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Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 1:24 am
by gramps
Howdy all..
I would appreciate some comments and insights to my new car purchasing dilemma..
I've been searching for a new "toy" to play with in my retirement years. I've been watching the Z4M market for some time. I recently found a 2007 Z4M red on red with 35k miles from a private seller. Just in the past week my local BMW deal got a Z4 3.5is in or trade with 24k miles, red on black. The problem I'm having is the pricing is very close, within $3k between the two. I really like the Z4M manual for it's back to the basics driving experience. But the 3.5is has the DCT and more modern features... What to do.. and no I can't afford to buy both.. haha
Thanks for your guidance.
Gramps
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 1:45 am
by D4dawg
Evening buddy
All I'll say is a few have had a 3.5 and sold and now running around in a z4m;)
E89s can look nice
But how many do you see in a day?
Possibly age quickly
A bit too new and user friendly for my liking
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 2:49 am
by Buckz
Z4m raw and proper sports car
E89 is more of a daily driver all around car. Still very capable but not as "raw" and back to roots sports car you'd expect it.
Imo, as a weekend/fun/retirement car a z4m is the one to go for. As a fast daily sports car the e89 will do a better job due to its comforts, softer ride etc.
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 4:59 am
by Vanne
"How can something that looks so good drive so rubbish?" J.Clarkson on e89.
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 7:23 am
by Yorkie Z
Buy the M/// and drive it for a few years, having lots of fun on the way. Then sell it for probably more than you paid and buy a E89. Easy hey
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 8:23 am
by mr wilks
A tricky choice for the OP if never owning any Z4 previously .
For me the choice goes beyond the actual comparisons between the 2 cars , its about how you plan to spend the time driving .
If it was a 10k/15k a year car out most days it would be the 35Is , if it was a peep at in the garage all week in anticipation of the weekend to enjoy purely pleasure mileage then its ///M
the 89s are a fantastic place to sit & cover long distances with ease , the cabin is a major step up & external styling even now after 8yrs is still fresh & doesn't look out of place against the new range of BMWs on a dealer forecourt
Running costs are going to be more on the ///M dependent on where in the cars service / repairs cycle you buy ?
Brakes are pricey , ins2 is pricey & at 35k the car is getting to the time both will need attention or possibly both could have been done ?
Simple answer is try both then decide
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 8:31 am
by buzyg
The 35IS is a nicer place to sit whiling away the hours. The ///M is more fun.
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:26 pm
by sunnydays
OP since you posted in the M section, your replies are going to mostly be bias towards the Z4M. As a 35is owner I will lay out some objective facts below:
The Z4 35IS is faster than the Z4M
The Z4 35IS has newer tech and a more up to date cabin
The Z4 35IS is rarer than the Z4M (in the UK atleast)
The biggest comment I notice from Z4M owners is how the Z4M handles better than the 35is, the 35is can allegedly provide less feedback and feel abit numb in comparison sometimes. This comes down to how you are going to use the car. Comfortable cruising with lots of power on tap. Or corner carving on a track shifting manual.... 2 different cars but both great.
Exhaust note subjective but the way the 35IS exhaust crackles and pops is hard to beat
In terms of looks both look great, the Z4M is starting to look abit dated imo but depends what you like.
Is Z4M value really guaranteed to go up as suggested? Im not so sure, if they came out with another Z4M then it would probably dip pretty hard.... would be a long time before they were worth something as a classic. Seem to be holding value pretty well though.
Ultimately both very nice cars, only way you will find out for sure is by test driving both!
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:25 am
by Mr Tidy
By the way, welcome to the forum OP.
What a nice choice to have!
I haven't had either, but a others have said the first thing you need to do is get a drive in both and see what suits you!
Saying that, I can't see either being a bad choice.
Looking forward to the photos once you have decided!
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:35 am
by GuidoK
sunnydays wrote: ↑Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:26 pm
The Z4 35IS is faster than the Z4M
Faster as in?
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:50 am
by D4dawg
Hahahahah @ sunny
E89 sterile yes quick
Exciting I think not
Rewarding again I think not unless have ability to turn entire traction control off I doubt it
Values going to hold, never as it's not an M
Z4ms dated? I also disagree nothing to do with my owning one, but e89 looks like a computer got bored
Z4M will as is a classic in the making it's the last inline 6
N/A engine so it is and will continue to rise
An e89 with the 35i engine will sink like a stone after 5 years
True we are bias hence we love our cars but to come swinging in with butthurt remarks won't help your kit gain you any friends
As I see around 20 e89s EVERY SINGLE DAY and let's face it I can't tell the base model from the top nor do I actually have any interest upon doing so
An M go look at The post how many have you seen
We owners actively look for other Z4Ms and don't see them !
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:13 am
by JustCruzin
Gosh this is almost like the last referendum! Well for a past 35is owner I would say this. Echoing what others have said, if you want a very powerful comfort wagon, go for a 35is. If you want a something that is going to test your faith in holding on to the limits of what you thought was not possible, Z4M.
Cheers JC
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:20 am
by D4dawg
JustCruzin wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:13 am
Gosh this is almost like the last referendum! Well for a past 35is owner I would say this. Echoing what others have said, if you want a very powerful comfort wagon, go for a 35is. If you want a something that is going to test your faith in holding on to the limits of what you thought was not possible, Z4M.
Cheers JC
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 6:52 am
by srhutch
sunnydays wrote: ↑Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:26 pm
OP since you posted in the M section, your replies are going to mostly be bias towards the Z4M. As a 35is owner I will lay out some objective facts below:
The Z4 35IS is faster than the Z4M
The Z4 35IS has newer tech and a more up to date cabin
The Z4 35IS is rarer than the Z4M (in the UK atleast)
The biggest comment I notice from Z4M owners is how the Z4M handles better than the 35is, the 35is can allegedly provide less feedback and feel abit numb in comparison sometimes. This comes down to how you are going to use the car. Comfortable cruising with lots of power on tap. Or corner carving on a track shifting manual.... 2 different cars but both great.
Exhaust note subjective but the way the 35IS exhaust crackles and pops is hard to beat
In terms of looks both look great, the Z4M is starting to look abit dated imo but depends what you like.
Is Z4M value really guaranteed to go up as suggested? Im not so sure, if they came out with another Z4M then it would probably dip pretty hard.... would be a long time before they were worth something as a classic. Seem to be holding value pretty well though.
Ultimately both very nice cars, only way you will find out for sure is by test driving both!
Values aren't going to dip if another Z4M came out for a number of reasons, the engine being one.
Most of what you have said is subjective.
OP, best option is go and drive them both and see what you think. Mr Wilks speaks a lot of sense though.
Dilemma.. Z4M or a Z4 3.5is ???
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 7:18 am
by Pastry
This is going to be an Interesting thread
Mr Wilks sums it up pretty well. Now where is John-e89??? .... he's got both!