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      09-13-2013, 07:03 PM   #23
templarklimek
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Thank you Gents, awesome insights. A few replies though:

I've never drove a Z4M, and i'm buying this car out of state site unseen. I wanted to at least drive the 370Z as it can be had LOADED with touring/sport/nav for 37K new. Pretty good bang for the buck. New has a cache all its own. BUT... After drving the 370Z and reading your responses you have confirmed what I was hoping. The Z4M will give me the visceral, raw, seat of the pants fun I'm looking for. I have now a 11' M3 ZCP and a Mini coupe JCW. The M3 is planted, very powerful and the S65 motor is unmatched. However its a heavier more stable car lessoning the connected driving experience to a degree. The mini is a crazy, little pocket rocket. It's tuned to 250HP and its a tossable little big car killer. I'd like to think the Z4M will be the same but more powerful with all the abilities and performance of an BMW M car. The 370Z just didn't offer the power of the M3 or the lighter, quicker experience of the JCW mini. I must have been crazy though, the 370Z has 330 HP, my tuned mini 250 HP. After the test drive, I got back in my mini and I swear it was faster... My documents came in the mail today from Kansas, I'll sent them off signed today. Done Deal!

I fear this Z4M will become a passion, consuming my bank account! I'll post pics of the M3 and the Z4M together when it arrives.

BTW, the one real beef I had with the 370Z was the VQ engine becoming a vibrating, coarse engine above 5K. I had read about it but it really was the only severe disappointment.
Of course I'm spoiled by the S65 engine.

Last edited by templarklimek; 09-13-2013 at 07:47 PM..
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      09-13-2013, 08:37 PM   #24
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Let me guess: understeer, understeer, understeer
Predictable, no?
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      09-17-2013, 03:27 AM   #25
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templar... unless you modify your Z4M, stock form.... the low end is kinda slow...not turtle slow, but I was suprise that the SI felt better. Coming from a JCW and tuned to 250HP will feel faster coming off the line. I was amazed with the smooth gear box of the mini... though I only drove a friend's MCS... I thought it was a neat little car.

Since you had a JCW you will be familiar with BMW sport suspension... I was amazed with the heavy steering and the feedback...I can't speak of the 370z... last Z I had was a 300ZX.

You never mentioned if you were getting a coupe or roadster? Either way...just be prepared for squeaky dusty brakes...notchy 2nd gear and dealing with the motor mounts and such... the maintenance was a pain too... I do love the seats...they are comfortable for me. Too me, the best thing about the M was the steering and handling... the least thing I liked about the M was the tranny. Though maybe not fair comparing the mini cooper FWD transmission... I could be wrong, but I heard FWD tend be more smooth. I drove the audi S5 and was amazed with that car's tranny... just warning you about the M tranny / S54 pairing wasn't the best...seeing you never driven one...just giving you heads up.
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      09-17-2013, 03:53 AM   #26
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No squeaky brakes here... And no more dusty than my Rgv250 used to be after a good session. ; )
Yeah spot on about the transmission, it takes some getting used to, but when you do, it's fine.

Any pics yet?
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      09-17-2013, 08:30 AM   #27
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Not all trannies are awkward. Mine shifts perfectly
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      09-17-2013, 09:19 AM   #28
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Not all trannies are awkward. Mine shifts perfectly
But the question is does your fiance know?
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      09-17-2013, 10:11 AM   #29
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Quote:
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No squeaky brakes here... And no more dusty than my Rgv250 used to be after a good session. ; )
Yeah spot on about the transmission, it takes some getting used to, but when you do, it's fine.

Any pics yet?
I had no issues with the tranny in my gen2 G35 (same powertrain)
What I really disliked was the clutch engagement.
Did a couple of mods to improve it but it was still less than mediocre.
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      09-17-2013, 10:21 AM   #30
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Yes, it's fun and raw like the e30m3 with modern touches like cup holders.
No matter how temporary those cup holders may be!
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      09-17-2013, 10:25 AM   #31
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Not all trannies are awkward. Mine shifts perfectly
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      09-17-2013, 12:02 PM   #32
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Not all trannies are awkward. Mine shifts perfectly
mine is perfect too. no issues at all
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      09-17-2013, 12:27 PM   #33
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Quote:
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templar... unless you modify your Z4M, stock form.... the low end is kinda slow...not turtle slow, but I was suprise that the SI felt better. Coming from a JCW and tuned to 250HP will feel faster coming off the line. I was amazed with the smooth gear box of the mini... though I only drove a friend's MCS... I thought it was a neat little car.

Since you had a JCW you will be familiar with BMW sport suspension... I was amazed with the heavy steering and the feedback...I can't speak of the 370z... last Z I had was a 300ZX.

You never mentioned if you were getting a coupe or roadster? Either way...just be prepared for squeaky dusty brakes...notchy 2nd gear and dealing with the motor mounts and such... the maintenance was a pain too... I do love the seats...they are comfortable for me. Too me, the best thing about the M was the steering and handling... the least thing I liked about the M was the tranny. Though maybe not fair comparing the mini cooper FWD transmission... I could be wrong, but I heard FWD tend be more smooth. I drove the audi S5 and was amazed with that car's tranny... just warning you about the M tranny / S54 pairing wasn't the best...seeing you never driven one...just giving you heads up.
Great insights thank you. The MINI indeed has an amazingly smooth gearbox, odd compared to the M manual tranneys witch are notchy. I have a S65 M3 so i'm used to the tranney. Good point about the torque issue. I'll miss the nimbleness of the MINI.

Guys any idea on how long shipping will take from Kansas to Texas? I'm fearful dealer will try to find lowball carrier. Even though this was discussed with them. TY!
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      09-17-2013, 01:46 PM   #34
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Arrange your own transport! But it depends on your service (guaranteed pickup date vs open-ended) - once moving, it shouldn't take more than 2-3 days
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      09-17-2013, 03:27 PM   #35
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Quote:
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mine is perfect too. no issues at all

+1 mines a joy to use.... even more so with the VT mounts.
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      09-17-2013, 03:36 PM   #36
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+1 mines a joy to use.... even more so with the VT mounts.
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      09-17-2013, 05:36 PM   #37
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I have had my Z4M Coupe for almost 6 years now, almost 84K miles, about 87 track days, done the Texas Mile in March 2010 (155.4mph), the GA 1/2 mile this past weekend and it has been amazing journey. I am still not bored and the car challenges me everytime

I have also driven a 350Z Sport (I think) and a G35 6MT. On the latter I helped a friend set it up with suspension, BBK etc and it was a great car and very capable but neither ever felt as sharp as the Z4M.

That being said, drive both and see what you like more. Also, a tracked Z4M may need maintenance like rod bearings, water pump etc so plan for that.

Good luck!
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      09-17-2013, 06:51 PM   #38
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What did you do on the 1/2 mile and what are your mods, if any?
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      09-17-2013, 08:24 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pal View Post
I have had my Z4M Coupe for almost 6 years now, almost 84K miles, about 87 track days, done the Texas Mile in March 2010 (155.4mph), the GA 1/2 mile this past weekend and it has been amazing journey. I am still not bored and the car challenges me everytime

I have also driven a 350Z Sport (I think) and a G35 6MT. On the latter I helped a friend set it up with suspension, BBK etc and it was a great car and very capable but neither ever felt as sharp as the Z4M.

That being said, drive both and see what you like more. Also, a tracked Z4M may need maintenance like rod bearings, water pump etc so plan for that.

Good luck!
Good to know. Guys I admit it was a very close choice. Not helped by the fact I've never drove a Z4M nor was the car here. A new 370Z touring and sport package comes well equipped with Nav, better brakes, forged rims etc. At 37K brand new. But jeez, the vibrations and roughness above 5k was a huge turnoff. While the 370 puts out awesome power it lacks the silky smoothness of the BMW straight 6 family. And the car felt heavy for a 2-seater. As heavy as my M3 but not as agile or well planted. Of course already being a part of the BMW family didn't hurt either.

Initial mods:

Rims and tires. Guys any advantage to the 19's on this car besides looks? Will 18's fit a brake upgrade later? I know they ride better and handle pot holes.

I want a two-tone red/blk interior/seats. Audi nailed this on the S4, gonna copy them.

xpipes/euroheaders/exhaust

intake and tranny mounts per this sites experience. ECU tune.

I'm waiting with baited breath for this car to arrive. I can see it becoming an obsession of sorts. My G/F who lobbied for the 370 already thinks I'm nuts having 2 sports cars.(she can't drive stick).

I think this car is a cult classic compared to the very massed produced 370Z. That alone is a good reason. I've seen maybe 2 or 3 in Houston. Regular
Z4's to boot.

Off topic but why hasn't anyone made an aluminum head for this motor? I'm not well-versed in engine engineering but the Iron head is very heavy?
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      09-17-2013, 09:19 PM   #40
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What did you do on the 1/2 mile and what are your mods, if any?
126.07 mph. Heaven's Landing is not friendly to a NA car given its higher elevation so that did not help things much. For power, I just have European M3 headers and an AA tune.
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      09-17-2013, 11:47 PM   #41
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About the transmission, don't get me wrong, it works a treat, but it's the notchie'est (is that even a word?) box I've ever driven, very positive engagement. And more so with the SSK. I do love it. 1 to 2nd though is interesting to get used to.
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      09-18-2013, 12:18 AM   #42
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The 3X0Z and the G3X platform brakes are HORRIBLE compared to the MZ4 Coupe. The biggest gripe I had with the 350Z was how sh*tty the brakes are. Even the ones that came with "Brembos." I remember a friend with a 350Z pulling off track after 2 sessions and the fluid in the rear were literally boiling out of the caliper. When we cracked the bleeder valve open, nothing but air bubbles. Crazy stuff. Took a ~$3,500 brake system upgrade for the 350Z to even come CLOSE to the brakes on my old 323Ci's reliability on track.

Nissan provided zero cooling to an inadequately small rotor on a car that's nearly E46 M3 in weight. Nothing a 4 or 6 piston caliper can do to keep the pedal from going to the floor when the fluid boils or the pads stop working due to the rotor's inability to evacuate heat fast enough to keep it out of the pad's MOT.
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      09-18-2013, 12:50 AM   #43
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It's those kind of small details BMW M does somewhat better than most. Thus why it's worth it. The 370Z is a great car, especially on paper. But the cost savings have to come from somewhere for them to be much cheaper than BMW, P-cars etc.
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      09-22-2013, 05:13 PM   #44
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Templar, have you considered a 3.0SI if you are not tracking the car? I think a SI coupe is pretty cool and rare as well... the plus side is the maintenance will be less and I had less issues with the SI than I had with a M car...though I didn't have that many problems compare to others on this forum...I did have common problems like brake squeak, tranny 2nd gear issues (corrected mostly with new mounts).

Another thing you have to ask yourself as I did when I got my BRZ... do you want to maintain an older BMW M car and it's potential issues versus a new car. In some ways the BRZ is a step down in interior and head unit, but it's also a lower MSRP car by almost 50%. If you compare stock vs stock cars.

The M is the most fun stock car I ever had in terms of handling...the SI is the most sensible car overall daily driving and maintenance. The BRZ is very close to SI in stock and in some ways a lot better... I get over 25MPG with the BRZ vs 17 MPG with the M. Right now the only thing I miss about the M is the fat steering wheel and heavy feeling of the road feedback...really do feel every pebble on the road (just my opinion). To the BRZ's compliment, it has prius tires on...I wonder how good it would be with same 18" stock M wheel setup how much better it would be versus an M? The stiff suspension of BRZ is comparable to the M... the BRZ sub suspension is more pliable makes it a nice daily driver.

So what do you want... Old awesomeness or new less maintenance is what I would ask myself...this is in stock form... MOD M vs MOD BRZ would be an interesting topic...I can't comment on 370z...never driven one
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