Thinking of buying a Z4M.......

Tim Davis

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Points
23
Location
Ironbridge, Shropshire
Model of Z
2.8 manual roadster
With the Z3 2.8 piling on the miles during the unseasonably warm weather, i'm starting to think about buying a Z4M for occasional use. I have in mind a sub 50k (or preferably 40k) mile, low owner minter, with a preference for the tin top.

Apart from all the usual things to look for - proper history, low owners, etc is there anything specific i should look for?

Also, does anybody have real life experience of standard wheels versus CSLs and which work better given our rubbish roads?

A previous owner tells me that black versions abound (as suggested by the number for sale now) are at a discount to the other, less common colours.Not a crime in itself as i think they look great in black with red leather.

all help appreciated.

Tim
 

GazHyde

Administrator
Administrator
Global Moderator
M Power
Joined
Dec 2, 2011
Points
226
Location
Berkshire
Model of Z
Z4 MR
Personally I think the Z4 Coupe looks way better than the roadster, I keep dreaming about trading my 3.0si roadster for one.

If you are looking at the M's then service history is critical, much more so than the non-M models. Study what history it has carefully, the S54's had a running in service which is sometimes missed or not logged. An M with patchy service history may be worth avoiding.

Otherwise, you are pretty much looking at the same list of things as a non-M. I'm sure you've already looked at Auto Trader and seen the price difference for the coupes, so not much I can probably add on that!
 

Brian H

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Points
205
Location
Killin
Model of Z
E36/7 3.0i - E85 Z4///M
There are a couple of things to consider when buying a Z4M, con rod bearings shells, and the vanos, both jobs done by a specialist will set you back a fair few quid.

My only other advice is just do it! They are awesome.
 

Simon Blythe

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Nov 29, 2016
Points
89
Location
South Birmingham
Just buy one - theyvare an experience!! That said, if 100k is on the cards they think about getting the bearing shells changed as they can wear. Unless it has been recently serviced I'd factor in g/box, diff and engine oils changed and possibly the engine mounts as they "sink" over time. Have a good look at the brake discs as fronts are around £350 and tears close to £250. They aren't a supper silent engine so don't worry about the noise too much. Other than that it's as Gaz says, look at the normal Z stuff. I loved my 3.0si but I adore my M!
 

Tim Davis

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Points
23
Location
Ironbridge, Shropshire
Model of Z
2.8 manual roadster
Thanks all - I 'm there on the history and running-in service (and any vanos issues) but the bearing shells is a new one.

Any thoughts as to relative rigidity - coupe versus roadster?
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Coupe more rigid in any variant.

Tony.
 

Brian H

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Points
205
Location
Killin
Model of Z
E36/7 3.0i - E85 Z4///M
Thanks all - I 'm there on the history and running-in service (and any vanos issues) but the bearing shells is a new one.

Any thoughts as to relative rigidity - coupe versus roadster?
As per Tony states the coupe will be more rigid, The roadster however is no wobbly jelly and will feel solid in comparison to the Z3.
 

Felix79

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Points
55
Location
Hereford
Model of Z
Z4MR
I've had my E85M since late Nov. My old man had an E46 M3 cab, so we were very aware of how expensive it is to fix an S54 that's been abused. My old man spent far too much cash trying to sort his M3 out in the 7 years he had it.

With the budget I had been given to get myself a car, I was not able to stretch it enough for the Z4M Coupe (E86M) , but I was able to find the car I now own locally, which is pretty rare for Oxford.

Unless you plan on turning your Z4M into a track day weapon, I don't think you're going to really notice that the roadster is not as stiff as the coupe. I asked this same question and I was given this answer and through owning one, I know this to be true. The chassis is really impressive with the roadster and for B road hooning, I've never found the roadster to suffer the same issues a E46 M3 Cab does when compared to the coupe.

The steering rack in the roadster is different to the coupe, I know it's the same rack as the E46 M3 in the roadster and it actually suits it pretty well. The weight and feedback has been something I really liked with mine and the thicker rim, does make it much nicer to interact with. When I am bombing around the various A and B roads in Oxfordshire, I've found the car to handle pretty well in the bends. The one negative I've found, is the rear end is upset pretty easily on roads that have a lot of sudden dips/humps. Personally I plan to put a slightly softer set of rear springs on my car and I have been told by senior members on the Z4 forums, that this is a common enough mod and actually makes the rear feel way more planted.

With mine, I have found that until the gearbox is warm, 2nd gear is a bit tricky to get use to and it seems to be a quirk found with the M's 6 speed box. I've managed to clock up about 2500 miles in my M since I was bought it. For the last 15+ years, I would average 3000 miles a year, even when I was very active in the JDM scene with my Impreza P1. I have nothing but positive things to say about how just utterly amazing my M roadster feels and drives.

Even my old man has been blown away at how tight and well made the car feels. BMW and the M division really managed to turn the Z4 into something very special. I don't think you will be disappointed if you got a Z4MR. With the weather being much improved, I have been really enjoying the roof down experience, so much so that I am not lusting over the Coupe's as much as I had been.

I've been very lucky that my Z4M was actually a 2 owner car and it had been well looked after, so much so it was pampered. Typically with the roadsters, it is pretty common for them to have pretty much a new owner ever 12-24 months, so don't be put off if it's getting close to double digits with previous owners. It seems that some people just find them a bit much to live with, as they are sprung pretty firm and have a rawness to them. Service history, like with all M cars is so important, which is what ended up causing my old man to have so many issues with his E46 M3 Cab.

I recently watched a video where it was pointed out that in a climate like we get in the UK, the recommended oil might be too thick, as it can be difficult for it to get upto a good enough temp for it's thickness to have reduced well enough to protect elements of the engine. I am not very knowledgeable about this type of thing, but it's something I am going to chat with my local BMW specialist when I take it in for it's next service. Because of my history with JDM cars, I am use to having an oil change every 4000 miles, which is way under the service interval my Z4M's computer indicates. I think the S54 would actually suit having more frequent oil changes, so I plant to get it done every 75% of the indicated interval as a preventative measure.

One thing I have been pleased with, is how good the MPG can be with the M. If I've just been driving around and not caining it, I will get about 26'ish MPG. On some of the long journeys I've done, getting the MPG into the mid 30's is pretty easy and that's without really trying. When you really get on it, I've been getting 20-22 MPG, which considering how rapid the car can be, is not too bad. My E30 Alpina use to give me 18 MPG most of the time lol!

I have been lucky to have owned/driven a fair few quick cars and I never expected to fall totally in love with my Z4MR as quickly as I have. While I utterly adore the Z4M coupe, I am now finding out that I'm not really too bothered about having to get a roadster instead. It's just a very good car, that is able to make every journey enjoyable.

If you have any questions about the day to day living with my Z4M I am happy to help. The more technical stuff, I am not really that well versed and could easily give you information that might not be correct. Something that might be useful for you to know, that even with me being over 6.4" and 20 stone, with lower spinal damage, the sports seats and space inside my roadster is actually pretty good. I do have to lean the seat back a bit more than I was use to, so I could see the guages easily and be comfortable. With this slightly more leaned back seating setup, I have been able to drive for much longer with my back problems, than I have been in any other cars for years. I was worried the Roadster would not be big enough for someone my size, yet it does not seem to be that close to the limit with me.

If you're close to the Oxford area, I am happy to meet up with you and let you try my M roadster out for an afternoon, to see if the M roadster would work out for you over spending another £6-£8k more for a coupe.
 

inkey$

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Points
75
Location
London & Suffolk
Model of Z
'99 2.8i M52TU
I’ve had 2 x Z4M’s. One roadster, one coupe. Hands down the coupe was the more ‘special’ car and if not mistreated and looked after in the correct servicing schedule, pretty bullet proof. Wheel wise I had the standard M 224’s on (think that was the number), and they were great. If they do swap, most people go for CSL reps or genuine CSL if they can get hold of a set. They really suit the car but I was an oem freak so never investigated (also check Apex ARC-8 and VMR 710 wheels for similar options that properly suit the M).

One thing to be aware of. If you’re parked up for a prolonged period, the battery can drain pretty quickly so recommend a trickle charger and there’s a battery charge point under the bonnet so you don’t have to connect directly to the battery in the boot . Drain may just have been my battery, but I’d heard similar stories elsewhere.

When cold, first gear can be tricky to get into sometimes if you’re attempting to accelerate with purpose resulting in the Kangaroo look! Always wait until the engine is up to temp and some say the removal of the cdv can help with this issue.

Also, the rear shoes can stick to the handbrake drums on the back. Worse if you wash and park with handbrake on, but happens regardless. Solved by a few taps with a rubber mallet to free them up, but I had more than a few high-revving-reverse-going-nowhere moments trying to get her out of the garage before I realised the problem! Park in gear and not with the handbrake on will also help. Apparently it’s the same on E46 M3s.

Anyway, good luck and go for it. Was considering another one myself but not sure I could swallow the £570 a year tax!

Here we mine...



 
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