Enjoying the Coupe

[HTM101]

I bought my 2007 Coupe six or so weeks ago and I reached age 65 two weeks ago. Prior to buying the car I expected it to be a nice part-time driver. Now after about 250 miles of driving I've decided its exceeded my expectations.

Last night my wife and I were on interstate 95N, cruise control on and New Age music streaming through the radio. She stated how nice the car is, and I said I can't believe how much I like driving the car. We live on the east coast and I believe I could comfortably travel in this car to the west coast.

I'm no stranger to a sports car, having owned some Triumphs and an MG many years ago. I've owned a replica Cobra for 24 years, a raw and stimulating car that weighs 2,400 pounds and has nearly 3X the hp of the Z. But its a tiring drive after a while, such a contrast to the Z4.

Liking the Z4 so much!

David

[Westersund]

Happy you like it, more people should get in one and experience the same thing.

[3798j]

HTM101, Had to smile while reading your comments because I'm in agreement. While they may not be the best sports car in any given category, there's just so much they do well it's easy to gush about them. Wonderful road manners.

[Roadroach]

HTM101 - agree.

I was a little put off on mine right after I bought it a couple of years ago (ride seemed a bit harsh and a little nervous on bad pavement) but I swapped out the run-flats for some 'normal' tires and I couldn't be happier. Car is awesome either just cruising or carving. I really think BMW hit the sweet spot with it.

Wife and I will be driving to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN area this summer in Zed and I'm really looking forward to it. Already scouting out all the good driving roads in that area.

Replica Cobra for 24 years? I'm guessing either ERA or Contemporary (I spent a month helping a cousin build his ERA 427 back in the summer of '90). Fun times.

[Hawkeye]

I feel the same way 11 years after purchase! Good choice on the coupe!

[HTM101]

Originally Posted by Roadroach

HTM101 - agree.

I was a little put off on mine right after I bought it a couple of years ago (ride seemed a bit harsh and a little nervous on bad pavement) but I swapped out the run-flats for some 'normal' tires and I couldn't be happier. Car is awesome either just cruising or carving. I really think BMW hit the sweet spot with it.

Wife and I will be driving to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN area this summer in Zed and I'm really looking forward to it. Already scouting out all the good driving roads in that area.

Replica Cobra for 24 years? I'm guessing either ERA or Contemporary (I spent a month helping a cousin build his ERA 427 back in the summer of '90). Fun times.

It's a Hi-Tech Motorsport replica. They were based in the Phoenix, AZ area.

David

[pungo]

I agree the car drives and handles well without being too tiring. I too used to have a Triumph, a 1970 GT6+, what I fun car to toss around. Anyway, congratulations on your newly acquired car. BTW, I'm also in MD and rarely see any Z4 coupes, maybe a couple a year if that, maybe I'll see yours. Post a pic so I know what it looks like when I see it flying around

[Punisher3.0si]

Congrats on getting one! I have the same year. Auto or manual?

[Efthreeoh]

I was going to post almost the same thread after my Monday commute in my '08 Coupe. I got mine in December 2014 with 23,000 miles on the clock. Now approaching 80,000 miles, it's a hard internal debate as to which of my two BMWs I like better, my 345,000-mile E90 or the Coupe (my wife's Z3 is hers). I doubt I will ever get rid of the Coupe and I seriously doubt BMW will ever build a better car; the thing is damned near perfect.

The chassis feels as if it is honed from steel billet, the N52 makes the perfect amount of power and returns decent fuel economy, the exhaust sounds great, the intake noise at WOT is wonderful, the transmission whine is wonderful, the EPS is a great compromise for a non-hydraulic system, and the sport suspension is ideally tuned. The M-sport seats are comfortable and practical for a car with such handling capabilities. For my choice, it won over a Cayman. And most of all, the car has a simple dash with very little tech to distract from the actual purpose of owning a car, which is to drive it.

[HTM101]

Originally Posted by Punisher3.0si

Congrats on getting one! I have the same year. Auto or manual?

Manual, a must have during my internet search in January of this year, which diluted the available choices.

David

[HTM101]

Originally Posted by pungo

I agree the car drives and handles well without being too tiring. I too used to have a Triumph, a 1970 GT6+, what I fun car to toss around. Anyway, congratulations on your newly acquired car. BTW, I'm also in MD and rarely see any Z4 coupes, maybe a couple a year if that, maybe I'll see yours. Post a pic so I know what it looks like when I see it flying around

We're in Bel Air.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by HTM101

Manual, a must have during my internet search in January of this year, which diluted the available choices.

You found a unicorn. A total of 828 manual Z4 3.0si coupes were made for the North American markets. That's less than half the number of Z4MC's (2104).

[baege]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The chassis feels as if it is honed from steel billet, the N52 makes the perfect amount of power and returns decent fuel economy, the exhaust sounds great, the intake noise at WOT is wonderful, the transmission whine is wonderful, the EPS is a great compromise for a non-hydraulic system, and the sport suspension is ideally tuned. The M-sport seats are comfortable and practical for a car with such handling capabilities. For my choice, it won over a Cayman. And most of all, the car has a simple dash with very little tech to distract from the actual purpose of owning a car, which is to drive it.

poetry sheer poetry

[HTM101]

Originally Posted by wdb

You found a unicorn. A total of 828 manual Z4 3.0si coupes were made for the North American markets. That's less than half the number of Z4MC's (2104).

That's a surprisingly low number for a car with styling I consider to be appealing. The little reading I've done suggests the coupe wasn't selling in large numbers during the 2006-2008 build period.

I'm throwing this out to all current or past owners: what is your opinion regarding the low sales numbers?

David

[wdb]

I wasn't really paying attention in 2006-08 but I have heard several stories about people buying coupes that had been sitting on dealer lots for over a year at steep discounts. I think the design is aging very well, even improving with age, but I also admit that I'm not in a large majority among car enthusiasts. There are still lots of folks who are unimpressed, or who simply do not like them.

I get it. I have never really thought much of Porsche 911 designs -- until recently. I don't know whether my tastes or changing, or if I finally "get it", but I'm starting to like them. I think the same will happen with Z4 coupes.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by wdb

You found a unicorn. A total of 828 manual Z4 3.0si coupes were made for the North American markets. That's less than half the number of Z4MC's (2104).

I didn't know the manuals were that rare, but it makes sense. I bought a new 07 that sat at the dealer for almost a year. The salesman said people want automatics. I low balled them and they happily accepted my offer since the 08s were starting to show up.

BTW, I believe the N. American numbers for Z4MCs were 1815.

Originally Posted by HTM101

We're in Bel Air.

Great looking car. Nice wheels too. Enjoy!

Mine was Silver Grey on black with all options, so they were nearly twin brothers.

I'm on the opposite side of the beltway from you near Columbia, so it would be pretty rare to see each other driving around.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by pungo

BTW, I believe the N. American numbers for Z4MCs were 1815.

You're right -- I always get those backwards. 2104 non-M coupes, 828 of which were manuals. 1815 M coupes.

[Punisher3.0si]

Originally Posted by HTM101

That's a surprisingly low number for a car with styling I consider to be appealing. The little reading I've done suggests the coupe wasn't selling in large numbers during the 2006-2008 build period.

I'm throwing this out to all current or past owners: what is your opinion regarding the low sales numbers?

David

From what I heard the Coupe was a side project that the engineers had. It's amazing the car was even made. The car was pretty much a labor of love and that makes them even more special in my eyes.

I wonder how many of the 828 are still Around? Any way to find out?

[Punisher3.0si]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I was going to post almost the same thread after my Monday commute in my '08 Coupe. I got mine in December 2014 with 23,000 miles on the clock. Now approaching 80,000 miles, it's a hard internal debate as to which of my two BMWs I like better, my 345,000-mile E90 or the Coupe (my wife's Z3 is hers). I doubt I will ever get rid of the Coupe and I seriously doubt BMW will ever build a better car; the thing is damned near perfect.

The chassis feels as if it is honed from steel billet, the N52 makes the perfect amount of power and returns decent fuel economy, the exhaust sounds great, the intake noise at WOT is wonderful, the transmission whine is wonderful, the EPS is a great compromise for a non-hydraulic system, and the sport suspension is ideally tuned. The M-sport seats are comfortable and practical for a car with such handling capabilities. For my choice, it won over a Cayman. And most of all, the car has a simple dash with very little tech to distract from the actual purpose of owning a car, which is to drive it.

Im glad the 3.0si has electric power steering. Honestly I can't stand hydraulic. This is one less system to leak plus it's more efficient and completely silent. I realize it's cool to say hydraulic is better but I would be willing to bet that most people couldn't tell a difference in everyday driving.

[Huz-Z]

HTM101's car is a great looking machine - congratulations on the find! All you need now is a stubby antenna and maybe some taillight overlays, if they are still available (http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...6#post22223916).

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Punisher3.0si

Im glad the 3.0si has electric power steering. Honestly I can't stand hydraulic. This is one less system to leak plus it's more efficient and completely silent. I realize it's cool to say hydraulic is better but I would be willing to bet that most people couldn't tell a difference in everyday driving.

I'll take that bet. From personal experience, there's a really big difference in feel between the electric and hydro. The hydo feels very connected to the road whereas the electric feel vague and not so connected to the road. Having said that, I drove my Z4C w/elec steering for over 5 years and it felt great. I've driven my Z4MC w/ hydro steering for 5 years and it feels great too, but with better road feel.

I do agree, elec is simpler, lighter, leak free, much less expensive to manufacturer, install and improves mpg. I think we've seen the end of hydro steering due to its cost and added complexity.

[Roadroach]

Originally Posted by HTM101

I'm throwing this out to all current or past owners: what is your opinion regarding the low sales numbers?

David

I think part of it was it was priced right up against the Cayman - which was also brand new to the market at the same time as the Z4 coupe. And the car mags at the time, when pitting the CS up against the Z4M, typically preferred the CS. I don't EVER recall seeing any magazine comparisons of the 3.0si coupe up against the base Cayman (at least, not when they were new).

And most people would consider Porsche a traditional sports CAR company and BMW more of a sports SEDAN company. Porschephiles liked the idea of the Cayman as a nice entry to the marque - while the BMW faithful treated the Z4 like a redheaded stepchild (particularly with the coupe came out in '06). Plus, it was popular at the time (still is to an extent) for the "purist" to bitch and moan about the bangle-butt.

To be honest, when looking I test drove a couple of base Caymans of this vintage. And choose the Z4C. The 3.0si felt torquier/more entertaining to me, and I always loved the E86 body style over the Cayman.