Is this a crazy idea?

[inline-6]

Hey all,

Currently have a 128i but over the last few months have been looking at more 'sporty' cars. Until today was looking at a used Porche Cayman S. On a whim saw that my local dealer had a 2007 Z4m roadster so decided to take it out of a drive.

Impressions: HOLY COW. This car is on a different planet. Could not stop smiling like an idiot the entire time. To me this car was x1000 times more fun to drive than a Cayman.

So I am seriously considering replacing my 128i but had some questions:

1. Is this car comfortable enough to be a DD? The suspension did not seem overly stiff to me - though sometimes (once per month) I need to drive 8+ hours for work travel.

2. Winter driving looks like it will be ok with good tires - any concerns with the soft top in winter? The car is super fun with the top down, though I like the look of the coupe a little better.

3. Storage space is a little limited - can I get by with this car being my only car? (single, no kids)

4. Price: The dealer is asking ~34k. Canadian car with 40,000 km, dealer maintained, all clean service records. Seems to be in excellent condition.

Thanks for your help!

[drbvac]

What year is the M? I got to tell you that even with actual winter tires and not as wide winter driving is tough especially with traction control because if there is any snow and it is slippery the car won't go anywhere, IF you are in BC or don't get a lot of snow it would be better but the other thing is the ground clearance and if the snow is more than 7 inches deep your wheels may not even touch the pavement 0:
Soft tops are OK but cold and you don't want a lot of freezing water etc on them,AND 34 g is a lot unless it is a 2010 or newer

[inline-6]

Originally Posted by drbvac

What year is the M? I got to tell you that even with actual winter tires and not as wide winter driving is tough especially with traction control because if there is any snow and it is slippery the car won't go anywhere, IF you are in BC or don't get a lot of snow it would be better but the other thing is the ground clearance and if the snow is more than 7 inches deep your wheels may not even touch the pavement 0:
Soft tops are OK but cold and you don't want a lot of freezing water etc on them,AND 34 g is a lot unless it is a 2010 or newer

Thanks for your input! The car is an '07. To be honest the GTA doesn't get a ton of 7''+ snow days. I would guess around 5 or 6 per winter. I guess the other option would be to have a beater car for the 'storm' days.

[drbvac]

May want to go south - imports are not bad I believe and for near 10G less ??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Roadst...US_Cars_Trucks

[Kgolf31]

The car will act like a plow, it won't have enough clearance to drive in most snowy conditions, especially Canada.

I have driven my Z4M as a DD before, and while it is fun...it starts to get to you. Especially with traffic, the clutch will start to get heavy and annoying. Ride isn't too stiff, it is nicely dampened, but on rough roads it will toss you around.

Furthest I've driven my car was 4 hours 1 way. It wasn't bad at all, I like how the seats are comfortable.

At least for winter you'll have a LSD, which will work wonders against the open diff.


Let me put it this way, I have a 128i for daily driving (and winter) and the Z4M for Fridays and the weekend. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. The Z4M has too much power for a DD car, IMO...it wants to stay up in the rev range, it wants to go. The 128i is perfect. Just enough power to get you into trouble if you want, but toned down enough that rush hour won't make you insane.

Just my 0.02

[ZStig]

I've daily driven mine in the snow with snow tires and 400rwhp

[jophish17]

I've DD'd mine for a year now, and it is now my only car (no kids). Yeah, traffic is annoying, but traffic is always annoying. It is a blast to drive on a daily basis, every on-ramp and corner present an opportunity for a quick thrill. I've taken 4 1000+ mile trips in it, and its never been a problem: a weeks worth of clothes for 2 fit in the hatch, and you'll be forced to stop for gas every couple hours to ensure you don't stiffen up.

[dreamingat30fps]

I DD mine also (although no snow here) no issues for me. Although I've read post of people with back issues not being able to stand being in it too long. Personally I find it very comfortable. Even more so than my old 335i which would always give me an odd pain in my back after a while. I think the trunk is not bad at all for a roadster.

I made a similar switch. I had a 335i then my gf got a 128i, after driving the 128 on an off for a while I decided I wanted something like the 128 smaller and NA. I started looking for an e46 M3 but in that search found the Z4M and that was the end of that. Funnest BMW I have driven so far.

[Yvette]

go with coupe, unless you are like convertible guy.
they both are great cars.

[3002 tii]

1) seems a bit high considering the miles
2) daily driving, suspension is fine, it's the seats that suck. it has no lumbar support so after a 2-3 hours, my lower back would start giving. i'd have to wedge a jacket or hoodie between my back and seat for extended drives.
3) snow tires will be fine, but anything above 6" you'll be plowing. i dd'd my coupe with 17" blizzaks during 1 winter and it wasn't that bad and we had some snowy days.
4) i think any soft top will inevitably encounter leak issues over time.

[inline-6]

Thanks for all the input! I'm going to take it out for another drive and see how it is in traffic and on my work route.

[inTgr8r]

FWIW, I drove my M roadster year round in Toronto with no problem at all.
In fact it was bags of fun.