Z4 any good?

[flyboyx]

i like the fixed- roof version, myself...

T

+1

this one in particular is bonerific.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Roadster-Coupe-M-Coupe-/162202805481?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25c40a64e9:g:W3UAAOSwCGVX2Z~W&item=162202805481

[Varinn]

I feel I could offer input on this discussion, I own a 2007 Z4M coupe in silvergrey metallic. I'll edit in with some details later if you're looking for first hand input. I haven't really read this yet just skimmed.

[LateFan]

C&D review of 2006 M roadster -

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2006-bmw-z4-m-roadster-road-test

TLDR:
M3 engine - it's fast
Iron block, not aluminum
M3 suspension pieces - slightly wider track
Very little body roll
Hydraulic steering, not electric
Much torsionally stiffer chassis than Z3
Much stiffer springing than Sport option
FAT steering wheel
ZF 6 speed, good pedal layout
Really good brakes
"No frills, no gadgets, no iDrive"
Expensive - $53,000 new in 2006
"...the M roadster is arguably the purest iteration of the old British-sports-car ethic: an open two-seater that can, in a pinch, be raced. That means minimal street-car compromises."

Top Gear did a comparo of the Z4 and the Boxster - Hammond discovered that in contrast to the precision of the Boxsters cornering, the Z4 is more tail-happy. You have to throw it into a corner and man-handle it....but it's really fun.

Regarding the weight discussion - I'm coming from old sports cars....two seat minimalism and handling. My Alfa weighs 1900 lbs. My Audi A4 wagon and my Volvo 850 wagon weigh 3200 lb. I know I know...structure / safety / airbags / luxury.....

[LateFan]

I think it's best in black or very dark blue. I'd get rid of the little Miata roll hoops and put in a real roll bar - or at least paint them black. But I hate the spoony headrest and roll hoop look.

I like the blacked out grille surround here...










Also - they need some pretty good-sized wheel under there - up to the point where there's not enuf sidewall for handling.

[varg]

Damn are they ugly from the front, shaped like a beluga whale. Rear looks good though.

[LateFan]

It would be fun, as a design exercise, to re-skin it. Keep the chassis proportions, mechanicals, windshield, door structure, cockpit - and look at a new shape.

[IF1960]

Not a race car but a superb roadster with serious power in the Twin Turbo I had ... Thought it was the Duck's Nuts until I owned an E92 /// :devil:

[Varinn]

Damn are they ugly from the front, shaped like a beluga whale. Rear looks good though.

Agreed completely. My coupe does tend to get compliments but every time I see the nose of it I chuckle a little inside and I'm sure everyone else feels the same way. It's all weird and rounded, no aggression to it at all. The non-M cars are even worse when you take away the ///M hood ridges and lower front lip.

I also have a dislike for the dumb turn signal emblems on the side of the car and the Z bodywork that runs through them. I've seen some people delete them before but I can't imagine the cost of the bodywork. (Also yes it's true, you can easily unbolt the rear quarter panels)

Otherwise I love the car for its e46 M3 drivetrain with seats over the rear axle. The interior is small but simple and purposeful. The stock shifter sucks complete ass, the driveline has enourmous amounts of slop in the stock mounts and the clutch delay valve was gone in the first day I owned the car. Mod wise mine has Stromung cans, F10 M5 shift knob, rogue trans mounts, Vibra-Technics engine mounts, and Eibach springs with Bilstein dampers. Wheels are VMR V810 with 18x8.5 front/18x10 rear and 245/275 Michelin PSS rubber. From the back I think it looks the business personally (slightly biased). The stock exhaust was lame but the stromung cans give it a cool although unusual sound with minimal rasp and a bit of extra volume, I still prefer the lope of the S52 in my e30.

The Z4M is not a car that begs to be driven gently, I found a way around the massive understeer was to drive the absolute balls off of it. Late braking with a bit of steering input unweights the rear axle and gets it stepping out which is then easily held as a slight drift on power out through the exit. The Top Gear review is spot on. It needs to be wrung out to make it work. When you get it right it's money but when you don't it plows the front end through corners and makes you look like a fool. The lack of proper torque compared to the peak high rpm horsepower makes it a pain to get around town when you just want to have fun in a casual cruise. Also the nose will scrape on anything if you even consider looking at it the wrong way and the long doors with low seats makes you practice your gymnastics skills just to get in and out in a parking lot.

[jpod999]

When the Z4 first came out my local dealer had one in a hideous olive green and I absolutely loved it for some reason.

I don't think I've ever seen one on the road.

[nando]

if you can't afford an M, the 3.0si with the N52 has a lot of potential - 240-250whp is doable with bolt on and tuning. the Z4 is a lot lighter than the E9x so it should scoot pretty well (not as fast as the M, obviously).

yeah, I don't think 3200lbs is all that heavy. What's a new M3/M4? 3850 or something stupid?

[2mAn]

Not to mention that it probably doesnt pump artificial engine noise into the cabin

[LateFan]

a hideous olive green and I absolutely loved it for some reason..

Like this? I found a reference to "Urban Green"

[varg]

What's a new M3/M4? 3850 or something stupid?

The M4 convertible is a full man-the-harpoons 4,000lbs, the coupe is something like 3,500.

[lukeADE335i]

Like this? I found a reference to "Urban Green

That reminds me of an old e21 colour - Turmalingrun - I had a 323i manual in Tumarlingrun, my Dad always called it Army Green :D

[agent]

I found a reference to "Urban Green"

There's one of those here, in that exact color combo, I've seen driving around. Just weird enough to be cool.