Settled on replacement for my dead 135i: Z4MC

[E82tt6]

After a long test drive in a Z4MC yesterday, including a lot of highway cruising, and driving around town and on crappy roads, I've decided I'll take it over the E92 M3, or a new 135i.

I think the ride quality is superior to the 1er under most circumstances, while still offer better feel and communication. It's much more stable at high speed, handles bumps better, and doesn't beat you up at all. Ride quality is also superior to Corvette, 986, 987, 996, and 997. Certainly better than the S2K, and also seems a bit better than an NSX, though it's been a while since I've driven one. Handling is the equal of all the "normal" sports cars I've driven (R8 and GT3 both feel better to me, though the R8 is a tossup, I like lively cars). It actually remind me a bit of a newer Viper, though is feels smaller, a bit quicker on turn in, and a little more stable under thresh-hold braking. Also similar to the S2K in terms of it's mid-corner balance, and incredible turn in. It's more confident than the S2K, but still easy to point, and very easy to keep in the 3-6* angle of attack range with minor throttle modulations. It's much better in corner exits than S2K, and feels like it's near equal with a 997 in that regard. Better than the Cayman, because there isn't a HINT of understeer coming out of a corner, but not much nervousness either. The car just goes where you're looking and where you tell it to, keeps and that at ideal 3* angle of attack/slip angle, and GOES. If you've ever had an intimate relationship with a Working Dog, or Horse, it reminds me of that. Very organic, you don't feel like you ARE the car, but you feel like you're on the same page, and it'll do what you tell it to if you speak it's language and show respect. It's very rewarding to drive.

Around town, the engine/torque is just fine. Thanks to low weight and aggressive gearing, it is not wanting for power. The last S54 powered car I drove with a ZCP E46 M3 around Lime Rock (Skip Barber), and I'm confident the Z would put multiple lengths on the car by 100mph. It's at least the equal of my 135 on low boost mode (11-12psi). I feel like an extra 30-40HP would put it within "driver's race" range of an E92 M3. I'll have to consider a full exhaust and dyno tune if I pick it up. Fabspeed is very close, and I imagine they'd be able to do an excellent tune on their dyno, they're well regarded in the Porsche world.

It seems to be equally comfortable around town compared to an E92 M3, which makes it a no brainer for me. My backseat was used almost exclusively for storage, or dogs, which the fairly large hatch trunk would easily accommodate.

I think my 135i was the best car I ever owned. Better than my Volvo S60R, my 986 S, S2K, or '03 Cobra, but the Z4MC is a much better car in all regards. My concern going in was comfort, and usability, but after my extended test drive, not just driving aggressively, this is the car more me!

If you haven't driven one of these, go do it now. They seem like a serious bargain. I can see why some might not like the handling, but I much prefer an interactive car to a car where you turn in, slam on the gas, and just understeer slightly through the corner, knowing that you don't have to do anything to make the car go fast. I'm confident I could beat myself driving a Cayman S around a track in the Z4MC, but it wouldn't be as easy, though I think it would be more fun.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

Better than the Cayman, because there isn't a HINT of oversteer coming out

I found there to be tons of oversteer on the exit of all my corners when I tracked the M Coupe. I loved that about it, though.

And congrats. Great car, tons of fun.

[E82tt6]

I meant understeer, heh, typo.

[jun]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

I found there to be tons of oversteer on the exit of all my corners when I tracked the M Coupe. I loved that about it, though.

And congrats. Great car, tons of fun.

throttle induced oversteer?

i've driven an older m-coupe and a newer m-covertible before and both had crazy understeer. you must have been doing crazy things with your tire pressures (or sway bars if you had aftermarket sways).

[E82tt6]

Did you have DSC disabled? Tiny, tiny lift midcorner will tuck the nose in, I found, and no understeer when you roll into it at the apex. I didn't stop, but rolled into the gas at apex and was WOT over the course of 1.5" or so, and that seemed to work perfectly. No understeer, a little slip in the back, but I could unwind the wheel as normal and use only gentle throttle modulation to keep the car on line.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by jun

throttle induced oversteer?

i've driven an older m-coupe and a newer m-covertible before and both had crazy understeer. you must have been doing crazy things with your tire pressures (or sway bars if you had aftermarket sways).

Originally Posted by E82tt6

Did you have DSC disabled? Tiny, tiny lift midcorner will tuck the nose in, I found, and no understeer when you roll into it at the apex. I didn't stop, but rolled into the gas at apex and was WOT over the course of 1.5" or so, and that seemed to work perfectly. No understeer, a little slip in the back, but I could unwind the wheel as normal and use only gentle throttle modulation to keep the car on line.

It was at the 2 Day M School before they traded out the M Coupes for e92 M3s.

All stock, normal tire pressure, manual DSC off (even though you're not supposed to).

Mild understeer at corner entry, ends up in a nice, super controllable slide on exit. Then again, this particular apex I'm thinking of is at the peak elevation of a corner, where it drops down somewhat fast...that could attribute to the oversteering I experienced.

I'm very aggressive with the throttle too haha.

[Hawkeye]

Congrats... I posted your review in your thread on zpost already, hope you don't mind

[Neil McRae]

congrats, Z4MC is an awesome car.

Thanks,
Neil.

[oldaccount]

I wish I was in the market for a new car when these were still being made. I would absolutely have one right now. I have been looking for a used one as a replacement for the 335 (which is also the best car I've ever driven, but life is too short to drive the same car forever) but I cannot find one has been taken care of as well as I take care of my cars.

How did your 135 die?

[Crimson92]

the M coupe is the best car ive ever owned...and ive owned a few....


enjoy the car

[krnnerdboy]

congrats...I purchased it over the e92 m3 also and I sold my 997 for one! I kind of miss the 997 but this is definitely more rewarding

[Upgrade+]

Very nice. I love the last gen Z mcoupe. I remember when I went to the NYAS in 2007 and they had one there. That car and the R8, were the only cars that blew me away. What color are you getting? Post pics too (if you get one).

[pmeloche]

Congratulations. I just switched from a Z4MC to an M3 myself. The Z4MC is a fantastic car. I wish it was more practical. I have the EDC on my M3 and at the comfort level the ride on the crappy roads of Montreal is much better than the Z4MC.

I do find the Z4MC a bit more nimble than the M3 but I think the M3 engine is better overall. I agree that around town the S64 is plenty an engine.

Cheers.