IS there that great a difference between the two models? I do not have a chance to test drive both. My dilemma: would it be better to get a brand new Z4C 3.0si or purchase a second hand Z4MC fully loaded with 5000miles on the clock for about the same price?

I have a chance to hand back the keys to my Coupe and for a VERY small amount of cash, grab a new M coupe...

I just can't talk myself in to it.

I get the TC light as it is... I can't see spending a few thousand more for a badge and the traction controle comming on all the time.


Not an insult at all to M drivers or the cars... They're fantastic and It's an upgrade. But for me, I just don't call it a "usable" one... I could lose my license any number of ways in the Si.

If cost is the same, I would take the M. But I can't see myself paying for the upgrade.

IS there that great a difference between the two models? I do not have a chance to test drive both. My dilemma: would it be better to get a brand new Z4C 3.0si or purchase a second hand Z4MC fully loaded with 5000miles on the clock for about the same price?What kind of miles are they? Owner miles from someone reasonable who just needed to sell the car, or "drive-it-like-you-stole-it" abusive sales-demo miles?

I think they must be owner miles. Demo cars over here dont usually have that many. The M coupe is about AU$30k more than the 3.0si over here. The 3.0si comes with no options. I would of course rather a new vehicle.

I just wondered how they compared.

The 3.0Si coupe is a much better all around car. The M Coupe is a much better car, period. Depends on what you need the car for.

The 3.0Si coupe has the same basic suspension design and geometry as the run-of-the-mill Z4s (albeit the sportier of the two choices), tuned for run-flat tires. So you will get a softer, more compliant ride in daily driven conditions. Not having the mobility kit and battery take up about 25% of the trunk also means a much larger and versatile cargo area. The fact that the 3.0Si engine gets around 22mpg city means the city mileage is better than the Z4 M's highway mileage. Couple that with ~150 lighter car you have a better all purpose vehicle that will still run circles around most of BMW's other offerings. If you intend to use it for any track use, it'll still be faster than BMW's reigning track champion, the E46 M3, on most tracks (except for the real HP tracks like Nurburgring and say, California Speedway and Willow Springs International. But it'll run circles around the M3 at Buttonwillow, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Sears Point). And if you can't drive a stick, or don't want to drive a stick, your choices are limited. The MZ4 Coupe does not come without a third pedal.

Now, if you need that extra 1,000 RPM coupled to a shorter, 3.62:1 limited slip differential, with ///M spring rates and specially designed and tuned dampers only the ///Motorsport boys can dream of, on relatively sticky tires, and an extra 80 some horse power to pwnz tracks with, the ///M speaks for itself. It is the FASTEST production BMW on the track, period. Even BMW's big ///M offerings, the M5 and M6, would struggle to keep up at most tracks to the MZ4 Coupe. It is quite the beast to behold, built specifically for a main purpose: To be driven on the track. Heck, BMW even includes in their product literature guidance on how the car needs to be prepared for track use. They KNOW that track use is one of the major draw points of this car. It may not be the only draw point, but I've seen more MZ4 coupes at the track than I've seen in real life driving on the street.

But it's not for everyone. If you don't intend to drive this car on the track, you may be better off buying the 3.0Si. Heck, even if you do enjoy driving on the track, you may still be better off buying the 3.0Si. It's just more practical and comfortable for daily use. If you are looking for raw performance numbers, few cars in BMW's current line-up compares to the MZ4 Coupe though.

Where can I find the track preparation literature for the Mcoupe?

Sound like an interesting read.

Where can I find the track preparation literature for the Mcoupe?

Sound like an interesting read.

It's not. It's a half page flier with some simple directions telling you that if you take your car to the track you should do blah blah blah, like bleed the brakes and stuff, and talks about a couple of features like the anti-fade brakes. It was in all the paperwork that came with my owner's manual.

I have to agree with Hack. We own a Z4C and are taking it on a trip to San Francisco next weekend. Between the softer ride and the more roomy trunk, this will be a fun trip, something that wouldn't be as fun in the M. I've driven a Z4M roadster and it's like a go-cart with a rocket attached. Lots of fun to drive (even more than the Z4C) but all-in-all, less of a streetable car than the coupe we own. The M seats would really be tiring on a daily basis unless you are a lean person.

And as Hack says, if you want an auto, the non-M is the only way to go. I might add that I don't find the auto to be a detriment, it's very smooth, and, in sport mode, you can use the paddle shifters that come standard with the auto (actually you can use the paddle shifters in drive mode also, but the auto logic will take over if you don't shift in 10 seconds or so).

Jerry

It's not. It's a half page flier with some simple directions telling you that if you take your car to the track you should do blah blah blah, like bleed the brakes and stuff, and talks about a couple of features like the anti-fade brakes. It was in all the paperwork that came with my owner's manual.

Thanks. I haven't gone thru that large pile of material that came with the car.

First track day for my car will probably be Cal speedway in December.

Hack makes good points. Having driven both versions, I found the Z4 Coupe great fun and yet quite civilized--plenty of power, decent mileage, and surprisingly comfortable.

The M Coupe was absolute blast to drive, perhaps the most fun I've ever had in a car. That said, it would beat you to death as a daily driver, at least on the roads I use most frequently. Despite the thrills, I didn't feel it would be the best choice for me.

If, however, you're planning on robbing banks and convenience stores for a living and need a fast getaway, the M Coupe's your baby. The only way they'll catch you is if you run out of gas. Just be prepared to have your teeth rattle when you hit those back roads.

I have an Elise at the moment. I find the ride suprisingly reasonable (testament to Lotus renowned suspension engineering) What is the ride like compared to one? I notice a few people own one here.

If you come from Elise, then only Z4MC is your choice. Read neighbhor thread, you can buy brand new Z4MC even cheaper than Z4C. No auto harms Z4MC sales so people reporting getting fully loaded Z4MC for under $44K. Z4MC has increddible feeling, this car is also very unique, so no one around will have the same car.

Thanks Kpacotka. I live in Australia though, so I do not think they would have the same deals here. As an example the Z4C retails for AU$88100 and the Z4MC for $127000! On road costs (taxes etc) would come to over AU$10000. My only option if I wanted to own the M would be to go used.

Thanks. I haven't gone thru that large pile of material that came with the car.

First track day for my car will probably be Cal speedway in December.

Nice. Another one that drives like it's intended to be driven. Which organization are you going with?

My brother always want to borrow my Z4MR, and I never want to borrow his Z4C...

M Coupe all the way. Its the better car by far. If you've got an elise you'll never be happy with a 3.0.

You'll be able to get a low k M Coupe for close to if not a shade under $100k here locally and they come fully loaded from the factory. There are only two options from memory, extended leather and folding mirrors. Everything else comes standard.

The fact that the 3.0Si engine gets (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=859091#) around 22mpg city means the city mileage is better than the Z4 M's highway mileage.

I see about 24mpg in my Z4MC where I live....mostly highway.

I am worried about buying such an expensive car used actually. If anything goes wrong then it is bigbucks. But I see what you guys are saying.

It'll still have 2 years full warranty. Or just buy from BMW premium if your concerned at all and you always have the option of extending the warranty when its running out of the new car warranty provided it has FSH.

I see about 24mpg in my Z4MC where I live....mostly highway.

Wow. That's pretty good. I'm seeing about 19mpg in my Z4MC. Mostly highway miles too. That's excluding the track miles/weekends, with those factored in, I'm getting about 10-12mpg on a track weekend.

I average about 19 when i drive mostly city, and 24 or so mostly highway....

A friend of mine got the z4 coupe and he loves it. Ive got the M and use it as a daily driver abut 10 months a year. I love everything about the car even as a "daily" the only thing I dont like is worrying about it sitting in the parking lot all day, or at the mall, or where ever. I dont find the ride too rough, its been comfortable on the 3-4 hour long trips to where ever. Over all Ive been very happy with the car.