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      08-06-2017, 04:36 PM   #1
GammaZeta
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Anyone make the Z4M to E93 M3 jump recently?

After 5 years of ownership of my Z4M roadster, a new job and expanded family, I am thinking it is time for me to pause the 2 seater roadster phase of my life and I am thinking of getting a E93 M3 convertible.

Who here has made the Z4M jump to an E93 recently?

I have some questions:

1. How different are the driving characteristics?

2. Are the back seats of any use at all for actual humans?

3. How is maintenance?

4. Do you regret the decision?

5. Does it at all feel like the Z4M? Or is it completely different?

6. How is maintenance?

7. Any catastrophic engine failure issues?

I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes!
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      08-06-2017, 05:22 PM   #2
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http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1387249
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      08-06-2017, 07:13 PM   #3
GammaZeta
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Would you say it is tipping more towards GT car than sports car?

Is there still some "specialness" when driving it?
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      08-08-2017, 02:11 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
After 5 years of ownership of my Z4M roadster, a new job and expanded family, I am thinking it is time for me to pause the 2 seater roadster phase of my life and I am thinking of getting a E93 M3 convertible.

Who here has made the Z4M jump to an E93 recently?

I have some questions:

1. How different are the driving characteristics?

2. Are the back seats of any use at all for actual humans?

3. How is maintenance?

4. Do you regret the decision?

5. Does it at all feel like the Z4M? Or is it completely different?

6. How is maintenance?

7. Any catastrophic engine failure issues?

I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes!
Had one at one point. Heavy, bloated, in no way a sports car, hardtop when down moves weight to rear (affects trunk room). Totally different experience, cleaver vs. scalpel.

The torque/HP characteristics of the S65 (low torque) are not well suited to the bulk (4,000 lbs or more IIRC). In the Z4 this engine would rock! Has the same bearing issues as the S54. If you're sticking with BMW I'd go with a 335i vert. Cheaper, more torque (gobs), can be tuned easily for more torque. Talked a friend into one for about 15k for him, wife, kids. He loves it.

Now I'll commit heresy and suggest if you are open to something American (things have changed a bit on that front vs 10-12 years ago) look 2016 Camaro SS or a Mustang 5.0. American muscle can take corners now as well as move. Plenty of torque (455 vs 295 and more HP in the Camaro). About a second faster but feels like more in regular driving as it can get out of its own way. A bit slimmer. Newer. Brembos. And the sound. The sound. And in about the same price range as the M3. Heck, I think Camaros have ventilated and heated seats.

Happy hunting.
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      08-08-2017, 03:14 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
After 5 years of ownership of my Z4M roadster, a new job and expanded family, I am thinking it is time for me to pause the 2 seater roadster phase of my life and I am thinking of getting a E93 M3 convertible.

Who here has made the Z4M jump to an E93 recently?

I have some questions:

1. How different are the driving characteristics?

2. Are the back seats of any use at all for actual humans?

3. How is maintenance?

4. Do you regret the decision?

5. Does it at all feel like the Z4M? Or is it completely different?

6. How is maintenance?

7. Any catastrophic engine failure issues?

I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes!
The link provided earlier really sums up the differences well. My good friend and I purchased our cars at the same time. He got an E90 M3 Coupe DCT with similar miles but a couple years newer at the same price as my Z4M Coupe.

It really comes down to what you're using the car for. In my case, I choose the Z4M Coupe for primary track duty and occasional weekend cruising.

Times I wish I had the M3:
- During weekend cruising
- Ability to throw a car seat in the back to take the kids out for a ride
- When he revvs his Active Auto straight exhaust to 8K RPM

Times he wishes that he had the Z4M:
- While at the track
- Feeling and drive of the S54 is very special
- Uniqueness and rarity
- Far more analog and driver oriented (goes back to bullet 1)
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      08-10-2017, 03:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Azeka1 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
After 5 years of ownership of my Z4M roadster, a new job and expanded family, I am thinking it is time for me to pause the 2 seater roadster phase of my life and I am thinking of getting a E93 M3 convertible.

Who here has made the Z4M jump to an E93 recently?

I have some questions:

1. How different are the driving characteristics?

2. Are the back seats of any use at all for actual humans?

3. How is maintenance?

4. Do you regret the decision?

5. Does it at all feel like the Z4M? Or is it completely different?

6. How is maintenance?

7. Any catastrophic engine failure issues?

I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes!
The link provided earlier really sums up the differences well. My good friend and I purchased our cars at the same time. He got an E90 M3 Coupe DCT with similar miles but a couple years newer at the same price as my Z4M Coupe.

It really comes down to what you're using the car for. In my case, I choose the Z4M Coupe for primary track duty and occasional weekend cruising.

Times I wish I had the M3:
- During weekend cruising
- Ability to throw a car seat in the back to take the kids out for a ride
- When he revvs his Active Auto straight exhaust to 8K RPM

Times he wishes that he had the Z4M:
- While at the track
- Feeling and drive of the S54 is very special
- Uniqueness and rarity
- Far more analog and driver oriented (goes back to bullet 1)
Nice summary on the differences.
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      08-11-2017, 03:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
After 5 years of ownership of my Z4M roadster, a new job and expanded family, I am thinking it is time for me to pause the 2 seater roadster phase of my life and I am thinking of getting a E93 M3 convertible.

Who here has made the Z4M jump to an E93 recently?

I have some questions:

1. How different are the driving characteristics?

2. Are the back seats of any use at all for actual humans?

3. How is maintenance?

4. Do you regret the decision?

5. Does it at all feel like the Z4M? Or is it completely different?

6. How is maintenance?

7. Any catastrophic engine failure issues?

I'd love to hear your likes and dislikes!
Not comparable in my opinion. I've got a Z4MR and am E92 coupe, and they serve 2 very different purposes.

The Z4M feels much more like a race car while the E9x M3 is far more useable everyday. Rear seats are acceptable assuming it's same as my E92, no problems on long distances considering it's only a 2 door.

Maintenance will be more on the E9x in general (brakes cost me about $1200 for example), but the Z4M is hardly what I'd consider cheap.

It reallt comes down to what you want
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      08-17-2017, 01:46 PM   #8
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You didn't ask "what's faster?" but if you must know, a friend of mine with his bone stock DCT E93 M3 versus a stock Z4MR (RPI scoop if it matters), were neck to neck 7 races out of 7 races.
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      08-23-2017, 08:31 AM   #9
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