BMW Z4M Coupe --> 370Z ??
 

First post:

I am currently driving and thoroughly enjoying a 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe. It will be coming off of lease in a few months (I like to shop for cars early), and I have no interest what-so-ever in the new Z4 hardtop convertible. The new Z4 has grown in size, has no M version, and just doesn't appeal to me. BMW is talking about a higher performing (higher boost pressure) on the current 3.0 liter twin turbo to give more torque and HP, but that is still speculation, and will end up pushing the current higher performance Z4's ridiculous price even higher, without even addressing M-style handling and braking.

I have a couple of choices: 1) Buy my current ride at 3 years old for ~ $30M, or 2) buy a new something else. I have driven P-cars for many years, and don't want to go that route, which leaves me with a 370Z as a viable candidate. I am also drawn to an Exige, but they are more track toys.

The last Z-car I loved was a friend's 240. I hated the 300ZX, liked the 350Z, and think the 370Z might a winner.

I've done some research, and know I would want the Sport Package and 6mt, but unsure whether Base or Touring. The car would be my daily driver, weekend canyon carver, and a few times/year track car.

I really like my current Z4MC, but it will be 3 years old, and for nearly the same price I could get a new 370Z.

Any and all comment and feedback would be welcomed. I have never owned a Nissan, let alone a Z.

Thanks,

EB

top gear test drove both the new Z4 and the 370z at the same time. check the vid... just to see and i know your not getting the new z4..but have a look.

for a daily driver and canyon runner... touring package gives you comforts.

you hated the 300ZX?!?!

exits thread (don't let a forum pick a car for you, pick the car you want)

First of all, welcome to The370Z.com. We are very glad to have you with us in our forum. Please feel free to share pictures of your current and previous cars

Looking at your choices, do you really want to drive the Z4 any longer? I personally get tired of ANY car if I drive more than 2 years ( 3 years is max) In my honest opinion, why not give the 370Z a try? Coming from a Z4, I can def tell you Z is a more aggressive, noisy, harsh raw sports car. If that's okay with you, then you'll like the 370Z. I also saw where you mentioned that you liked 350Z. If you liked 350Z, then you'll absolutely LOVE the 370Z without a doubt.

Stig actually ran a better time (half second quicker) with the 370Z than the brand new 2010 Z4 ;)


Coming from a BMW, I def suggest Touring model with sports. But if you want to save 4000 dollars, then base+sports will do the job just fine. It's the lightest and most performance oriented out of the box spec. (this is what I have).


I say, go to your nearest dealer and ask for a test drive on a sport 6speed 370Z. Make sure you test out the SyncroRev match feature. I haven't turned it off since I left the dealer.


If you DO plan to take the Z to a track (long road courses), it's suggested that you put a oil cooler. But for everyday driving, it's not necessary.

Keep us posted. thanks.

I didn't realize you were talking about Z4 M. I thought you said regular Z4. :o

Power is almost identical in both cars. So, it's upto you to test drive the Z and find out if it's really worth buying.

The Z4M is a nice car. The interior is gorgeous, which makes sense, as it was much more expensive new.

The Z4 also feels much more like a classic sports car to me: compact, tight. The Z has a bit more of a muscle car feel, though it's not nearly as cavernous or bulky as a Mustang. The odd thing to me was to see that the 370Z and the Z4M are within 50 lbs. of each other because the Z4 definitely *feels* much smaller.

The driving experience feels different too, because you sit so far back in the Z4 compared to the 370. The 370 really does pivot around your head, where the Z4 feels like you're a bit on for the ride. Numbers are similar on both, but it's well worth a drive. I'd be very interested in your opinion. The 370 will be louder for sure on the highway.

The one thing I don't like about the BMWs is that they feel more digital to me. Part of that is refinement, but I also feel like it can be hard to sense the throttle, the shift points, and the steering quite as much as the Z. That's likely one for personal preference...

As far as packages, I say base+sport, personally. The Bose isn't worth a crap anyway, and though I do like the job Nissan did on the leather, it wasn't worth the extra $. I actually wouldn't be surprised if you like your M better after a drive, but I'll be curious to find out what you think.

If you haven't already, it's probably also worth driving a used Cayman S (sacrilege on a Z board, I know). You can find good ones for $40K in basically mint condition (Porsche owners can be more anal than anyone).

I was disappointed in the interior and I just didn't fit properly in it, but it is a better pure sports car than either the Z or the Z4M, and it won't need as many add-ons as the Z to go on the track, if that's your thing.

I imagine compared to a Z4M, the 370z will feel a bit less refined. That can be taken as a good or bad thing depending on what you want.

If you're after a "hot car" - the Z is it, if you're after a car that won't make the old lady complain while she's on a cell phone, the G37 is the other side of that same performance coin. (same platform)

The touring appealed to me because of the seats, primarily. The bose system isn't bad (better than most OEM), but isn't OMFG great, and I knew that going in. Sat radio doesn't appeal to me, but may to others. At the time, bluetooth wasn't something I cared about as my phone didn't have it - but my new one does, and I've got it set up, and it sure beats having to dig out my cell phone while driving! (like in my other vehicles)

Sport Package, unless you intend to go with higher-end aftermarket parts, is a must.

Navigation, I decided to go without - I know my way, I look at mapquest and memorize the route before I go, and can remember easily which ways I need to go to get back to where I came from (due mostly to doing the same with a motorcycle)

Anyhooooo

I cross shopped these cars when I was looking and found the BMW to feel more powerful but not as stuck to the ground. I like the looks of the Nissan better (subjective).

Things to consider - if you're going new on the BMW, the maintenance for the first few years is free. If you're going used on the BMW, maintenance can be expensive. The Nissan all out of pocket for the maintenance.

When you decide and/or test drive both, give us a post so we can hear your thoughts!

Kevin

Wow! What a fast bunch of responses!

nogoodname... thanks for the youtube post. I watched it immediately. Richard's seeming love of the new Z4 baffled me.

areyouin729... sorry, I really didn't care for the 300ZX: to each his own

AK370Z... The SynchroRev feature seems very, very cool. I am very good at heel/toe downshifts, whether on the track or in town, but even then I am not close to what I have seen demo'd on the SynchroRev. I would have to put an oil cooler on (is this a dealer install?), and I understand that track pads would also be needed for high speed track driving (Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, and certainly for Road America).

imag... I could care less about the sound system in a sports car, or nav when my blackberry has TeleNav on it. Bluetooth, though, is now almost a requirement.

kannibul... I drove a G35 before buying the Z4M. Very nice car, but not what either I or my wife wanted.

YellowZ.. at first I felt the Z4M lacked grip, and I was completely right, for as soon as I bought the car I took off the miserable OEM Conti SportContacts (1) and put on fatter Bridgestone RE-01's. What a difference! The car corners perfectly, and the grip in very predictable when reaching the limits. Also, I would be buying my current MCoupe, so I would have 1 more year of no cost maintenance and warranty.

The thing is I really like the MCoupe's styling and mechanics, but I can get a new 370Z for just a bit more $ than a 3 year old MCoupe. I will definely have to drive the Z. I looked at one yesterday, and it fits, but the weather precluded driving. Also the salesman knew the answers to only a few of my questions, and those were guesses. No run flats, right?

EB

See if a local dealer will give you a 1-hr test drive in a 2009 370Z. Mine did in September.

I'm a big BMW fan, but did not feel like shelling out $55k for one I could live with at this time and in this Economy.

I wound up buying a 2009 Z in November, Sport/Touring, for well under Invoice. I am very happy with my decision 1200 miles in. :tiphat:

I drove P-cars beginning in 1984 until this Z4M, and I just don't care for the Cayman or Cayman S. It's steering is as precise as any car I have ever experienced, but the car does nothing for my soul. My 928's and 911's did, but not the Cayman. The only two P-cars that excite me now are the GT3 and the Turbo, but both totally impractical and costly. The RMS problem has me avoiding the 911's. Rational or not, Porsche really turned me off when they left their customers hanging with an obvious design/manufacturing flaw.

The MCoupe feeds my soul making beastly speed and sounds all the way to its 8,000 red line, and I hope the 370Z will as well. I wish I could get the Exige out of my thinking, for I don't want a weekend only or track only car.

EB

"I have a couple of choices: 1) Buy my current ride at 3 years old for ~ $30M, or 2) buy a new something else."

OMG $30 million dollars!!! jk

Welcome, ebrude. It's nice to have another auto enthusiast on the board.

My thoughts in choosing the 370Z:

As a former 350Z owner, I am very happy with the evolution of the 370Z as performance first car. Lack of refinement in areas of interior and road noise didn't bother me either, as this is an extra car for sport driving. I have to also reiterate the sentiment of the Synchro rev - at first i thought it might be a little gimmicky and intrusive but it really is a nice feature if you choose to use.


I test drove an 09 Cayman 6MT and although its the most refined sports car ever driven, I wasn't comfortable (6'2") and it didn't invoke the emotional reaction the Z does. The muscular feel of the Z appeals to me much more so than the refined feel of the Cayman - particularly when accounting for cost difference.

The Sport package is a must, but money saved on Touring package will go a long way in covering oil cooler/brake pads for the track.

I see you are in Cleveland, I would recommend contantacting Lou Fusz Nissan (Forum Sponsor) if you have more questions. Lou has a great reputation, offers very competitive pricing, and is a Z enthusiast and is very knowledgeable.

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.