Why The BMW Z4M Coupe Is The Best AND Worst Car I Ever Owned
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- čas přidán 24. 10. 2019
- In the time before my CZcams career, I owned a lot of different cars. One of the most controversial was the BMW Z4 M Coupe. In theory, it was the recipe for a great BMW - sublime styling, the legendary S54 Engine, rear wheel drive and a six speed manual gearbox. But, I wound up getting very, very frustrated with the car and selling it - so what was so bad about it? Let's discuss
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Prettiest car made by BMW for sure. After 10 years, mine still turns heads everyday. It’s a dream car for me.
would you say its a reliable car? Im looking to get one but hear from alot of people that bmw’s are money pits but i love the way these cars look
@@killkaneda8369 if you buy one that’s been well maintained then you should be fine, but if you buy a dodgy one you’re gonna have a very bad time
The prettiest BMW would probably be the Z8, but the Z4 coupe is also a great design.
@Teamgeist Maybe you don't like the design, but many people do. If nothing else, it at least stands out from the relatively uniform design language of most BMWs.
@Teamgeist honestly love the look of the Z8....its a dream car but ill have to settle for a Z4 as its in my price range.
Thats my old car! Glad to see it’s been well looked after
That must’ve felt weird to see it online!
ambitionsskyyyy it did! Saw the thumb nail pic and instantly recognised the numberplate. When i had it, it was completely OEM
William Bishop I can imagine! What you driving about these days?
ambitionsskyyyy Clio 3 RS
William Bishop nice, I thought about one of those however I’m going to go for an abarth comp! Enjoy mate
I love how the Z4 //M Coupe is not only divisive, but people can't even agree on the very basics. Makes the car so much interesting, special, and...mysterious.
Just a few examples: several reviewers say that the //M Coupe can ONLY be enjoyed at 10/10's & at the limit, and that is where the car shines. This review says the opposite.
Also many reviews praise the hydraulic steering & its feedback, and the //M division's choice to ditch the electric rack. On this video he says he dislikes the steering, and that it has minimal feedback.
Furthermore, even people who dislike the //M Coupe (such as Chris Harris and Jeremy Clarkson) say that the car is brilliant at going sideways. Others, such as this video, say the car is too twitchy over the limit of traction.
Even the suspension which most say results in an overly harsh ride (I agree), some complain is too soft (!!).
Don't even get me started on the looks...talk about love & hate relationships!
The one thing everyone seems to agree on is the amazing S54 engine...Although I have heard criticisms concerning its weight & what it does to the dynamics/poise of the car (I personally agree).
So at least lets all agree on what a special, unique, and rare car this is.
*BTW Great review, presentation, and information...keep it up!
Awesome comment, you nailed it!
That's the point. Every review is filtered through the reviewer's previous experience, preferences, skill, views and prejudices. I don't think it makes this or any other car divisive, just shows how unimportant other people's opinions are in the end, ;)
I currently own 10 BMWs including some significant ones like: E36 M3, E46 M3, M2 Comp, E34 M5 Evo, E60 M5 6MT. My 2007 Z4 M coupe is the best of them all. In the spirit of full disclosure, mine is modified (Schrick CAMs, SuperSprint headers, KW3 suspension, Brembo BBK and a few other items). But still - she is the best!
I have the roadster and have owned or driven most of your cars. The Z4M with the S54 is hands down the best drivers car. Most of the negatives on this car come from a crowd of people that don't know how to drive fast cars. Like the plonker in this video, you can hear him gasp for air after each hard shift. I think an electric scooter is more of this guys' cup of tea
I couldn't agree more. I have an S54 Z3M Coupe, 2008 Cayman S, and a Z4MC and the Z4MC is the most dedicated track car of them all. The biggest advantage it has is the rigid chassis. That's a blessing and a curse because it makes it ride so harsh on the street. I don't even have mine registered for the street anymore. At a minimum the Z4MC needs suspension and a CDV delete.
So have you sorted the 1st to 2nd gearbox issue too? If so, how? Please
Richard Davis I don’t know, honestly. I bought my car used. The previous owner must’ve taken care of this.
@@timmietz thanks for replying
I'm on my second Z4MC, having owned one from new for 8 years, and bought another late last year. Pretty spot-on review, though the one comment that was a head-scratcher for me was about the steering having no feel. Strongly disagree there. Otherwise, a very fair review that does a good job touching on all the car's positives & faults.
Simon Pegg is definitely the funnier of the two.
Fantastic video. Been waiting for this one! Really interesting to hear your take on this car and I definitely can agree with many of your points!
It's Joel what’s up mate ✌🏻
Easily one of the best automotive journalists on this platform. Up there with harry's garage, and many others.
IEATU95 excellent delivery
Yeah, almost, but not quite as experienced but easy relatable I think. Unlike living life fast the stormzy version of a presenter.
Great review and right on! Pulling away smoothly in my Z4mc was always strangely difficult and the suspension tuning made no sense, ditched the oem suspension immediately. Still though, one of the greatest, most characterful, and definitely the most underrated ///M car!
11:40 that really got me laughing "Ask me how I know"
We've all been there
Having test driven both an M and 3.0si I immediately settled on the 3.0 - the engine is a peach. Basically, unless you’re using the M for track days there is no way it’s worth parting with twice the cost of the 3.0. The 3.0 is a much more compliant ride, easier and less expensive to maintain and less frantic to drive. Get tired of clueless armchair punters putting the 3.0si down. Unless the M is driven hard you’re hard pushed to tell the difference except the 3.0si allows you to keep your back intact , your teeth in your mouth and you can do most of the servicing yourself 😁
EXACTLY!....I own a 2006 Z4 3.0si Coupe here in NYC. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WHERE HERE TO ENJOY THE POWER OF ANY M CAR. The roads are shitty . I think I'm the only one in the entire state with a White 3.0si coupe!
Great review as usual.
Thumbs up for you.
This channel deserves way more subscribers for sure.
Couldn't agree more
19"s are a good reason for the Z4M feeling slower than the Z3M. Also, the looser, more manic (nimble) chassis, gear ratios in the 5 spd vs the 6 speed, and overall weight will all play into the feeling of "quickness".
Great video James. Often wondered about these and yes I see the siluhette is etype 'esk / tvr. The best cars often have their faults and that becomes character in time. These I'm sure will catch on....eventually.
Another excellent video, Jay - keep up the great work.
Definitely needs aftermarket suspension, a little clutch stop makes a remarkable difference to the gearbox issues and you are left with a pretty decent car. The front end and rear end sometimes felt at odds with one anothe, the rear is super stiff and the front a bit soft in comparison.
Hi Jay.
Fab video as always, thanks for your ongoing great content.
I've been procrastinating over the Z4m as a weekend car for some time but I can agree with comments on its faults having driven one a few times.
I wondered if you've drove or owned a z4 3.0si coupe and of so what your opinion is of that? Im aware thats a slightly controversial question. Clearly, it's nothing like an M car but is it worth considering as a sacrifice for better running costs and a more tame ride?
Many thanks
Ben
Very accurate review. For info, the coupe has different suspension and geometry settings to the convertible version. Trouble is BMW ever decided whether it was a full on sports car or a mini GT. Bilstein and forged alloy wheels make it perfect. Had one for 6 yrs and went everywhere with it. Huge character, not for ham fisted drivers. It takes a while to learn and exploit it fully. Good track car too and quite predictable. Beware of 1st service and exhaust camshaft wear. Solid car.
Beware of.camshaft wear how ?
I'd been lusting the Z4M Coupe and thought I'd gotten it out of my system. But being subscribed to you has been like a spark in a dry-as-kindling forest. Here I go again, thank you very much. :)
My pleasure!
I have one available if interested
Hi Jay what are your thoughts on the 3.0SI version? Thinking of replacing my S2000 with one.
I have just bought a coupe (3.0 not the M) and absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing the vid.
I had the 3.0si. The issue in 1st and 2nd is something called a clutch delay valve. It only allows the clutch to release at the speed of the valve. If you have this removed it drives like a normal car. Recommend this to any z4 driver.
I owned a Z4M Coupé for eight years and drove it for 50.000km all around Europe, mainly on Swiss passes and some Nurburgring visits. I agree with you about the nervous handling that got better with Michelin PS2 and then PS4 tyres. I sold it in January after I bought a E92 M3 Competition which is way way better in handling and obviously for the engine, but it lacks the sense of an occasion that I felt every time I drove my Z4M. I understand very well your comments, it's a flawed car but I have to say that I miss it
Great video....one the best on the MC I’ve seen. I’ve had my one for 5 years now and totally agree on the review. It’s a great car for so many reasons, totally rare, amazing design and that engine with a Gruppe M is right up there for occasion at any money level 👍🏻
Agree, and I've only had mine 6 weeks! Weird he says they're common! Only 1052 RHDs made out of total 4800. That's rare! Not as rare as Z3M Coupe but not as ugly 😉
@@Audidude Agreed. Also, factor that a decent S54 Z3MC is £40k+ and a decent Z4MC is less than half that it's a no brainer. I have been in BMW dealers and chatting with the sales folk, some have never seen one before. Even today I still get a lot of people ask me if it's a new car.
Really liked mine. It had more rattles then the previous 3.0Si Coupe I owned previously had so build quality varied with these American built cars, although a lot of the noise came from the cupholders that I don't think the Si had. My current MX-5 is much better built to be honest. The side mirrors were fantastic I found so the car had great visibility because of them. I clocked up about 70K miles in one. I sometimes wish I had kept it as it would probably be worth the same today as I traded it in for back then(2012). Running costs (servicing) were expensive and I remember having a brake issue which cost a fair bit (calliper & disks due to the calliper wrecking one) so the last service including brakes was around £2k. The car felt heavy with that S54 lump, a bit of a downside I thought. Good memories tho ! The Z4 3.0Si coupe was a great car too and a little lighter than the M. Whoever bought my M car got a bargain. Milage was over 72k but most of that was long journeys (30+ miles so not cold stop/start), and usually motorway.
Love mine. Original owner, 1st consumer registered car in Canada. Took some modifications along the way to address the noted flaws and some cosmetic styling. In addition, a Brit developed code for a track DSC setting (similar to e46 M3 competition package) that uses the unused DTC light in the instrument cluster. It's wonderful for us weekend track or backroad warriors! Super Sprint Race Cans, Rouge Engineering X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, Auto Solutions Shift linkage, Dave Z CDV, Ground Control Coil Overs, Stoptech lines & Friction, Rouge Engineering Clutch Stop & Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM, Bridgestone RE-71R Tyres
Sounds about right! As much as I love my car, I debate selling her once a year. Then I decide that she is too unique and can only be replaced with a Porsche if I want the same characteristics... I will say Bilstein PSS10 kit is a MUST have. Completely different car between that and the exhaust.
When I'll get my hands on a decent Z4M Coupe, along with my futrue M3 E46 and M5 E39 - I'll be happy in this life
Jay I need ur help, I am about to get rid of my z4 2.5 which i love to z4m and during test drive i noticed thr gear box is much harder to shift, the 1-2 gears herky jerky as shit but i love how it looks and sound, what do i do lol
Bought mine a year ago with 30k Miles on the clock.. 100% stock apart from the 19" CSL's. For me, its perfect for everyday. only cost has been brake calipers.
The gearshift issues are partially caused by the large mass of engine/transmission moving around on too soft mounts. Vibratech engine mounts and Rogue transmission mounts make a big difference and contribute to a much more precise shift, though not as nice as an M3’s. Aftermarket coil overs (I have KW V3s) on my roadie also help the harsh ride.
I had a 2007 roadster (got it will only 2k miles on the clock) from 2008 to 2011, and put 35k miles on it. Thought it was a fantastic car did three European Tours in it, Scotland as well. The lure of a V8 drew me away and my next car was an E92 M3. Had that for 5 years, then got a 2012 XKR. Still have found memories of that little Z4M roadster ❤️
Great video & review 👍👌😎
10:55 jezus christ i shat myself
Hey Jay, thanks for the great review. I know this is an older video so unsure if you'll see this. But I'm in the market for a "new" car and I've been going back and forth between this BMW Z4MC and a 996 911 C4s.
Which one would you choose and why? I know the z4mc is a decent bit cheaper than the c4s but man they're both so good looking!
I have one of these and a 2008 Cayman S. The Z4MC is a considerably faster car on the race track. Its ride is not nearly as smooth as the Cayman but it just dusts the Porsche. The Z4MC does require a thicker rear sway bar and deletion of the clutch delay valve in order to make the shifts far smoother. But overall its a great handling car for the TRACK. Maybe if you have an excellent twisty road near you (like the coast of northern California), but it just rides so rough over harsh road surfaces. I think Top Gears review of this was the most spot on but with slight modification this car is considerably faster than the Cayman S coming from the owner of both.
Which do you find more fun?
I would say they are both very fun. The BMW is cheaper to maintain, but costs more now. The Porsche is cheaper than the BMW so it’s easier to find a Cayman or Cayman S. But as far as fun goes, they are both great. Even with the Cayman being slower, it’s still great fun.
I've been looking at getting a Z4 Coupe 3.0. But gosh they're hard to find here in Australia in the specification I want.
Au contraire, the suspension is brilliant .. rides smoothly, but firmly, as you would want for a performance road car which you can also enjoy on the track. Just love my E85 M Roadster.
I really enjoy listening to you talking about the cars you. Pete 🇬🇧 review
At 11 mins he really got to test those said breaks. I love the styling of this car, a modern(ish) take on an old English roadster. This really could have been the perfect M car had BMW loaded it properly.
Thanks for a really good review Jay! So glad I came across this. I thought it was just me with the 1st and 2nd gear issue. As you say, either drive it hard or driving Miss Daisy! My previous 3.0 was a great everyday car, drove gently or like a beast and 1st and 2nd gear much better and quicker from standstill. The Z4M is just a beast all the time but I absolutely love it. My Son has my 3.0 litre now 🙂
I miss mine so damn much
Awesome accurate review. When I first bought mine two years ago( after a long search) I tried to drive it on my commute to work.Big mistake- as you noted combo of deplorabe roads and bumper to bumper traffic took the fun out of that. Now I leave her up at my lake house and use her as a four wheeled motorcycle every weekend.On winding cottage roads this car bonds with you like no other! Third and even fourth gears are quite short and quickly propel you to 150kph in no time. I know what flooring a car is but havent heard what a "floored" car is in Toronto, Canada. Please explain and keep up the good work.
Flawed not floored;)
Hi
Thinking of buying a 2006 Z4M Coupe 3.0si Sport with 117k on the clock , for c 6k , what should I look for before I buy ....
I like this and the clown shoes. They're just really unique for Beemer designs. And the Z8... Oh god... 🤤
I wish they would have made a Z8 M Coupe, like the Alpina version, but with a more teardrop shape. That would be an amazing car.
"Small thing" if I am allowed to drive the car I bought from my own money in a city of my choice, or even my own? It is a HUGE THING!
That z4 is gorgeous.
Great review as ever. You’re dead right about the suspension - I had one of these and the thing was almost un-drivable on some roads! Absolutely loved it though...
Not sure I agree that it had universal terrible press. EVO wrote a favourable review in issue 93 and Tom Ford also liked it...
But of course it was deeply flawed - I believe it was something of a private project for some M Division guys who somehow got the thing green-lighted? As such I imagine its development budget suffered somewhat...
The thing with the Z4MC is that it is a different animal on a street compared to the track. I take my Cayman S out for a drive through the mountains and I take the Z4MC to the track. This is a car that's meant for some modification and track use. It's just a track weapon.
Interesting that the guy has gone from a Z4M to an s2000, I did exactly the same thing. Two cars with two outstanding engines. The z4m is even better than JayEmm is saying in this video. The shapes of BOTH cars are gorgeous.
WaterBoy xD how are you finding the s2000. I have wanted one for a long time, but now the prices are getting crazy
Which do u prefer more?
I love the looks!
I agree with you Jay about the difficulty being sooth, however I'm not so sure it's the gearbox. I think it has more to do with the absolutely incredible throttle response. The individual throttle bodies give this engine a hair trigger throttle. The sport mode makes it worse, tap the throttle and the engine revs to 4k instantly. I have the roadster, but as luck would have it I looked at a coupe yesterday. If I'm lucky I may own both soon. Keep up the good work Jay.
Thanks for saying coupé and not coupe! I loved this car for the drive, not for the side look...Engine is powerful but power comes too linear.
I was --- that close to buying a z4m.roadster but job circumstances changed, gutted I missed out on the car as my mate wh owned one said it's a hoot on the track. Wonder why BMW didn't make a M version for the new z4
Thoroughly enjoyed that
Looks wise they look amazing
Always thought if it had pop up headlights it would look so much better
I've owned mine since new and have no plans to ever sell it.
Removing the CDV does help with the clutch/gearbox but there is still an art to driving it smoothly (but can be done).
More than anything it just feels special and full of character, by comparison the M2 I recently owned was one of the most disappointing and frustrating cars I've ever had.
Shift at just above 2k from 1st to 2nd for smooth getaway. Foot off the gas. Worth getting gearbox and drivetrain rubber mounts sorted after 10 yrs. Chassis is so stiff, they get a workout. Flush the gearbox too.
He muses about the gearbox.. it is indeed the same gearbox as the standard Z4 used. The E46 M3 tranny couldn't be used because it didn't fit. I did CDV's in both of my Z4MC's and for me, I could barely tell any difference.
@@BrakRulesAll Not sure its the same ZF gearbox. Ratios are different.
I just saw one yesterday on the M1 motorway here on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺
Wow! Jay,
You’re on fire with this review. Your input was brilliant, addressing everything that I wanted to ask about. I have been eyeing this car as my bmw #3 in my collection (3 series 6MT wagon/128i 6MT MSport). I can’t see any huge downside except for the suspension. Most wouldn’t care about hard core street 0-100km times with this, imho, making the transmission 1-2 less of an issue. It has to be considerably more passion infused than the 128i manual with m sport package; although I do love this car as well. Thanks a ton!
While JayEmm is a great car reviewer, hes definitely not a track aficionado. And that's not meant as a slight. The Z4M is just a car that was really meant for the track too much out of the box. I actually have mine on coil overs for the suspension. But the ride is very stiff. But it is stiff because the chassis is exceptionally rigid. Between my Caymen S and the Z4M, you can just tell that the Z4M is far more at home on the track. It is also far cheaper to modify and maintain than the Porsche. Doing a CDV delete corrects the issue with shifting in 1st and 2nd gear. It also needs a thicker rear sway bar. If tuned properly the Z4MC is a phenomenal car for the track.
The ride isn't stiff because the chassis is Rigid, the ride is stiff because BMW ballsed it up. My Lotus Evora was just as stiff but rode miles better.
The Z4M isn't so much a natural track car, but that's the place where its issues will be far less obvious
@@JayEmmOnCars You're right (a rigid chassis has nothing to do with the ride) - remember that this car was put together in the US (at Spartanburg), with the engine, gearbox and drivetrain being shipped from Germany. I suspect the chassis tuners at Spartanburg set it up for American freeways...
@@Audidude I don't think they did. The freeways around Spartanburg are awful.
When you think of torsional rigidity it is best to think of the chassis as the "fifth spring". You have four independent dampers for each wheel. If you're really interested in learning the affect of chassis rigidity on ride and handling there is a great book called Chassis Engineering by Herb Adams that explains this in great detail. The problem with the Z4MC is that they dramatically increased the torsional rigidity of the chassis, compared to the actual frame the car is based on, which is a roadster, but did not put a more compliant suspension on for the car. The Z4MC should have been equipped with a lower spring rate suspension for stock road use in order to make the car not ride like $&*#. But when you couple a very stiff chassis with very stiff suspension you get a very harsh ride (your fifth spring is not allowing much flexibility). The Z4MC is actually stiffer than an Evora (32,000 Nm compared with 27,000 Nm) but the biggest reason they ride differently on the road is because the Evora uses a softer stock spring setup that makes the car handle rougher road surfaces in a much more composed manner. There is also the issue of oversteer and weight balance with the Z4MC. In order to make the car understeer (mainly for terrible drivers in the U.S. I'll admit) they had to put a stiffer suspension on the front end of the car. This makes the front of the car complete garbage from the factory. I would highly suggest reviewing a modified Z4MC on the track if you ever get a chance as it becomes quite a different animal! Cheers!
i have a 2.2 z4 and although it isn't the M i do agree with most of what is said here......but the last comment is absolutely spot on....i use mine everyday now and on some days it annoys the hell out of me, rough ride, always seems to be a new problem after i have fixed the problem before...electrical gemlins are starting too which are frustrating...BUT on a good day, maybe even just sat on the motorway cruising or maybe on a country road, this car is brilliant and i love it again.....it really is like a mini tvr.... lol
I have a Z4 3.0si coupe. Also black. I saw a married couple driving a convertible Corvette today. They passed me by, positively drooling over my little car, both heads on a swivel. I laughed and said, "That's right, you bitches.". The E85-86s are truly sone of the prettiest BMWs ever made.
Love this channel
It is pretty spot on and well done this one! Glad I did’nt sell mine until I got proper suspension, now it’s s great sportscar.
I love my M coupe. Works well with the tail hanging out on the track too. ;)
I’ve had a 3.0i z4 for the last 6 years. It’s the longest lasting of all the sports cars we’ve had, including 3 Porsches. I agree it’s flawed mainly by the rock hard suspension and run flats but it’s hilarious to drive , especially in the wet. Big boot and cruise makes it reasonably practical to. However I looked for a z4m but the £500 ved put me off.
It's a pity they're fetching silly money. A 13 year old car that cost ~£45k fetching high 20's! Crazy
Find me a new car with:
1) straight six engine
2) manual gearbox
3) hydraulic steering rack
4) rwd
5) under 1500kg
It's priced this high because there's nothing else to replace it. It's the last in its class
I can assure you that the ride in in a Z4 roadster is equally hard. If you fancy trying a Z4 at the other end of the spectrum my Z4 2.5 auto is available to try.
Best bang for buck was the removal of clutch delay valve which think was an original unit just drilled out sorry it was way back 2008. Best looking mods original CSL wheels and replacement carbon fibre roof added on silver car.
I miss my Z4M. The best thing by far about the car is the S54. Easily one of the most sublime engines BMW have ever made. The gear change is a handful for first & second, especially when it's cold. You often hear quite a bit of diff whine early in the gears too. These are all common due to fairly tight tolerances but when it gets going, my God is it a fun car. Absolutely terrible on long journeys though due to the boneshaking ride!
10:56 that must have been scary !
Beautiful car! I aspire to own one one day...🤞
Super cool car. One tip, put a KKS valve controlled catback on and with the flip of a switch it gets from civilized mini Aston to an absolute hooligan :-) Currently one of the most underrated cars in my view. With boring hybrids, artificial pops and burbles, soundless driving in the future that will surely change. Modern cars are soooo mehhhhh :-)
modded out 350z boy checking in. getting all giddy and excited, when you complain; about stiff suspension and clutch off the line. It sounds like a car that was more designed for me from the factory.
Owning a Z4 coupe I know what he means about the gearbox and suspension. Not a great car for driving in traffic around town, but fantastic fun to blast around the back roads
Flawed...? I dont see it.
Went sell my '06 M Roadster and cancelled the sale the night before pickup. I just could not do it!
I've previously noted that the "bunny hopping" 1st and 2nd gear changes you criticise the car for, are not a "feature" of mine - in fact I find the 'box very smooth in the lower gears apart from being a bit notchy when cold, as was the 'box in my E39 M5. I now wonder if you had the Sport mode on, because when it is the car takes on a very different and twitchy character on the throttle at low speed and gentle throttle settings. It's definitely not something to use around town, or for "gentle" starts, as you could definitely bunny hop then. In fact I leave mine off all the time, and if/when I get to the track, I'll use it then. Maybe...
I never drive with sport mode on. In these cars in particular it just ruins the throttle
My E85 has 218 ps and It feels like a lot.
I'd love 338 ps.
Can't be bad.
I'm going to say something controversial: the 30si is a nicer car to own long term
What would you have either the z4m coupe or a 996 c4s? As they are around the same value
996 C4S. Have owned both
The Z4M is rare and looks more better from an aesthetic point of view, the 996 looks dated, ok yes it's a classic but Z4 pops.
@@JayEmmOnCars I've got both a Z4 M Coupe and a 996 C2 manual. If I could only keep one it'd be the 911,but I absolutely love the different character of the M.
No do not get a 996 unless you have documentation of repair for the IMS/RMS issues within the last 20,000 miles or 4 years. I've owned the 997 with the same problem and it is incredibly expensive to repair unless you can do it yourself. IF you can DIY that job (it involved dropping the transmission) than I would say go ahead, it's a pretty good and underrated car. IMS/RMS is about a $4,000 job here in the states.
It has been a long time since I saw a 996 in the UK for sale which hasn't had those replaced. It's like E92 M3 rod bearings - everyone gets them done or no one wants to buy their car
Whhaaaat I didn’t know you owned one I think its...incredible. There’s a few VERY minor changes that can change a few habits and mannerisms for the better
As a current owner. There are something I’m agreed about like the first to second shifting, that really have to get used to. Remove CDV really helps!!! Also the ride is not too nice on the bad roads and I also have 19s wheel. This car is a parts-bin M car. Rolled off the factory with 18inch wheels and bad tire. Also the stock pads are not good at all on track. So the journalist didn’t understand why BMW even bother building this car (e92 m3 is out by 07 and not too much more expansive and everyone is crazy about it.)
Stock pads in most cars are rarely any good on track and neither is the brake fluid - it's one of the first things to upgrade before tracking a car. How do you find the CSL brakes (assuming you have the Coupe) on track with good pads?
@@Audidude I had the hawk street/race pads and endless fluid, stop tech ss break line. the CSL brakes are fine and my setup is pretty consistent on track. You do want more pistons tho. Single piston is not enough compare to modern sports car's.
Loving the voiceover 😁
Z3 M coupe IMO is the best and most special looking car BMW built in years better than Z4s
I have a E85 Z4M-Roadster, which I got as the prices for Coupe's were too high. The Roadsters are a touch softer than the Coupe and with a different wrack,
Would you please make up your mind, Mr Dickens! Was it the best of times, or was it the worst of times? It could hardly be both!
I have a 2006 BMW Z4 2.5SI if you ever want to shoot a video on it james.
They look amazing
Yes agreed on pretty much everything J said. I've owned my silver z4mc for 8/9 years, and it is flawed. But totally offset against the dramatic drive available to you, and the sense of occasion that it is to look at, sound, and be inside. I don't know that I can ever get rid of it! Nothing else produced en masse these days short of a Porsche GT model seems to have the rawness the z4m possesses to my mind. The engine comes through and dominates in a way that other M cars it does not. Flawed, but oh so wonderful.... Better for nice tarmac, and scary to drive on the limit on b roads - it just can't put the power down it has with such stuff / crashy ride. Steering is not light, but it does communicate to you. I think it has enough feel.
One thing that J did not mention that drives me spare about the car is the awful design where the glass on the hatch joins the metal at the bottom. It leaves a 0.5 inch 'ditch' (swimming pool..) that water and anything thing like dust, muck insects and all else can collect / congregate / breed. Not a great design feature!
Agree 100%, and this is why, when cars are becoming increasingly huge, heavy, disconnected, refined, sanitised, and electric, and un-analogue, the Z4 M Coupe, as one of last cars to be the antithesis of all these things, as well as exceptionally rare, will become highly sought after. I bought mine with investment in mind, but dammit, I don't know if I'll ever be able to sell it! That's a good thing 😊
Try the. 2016 Z4Mi. Convertible. I own it and its awesome.
Was that '40' written on the road there Jay...
I agree on the gears lol. 1-2nd are awful and suspension is also terrible. I have KW V3 on mine and it's still the same lol. However, overall, it's a gem. I think it's you just need more skill in driving for people to appreciate this car. I enjoy driving my Z4MC more than my 991RS on normal roads.
I absolutely agree. I did not really appreciate my Z4MC until I drove it on the same tracks I had driven my Cayman S on. It's a car that does require skill and finesse to handle well. Stiffening up the rear suspension also made the car oversteer biased which I enjoy coming from several Porsches.
I don't agree with the numb steering comment at all. The steering rack on the Z4M is one of the best ever. It's very direct and communicates the road surface well (too well sometimes when just cruising). It really shines when carving up canyon roads or at the track. Saying that it is numb made me doubt if you ever drove the car the way it was meant to be driven. I agree with everything else in the video though, ride is stiff, hard to take off smoothly, comes to life at higher rpms etc.
Trust me, it's numb. The car responds to your input well and all that, but it just doesn't talk to you. The R8 is similar. Try a Lotus or a McLaren and you'll see just how bad the steering is
I own a BMW Z4 Si coupe with the M sports suspension, I can understand the flawed nature of the Z4M as my own car suffers similar flaws, but the flaws in the Z4M is now made worse by the extra power of the S54 engine which on its own is a master piece. I have driven the E46M which drives brilliantly, there is something about the Z4 that makes it very spiky and snappy, the Z4 Si has an adequate 265 bhp and I will not want it to have 340 bhp in the same car. I enjoy driving the slower Z4 fast but I have doubt if I will enjoy driving the Z4M slow. However all the best sports cars are flawed and initially rejected. I love the Z4 with its agelessly beautiful design.
I had a Z4 Si coupe too, but like JayEmm with the Z4M I felt the same way. A timeless beauty, a lovely place to sit and engaging to drive - the engine in these cars are special. But in the end the tramlining with run flats and the harsh ride became tiring, frustrating and left me disappointed. The Z4 coupe or M could have been so much better. I've since taken the plunge with Porsche and now have a 981 Cayman, which has the perfect blend of balance, poise, is surprisingly comfortable and has a feel good factor, but lacks the rawness of the previous gen 986/987 or the Z4 Coupe.
The throttle map from BMW's sport mode is overkill on the Z4M. That makes it far to snappy. I got a custom tune for mine for track use and it make the throttle much less abrupt. I love driving the e92 M3, but you really feel the weight when it's on a track.
@@spencerh1813 agreed, the Sport mode makes the car even more twitchy on the throttle and especially the steering, which is totally unnecessary on the road. I suspect the Germans who designed the car didn't expect the suspension tuners in Spartanburg would get the suspension settings so wrong...
I am older than you Jay, but think the best ever looking BMW is the 507, not that I am that old... :-) Now if you get one of those on your channel, you will automatically go to the top of the class..!!!
I wish I could, my buddy Stef ABTV got to drive one though! Lucky git
Hey Nissan this is how you make a successor to the Fairlady Z!
It sounds better from the inside than the rear!
The worst car I ever drove in the murderous Johannesburg traffic just like the e46 M3, the clutch was a nightmare, but also the car that I had the most fun in on the Johannesburg highway system late at night when there was minimal traffic...
It is a Sports car, so suspension should be tight, the seat should also be on the stiff side, so you fill what the car is doing around the corners or straight. this car is not for Softys.
Sports car suspension does not need to be stiff. Ask Lotus or Ferrari
If it has such a harsh ride why does he have 19" rims? I would be using 17s.
The 19s will definitely make an already hard riding car much harder!
Those wheels are forged and should be lighter than the quite-heavy factory Type 225's in 18". Less unsprung weight helps make up for the lesser sidewall.
Kevin Collins the factory OEM wheels are Style 224
The last was the 57 plate
where is that, looks like east sussex