Z4 loaner while my M3 is in for service...

[Pike]

This is absolutely terrible to admit... I'm tempted to call the dealer and tell them to keep the M3. Alright, there, I've said it.

I'll admit, I had a Z4 loaner before.. slush-box, no sport, 3.0. Hated it.

This is a 2.5l stickshift with sport. I'm totally in love with this car.

It's amazingly quick considering. Corners faster, flatter, and with less fuss than the M3 (this is around corners I drive every day and know very well). Steering feel is WAY better.. much less boost and quicker. Exhaust has a much deeper burble at low revs, exactly the way my M3 could sound if I didn't mind blowing a grand or more on an aftermarket muffler. Gearbox is smoother and more precise...definitely not as notchy 1st-2nd. There's none of the annoying driveline lash of the M3...coming on/off the gas is so much smoother. The Sport button is SO much better in this car. Without reading what it *actually* does, my own experience suggests it reduces steering boost, and subtly re-maps the throttle. It's a very effective combo, versus the lurch-o-matic throttle re-mapping of the M3 in sport mode.

Of course, it doesn't have that incredible 8K redline nor the wonderful sound that goes with it. And I have no doubt it wouldn't see the same speeds on the track that the M3 can do. But on the street, it seems to trump my M3 in handling, smoothness, and pure fun factor.

I sincerely hope this is just a grass-is-greener thing. I love my M3 but I just have to vent given how much I'm enjoying the Z4.

[Nick M3]

I really liked the 2.5 manual I drove at the Komen event. It was a VERY nice vehicle.

[ayn]

Some idiot totalled the Komen Z4 2.5 Manual at Corpus Christi or wherever so I didn't get to drive it when they got to Austin.

[Roadstergal]

I'm telling you, man, you need to drive my car. Something of that sort you could get for three grand and keep the M3, and my car handles better than a Z4.

Edit - I meant the current Miata. The 325 doesn't handle as well as the Z4, and the old one is a tossup.

[Pike]

Must.....resist.....the.....Miata....

[killerdeck]

I agree with the handling, sportiness, fun factor, and sound of the Z4! My wife and I both fell in love with it when the Komen drive was here in Austin last year. We even flirted with the idea of getting one, but then reality set in and we both agreed it was far more practical to get a 330i Perf. Pkg. Im not complaining!

-Evan

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by Pike

This is absolutely terrible to admit... I'm tempted to call the dealer and tell them to keep the M3. Alright, there, I've said it.

I'll admit, I had a Z4 loaner before.. slush-box, no sport, 3.0. Hated it.

This is a 2.5l stickshift with sport. I'm totally in love with this car.

It's amazingly quick considering. Corners faster, flatter, and with less fuss than the M3 (this is around corners I drive every day and know very well). Steering feel is WAY better.. much less boost and quicker. Exhaust has a much deeper burble at low revs, exactly the way my M3 could sound if I didn't mind blowing a grand or more on an aftermarket muffler. Gearbox is smoother and more precise...definitely not as notchy 1st-2nd. There's none of the annoying driveline lash of the M3...coming on/off the gas is so much smoother. The Sport button is SO much better in this car. Without reading what it *actually* does, my own experience suggests it reduces steering boost, and subtly re-maps the throttle. It's a very effective combo, versus the lurch-o-matic throttle re-mapping of the M3 in sport mode.

Of course, it doesn't have that incredible 8K redline nor the wonderful sound that goes with it. And I have no doubt it wouldn't see the same speeds on the track that the M3 can do. But on the street, it seems to trump my M3 in handling, smoothness, and pure fun factor.

I sincerely hope this is just a grass-is-greener thing. I love my M3 but I just have to vent given how much I'm enjoying the Z4.

I drove the 3.0 w/ SMG at the Komen event and really enjoyed it too. I thought it was more engaging and a lot more fun than the Boxster I drove. I think I might be the only person in the world that was underwhelmed by the boxster, but I'd take the z4 over it in a heartbeat.

[ZHPhil]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

I drove the 3.0 w/ SMG at the Komen event and really enjoyed it too. I thought it was more engaging and a lot more fun than the Boxster I drove. I think I might be the only person in the world that was underwhelmed by the boxster, but I'd take the z4 over it in a heartbeat.

Nope you are not alone. I drove 2 Boxsters last summer while helping my cousin car shop. I got no from it. The little tinge that was felt was quickly erased by the 350Z which he eventually bought for thousands (several) less.

As for the Z4 I have had them as loaners on 2 occassions, once for 3 days. Although a fun drive, albeit with step, the road noise and clanginess of the doors, etc would prevent me from having one as a near daily driver. For a w/e only fun ride, I could see doing it.

[Masskrug]

It's amazing what the e46 suspension and chassis can feel like when executed in a properly sporting fashion.

The Z4 makes the e46 feel like a pig.

[The HACK]

What did I tell you guys?

There's a reason why TC Kline races Z4 3.0s exclusively now, and there's a reason why the Z4 came out of the gate kicking @ss in Grand AM Touring.

It's probably the BEST chassis BMW produces right now from a performance perspective. All the advantages of the Z roadster lineage, NONE of the baggage.