What you think of the Z4 M?

[limoncello]

I looked seriously at the Z3's before buying my Boxster.
Styling - I really liked the Z3's, thought I might warm up to the Z4 (it would grow on me), but it hasn't really. It's just not a "beautiful" car.
Power - seems more than ample in the M. Should fly.
Brakes - even if "upgraded", hard to believe they will be a match for the Boxster.
Handling - same as above. Low CG and balance win.
Ownership - there are a lot more BMW dealers and garages than Porsche, maybe easier to take care of it.
In the end, I chose Boxster, & still would today.

[tmc]

limoncello,

I agree completely about the Z3, which had a horribly loose frame. But the Z4 is a different car. You should drive one. You will discover the two negatives are the steering (it's all electronic and not up to the usual BMW standards) and the harsh ride on the run flat tires. BMW M Group seems to have addressed the first of these by swapping the steering for a more conventional power-assisted hydrolic unit. So I am curious as hell whether or not the Z4 M will slay a Boxster S.

Not sure why I care but that I juuuust bought a 987S after deciding it was the absolute best roadster out there (outside of exotics).

tmc

[Brucelee]

I liked everything about the z3 save the horribly cheap materials on the interior. The M interior on that car was better but if I had one (I may buy one again someday), I would pull most of the interior for a custom job.

The M version of that car ran very nicely thank you and was pretty easy to mod up the power, handling.

Used ones (regular z3s that is) are now quite cheap and it really is a fun car.

Nice compare and contrast to the Box.

[KShep]

Article here...Germans know how to build sports cars. Can't get used to the BMW styling but 343hp is for real.

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2051025.002/page/1/lang/eng/bmw/1.html

[Perfectlap]

Mid Engine: There is no substitute.

[SD987]

I think the competition in the roadster segment can only be good for new Boxster buyers in the rest of this decade. Raises the old question of when Porsche will put an engine in the Box that matches the chassis in terms of capabilities. I'm guessing maybe the 2008 base Boxster runs the current 280 hp S engine, the S something north of 300bhp.

FWIW BMW is still lagging Mercedes who has had the AMG SLK55 since 2004.

5.4L 8 cylinder 355bhp
4.7 0-60
$62,000
Better looking than the Z4M (subjective, but I think most people would agree)

I test drove one before I got the SLK350 and am still seeing the chiropractor to help with the whiplash I incurred after flooring it.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Personally, I am not a Big Fan of either the Z3 or Z4, even the M variant, all of which I have driven.

I don't in any way dispute that it is a Good Car. But it strikes me as being Coldly Efficient and fails to elicit the type of Visceral Response I have come to expect of a Sports Car. To me, it simply lacks Soul...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

A couple weeks ago, I was at a Porsche dealer in Louisville, KY, and they had a used Z8 parked out front ($105K). Some guy traded it in for a Porsche!

Pretty amazing looking car! Has anyone ever seen one? What is the Z8?