Having never enjoyed the Elise since buying it and the dream of racing turned into an expensive failure this time I started looking at a replacement car some months back. The Lotus took months to sell and I lost a packet, reducing my options somewhat.
On my shortlist were a 996 C2, Cayman S, E46 M3 and a Z4M Roadster or Coupe. I ruled out the Porsche on engine issue grounds, most don't have cruise control and unless the recaros are specified the seat back are not very comfortable (same as our Boxster S). The M3s are still good value with £10k getting a decent low mileage example, but for the moment I still don't need rear seats although we were impressed with the way the SMG shifted when pressing on.
That left the Z4M; the coupe looks superb but is more expensive than the roadster, plus I like an open top and the coupe is actually heavier.
I agreed a deal two weeks ago on an Interlagos Blue with some nice mods, black Dynamic alloys, red APs and KW Clubsports. Would have been the perfect car for me but it had a very loud ticking/knocking which BMW identified as coming from the bottom end (not cams or Vanos). Everything is repairable of course but it left us worried about how long it would take and what had caused the issue first of all: would the problem return?

So, on Friday night I bought a nice silver/grey example with 40k miles, unmodified with toys like nav, electric memory leather, cruise control, sensors and lots more.
Deal done, drove home in convoy with my wife, home by 02.10 Saturday morning! Too excited to sleep properly, up at 7.30 to read all the manuals and paperwork before a day of washing and waxing (the car, not me) and driving. Loving the car already, nice drive to Cheddar Gorge yesterday, 340bhp through the rear wheels is fun . Few little jobs to do before we leave for the Ring on Friday and a trackday at Spa a week on Monday, a pity I didn't have more time to adjust the geo to something a little more suited for trackwork, but I lost a couple of weeks trying to buy the other Z4M. I will post some video from the trackday when we get back, the straight six sounds excellent.







Cheers, Dave

Back to Bangle again Dave
Lovely car.
@Z4Mcoupe: check out Per's pictures here

Nice buy there Dave. I am on the hunt for a coupe z4 at the moment but still saving in the hope I may just be able to get the M model.

Good luck with it.

Nice job. Looked at Z4s and almost pressed the go button on one many times. I still fancy one so when the Boxster has had its time I might still revisit the Z4 itch.

I'm guessing it was something over the 10k though?

Loving Pers piccies, that was the colour Z4M I had intended to buy two weeks ago.

@magooagain I have heard good things from the 3litre if the budget doesn't run to an M, in fact some say they prefer the slightly softer edge on the road.

TbirdX we still have our 986 Boxster S and it makes for a good comparison as both cars are completely standard. Mine was advertised for £14.5k which was good value for its mileage and condition, they seem to start from about £12.5k.

The Boxster has a lovely sound above 4000rpm when on full throttle, below that it is a little too quiet. On quality of noise they are on a par.
The Boxster has a bigger boot(s) but less space inside for oddments, drinks etc. and we prefer the digital speedo it has.
The Porsche has a slightly more compliant ride and better steering feel when turning in, I'm sure I'll get used to it but the CSL quick rack the Z4M has is a bit too positive. Lastly, the Boxsters brakes are far better both when used gently (BMs are sharp) and when pressing on.
In every other way I think I prefer the Z4M, more aggressive sound at low speed, appearance, equipment levels, rarity, reputation for strength of engine, speed of hood and most importantly a limited slip diff for drifting

Yes I would be happy with the 3litre as long as it's a coupe though.

It may be a while for me to get one as a new work truck is a priority at the mo.

Hope you enjoy the car Dave.

Interesting comparison Dave. The sound below 4K could be sorted by a carnewal exhaust at modest expense most likely.

The brakes are another interesting area. I thought at first that the brakes on my Box were not all that, you have to give them a good shove, but I've since discovered that they are that way by design, much less servo assistance than you'd be used to in a modern car. I had the fluid changed, (otherwise standard all round) and then went off to the ring and a track day (quite a warm day too) and they have stopped me all day long with no hint of fade or spongeiness.

Lovely car. Enjoy

Looks like a great car. I once test drove a Z4 but the seat bolsters dug into my ribs and the (main dealer) demonstrator had a warped brake disc. I moved on.

Well, it's been to the Ring, Spa, Castle Combe and now Mallory in the past two months without any issue.

Had some fun on Tuesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daxdHVIje90

Any idea what times you were doing when pushing, Dave? Sub 1 minute I guess

Looking back at the faster laps towards the end, around 55 seconds which isn't bad two up in a standard road car on normal Continental tyres.

No it's pretty good. I think when I did the fastest lap of the Alfa races there, I was in the high 56s on 048Rs. Obviously a big weight advantage (probably a tonne all up) but also probably a 150bhp power deficit and 60's suspension.

I should like Mallory more as it was where I got my maiden outright race victory but it's a bit dull: a big corner, a little corner and a couple of wiggles.

Don't rule out 996s on the basis of the IMS bearing issue. It's a non issue in my opinion and has driven values down turning 996s into absolute bargains.

The reasons I feel it's a non issue are quite complicated so I won't go into it unless you really want me to.

The simplest one though is that they make an horrendous noise when they start to fail so you can't miss it.

Yes, the IMS issues weren't enough to put us off buying and still owning our Boxster S (essentially the same engine of course). 996s had rather challenging styling, although time has been kind and a nice silver with orange indicators C2 looks pretty good IMO and values for low mileage examples are rising. I do love 911s, but am happy with my choice so far.

Good to know MRS, I agree with you, Mallory is not a favourite, but hadn't been for years and it was a bit work related.

An interesting mix of cars too - lots of big Jags. Z4 looked like it had reasonably good track manners though

Yes, for a 1485kg car it's not bad, although Mallory isn't a track that allows it to stretch its legs much. At present it's balance is neutral to understeer, except out of slower corners . We had to short shift from 3rd to 4th through Devils Elbow or else it would just understeer wide. I've loaded the M3 CSL 'M Track' software, which gives confidence in the wet where it relaxes the tight grip the standard stability and traction controls usually have.

I could go flat through Devil's Elbow though the Alfa has epic front grip. In fact, to get any sort of balance, the front is really stiff and the rear very soft with my set-up.

This is what happens at that very corner

And that's just on the way to the chippie!

Nice pic

Nice car Dave.