saw your car in the market watch thread.

Ive got some Kw clubsports with bills top mounts, the cars handling blows me away, the only issue i see is their is your are going much faster to get to the limit...

I'm going to be honest.... the s65 has never done anything for me, not the sound, the performance, it just wasn't good enough... the 4.4 in the GTS was special one.... The RB issues are worse than the s54. For me the S54 is still one of the best engines bmw has produced.

[Mr Tidy]

OP, if you drove the M3s and then enjoyed the drive home in the Z4M it sounds like an M3 is not going to give you the same buzz that you get from the Z.

What you really want to avoid is buying an M3 and wishing after a while that you had kept the Z.

Someone suggested some choice upgrades - another option may be to wait and see how the Z5 turns out!

[z4mroadster]

I looked at loads last year as i wanted an M3..

But the more i drove the more i decided that actually they are a bit crap.. Repmobile with a decent although fragile engine,The S65 isnt BMW finest moment..

Without exception every M3 i went to look at needed stuff doing on it to get it to where i would want..

Paint,tyres and brakes being common things,interior and suspension also needed attention on some..

I was looking at cars between £17k and £25k and being honest there wasnt a lot of difference in the quality of cars between the prices.

Yes i totally agree, i was looking for cars in the same budget and the ones i saw needed things doing. The competition pack does look nice with the contrasting white to carbon and the upgraded wheels etc but as for driving experience the z4m still tops it. Bring on summer.

[z4mroadster]

I looked at loads last year as i wanted an M3..

But the more i drove the more i decided that actually they are a bit crap.. Repmobile with a decent although fragile engine,The S65 isnt BMW finest moment..

Without exception every M3 i went to look at needed stuff doing on it to get it to where i would want..

Paint,tyres and brakes being common things,interior and suspension also needed attention on some..

I was looking at cars between £17k and £25k and being honest there wasnt a lot of difference in the quality of cars between the prices.

That red z4 looks awesome by the way

[z4mroadster]

OP, if you drove the M3s and then enjoyed the drive home in the Z4M it sounds like an M3 is not going to give you the same buzz that you get from the Z.

What you really want to avoid is buying an M3 and wishing after a while that you had kept the Z.

Someone suggested some choice upgrades - another option may be to wait and see how the Z5 turns out!

Yes i believe you're right, i could see myself regretting it after the novelty had worn off, especially when the weather improves. Plus the extra 8 thousand i would need to spend to get an m3 is putting me off. Ill have a look at some subtle upgrades.

[z4mroadster]

I did consider a supercharger but they are a bit expensive to say the least. Ive got some apex arc-8 wheels on the car already which are nice. Maybe upgrading the suspension is the way forward.Any suggestions? The cash is burning a hole in my pocket

arhh i think i saw your car in the market watch thread.

Ive got some Kw clubsports with bills top mounts, the cars handling blows me away, the only issue i see is their is your are going much faster to get to the limit...

I'm going to be honest.... the s65 has never done anything for me, not the sound, the performance, it just wasn't good enough... the 4.4 in the GTS was special one.... The RB issues are worse than the s54. For me the S54 is still one of the best engines bmw has produced.

Ill have a look into those mods then, any suggestions on exhaust mods, not that i dont love the metallic rasp. Maybe some back boxes just to give the car a more prominent presence on the rd. Yes the s54 is arguabley one of the best engines ever designed.

[Viren]

I'm having the same dilemma! Seems as if it's becoming increasingly difficult to replace the z4m with anything south of 40k. The only cars I'd consider would be exige s, cayman 3.4, 911 gts, r8. Not much else can offer the same specialness if you know what I mean.

Agree with Beedub, might be worth spending some money on chassis upgrades and maybe a few cosmetics to freshen it up.

I really think as time goes on these cars are aging so well, the simple raw feel of the thing makes it amazing.

Opening a door to 4 seats and a standard 3 series dash just doesnt hit the spot for a 'special' car for me. Wish I could stick the v8 in the zed though!

[tomscott]

I'm having the same dilemma! Seems as if it's becoming increasingly difficult to replace the z4m with anything south of 40k. The only cars I'd consider would be exige s, cayman 3.4, 911 gts, r8. Not much else can offer the same specialness if you know what I mean.

Agree with Beedub, might be worth spending some money on chassis upgrades and maybe a few cosmetics to freshen it up.

I really think as time goes on these cars are aging so well, the simple raw feel of the thing makes it amazing.

Opening a door to 4 seats and a standard 3 series dash just doesnt hit the spot for a 'special' car for me. Wish I could stick the v8 in the zed though!

I'm in the same boat looking at Cayman/boxster s and they are great cars not as quick or widow maker like but much more precise and easyier to drive quick.

Problem is finding a good one, not just SH they need much more attention than the Z4M but they are cheaper than the Zs now and I fancy something different!

[z4mroadster]

I'm having the same dilemma! Seems as if it's becoming increasingly difficult to replace the z4m with anything south of 40k. The only cars I'd consider would be exige s, cayman 3.4, 911 gts, r8. Not much else can offer the same specialness if you know what I mean.

Agree with Beedub, might be worth spending some money on chassis upgrades and maybe a few cosmetics to freshen it up.

I really think as time goes on these cars are aging so well, the simple raw feel of the thing makes it amazing.

Opening a door to 4 seats and a standard 3 series dash just doesnt hit the spot for a 'special' car for me. Wish I could stick the v8 in the zed though!

Yes anything south of 40k you will be struggling to compete with the z4m's drivability and performance. I used to own a vx220 turbo with a stage 1 remap (220-230bhp) and that was amazing perfomance wise but as a daily driver it was horrendous. Cheap cramped up interior and the heaters were pointless in them, but for a weekend car they could match the perfomance of any super car.

[Z4M-2006]

I looked at loads last year as i wanted an M3..

But the more i drove the more i decided that actually they are a bit crap.. Repmobile with a decent although fragile engine,The S65 isnt BMW finest moment..

Without exception every M3 i went to look at needed stuff doing on it to get it to where i would want..

Paint,tyres and brakes being common things,interior and suspension also needed attention on some..

I was looking at cars between £17k and £25k and being honest there wasnt a lot of difference in the quality of cars between the prices.

Yes i totally agree, i was looking for cars in the same budget and the ones i saw needed things doing. The competition pack does look nice with the contrasting white to carbon and the upgraded wheels etc but as for driving experience the z4m still tops it. Bring on summer.

Agreed.....

The Z4M is indeed a better drive,which says a lot about the M3 considering how mad the standard suspension is on the Z4M..

[D4dawg]

Interesting thread

I had a brand spanking M3 full carbon and comp pack
And had bmw addict (dan) with me
As I get Ms whilst my car gets serviced at bmw

Looks - loved it, carbon roof engine brace the comp wheels and flared arches and in carbon black

Sound - crap apart from over runs in m2 mode

Handling- great but aware a big car, flat yet flexible

Grip- was great but never let you know when was about to go till did

Speed- silly quick

Dct clutch- good fun for launch otherwise no

Fun factor- looks, as a great looking *look at me* as rare in full carbon pack and comp pack and was 3 weeks old

So all above considered
Dan and I jumped in my M with my mods done
Looked awesome when brought round for me
The sound walked over the m3
Lower than a snakes butt feeling when got in
The manual box feeling as lost paddles going round roundabouts in m3
I was more involved in mine
The power and noise from mine made it an event the rumbles and feelings in the seat
The going round roundabouts at speed and not an inch of lean
In short love my M
M3 I'd drive every day
My z4mr weekend as special:)

[Babw]

In defence of the E92, they respond incredibly well to modifications. Some of the fastest BMW's around tracks in recent years are track modified E92's. Really good balance undoubtedly better than E85/E46 etc and actually this is what makes them feel a little inert to drive quickly.

The engine is lighter than an S54 but more powerful with a higher redline. Revs much quicker as well. In fast driving terms it's better in every way than an S54. Just progress like anything else.