Z4 Coupe vs Z4 M Coupe?

Can some Z4 experts here please list the pros and cons comparing the two cars? Of course the Z4 M coupe is more expensive and has a bigger engine, but when I look at the brochures of both cars and the official 0-60 MPH time there is just 0.7 sec difference (5.6 vs 4.9). And the regular Z4 coupe actually has a weight advantage over the Z4 M coupe as it is 122 lbs lighter and a better F/R weight distribution and therefore probably handles better. I've driven the Z4 and I think the handling is just fine and I already have a pretty fast Sti. So, by choosing a "regular" Z4 coupe over the Z4 M coupe what am I missing besides the slight performance difference?

just to list some differences:

front bumper
rear bumper
quad exhausts
hood
M badge
imola red, interlagos blue, sepang bronze

engine
suspension
CSL brakes
rims
non run-flat tyres

steering wheel
seats


if the ///M factor is not a big deal for you, the 3.0si could be the right choice.. specially if you need auto/step with paddle shift and a more comfortable ride

im not a huge fan of the z4's styling but the m-coupe does look damn good

It's like the difference between the regular WRX and the STi. People buy the ///M for the same reasons. Best of breed.

I would think the M's would be better.

Even without that, I think a car with better brakes and better handling, and better acceleration that can be used to avoid trouble , would be the safer car.

From my wallet perspective, relatively speaking, the M is a bargin upgrade - so was the M3 vs. the 330si.

That said, I drove a 3.0si Z4 roadster and found it to be more than satisfactory on acceleration, braking, handling .

I think the steering on the M is the normal hydraulic version instead of the electric versions BMW installs on non-M's.

Originally Posted by SlowSti

Can some Z4 experts here please list the pros and cons comparing the two cars? Of course the Z4 M coupe is more expensive and has a bigger engine, but when I look at the brochures of both cars and the official 0-60 MPH time there is just 0.7 sec difference (5.6 vs 4.9). And the regular Z4 coupe actually has a weight advantage over the Z4 M coupe as it is 122 lbs lighter and a better F/R weight distribution and therefore probably handles better. I've driven the Z4 and I think the handling is just fine and I already have a pretty fast Sti. So, by choosing a "regular" Z4 coupe over the Z4 M coupe what am I missing besides the slight performance difference?

It really depends what you're looking for and are willing to spend. From a pure sports car performance perspective, the acceleration, braking, lateral G's and overall balance cannot and should not be compared. I purchased a ZHP vs an M3 in 2004 ($20K difference here in Canada) and then proceeded to spend $10K in DINAN mods all the while kicking myself for not buying the M.

Originally Posted by dwaynemosley

I think the steering on the M is the normal hydraulic version instead of the electric versions BMW installs on non-M's.

Correct.

Go with the M Coupe.

hmmm...the game will be awfully close when they put the twin turbo direct injection engine into the3 Z4 coupe form the 335Ci

No it won't. Turbo is just one of those magical words that automatically brings up feelings of speed in people.

It will never be an ///M, because an M is more than just an engine.

brrrrrrrtt brrrrrrrrrrt

One pro for the 3.0si that has not been mentioned is fuel economy.

I already own an S54 MZ3 coupe, so currently I am thinking the non-M Z4 coupe is the right choice for me. It will be an even better choice if and when some of the usual Z4 factory-dealer incentives come around. MSRP to MSRP, the M is a pretty good bargain for what you get in the upgrade.

Originally Posted by jameswbl

hmmm...the game will be awfully close when they put the twin turbo direct injection engine into the3 Z4 coupe form the 335Ci

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for that. The twilight years of the Z4 platform are upon us and given the rate that they sell at, I doubt too much more money will be sunk into the platform.

Just my opinion, but I think this is it for the next 3-ish remaining years of this platform, except for colors and trim changes.

Originally Posted by Zuzax

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for that. The twilight years of the Z4 platform are upon us and given the rate that they sell at, I doubt too much more money will be sunk into the platform.

18 M Coupes sold in October for a 2006 total of 184.

Originally Posted by Zuzax

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for that. The twilight years of the Z4 platform are upon us and given the rate that they sell at, I doubt too much more money will be sunk into the platform.

Just my opinion, but I think this is it for the next 3-ish remaining years of this platform, except for colors and trim changes.

I am inclined to agree, except I don't think there's much -ish on that 3.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

18 M Coupes sold in October for a 2006 total of 184.

(one of the 18)

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

18 M Coupes sold in October for a 2006 total of 184.

I'm also one of the 18.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

18 M Coupes sold in October for a 2006 total of 184.

I find that hard to believe, you said about 200 something have been sold last time you brought up these stats.

There's a difference between sold and ordered. Sold means the customer has taken delivery (edit: or that the dealer has otherwise indicated that the car has been sold; i.e.: punched the car). My dealer checked pending orders when I took delivery and I think the number was just shy of 300 cars. Ron indicated in another post that this number increased to 400 cars with November allocations. Since the 2007 cars appear to be held up, October sales figured are unaffected by the significant number of cars in the pipeline.

It's the weight of the "last generation" cast iron M3 engine that kind of bothers me....Yes it is more powerful but it also puts more weight over the front wheels....The "regular" Z4 coupe has a newer/lighter mag/alum engine which gives better weight distribution. Putting power aside, do you guys think the regular Z4 (with sport package) would out handle the Z4M in the mountain or autocross?

Originally Posted by dwaynemosley

I'm also one of the 18.

and Im another one three october Mcoupes acounted for

Originally Posted by Cliff3

Since the 2007 cars appear to be held up, October sales figured are unaffected by the significant number of cars in the pipeline.

Very good.

Originally Posted by SlowSti

It's the weight of the "last generation" cast iron M3 engine that kind of bothers me....Yes it is more powerful but it also puts more weight over the front wheels....The "regular" Z4 coupe has a newer/lighter mag/alum engine which gives better weight distribution. Putting power aside, do you guys think the regular Z4 (with sport package) would out handle the Z4M in the mountain or autocross?

Yea, sure, maybe. When cars get driven by slow drivers too long they get domesticated.

Hey, I'm all for the M car and all, but I think you're overlooking something. C&D (yeah, not the best source!) tested a Z4 3.0si and recognized that even with runflats it handled better than the M Roady. It also wasn't much slower, maybe 0.3 seconds to sixty and the 1/4 and was significantly lighter. I would suspect that a Z4 3.0si coupe with the same tires as an M Coupe (removing the runflats) would probably outhandle the M car due to lower weight and by having a lighter enging hanging out in front, potentially causing less understeer and quicker transitions.

Would it be huge? No, not at all. But it's not like we're talking about a taxi cab versus a Ferrari here. It's pretty darn close and outside of some cosmetics, some red needles on the guages, a little bit of power and a good bit of money, these two cars are more similar than divergent. I like both cars and wouldn't hold it against any one if they chose either one over the other.

I test drove a 3.0 coupe, I can tell you the M is still superior.

I can't believe no-one has mentioned the LSD difference between the two cars Power is no good if you can't use it...