BMW Z4M Coupe to 370z? Test drive
 

As I posted a few weeks ago, my BMW Z4MCoupe will be coming off of lease in a few months and I have begun shopping early.

I test drove a 370Z Touring with Sport, but a roadster, not a coupe earlier today and was very impressed.

The 370Z was a MUCH softer ride than my MCoupe. I did not push the engine as it was a new car and didn't want to rev too high on a car that I knew I wasn't going to buy. I did take it out on some local twisties and was impressed with its handling. Some of the roads were rough, and I was afraid the 19" wheels were going to show lack of side wall cushioning, but they were just fine.

The rev match on downshift was great. I am really good at heel/toe downshifts, but not as good as the 370Z electronics... most impressive.

At the 1st stop light pulling out of the dealer another car's driver rolled down his window to say what a cool car. I asked the salesman how many "plants" he had set up. He was grinning like crazy to have a comment from a stranger boosting his product.

Again, I did not take the car anywhere near engine, braking, or cornering limits, but I was impressed with what I did.

When I got back in my BMW after the test drive, I was naturally, back in my comfort zone with the smoothest and greatest 6 cylinder made, yet I am now tempted to go over to the "dark side" rather than buy out my lease.

Any comments re: the two cars would be welcomed.

EB

IMO buying out a car you already leased is not good. You should have bought it out right if you thought you might do this.

[QUOTE=T I did not push the engine as it was a new car and didn't want to rev too high on a car that I knew I wasn't going to buy.[/QUOTE]

Bless you. +1 rep :tiphat:

"Any comments re: the two cars would be welcomed."

I've seen exactly three (3) 370Zs since I bought mine in November 2009

I see three Z4s daily in CT :tup:

Im in Eatotown NJ right now for some classes and I havent seen a 370Z yet. Lots of Porsche, BMWs and Mercs. I see rich people.

I think the 370 looks much better than the Z4.

I find the Z4 a designer overdosed car.

It's like they couldn't stop designing it.

+ BMWs here are associated with stuck up arseholes

I have had a 2004 G35 coupe and a 2006 G35 coupe and now the 2010 Z. Love the ride, sound and feel of the Z so much more. This car makes me smile every time I look at it.

Just gotta get past 1200 miles so I can really enjoy it.

E

It was actually a very good decision as the residual on the lease is much higher than the true depreciated cost at which I can purchase the car. BMWFS will be absorbing the bulk of the depreciation versus me.

That was not my original intent, but it has worked out very well if I choose to buy at lease end.

The main question is buying my own 3 year old used car or a new 370Z. The prices are not all that different.

As far as exclusivity (which I could care less about), I have seen only 1 other Z4M Coupe in almost three years, and that was at a Z3/4 driving event.


EB

I just turned in my '07 Z4 on my 36 month lease. My buyout price was $26,400, BMW agreed to lower that by $1000. 8.75% tax here in CA plus new registration fee and I was looking at about $28,500. So I pick up the newspaper and see a BMW dealer add for an '07 3.0 CPO like mine for $24,775 asking price. Our leases were based on unrealistic residuals, so it makes no sense at all to buy it. If your heart is still on the Z4, BMW just announced a $2500 incentive, further evidence that they overpriced the new Z4.

I have a pearl white 370Z roadster on order, delivery expected in about three weeks. Sales price before tax and license $37,000 vs. the Z4 at about 55K. I know the cars aren't the same but is the Z4 worth 20K more? When I turned it in, the BMW dealer asked me what I was getting. When I told him about the price difference he said, I would have done the same thing.

My brother has a 07 imola red Z4 MC and I've driven it a few times. Fabulous car...lots of fun. A little raspy above 4000 rpm, but virtually gone when he installed an Eisenmann exhaust. It has good acceleration and handling, but a bit rough riding compared to the 370Z. Because the seating position is so far back, it has a very exaggerated long hood and very short rear, so I find it difficult to judge distances when parking. I bug him all the time about how he's practically sitting on the rear axle. :-) The Z4M brakes are very touchy compared to a more even feel between gas and brake pedals on the 370Z. Both are awesome cars and are very similar in performance and handling. I find the 370Z easier to live with as a daily driver, plus I've always been a Z fan.

The Z4M is a rare car as only 1800 were made for North America. I've seen a few Z4 M roadsters locally, but never an M coupe. I chose a 40th anniversary Z, which is rare b/c only 1000 will be made. My brother says he wouldn't trade in his car for a 370Z, but would hands down choose the 370Z over the current Z4 model. I won't trade my Z for a Z4 MC...stalemate in our case. I'm sure you'll hear the same arguments from different people. It all boils down to personal preference. For what it's worth, I'm a very satisfied Z owner so far and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone else. Good luck in your decision.

I've driven the z4mc as well prior to purchasing the 370. I felt that the level of engineering was superb and didn't really have any complaints. The motor sounds a LOT better on the z4m than it does on the e46 m3 i noticed. To me it was just a personal preference. My choice was either a used z4mc or a new 370. Pretty much identical performance, identical practicality, but I didn't feel comfortable paying 35k for a 3 year old car with a sub par track record in terms of reliability. I'm very happy with the Z, and i'm coming from an s2k, and an mkiv supra. Both the Z4mc and the 370 do what they were designed to do very well and boils down to personal preference in my opinion. Gluck!

I fully agree that the leases were based on inflated residuals to make the leases attractive. BMWFS (FS=Financial Services) is an odd duck. They will no longer negotiate the buy back price, but you can do so with the dealer, and it does not have to be the dealer which originally sold you the car. Any BMW dealer can call BMWFS and get their current "Dynamic Price" (secret number based on the auction value), and then sell you the car. A friend negotiated with 2 dealers and ended up buying his car for $7,000 less than residual. This is what I was referring to when I said that you could make BMW take the depreciation hit. I'm sorry your dealer didn't make you a more attractive offer.

In any case, enjoy you new car. After yesterday's drive, I have a new respect for the 370Z.

EB

We agree on all points. The Z4MC is a rougher ride that the 370Z, and by an amount that surprised me. Also, because of the extreme rear seat placement, all of your observations there are dead on. You do, however, learn distances very quickly, so it is no problem after a couple of days.

The brakes are touchier, but wow, what amazing stopping power. I've driven P-cars before this Z4MC and thought they had powerful brakes, but the Z4MC puts them to shame. I have never felt such stopping power, and again, you quickly learn how not to be touchy.

We also feel the same about the new Z4. The 370Z hands down.

Thanks for your comments.

EB

I won't pay $35,000, but I might pay $29,000. My reliability has been excellent so far, but I would still be buying a 3 year old used car, even if it is my used car.

Maybe with if they toss in CPO it would give me some comfort, but that would probably cost an additional $2,000.

EB

got mine new for 27.5k, if there are any 09's left on the lots, you could probably do even better.

They stopped making the Z4M in both coupe and roadster in mid-08, but you did give me the idea to see if there are any of those left over. Very slim chance, but who knows?

EB

I was talking about my Z :tup:

+1. got my 2009 nismo for 32 and some change.

^^whoa!..you came up on that one!!

Good luck with your decision. Either way, you win! :D

When did you buy it, how many miles? Just curious

3 weeks ago. 40 miles on it.
I did have a major headache after i left the dealer.

Last month my decision came down to a 2008 Z4M coupe or a 2010 370z. First off, maintenance is going to be far cheaper on the the 370z, as it does not need synthetic. I originally fell in love with the BMW as it posed a more comfortable interior, a more quite ride, and overall more elegant appeal. It also did have the M engine which also gave it unbelievable credibility, but I was always second guessing whether or not it was exactly what I wanted. I went and tested a 2010 Z with Sport package and quickly realized that this was a more sportier, driver enthused, traditional sports car. Two days later the dealership delivered a 40th anniversary edition, fully loaded, and i bought it. Everywhere I go people stop and look at it. The thing about the Z4M is that it doesnt have the overall sports car look/appeal that the 370Z offers. So, if you want a more sporty feeling, less expensive, fun ride, get the 370Z. If you need all the extra luxuries and comforts, stick with the BMW. Let me know if you have any questions, just PM me.

I will just say

I get these reponses.

is that a porsche
damn this car is pretty
please go and do a WOT this car demands it
and so on

while the Z4 here is associated with old rich arrogant ********

Well I guess that makes me an ************ :icon17:

While the Z4M is a BMW it is unlike any other BMW I have ever been in. You either love the looks or can't stand them, and as the previous poster said, the M engine is just breathtaking. It is a 3.2 liter inline 6 kicking out over 330 hp at 7900 rpm (8000 rpm redline) that revs so damned quickly and smoothly, as an inline 6 is inherently in balance unlike any V ( except a V-12).

The car is tractable in town yet is a beast on the track right out of the box. The stock pads even work for mild track use, but for very serious racing/lapping a track specific pad is best. I never experience brake fade, over heating, or other common track related problems. Hell, its LSD even has cooling fins as part of the casting.

I would buy another Z4M Coupe' if they still made them, but I won't touch the new Z4, because I believe it has crossed over into being a boulevard cruiser... still kind of sporty, but not raw any longer, and my current car is raw as hell when I open it up.

I signed on to this forum and opened this thread because the 370Z does appeal to me. I understand I would need to add an oil cooler, but that doesn't seem to be a big deal (Nissan should have offered that as a factory option). I wanted to get feed back from current owners because, as much as I like my current car, if I bought it, I'd be buying a 3 year old car for a little less than a new 370Z.

So, from a ********, thanks for the inputs so far. Any other comments would be welcomed.

EB

Its pretty crazy how much attention this 370z draws. Just like when I had an s2000 in 2000. I put the S emblems on it and NO ONE knew what the hell it was and everywhere I went I was answering questions about it.

Everyone seems to love it, Not just young kids and yound adults. But adults as well. My girls father always said it was a " POS Jap Toy Car " when we would come there, One day I threw him the keys and said go drive it. About 10 minutes later he came back, my first comment was, too loud ? And he's like " No, I love it " " 6 gears too, huh " He is a Ford die hard and even he liked it so I was thrown back by that one, lol.

Everyone thinks im rich and I try to explain it costs much less than the camry they drive fully loaded , or the fully loaded 3.5 altima or maxima, the 370z just offers the most bang for your buck..

the bmw is going to be sweet and everyone knows it, its the safe bet or the easy way out I guess you can say. My girl has a 325xi and I love the damn thing as far as comfort and options go, but until neccsary I will rock my little 2 seater sport cars that get me the most bang for my buck. Which is the 370z.

I must say I am a fan of the new STI though, thats a car I would drive if I didnt just get my Z. The AWD is key... the z4m isnt offered in X-Drive is it ?

It's true here.

See somebody speeding hard? 8 out of 10=BMW
Cutting lanes and just driving dangerously? 8 out of 10=BMW
Crashes by speeding? 7 out of 10=BMW

and it goes on and on

And I actually counted up the cases I posted above so im not pulling **** out of my *** :roflpuke2:

So you subscribe to the theory that the difference between a BMW driver and a porcupine is that with the porcupine the prick is on the outside. (insert Porsche for BMW if you want)

EB

No, it was offered in rear wheel drive only, as a proper 2 seat sports should be.

And the Z4M was discontinued mid-2008.

EB