Z4 3.0i vs z4m...

[buzyg]

Old records are the best

The Beatles made some of the best too.

[plowy]

I went from a 3.0 to an ///M, with an M3 inbetween, really not sure what the "headache" is that your on about but it's different league to a 3.0 in every respect for me, cost more to run of course but what do you expect.

[Smartbear]

I went from a 3.0 to an ///M, with an M3 inbetween, really not sure what the "headache" is that your on about but it's different league to a 3.0 in every respect for me, cost more to run of course but what do you expect.

Some people have had to replace the M engines shell bearings, which I would imagine is a bit of a headache!
Rob

[plowy]

Rob, this is an old issue with the S54 engine in its earlier life, a lot of which was cured in pre Z4M M3 cars under a manufacturer recall,,,,,not so sure the later S54 engine , in Z4M, had this issue...?

[GuidoK]

you ever look on Zpost?
Loads of bearing shells worn at about 50k miles. (these are obviously z4m's)
And I think there hasnt been any changes in s54's on that point. same parts, same problems. thus the problem doesnt fix itself
In fact, I'm willing to go this far that I bet you cant find pictures of unworn bearing shells (I've seen that only once and I know that guy and he pretty much drives like a grandpa (he has the age for that too))
Comes with the territory of revving to 8k or so. Most engines that rev this high have these problems

[pHilli0]

I went from a 3.0 to an ///M, with an M3 inbetween, really not sure what the "headache" is that your on about but it's different league to a 3.0 in every respect for me, cost more to run of course but what do you expect.

Some people have had to replace the M engines shell bearings, which I would imagine is a bit of a headache!
Rob

I had my shells replaced. At an indie its a £1200-1500 job inc parts. Not that much all told. And they should be good for another 70k miles.

[plowy]

Hardly a headache then......

[plowy]

I think people must have been unlucky, it's not what you might term as a common problem, if you dig deep enough you will find inherent issues with any engine in any car, they are mechanical devices at the end of the day and nothing is bomb proof, if that issue deters you from ownership then can you really afford one and do you really want one,,???,,,,,there are far far more owners that take more joy than sorrow out of these cars.

[dannytheduck1985]

By that logic, the Alpina is an even sounder investment...

Yeah, but you still have to live with an Alpina all that time and not with the far superior M

Broken record, Paul... at least it's not a beetle...

Beetles aren't that bad. Currently got a 51' split oval in the garage and hopefully a 50' coming

[Beedub]

Hardly a headache then......

as long as we are aware of it, its not biggy at all now days... the work costs 1000-1600 ... the bearings are a serviceable item on this car, just the way it is... when s**t gets hairy is when they go a silly low miles, i would imagine a car such as mine is wearing these at an accelerated rate, but them... with the my service intervals i may be completely wrong.

[z4all]

z4m vs e46 m3...what do we think about handling, general feel of the car, the messages the car is giving you as a driver, braking, anything else...

[Fishy Dave]

z4m vs e46 m3...what do we think about handling, general feel of the car, the messages the car is giving you as a driver, braking, anything else...

Worthy of a new thread to keep this one on topic?

[z4all]

done.

back on topic....keep thinking to get a z4m but I have so much fun in the 3.0i and its cheap as chips which makes it even more fun!!! with my m3s, I would always worry too much about every little thing-I'm worried I would do the same with the z4m. with the 3.0i, I don't really. I just drive and enjoy!

BUT its not got enough BHP or torque.

[CoreyMW]

I think the best all round option is the 3.0si and fit a an LSD. Fitted a LSD to my 3.0 within a month of owning it. Completely transformed the car for the better.

Have a recommendation for a good LSD? I have a 3.0si 6MT roadster with (I think) a 3.26 open diff now. I feel like that is right gearing generally; might have liked a slightly taller 6th to knock off a few highway rpm's. Once I delete the CDV, I'll be happier.

[Simon 3.2M]

A lot of good arguments both for and against however, having owned a 2.5, 3.0 M54, 3.0si and finally an M, I can offer the following. To cut a long story short, the M is a completely different t experience both physically and audibly - all the cars before the M were very capable and enjoyable. The M however, is just a monster! As for running costs, you use more fuel in the M because they goad you into driving them fast! All sports cars should have the oil changed every 5k if you drive them for enjoyment, it’s £60 / £70 more expensive to change the oil on an M, hardly breaking the bank! The shells, again you’ll only hear about failures, just remember there are a lot of Z4M and E46 M3 owners who drive their cars oblivious of the thought of “ticking time bomb” under the bonnet and there are a lot still going strong with mileages in excess of 150k on the original shells. If you constantly drive the car hard or track it then yes, change the shells - an engine bouncing around at 8k rpm will need this regardless. As for the other stuff such as brake discs etc, ask yourself how often do you think they will need changing - not as often as people make out, again more scaremongering. Changing gearbox, diff oil, and brake fluid, again you should do this with any new purchase that doesn’t have records of it being done, not a regular requirement once done for the first time. Always change the oil on time and warm the car up before pressing on and, just as importantly, cool them down afterwards and they will provide a lot of trouble free motoring. As with all cars of this age and specialism, buy more on condition than mileage, high mileage S54s aren’t necessarily a money pit waiting to open up and swallow you whole!!

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