Z3M versus Z4M versus Z4 3.0si

[manny328i]

Long time no post guys. Bumble Bee (Z3M) is still goin strong at well over 200k miles. I'm getting an itch for another one lol. I recently testdrove a Z4M and a 3.0si and suprisingly was not impressed by either one...too refined I suppose. Z3M just feels raw which could either be positive or negative depending on your perspective. So here's the deal, there's one of each model currently listed locally...Z3M w ~80k miles for $10k, Z4M w ~80k miles for $15k and the 3.0si w ~60k miles for $12k. It boils down to left/right brain again...the engineer in me wants to be logical but my personality is naturally intuitive. Heart wants an M, head says go with the 3.0si ugh. The Z4s are both a beautiful blue (interlagos and maldives) and the Z3M is imola red. Hmm? Decisions decisions. Anyways, thought I'd drop by and say hi. Feel free to offer arguments as to which is the best deal of the 3.

[dbarton62]

Long time no post guys. Bumble Bee (Z3M) is still goin strong at well over 200k miles. I'm getting an itch for another one lol. I recently testdrove a Z4M and a 3.0si and suprisingly was not impressed by either one...too refined I suppose. Z3M just feels raw which could either be positive or negative depending on your perspective. So here's the deal, there's one of each model currently listed locally...Z3M w ~80k miles for $10k, Z4M w ~80k miles for $15k and the 3.0si w ~60k miles for $12k. It boils down to left/right brain again...the engineer in me wants to be logical but my personality is naturally intuitive. Heart wants an M, head says go with the 3.0si ugh. The Z4s are both a beautiful blue (interlagos and maldives) and the Z3M is imola red. Hmm? Decisions decisions. Anyways, thought I'd drop by and say hi. Feel free to offer arguments as to which is the best deal of the 3.

Posted in your other thread as well

I would ask why so cheap for the Z4M.
Have not seen one so cheap that was still roadworthy

[manny328i]

Z4M is sold. It came from Canada through Washington and eventually ended up here in California. It had aftermarket exhaust, wheels and intake. Here she is from when I testdrove her last weekend.

[Knowthebattle]

Crap....now I want that color on my car....

[BimmerBreaker]

At $15k im surprised it lasted as long as it did

[wdb]

I have a Z4 3.0si and Z4M currently, both coupes. I'm with you on the head/heart thing. Head says keep the N52 si, heart says keep the needy S54.

The M is Interlagos Blue. I've never had strangers walk up to me before and comment on the color of my car, but they do with this one.

[manny328i]

I have a Z4 3.0si and Z4M currently, both coupes. I'm with you on the head/heart thing. Head says keep the N52 si, heart says keep the needy S54.

The M is Interlagos Blue. I've never had strangers walk up to me before and comment on the color of my car, but they do with this one.

Looks almost purple ish when it catches the light a certain way. I thought Maldives is closer to Estoril but actually a few shades darker. I prefer the roadster versions though.

[Blackpony]

We are also considering a Z4M Roadster. For the last 110,000 miles we have been driving, tracking and enjoying a top down motoring in a Z4 3.0i (E85). After test driving the Z4M, it felt heavy with the thick steering wheel. The M engine is also a concern with the needy S54 mechanical valves, the first vehicle we had with mechanical valve lifter disc was a 1953 Jaguar XK-120M! Having a valve adjustment required every 30,000 miles, at $1,000 per dealer adjustment, is an expense to consider.
The 3.0i is fun to drive and keeps up with the M Roadsters on the HPDE track. No engine maintenance expense to note. The electric steering works well and is on all of our newer vehicles. Old fashion fluid steering now feels heavy and requires a thick steering wheel. Having grown up with mechanical valve adjustments, i.e. MG, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, do I need to go back in time to enjoy BMW M Power? Newer, faster sports cars are available with hydraulic self-adjusting valves, turbos, electric steering and suspension.
Newer is always better and faster, however, the heart says go older for the pleasure of nostalgic-sporty motoring.

[BimmerBreaker]

^^ sounds like a Z4 3.0si or Z3 M with an S52 would be good too