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      10-26-2015, 12:50 PM   #1
txx3ddq442
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M2 vs Z4M Coupe

I'm 1st on my dealer's wait list for the M2 but I'm already struggling to come to grips with saying goodbye to my Z4M Coupe (2007 Imola Red). While I'm sure (?) the M2 will outperform it, there's something special about the Z4M. Rarity. Simplicity. Raw enthusiasm. Connection to the road.

Will the M2 be "special"? Will it make me forget my Z4M?

Any speculation as to the relative handling prowess of the two platforms?

Help me out here... talk me off the ledge or give me the push I need to let go.
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      10-26-2015, 12:56 PM   #2
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keep both

just like how i'm keeping the Z4MC and an F80M3

although i've put on less than 3k miles the last year and half on the Z4MC. Less than 200 miles the last 6 months.
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      10-26-2015, 01:25 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by txx3ddq442 View Post
I'm 1st on my dealer's wait list for the M2 but I'm already struggling to come to grips with saying goodbye to my Z4M Coupe (2007 Imola Red). While I'm sure (?) the M2 will outperform it, there's something special about the Z4M. Rarity. Simplicity. Raw enthusiasm. Connection to the road.

Will the M2 be "special"? Will it make me forget my Z4M?

Any speculation as to the relative handling prowess of the two platforms?

Help me out here... talk me off the ledge or give me the push I need to let go.
i would say there is no way the M2 will be as connected or as raw or simple as the Z4M. If that is what you want----keep the Z4M. With every new generation of BMWs, the 'feel' is becoming less and less and the driving experience is succumbing to electronics and wizardry. The Z4M Coupe is a total classic, IMO.

if you are looking for a 'new' experience, get the M2 i say.
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      10-26-2015, 01:37 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by txx3ddq442 View Post
I'm 1st on my dealer's wait list for the M2 but I'm already struggling to come to grips with saying goodbye to my Z4M Coupe (2007 Imola Red). While I'm sure (?) the M2 will outperform it, there's something special about the Z4M. Rarity. Simplicity. Raw enthusiasm. Connection to the road.

Will the M2 be "special"? Will it make me forget my Z4M?

Any speculation as to the relative handling prowess of the two platforms?

Help me out here... talk me off the ledge or give me the push I need to let go.
Simple answer. "Add, not replace"

If you have to wait 2-3 years to be able to add an M2 to the Z4M, then do it. Especially if you know you've got a good one.
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      10-26-2015, 02:01 PM   #5
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I'm still kicking myself for letting a few cars go, and actively trying to buy back some of my father's cars. +1 on the add, don't replace. Keeping is infinitely easier than trying to get things back.
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      10-26-2015, 02:23 PM   #6
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I will forever lust after a Z4MC, and have seriously considered picking one up in lieu of an M2/3/4. At this point, though, I just can't make it work as my only car.
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      10-26-2015, 03:37 PM   #7
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I had a 2007 Z4 M coupe and traded it for a 2007 Z4 M roadster. Totally regret selling the coupe. It was certainly a head turner and a blast to drive.
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      10-26-2015, 04:09 PM   #8
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Don't let go of the Z4MC. Ever.

My dad gave his up a few years back and has regretted it ever since.
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      10-26-2015, 11:43 PM   #9
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Yeah, I have a Z4C (non-M) and I love it. But I wish BMW were still making cars like the Z4MC, because that would be the perfect upgrade.
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      10-27-2015, 12:27 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IEDEI View Post
i would say there is no way the M2 will be as connected or as raw or simple as the Z4M. If that is what you want----keep the Z4M. With every new generation of BMWs, the 'feel' is becoming less and less and the driving experience is succumbing to electronics and wizardry. The Z4M Coupe is a total classic, IMO.

if you are looking for a 'new' experience, get the M2 i say.
Is the 1M less raw than a Z4M? Never driven one just curious. I hope the M2 is similar in feel but seems like the only comparable car around now is a Cayman.
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      10-27-2015, 06:54 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by chris719
Quote:
Originally Posted by IEDEI View Post
i would say there is no way the M2 will be as connected or as raw or simple as the Z4M. If that is what you want----keep the Z4M. With every new generation of BMWs, the 'feel' is becoming less and less and the driving experience is succumbing to electronics and wizardry. The Z4M Coupe is a total classic, IMO.

if you are looking for a 'new' experience, get the M2 i say.
Is the 1M less raw than a Z4M? Never driven one just curious. I hope the M2 is similar in feel but seems like the only comparable car around now is a Cayman.
i have driven two Z4Ms and loved them...almost bought one in 2008. The 1M is the 'last' raw feeling M car I've driven....but I feel it is less raw than the Z4M. I do think the 1M feels very connected and is also challenging to drive well just like the Z4M though.

Part of the Z4M coupe charm, IMO, is the small shape and form which is really driver focused as opposed to a Coupe which had been turned into a full on sports car (like the 1M). The Z4 started as a sports car.

When I think of comparing the 1M and Z4 I feel they are complimentary to each other rather than one being better than the other. I think the M2 will essentially be a more refined and luxurious mainstream 1M....so I'm not sure that's what you're looking for. If you said you were going to ADD the M2 to your garage I would say go for it....but to sell/trade the Z4M coupe for it I'm not so sure.
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      10-27-2015, 02:48 PM   #12
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I'll add my support to the advice above. The M2 is going to be a great car and I'm going to add it (or an F80), but I will never give up the Z4M coupe. Literally, "they don't make them like that anymore" - and never will. The S54 is the pinnacle of M-engineered inline sixes; manual only; hydraulic steering; no iDrive; no moonroof. It's as if the M Division said, "Well, let's do it all one more time before we go in a different direction..."

The M2 will of course be a better DD, so if you can swing both, do!
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      10-27-2015, 08:53 PM   #13
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manual only; hydraulic steering; no iDrive; no moonroof. It's as if the M Division said, "Well, let's do it all one more time before we go in a different direction..."
they did it again with the 1M

no S engine but a raucous twin turbo inline-6...but everything was intact....including the noticeably insane driving experience!

i definitely think you guys should hold onto your Z4M Coupes. I still want one to add to my garage one day. They are so cool!
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      10-28-2015, 03:51 AM   #14
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Don't get rid of your Z4 if you can keep it because you will regret it. I wish I still had mine but I had to get rid of it. Like others have said keep them both.
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      10-28-2015, 07:38 AM   #15
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I'd be lying if I didn't say I've considered an M Coupe many times. However, the whole idea when I set off in this M2 journey was to get a new car (first time ever) so that I can enjoy the experience and have a warranty for once.

Now I've gone a completely different direction and will probably be getting an F80 instead, but I'd still love to add maybe an Z4M Roadster one day (might as well get that open top experience to add).

I wouldn't wait too long if you guys are set on these things. The prices will surely go up, just like pretty much all N/A M cars these days.
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      10-28-2015, 09:56 AM   #16
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As others have said, the Z4M Coupe is most likely the last of its kind in terms of adhering to an old school formula of a sports car. The mechanical diff, manual trans, high rev straight six motor, the oh-so-sensitive steering that transmits the shape of the smallest pebble the front tires go over and of course just two modes for DSC (off and on). After 8 years, 90K miles and close to 150 track days when I get behind the wheel, I absolutely love it. I got myself a TT RS as an addition and drive the Z4M a couple of times a year now- mostly because she sits on the east coast and I am working on the west coast for a while.

If you get rid of the Z4MC, you will most likely regret it. But, if the M2 lives up to your expectations, you will get over it; if it does not, you will be searching for a clean Z4MC rather quickly.

Last edited by pal; 10-28-2015 at 10:30 PM..
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      10-29-2015, 02:19 PM   #17
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I would keep the Z4MC simply for the fact that it's a very good NA car...last I checked good NA cars are thinning out in variety especially in European guise. Overall, the M2 SHOULD outhandle, outspeed, and generally be a better car than the Z4MC but it wouldn't necessarily make the M2 the car of choice. If the M2 fails at being superior to the almost-a-decade-old Z4MC, then it's not as good as it should be.
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      10-30-2015, 05:24 PM   #18
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I gave my Z4MC for my M3. Do I wish I still had the M Coupe? Yeah, sometimes. There is definitely something special about it. But honestly, The M3 is a more enjoyable car all around. It's not as raw, bit literally everything about the car is better. Ride, handling, steering, transmission, power, interior, Nav, stereo, ergonomics, etc. etc.

There were days where the rough ride and beyond terrible stereo just made me not want to drive the Z4, and I'd take a different car. That never happens with my M3 unless the weather is bad. If I could have both, that would be great, but since I can't, I'd choose the M3 9 times of of 10.
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      10-30-2015, 05:28 PM   #19
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Also, people mentioning "no iDrive" as a plus for the Z4MC are going a bit too far . . .

Have any of you actually used the M Coupe's Nav and stereo? It is the absolute worst system in any car I've driven in the past 10 years.
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      10-31-2015, 02:15 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
Don't let go of the Z4MC. Ever.
+1

I've wanted that car for the better part of a decade. If you can't afford both cars, keep the Z4MC. There will never be another car like it.
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      11-01-2015, 05:20 PM   #21
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Lets be honest about the Z4 (M or not). It's interior build quality is questionable. That is the only concern i ever had with mine. The gauges also sucked until i got used to them. The S54 in it's final form is just awesome, no rasp!

No way any of the new models will be able to duplicate how the Z4M feels, so echoing the others, keep it! I would have bought another one but can't stomach maintaining two M cars simultaneously.
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      11-02-2015, 04:45 PM   #22
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Z4MC may not be as fast as my M3, but it sure puts a smile on my face every time i take it out for a a spin.
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