Going for a testdrive (Z4 M)
 

Hey everyone

My wife and I are going to testdrive the Z4 M tomorrow - we've been considering it for a fun 2nd car, and we were wondering if anyone have any experiences with that car? Also what sort of deal should we expect to get on one? and does anyone have thoughts on the Z4 in general? :)

I have driven my friends Z4 M and I can say it is a very nice car the added stability and HP from the M package really completes the car and adds a real precision feel to the handeling...

There were good incentives on U.S. models up and till Jan 3rd. Something like 7-8,000 off regular 3.0si's. Dunno about the M's though...

You should get a good deal, they don't sell well at all (The z4) that is

Get a vette - more car for the $$

as if i have to say this.......

:iagree:

:thumbup:

Got to disagree with the two above the smile factor of the z4 M is alot better if you want the extra hp sure the vette is interesting but the Z4 is a TON more fun to drive and alot better handeling

if you want the highest HP per dollar though go for the vette

I drove one before ordering a 335 Coupe. It has a lot of older systems in it. The car is plenty fast but I did not get the fun factor I thought I would. I actually found the 335 Coupe a more fun car to drive and it is less expensive. To start with you dont have the 1000 gas guzzler tax and you can get every option available on the 335 Coupe and still be at the same price as the moderatly equiped Z4M.

Neither my wife or I like the styling on the Vette.

Another roadster we gave serious consideration was the Pontiac Solstice - but after reading reviews the cute styling just wasnt enough to get us hooked.

Another one we considered briefly was the Lotus Elise, but I fear it is too small for me, and I am not sure we want to deal with owning an imported car. Just smells like it is a little too much trouble.

Would like to see more suggestions though - we are far from actually putting money down so more choices would be interesting :) The 60k for the Z4 M is probably the upper limit of what we want to spend.

Z4 ramblings:

I have a Z4 (2004, not the M) and like it. I tried over several weeks to buy a Boxster S, but the local Porsche dealer was very difficult to deal with, so I called my BMW sales rep on a Friday afternoon, and told him, literally "I am 24 hours away from buying a Boxster. What are you going to do about it?" One hour later I was in a 10 km demo that I later bought.

I didn't seriously consider the Vette, it isn't me. Not a bad car in the latest guise, but I just don't think of myself as a Corvette driver. I like the Jag, but wonder about the reliability and it is too much of a cruiser. The Boxster S was the only alternative I drove, it was just the dealer attitude that changed my mind, the car was fun.

Mine has SMG, though I hadn't set out to get SMG. Premium, sports, Maldives Blue, basically loaded. The best drive was from Vancouver to San Francisco, along the coast the entire way, and back through wine country. We bought it for drives like that. I take it to work 5 times a month when the weather is good, but it is essentially a diversion for me. I couldn't live with it every day, it is low for an old guy like me to climb in and out of. For a fun car, it fits the bill for us. 15000 km in what will soon be three years. Having a third car is a bit of a drag with the expensive car insurance here, no discount for low mileage, costs similar to my X5 that I use for business. As a result, I am planning to buy a sporty car that is practical every day (335 coupe), and sell the Z4 and the X5, but I don't regret getting the Z4 at all.

I have had zero mechanical issues. It stalled a few times at a stoplight when new, but fixed itself after a month. The newer models have the one-touch remote top, which would be nice. The RFT are OK, but a little harsh. Any tire with that profile is going to be harsh IMO, but I hear that non-RFT are better. Lots of power for me. The M would be nice, but I got my only speeding ticket in the last ten years in this car, so more power might have meant more tickets.

It is interesting seeing the reaction of others to the Z4. People tend to love it or hate it. I have never had so many people wind windows down at stoplights and comment on the car. At the same time, there are lots on the boards that deliver a constant barrage of disparaging comments. To each his own, I figure one should buy what they like, not what others like.

Any specific questions, PM me.

Jeff