BMW Z4 M (2006 - 2008) 3.2 Coupé 2d (2007/57) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

To the masses I would assume it says I have an eye for design, the front end is very easy on the eye and reminiscent of a more classic car design, where the rear is more aggressive. To those who know- enthusiast driver who hasn't skimped and got the roadster- a driver who wants nuts performance without shouting about it.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Those who have seen it in the metal would say that it's a cool and interesting looking car- many would not expect it to be the best part of 10 years old as the paint is kept in very good nick and the design has aged well. Those that have been in the car for a fast ride would probably describe it as a luxurious yet crazy pocket rocket.

Would you buy this car again and why?

At some point in the future I could see myself buying another one of these and converting it to track spec- which is where i think the car is most at home. It will be very hard to find another car so powerful and raw- that is perfectly driveable at slow speeds, yet has the systems in place to keep you in check if you push it a little far.

What are you likely to buy next?

I think the logical step up from this would probably be a Cayman GT4, potentially with the clubsport pack, but with the current prices being into the 6 figures it wouldn't be a value buy. I'll probably look into picking up a manual Aston DBS around the £70k mark for a real improvement in quality, and the joy of a manual V12 that should more than hold its value.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£21,000

When did you buy the car?

October 2015

Did you get a good deal and why?

I think I got a great deal, this was the best example on the market at the time and I don't think the dealer recognised how much of an affect the mileage/spec should have on its price. A few months after purchase, similar examples have come and gone in the £25-30k bracket, albeit none with the ideal spec as I'll explain later.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

After owning a Boxster Spyder with PDK (rookie error) I had a hankering for a fast manual 2 seater that doubled as a decent investment. I weighed up pro's and con's of an R8 V8, and an Aston V8 but felt the Z4M would offer a better driving experience than those, and after finding a great example for less than 50% of the cost I couldn't refuse its charm.

What was the dealer like?

The dealer was a typical independent, he had fair brand knowledge although tried to sell me the car based on a few false facts plucked of thin air (pressing the sport button gives you an extra 40hp)!! I managed to get £1k off the price and 6 months warranty thrown in.

What's it like to drive?

The drive is very focused, and while more refined than many other cars in its class it has a firm ride, heavy hydraulic steering and a gearbox that takes patience and time to get used to. These features add to the character of the car and make a spirited drive far more rewarding than many modern cars, yet personally I feel it would make a good commuter. You never feel as if it has any lack of power, which is handy to counter the slight understeer you often encounter when turning hard. The car loves to go sideways, but until you get to know it can seem unpredictable- so its worth taking to a track before you try to show off on the road.

What's it like to park?

The car is very small so finding a parking space isnt too hard. Some complain that the long bonnet makes things difficult- however I found it easy to learn; having PDC means you dont have to watch your rear, so you're unlikely to bump the front when reverse parking. Electric wing mirrors are also a good option to have as replacements with fitting and paint can set you back around £500 (as I unfortunately realised first hand).

Have you had any problems with the car?

After purchase I took the car to the local franchise dealer for an inspection, it needed a new rear PDC sensor at about £300 all in. Aside from that the car was in very good nick inside and out with no significant wear on any parts.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot is great for a sports coupe of this size as many have mentioned. No cupholders on my car but a useful storage compartment between the driver and passenger seat. Seats are reasonably comfortable and the leather is high quality and very soft if taken care of properly.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

My favourite option was actually the fact that the original buyer didn't spec the sat-nav. A big chunky unit which would be the only indicator of the cars age is a big no-no in my opinion, and I expect to see values reflect that as time goes on. I purchased a 4G iPad mini and a mount that attaches to the CD slot, alongside having a lightning connector wired into the stereo for play/charging. This is far better than any nav I have come across with plenty more features, and is obviously easily removable when you don't need it. Aside from this every box was ticked, PDC and the 10 speaker sound system are probably the most useful ones of the lot.