Just drove the BMW Z4 M (2008)

[TehMac]

😀

My bro came down, I went out in it this morning to go work out, drove around, took it to redline once in 2nd gear, all I have to say is that it is a very good car. Not one I'd like to own, necessarily, but it gets the job done. It's BMW at its best with the platform it has, the M division have really got their shit down when it comes to making a seamless platform between man and automobile.

The car isn't so much passionate like the Aston Martin I got to experience, professional like the 750i I drove, or rowdy and rambunctious like my Steeda Mustang. It is more of a straight talking no shittin' gunfighter that is more like a a Delta Force Spec Ops --we know it exists, but we don't know the power until we can experience it.


Some comments:

Gearbox hooks very fast, almost too fast, I am used to a very heavy steeda clutch petal, and so I basically drove the whole time in my shoes to get better feedback. Stalled a few times, which wasn't good. I was promptly awarded a honk by the irritable female driver behind me (touche).

I think to get a smooth transition you need to rev the engine to around 3k, it is a high rev engine, that said, it is incredibly torquey at all levels. Very beautiful engine. The noise in the cockpit is limited, unlike the 'Stangs, but it is a very nice surging sort of sound, almost like a muffled turbine.

Pics:
Side View
Front up, very aggressive looks, I like it!
The Interior isn't as well done as say an AM's obviously, but very well done indeed.
Six Speed Manual. Loved the volume adjusters on the wheel, btw.
If you get Claustrophobic easily, this isn't the car for you. The rear/side view mirrors are your best friends.

So yeah, very nice way to start the weekend. 😀

 

[TehMac]

I fixed the last three pics, should all be different now.

 

[schneiderguy]

:Q

 

[DVad3r]

Sounds like you had fun. I always like the look of these cars, although I know for a fact they are too small for me.

I wish I did get to test drive an Aston Martin though 🙂 Now that would be fun!!!

 

[iamwiz82]

The Z4 M transmission/clutch is very finicky because of the CDV. Remove or modify it and shifting acts much better.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
The Z4 M transmission/clutch is very finicky because of the CDV. Remove or modify it and shifting acts much better.

Interesting, I had a feeling it had something to do with that, but my bro can't modify it because he is leasing it.

Originally posted by: DVad3r

I wish I did get to test drive an Aston Martin though 🙂 Now that would be fun!!!

Didn't get to test drive one unfortunately, my friend's dad let him drive the DBS around, and I was chilling with him, so I got to go too. 😛

 

[DivideBYZero]

3K RPM to pull away?!!! LMFAO! I'd hate to be your clutch!

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
3K RPM to pull away?!!! LMFAO! I'd hate to be your clutch!

No no, lol, not at all, not for pulling away. I'm saying for switching gears. You'd want a buffer of around 3k RPMs to actually reengage the clutch to avoid that extra-jerkiness.

Neutral -> 1st is me just slowly raising the clutch + applying power.

 

[JMapleton]

Cool car, but it's still a girl's car.

 

[mb]

I saw a black Z4 the other day. Must have just been waxed... man was it sexy.

 

[Saga]

Originally posted by: JMapleton
Cool car, but it's still a girl's car.

Sort of how I feel about this.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: JMapleton
Cool car, but it's still a girl's car.

No, it really isn't. The Z4 definitely is, but no M car is a girl's car. I can vouch for this.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
3K RPM to pull away?!!! LMFAO! I'd hate to be your clutch!

No no, lol, not at all, not for pulling away. I'm saying for switching gears. You'd want a buffer of around 3k RPMs to actually reengage the clutch to avoid that extra-jerkiness.

Neutral -> 1st is me just slowly raising the clutch + applying power.

Eh? I'm really not getting this. You're slipping in 3k rpm per shift? So for example, in my theoretical car that luckily has 3k gear spacing, your changing at 6k rpm, and slip the clutch till it bites at 3k?

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
3K RPM to pull away?!!! LMFAO! I'd hate to be your clutch!

No no, lol, not at all, not for pulling away. I'm saying for switching gears. You'd want a buffer of around 3k RPMs to actually reengage the clutch to avoid that extra-jerkiness.

Neutral -> 1st is me just slowly raising the clutch + applying power.

Eh? I'm really not getting this. You're slipping in 3k rpm per shift? So for example, in my theoretical car that luckily has 3k gear spacing, your changing at 6k rpm, and slip the clutch till it bites at 3k?

No...I dunno, I think you're misinterpreting what I'm saying. I'm saying that if you shift at a high enough RPM you can avoid some of that jerkiness that happens, but it's only a concern for lower gears/down shifting.

Also, I'm always easing up the clutch. I am likewise turned off by clutch burning. 😛

 

[SoulAssassin]

never liked the hardtop version of these, just looks weird

 

[DivideBYZero]

Yeah, ok. The 'box attached the the S54 is clunky at low speeds. It's just the way it is. If you're brutal with it and shift fast it is the best box ever, but low speed takes a little getting used to before you drive it without it clunking and banging. The transmission is always like that and worse when cold. It just 'one of those things', an endearing element of the car, if you will... 😛

 

[TehMac]

Yeah, I agree, it's a great car, but it's too...mechanical. It has a little soul, but it's more like an engineer at MIT, than a social studies student at UCLA.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Yeah, well it's a drivers car rather than a car for day to day driving. An M car is never going to be compliant over bad blacktop or great for chauffeuring others.

 

[JMapleton]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: JMapleton
Cool car, but it's still a girl's car.

No, it really isn't. The Z4 definitely is, but no M car is a girl's car. I can vouch for this.

Dude you're the one who drove and it and apparently you're so proud you feel the need to post about it on the internet, ofcourse you're not going to admit it's a girl's car, it would take away from your op.

 

[arcenite]

Aggressive is not a word I would use to describe the looks of a Z4.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
3K RPM to pull away?!!! LMFAO! I'd hate to be your clutch!

No no, lol, not at all, not for pulling away. I'm saying for switching gears. You'd want a buffer of around 3k RPMs to actually reengage the clutch to avoid that extra-jerkiness.

Neutral -> 1st is me just slowly raising the clutch + applying power.

Eh? I'm really not getting this. You're slipping in 3k rpm per shift? So for example, in my theoretical car that luckily has 3k gear spacing, your changing at 6k rpm, and slip the clutch till it bites at 3k?

No...I dunno, I think you're misinterpreting what I'm saying. I'm saying that if you shift at a high enough RPM you can avoid some of that jerkiness that happens, but it's only a concern for lower gears/down shifting.

Also, I'm always easing up the clutch. I am likewise turned off by clutch burning. 😛

Low speed shifting is a definite no-no. 5-6K for normal driving is really a smooth spot for me.

 

[rh71]

Not much more to say for the performance, but I will say this for the Z4 just like so many 3-series. The BMW dashes are so underwhelming with materials and sometimes placement. You'd never think it's from a luxury maker.

 

[AdamK47]

The weather looks great. Where do you live?

 

[ballmode]

on the forums i visit people say the suspension is too stiff, what did you think?

 

[Aharami]

the coupe looks soo much better than the convertible. Always wanted to drive a small fast car like that