Upgrade from 3.0si Roadster to Z4MR

[Waoudi]

How many people started with a 3.0si and went to an M?

I'm about to make the same jump and I wanted to gather everyone's feedback? Was it what you expected? What's the good/bad? Given the choice again what would you do?

I love my SI and everytime i think about upgrading it I change my mind once im behind the wheel again. My primary reasons to move over is for the steering, performance and dual exhaust. The SI doesn't really give you room for performance upgrades and I think it's perfect the way it is but the M would give me that option. I wish i could keep both but it's already my 3rd and until I can get a bigger garage I can't add more.

Thanks

[Huz-Z]

If you want to mod the car and maybe also track it, then an M is a good choice for sure.

But for just around town, the SI matches the M in performance but with better mileage and cheaper maintenance. On the highway, well unless you plan to meet your local state trooper every other day, the SI is also fine.

But if you gotta have an M because your heart is set on it, then just go get it. Life is too short for regrets.

[baege]

it really depends on what gets your goat
are you a track junkie who loves driving cars at 8 or 9 tenths...then mr for sure
if you drive more at 7 tenths max than si is the way to go
n52 engine is smoother, ride is a little more compliant, easier to shift smoothly


its just an easier less drama drive..overall...some of us like that

i had an si and tried a couple mcoupes but i didnt think the extra drama was worth it given my interests

[kaybat]

I concur with above posts, i had a 2.5i before my M, less drama(and cheaper) to own.If it was a 3.0si, I probably would have kept it. Whatever works though!

[3002 tii]

The only time I find my 3.0si “lacking” is on track coming down a main straight. An extra 50hp would do wonders but everywhere else (street or track) I find that the n52 delivers on performance. Also as others have mentioned, it’s pretty low maintenance. I hit my 10 year anniversary few months ago and the car has been rock solid reliable, despite the hard miles it’s seen in its latter half.

[Waoudi]

I don't know that I would track the car but I live in Nashville and we have many beautiful drives through the hills and in the mountains near by. I love my SI but I would like the additional rawness of the S54, the hydraulic steering and quad exhausts that the M would give me.

[SaltyNC]

As most others have said, the Z4MR is a great car and fun to drive, and raw. It is even a little temperamental when cold, but I love all of its quirks. Just be ready to drop some cash on the VANOS, valve adjustments every 30K, and rod bearings every 50-60K, and more expensive oil changes. No way around it, it's a higher maintenance car, but if you enjoy wrenching on your own car, cost isn't too bad.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

I don't know that I would track the car but I live in Nashville and we have many beautiful drives through the hills and in the mountains near by. I love my SI but I would like the additional rawness of the S54, the hydraulic steering and quad exhausts that the M would give me.

Yea don’t let me sway you. Just playing devils advocate but buying decisions like this can’t be purely on basis of objectivity, sometimes you gotta do what just feels right!

[StickMon]

Buy this one, before I do just to have it as a spare.

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Yea don’t let me sway you. Just playing devils advocate but buying decisions like this can’t be purely on basis of objectivity, sometimes you gotta do what just feels right!

^This^

If you look at what you've described as your intended driving habits, the 3.0si is plenty of E85 for that. This is a "I'm getting a Z4MR because I want a Z4MR" decision. Even doing an occasional track day, the 3.0si does quite well without much in the way of mods, and you'd probably need a dozen or so track days with some good instruction before you'd actually be using the difference between the si and M.

[Waoudi]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Buy this one, before I do just to have it as a spare.

That's a nice car and I know exactly where those pictures were taken because my brother used to live in that building!

I would actually prefer a different color thank black. I've had two black cars and I will never again! They are always dirty and dusty. I'm hoping for a blue or silver one.

I took my SI for a drive for the first time since the accident and god the car just puts a smile on my face. I've never driven the M so I think for now I'm going to hold off until I get a chance to test drive the M and see if I like it better.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.


-W

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

That's a nice car and I know exactly where those pictures were taken because my brother used to live in that building!

I would actually prefer a different color thank black. I've had two black cars and I will never again! They are always dirty and dusty. I'm hoping for a blue or silver one.

I took my SI for a drive for the first time since the accident and god the car just puts a smile on my face. I've never driven the M so I think for now I'm going to hold off until I get a chance to test drive the M and see if I like it better.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.


-W

When you drive it you will know. I was going to lease a 2008 3.0si until I drove an M. Such a different experience. I knew it was the one for me at that point. This will either happen for you, or not.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by Waoudi

... I would actually prefer a different color than black. ...

Buy it and wrap it.
Better yet, partially wrap it for a two tone look.
I had a Suburban Silverado years ago that was gold over black with gold wheels.
Super Fly!

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Buy it and wrap it.
Better yet, partially wrap it for a two tone look.
I had a Suburban Silverado years ago that was gold over black with gold wheels.
Super Fly!

You beat me to it! I was going to say the same thing. Wraps are the way to go, much cheaper than paint, changeable, and protective.

[garz747]

There really is no comparison. If you crave something special that is visceral and raw then the M is the only option. It make you feel special when you get in. Its not easy to drive especially til she warms up but the motor screams and launches you from gear to gear. Having an older E46 330i with the M52 straight six , I can tell you that the S54 is a monster engine. The pull in third gear to redline is amazing. The satisfaction is far beyond the 3.0 if you re a gearhead.

[yousefnjr]

Had an M54 3.0 sport before the M and I loved it dearly. Can’t go wrong with either imo, but they do have their differences. The non-M felt more nimble (as it should being ~200 lbs lighter) and better on very tight roads. The stability/grip on the M, particularly on wet roads, is in another league. The steering racks obviously feel like night & day (resistance/effort-wise) but actual road feel in both cars is pretty good. No doubt the M feels more special, but the maintenance is bit higher as well.

Not really helpful I know, but I have great memories in both get the M if you like to geek out over the details, and if you’re willing to accept the higher maintenance

[Hawkeye]

If you want a middle ground you could just upgrade to the si Coupe

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

If you want a middle ground you could just upgrade to the si Coupe

Besides being rarer, and holding its value better than the vert, is a 3.0si coupe much of an upgrade from a 3.0si vert?

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by pungo

Besides being rarer, and holding its value better than the vert, is a 3.0si coupe much of an upgrade from a 3.0si vert?

You forgot better looking . But aside from those... no, same car really.

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by pungo

Besides being rarer, and holding its value better than the vert, is a 3.0si coupe much of an upgrade from a 3.0si vert?

The answer is "marginally". I don't know the reason behind it but I believe BMW put a 3:46 diff in it where the Roadster got a 3:23. Could be they expected it would be heavier, but who knows.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by dc_wright

The answer is "marginally". I don't know the reason behind it but I believe BMW put a 3:46 diff in it where the Roadster got a 3:23. Could be they expected it would be heavier, but who knows.

TIL

[deemo319]

I was at this same juncture almost three years ago. If you are concerned about maintenance (scheduled and unscheduled) and not a DYI type person, get a 3.0si and have fun.

If you have resources and not overwhelmingly concerned about maintenance and labor rates, get the M Roadster and don't look back.

I have never met anyone that was not happy they spent the time to find and then subsequently the money to acquire an M Roadster.

The E85 M Roadster and E86 M Coupe were essentially the last analog BMW produced that had some rawness to it, and that legendary S54!

Read the threads about how some are struggling on exactly what to replace them with, there really isn't anything like them. The S54 went into the sunset in the ideal chassis'.

Frankly no manufacturer builds a car like either of them any longer, and yes this included BMW themselves.

The E86 Z4 3.0si Coupe was built in very small numbers.

A 2104 total were built for North American Market:
828 Manual
1276 Automatic

Just my worthless $0.02