Z4M to E92 M3 or 987.2 Cayman S

[chris719]

Has anyone moved from a Z4M to an E9x M3 or 987.2 (DFI) or 981 Cayman S and have any thoughts on the change?

I'm looking at making the switch to one of these cars, or possibly the M235i, but a little hesitant for different reasons on each.

I'm concerned the E92 will feel too big and the 6MT is possibly just as bad into 2nd gear as in the Z4M.

On the Cayman, I'm not sure the engine will impress compared to S54 and S65.

The M235i is interesting but seems to have a lot of body roll in videos and the turbo engine is both a pro and a con.


Thanks!

[kdphan]

Do you need the extra 2 rear seats?

I had an e92 M3 in 6spd and liked it but not as much as the Z4MC.

M3 felt heavier and not as raw feeling as the Z4MC.

[chris719]

Thanks, I don't really need them but they are nice to have. How was the 6MT in the e92 in comparison?

[PLCZ4MC]

Why not consider the new c7 vette? I hear pretty good reviews about it.

[chris719]

It's also a possibility but I'd have to get Z51 and probably pay MSRP at this point which would put it at higher cost than the others, minus the 981 S which I'm not really considering.

[ferrarif1]

How about F80 M3?

[chris719]

Price with options gets way up there, plus waiting for some more reviews to come in.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by chris719

Thanks, I don't really need them but they are nice to have. How was the 6MT in the e92 in comparison?

it's been over a year since i've sold the e92.

IIRC the 1st gear is a bit clunky on both.

the M coupe has shorter throws.


Go cayman S and get an m3 sedan?

[KevinC]

Seriously considering an m235i myself, though I don't want to ditch the Z4MC for it, I'd rather ditch the ZHP, it's basically the modern version of that car. Unfortunately the math on that swap doesn't work so well, so it may be a while.

[Aries326]

Considering the M235i myself a few more years down the road when they start coming off leases.

[ried]

I sold my E92 M3 four months ago to buy the Z4MC. There's absolutely no way I'd go back to the E92 M3.

People buy the Z4MC because they want a low tech sports coupe. They want raw, down to the metal driving experiences.

People buy the E92 M3 because they want a luxury car that goes fast, and that's what it is. From the seating position to the accoutrements, the cars have very little in common from a visceral standpoint, aside from an engine that revs to 8K. I went 150+ MPH in my M3 and was almost bored by it.

If you want to go fast and feel it, keep the Z4MC.

If you want to go fast in comfort, buy the E92 M3.

If you want an amazingly well balanced all around car, get the Cayman S. But that car isn't going to be as balls out raw as the Z4MC, and you'll be seeing yourself coming and going on the road a lot more often.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by ried

I sold my E92 M3 four months ago to buy the Z4MC. There's absolutely no way I'd go back to the E92 M3.

People buy the Z4MC because they want a low tech sports coupe. They want raw, down to the metal driving experiences.

People buy the E92 M3 because they want a luxury car that goes fast, and that's what it is. From the seating position to the accoutrements, the cars have very little in common from a visceral standpoint, aside from an engine that revs to 8K. I went 150+ MPH in my M3 and was almost bored by it.

If you want to go fast and feel it, keep the Z4MC.

If you want to go fast in comfort, buy the E92 M3.

If you want an amazingly well balanced all around car, get the Cayman S. But that car isn't going to be as balls out raw as the Z4MC, and you'll be seeing yourself coming and going on the road a lot more often.

I've owned an E92 M3, and a Gen I Cayman S.

I agree 100% with the assessment above.

We have a forum member who sold his Z for a new Cayman. Either he's looking to get back into a Z or has already done so.

It's not that any of them aren't great cars, it's that the Z is, as described, raw, wild, and wooly by comparison.

[ferrarif1]

Originally Posted by chris719

Price with options gets way up there, plus waiting for some more reviews to come in.

I spent a day driving the F80 M3 yesterday at the BMW UDE car control clinic, now i'm hooked!

[timmay]

Another one here coming from a E90 M3 to my Z4MC. Surprised there are many here. I've been in my Z4MC for just over a month now.

Would say the same things as others on this thread. I wanted the Z4MC because its miles raw-er, you feel and hear more, you sit in it (rather than on it), and I love the feel of the steering (heaps more feedback).

Was looking at a Cayman as well, but I reckon the Z4MC looks better.

[chris719]

Thanks, a little surprised at the responses actually. I'll have to test drive the E92 but might not be what I'm looking for. I think the upcoming M2 would be perfect, but I'm not sure I want to wait that long.

For those that drove the F80 M3, was it more raw than the E92 in feel?

[ferrarif1]

It has been so long since I drove an E92 M3 I can't really compare.

[Vodka G]

Came across this old post...What did you end up getting BTW?

I had a Z4MR for 4 years and bought a 987.2 S last year for my wife

yes the Z4MR is a raw low tech basic old school roadster. long hood, sits low. great steering feel, shift is nice and accurate (with CDV mod) Is a driver's car no doubt. The car does well on the track...the car is more at home on big willow vs the streets IMO, is a fun car to drive, the engine is bullet proof and it revs like hell. I have TC Klien DA coilovers, Rogue pulley kit and RPI scoop installed.

I sold it back in 2012 and picked up a 2009 M6...that's another story

So last year I bought my wife a 987.2 S PDK. The steering is just as great as the Z4MR, I love the PDK as well, is not as nice as the new 981 PDK which are v.2 I believe, but the response is still very quick, yes is not as engaging as the 6 speed but is FAST (and is waaaaaay better than the SMG II in the M6). The handling....hands down the 987.2 handles better.....the car is more balanced....it reminds me of my old MR Spyder x100 times better (because it is mid engine RWD) Yes is not as 'exciting' as the Z4MR where you can kick the tail out and do all sorts of fun stuff...but the car is precise.....and I can see why the 987.2 and the Caymans can run circles around the 911 (non S)......

I am taking the Porsche to the track for the first time in a couple weeks....and I am hoping that i'll see better lap time than the Z4MR

In the end it depends on what you are looking for. Not sure if you saw TGs review a few years ago, Richard Hammond's review is very accurate, the only thing is that it was a 987 S that they were testing back then not a 987.2 S which the engine is now 310hp with a PDK (or 6 speed) so the straight line is probably at par with the Z4MR and might even be faster with the PDK (with sport Chrono you get launch control...if that matters lol)