Z4si Coupe vs. Z4 M Coupe

[RVExotics]

I'm just looking for a general comparo between these two beasts: upkeep costs, annual fuel costs, speeding ticket likelihood , performance differences, love to drive differences, etc.

I'm considering selling my lightly used '07 MINI Cooper S and getting one or the other as new or CPO'd in the next few months, but my local dealers almost never have coupes on the lot. I doubt roadsters would give me an accurate idea of the coupe.

Any tips? Will I be kicking myself in the ass within a month for going with the si when I could've have the ridiculously powerful M?

[blue-coupe]

This is a great question. I am asking myself the same thing right now.

I've tried to schedule a test drive of an M Coupe, just so I can 'cross it off my list'. My ego wants it, but my commute (1.8 miles) simply can't justify the extra cost.

A friend of mine has the SI and loves it, but has lingering regrets about not getting the M......

[Dammmittt]

I never drove the si coupe...but from what I gather it's a little less stiff than the ///M suspension and the steering is less sharp with the electric assist, and is more likely to tramline. Aside from that and the obvious power differences they're basically the same from a driving point a view.

I mostly went for the ///M for the asthetics of the car. The hood/bumper/ and quad exhaust are awesome.

[mPlasticDesign]

I think it would come down to the difference in cost. If it is only $4-5k then go for the ///M, if the difference is greater like $10k and money is a factor for you, go with the Si. You will not be dissapointed, I absolutely love that engine! Some of the Si's also came with the M seats which is something I would look for if you decide to go that route. Good luck and keep us posted!

[RVExotics]

Thanks for the replies. Both cars are gorgeous, and it's a tough choice. I do prefer the M's aesthetics and power so I can certainly understand your decision there Dammmittt, but I'm also a bit of an environmentally-minded person so fuel economy is a concern. Considering most M coupes will be in the range of 10k+ over the si, I'll probably go with the si for those reasons. Now here's hoping I can find one when the time comes!

[Dammmittt]

Originally Posted by RVExotics

Thanks for the replies. Both cars are gorgeous, and it's a tough choice. I do prefer the M's aesthetics and power so I can certainly understand your decision there Dammmittt, but I'm also a bit of an environmentally-minded person so fuel economy is a concern. Considering most M coupes will be in the range of 10k+ over the si, I'll probably go with the si for those reasons. Now here's hoping I can find one when the time comes!

If you go with the si, you can always buy the M bumper/hood later. The only downside there is you lose the si fogs.

[Kamal]

I recently purchased a brand new 07 Z4 coupe for $34.5k... it was sitting on the dealers lot for well over a year so I managed to get quite a deal on it. Anyways... I decided against the M for two reasons, both $$ related. I could have justified the nearly $10k extra... BUT insurance was substantially more (I'm 24) and those two factors ($10k + ins.) prohibitted the MZ4C.

Regardless, I've got the sport package and the M seats and I'm happy with my purchase. The car is plenty fast and handles great. Only complaint is that I wish it was similar to the M and didn't have RFTs.

Find a coupe, get a killer deal, and pull the trigger... M or not!

[Kamal]

to answer some of your other questions... I'm averaging 25mpg... 40% highway (mostly traffic tho) and 60% spirited driving in the city. Can't really beat the fuel economy... I could easily get 30+ mpg if I was strictly driving on the highway at the speed limit.

if you buy w/ CPO or new... upkeep shouldn't cost you a dime, at least not for a few years.

[RVExotics]

I've had a thing for these cars ever since I went and test drove my first MINI in late '07 and saw the roadsters on the lot. When I saw the first coupe, that was it. I knew as soon as I could afford it, that was going to be my car. I think the si will more than meet my requirements, and Kamal you make a great point about the insurance. The si will only be a little more than I'm paying for my MCS. Even though I'm now past the magic number 25, I can imagine the M would be a good deal more. Then there's the fuel economy, which with today's prices, becomes a major consideration.

So, I guess with that being said, anyone interested in a fuel sipping performance-lite machine in Chili Red?

[doug piston]

Originally Posted by RVExotics

I've had a thing for these cars ever since I went and test drove my first MINI in late '07 and saw the roadsters on the lot. When I saw the first coupe, that was it. I knew as soon as I could afford it, that was going to be my car. I think the si will more than meet my requirements, and Kamal you make a great point about the insurance. The si will only be a little more than I'm paying for my MCS. Even though I'm now past the magic number 25, I can imagine the M would be a good deal more. Then there's the fuel economy, which with today's prices, becomes a major consideration.

So, I guess with that being said, anyone interested in a fuel sipping performance-lite machine in Chili Red?

my insurance company told me that age 25 doesnt matter anymore. they still rape ya.

[GP20]

Originally Posted by Kamal

to answer some of your other questions... I'm averaging 25mpg... 40% highway (mostly traffic tho) and 60% spirited driving in the city. Can't really beat the fuel economy... I could easily get 30+ mpg if I was strictly driving on the highway at the speed limit.

if you buy w/ CPO or new... upkeep shouldn't cost you a dime, at least not for a few years.

If you plan to drive the car for 50k miles or more in the first 4 years during the warranty/free maintenance period, fuel mileage is pretty much no longer an issue between the Z4M & regular Z4. With the Z4M, getting worse gas mileage actually ensures you would reach inspection 2 before the warranty expires - inspection 2 costs around $1500~$2200 depending on your local stealers. So in that case you get inspection 2 for free. People might even come out ahead with the Z4M.

It's extremely rare for a regular Z4 to reach inspection 2 during the free maintenance period - and when that happens, it's because the owner drives the car hard and in turn gets bad gas mileage; so that whole argument is null.

[RVExotics]

Ah, didn't think about that GP20, thanks for pointing it out. This will be my first BMW, so I'm a virgin in that area as it were.

I'm undecided on whether I want to buy or lease. I tend to drive more than the average (I have 14k mi on my MCS and have had it since early January, though that counts two largish road trips), so I'm not sure I could stay under the mileage restrictions of a lease. Do most of your buy or lease your cars? And what was your reasoning either way?

[03BeastCharmer]

I was looking at an si until they started all the discounts last year. I test drove an automatic si, and I thought it very quick, and the dealership has a test course out back thay they drive you around at speed, and I was sold on the car. When they discounts started getting really big I decided to jump up to the ///M I love it, but if I had to pay close to sticker I would have been more than happy with the si. The M does handle better, look a little better, and go a little faster at the extremes. The seats and steering are much better, but both cars need better tires. At 4600 miles and a bunch of autox events I'm needing new tires all around and looking forward to the car coming alive with grippier tires

[iamwiz82]

Originally Posted by GP20

If you plan to drive the car for 50k miles or more in the first 4 years during the warranty/free maintenance period, fuel mileage is pretty much no longer an issue between the Z4M & regular Z4. With the Z4M, getting worse gas mileage actually ensures you would reach inspection 2 before the warranty expires - inspection 2 costs around $1500~$2200 depending on your local stealers. So in that case you get inspection 2 for free. People might even come out ahead with the Z4M.

It's extremely rare for a regular Z4 to reach inspection 2 during the free maintenance period - and when that happens, it's because the owner drives the car hard and in turn gets bad gas mileage; so that whole argument is null.

I am 26 and my Z4 M is pretty much the same price as my Miata or every other car I have had in the past 2 years (I think it's $10 more than the Miata). I'm married, however.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by doug piston

my insurance company told me that age 25 doesnt matter anymore. they still rape ya.

They lie. I have a 3.0si and LOVE IT! But now that I have a much much shorter commute to work I wish I could trade 15 MPG for 75 HP.