BMW Guys: Tell me about the Z4 M Coupe!!

[Gibbo]

Hi there

I am sorting a test drive for a new one of these, but I know relatively little about them apart from the fact they are supposedly the better drivers choice over an M3 CS.

So what is the score with these, specifications, performance figures, handling etc. etc. Also prices for new and used examples please because the BMW website is been a pain in the ass for me.

I've got some rough ideas and can see its circa 150kg lighter than an M3 but think its got the same power.

When I spoke to BMW today I asked the guy if he could buy an M3 CS or Z4 M Coupe what his choice would be, his answer was he preferred the Z4 M because it was more fun to drive.

I've driven all the era M3's and even though they are fun they just could not replace the Mustang, but the Z4 M on the other hand, well I've always had a sweet spot for them so just want to know more and once I've had the test drive will let you guys know what I think.

The guy was more interested in my Saleen lol but I was rather impressed when he said that he could probably have it arranged so the car was brought to me and then we went out in it for an hour or so and then returned the keys back. Seems good service that to me, plus the guy knows I am not looking to buy because I told him I was test driving different cars so that I could come to a decision on what I would be buying next.

 

[neoboy]

Never driven one but been in my friend's Z4 as a passenger and all I can say is that's an awfully firm ride.

 

[Gibbo]

Never driven one but been in my friend's Z4 as a passenger and all I can say is that's an awfully firm ride.

Hi there

Is that the Roadster or Coupe though? There is a big difference in both handling and outright performance form what I can gather. I am only interested in the Coupe as I like the styling and the idea that its reasonably light, still too heavy for a small car but hey BMW's are tanks.

 

[PMKeates]

Not patronising, but do you realise an M3 CS and an M3 CSL are wildly different?

Z4 M Coupe weighs 1495kg EU DIN, has 343 DIN HP and does 0-62 in 5.0 seconds

The M3 is 75kg heavier than the Z4 M Coupe. The M3 CSL weighs 1460kg EU DIN.

 

[cheets64]

I bloody love the look of them.

 

[Gibbo]

Not patronising, but do you realise an M3 CS and an M3 CSL are wildly different?

Z4 M Coupe weighs 1495kg EU DIN, has 343 DIN HP and does 0-62 in 5.0 seconds

Hi m8

I've not mentioned the CSL, though. I am talking Z4 M coupe. It was just the sales guy who mentioned he had driven the M3 CS (not CSL) and Z4 M Coupe and it was the coupe he thought was the better car if you wanted more fun behind the wheel and were not too bothered about creature comforts or space as much.

I've been a passenger in a CSL thanks to Elliot and they are great cars, but very track focused plus no offence but its just another BMW with an M Badge, fair enough it does look fantastic but the Coupe appeals to me because they are a very rare site on our roads.

What does the M3, M3 CS, M3 CSL weigh?

 

[PMKeates]

I've not mentioned the CSL, though. I am talking Z4 M coupe. It was just the sales guy who mentioned he had driven the M3 CS (not CSL) and Z4 M Coupe and it was the coupe he thought was the better car if you wanted more fun behind the wheel and were not too bothered about creature comforts or space as much.

I've been a passenger in a CSL thanks to Elliot and they are great cars, but very track focused plus no offence but its just another BMW with an M Badge, fair enough it does look fantastic but the Coupe appeals to me because they are a very rare site on our roads.

What does the M3, M3 CS, M3 CSL weigh?

I do realise you hadn't mentioned it - I was just checking that you hadn't mis-typed etc.

The M3 CS, above the M3, adds part of the braking setup from the CSL, a greater steering ratio, 19" wheels and some other minor tweaks. Because of this BMW quoted the weight as the same as the M3.

So it's, to EU DIN (Operating fluids, 68kg driver, 8kg luggage, 90% fuel):

Z4 M Coupé: 1495kg

M3: 1570kg
M3 CS: 1570kg
M3 CSL: 1460kg

 

[[TW]Fox]

I've been a passenger in a CSL thanks to Elliot and they are great cars, but very track focused plus no offence but its just another BMW with an M Badge, fair enough it does look fantastic but the Coupe appeals to me because they are a very rare site on our roads.

This confuses me.

You can't mean the CSL is common, becuase very few were sold - certainly, total production will be less than the M Coupe.

You can't mean that Z4M Coupe is a rare car in itself compared to an M3, as there are many regular Z4's around and the regular Z4 Coupe is selling well.

If anything, the Z4M is closer to the 'another BMW with an M badge' comment than the M3 CSL, which really was properly special.

What do you mean?

 

[Gibbo]

I do realise you hadn't mentioned it - I was just checking that you hadn't mis-typed etc.

The M3 CS, above the M3, adds part of the braking setup from the CSL, a greater steering ratio, 19" wheels and some other minor tweaks. Because of this BMW quoted the weight as the same as the M3.

So it's, to EU DIN (Operating fluids, 68kg driver, 8kg luggage, 90% fuel):

Z4 M Coupé: 1495kg

M3: 1570kg
M3 CS: 1570kg
M3 CSL: 1460kg

Hi m8

Ok thats good, so EU DIN weights as you listed actually include driver, fuel and luggage etc? So a dry weight as in no passenger/driver, no luggage but just fuel and fluids is about 75kg lighter than over those weights? Makes the Z4 M Coupe close to 1400kg?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Given that a car with no driver is of no real use, how is the dry weight figure relevant? EU DIN is a far more realistic figure and one which afaik is used by most manufacturers to enable easy and accurate comparison.

 

[PMKeates]

Hi m8

Ok thats good, so EU DIN weights as you listed actually include driver, fuel and luggage etc? So a dry weight as in no passenger/driver, no luggage but just fuel and fluids is about 75kg lighter than over those weights? Makes the Z4 M Coupe close to 1400kg?

Ja, 75kg is the accepted "driver and bits" weight. A DIN (EU DIN minus the driver and luggage) kerb weight is 1420kg. There isn't a lot in it between the Z4 M Coupé and the M3 - as you can see just the weight of an average mate in the passenger seat.

 

[Gibbo]

This confuses me.

You can't mean the CSL is common, becuase very few were sold - certainly, total production will be less than the M Coupe.

You can't mean that Z4M Coupe is a rare car in itself compared to an M3, as there are many regular Z4's around and the regular Z4 Coupe is selling well.

If anything, the Z4M is closer to the 'another BMW with an M badge' comment than the M3 CSL, which really was properly special.

What do you mean?

Hi there

The M3 is based on a 3 series, there are millions of 3 series on our roads and in all fairness they are look pretty similar. Yes the M3 and CSL do look better but however its still based on a 3 series. A 330ci for example does not look a million miles different to an M3.

I see 100's of 3 series cars everyday along with a few M3's too. Admittedly I rarely see a CSL but I've also never seen a Z4 M Coupe on the road either. If the Z4 M Coupe is such a good seller then how come I've never seen any on the roads, yet I see lots of M3's?

The M3 CSL is very special, but to me I preferre the marmite looks of the Coupe, it dares to be different by having rather outrageous styling and as I've not seen any on the road I'd consider them rare.

 

[Gibbo]

Given that a car with no driver is of no real use, how is the dry weight figure relevant? EU DIN is a far more realistic figure and one which afaik is used by most manufacturers to enable easy and accurate comparison.

Hi there

Well I was not aware of the EU DIN stuff until now, whenever I've seen weights are cars mentioned before I've only spotted the weight and never taken any notice of the EU DIN stuff, see you learn something everyday.

 

[PMKeates]

I see 100's of 3 series cars everyday along with a few M3's too. Admittedly I rarely see a CSL but I've also never seen a Z4 M Coupe on the road either. If the Z4 M Coupe is such a good seller then how come I've never seen any on the roads, yet I see lots of M3's?

The Z4 M Coupé and M3 CSL are both fairly rare; the CSL moreso. The Z4 M Coupé and Z4 Coupé are not so distinct compared to the CSL and the M3 if only due to the carbon-fibre roof. I'd say I'd spot a CSL over a Z4 M, if only because, in reality, the Z4 M isn't as special.

 

[PMKeates]

Hi there

Well I was not aware of the EU DIN stuff until now, whenever I've seen weights are cars mentioned before I've only spotted the weight and never taken any notice of the EU DIN stuff, see you learn something everyday.

In virtually any thread on here about vehicle weights I come charging in with the EU DIN jargon

 

[[TW]Fox]

Hi there

The M3 is based on a 3 series, there are millions of 3 series on our roads and in all fairness they are look pretty similar. Yes the M3 and CSL do look better but however its still based on a 3 series. A 330ci for example does not look a million miles different to an M3.

I see 100's of 3 series cars everyday along with a few M3's too. Admittedly I rarely see a CSL but I've also never seen a Z4 M Coupe on the road either. If the Z4 M Coupe is such a good seller then how come I've never seen any on the roads, yet I see lots of M3's?

What you say is true but it's also true of the Z4M in that there are many Z4's on our roads.

 

[Gibbo]

In virtually any thread on here about vehicle weights I come charging in with the EU DIN jargon

Hi there

OK slap me if I've got this wrong.

But BMW's site is now working (java) and the weight for the Z4 M Coupe is list as 1495kg Unladen (EU).

According to this definition that means:-

Kerbweight
There are two different definitions of the kerbweight. According to the UK Construction and Use Regulations 1986, kerbweight is the "weight of the vehicle as it leaves the manufacturer with full fuel, adequate lubricants and water, standard tools and equipment but no driver, occupants or load". According to EU Directive 95/48, it is "the weight of the vehicle as it leaves the manufacturer, with fuel tank 90 percent full, all necessary fluids for normal operation, a nominal driver weight of 68kg and 7kg of luggage". By and large, this means that EU kerbweights are around 70kg more than UK figures. Most new cars will use the EU definition.

Unladen weight
Unladen weight is not the same as the kerbweight, which you will normally find in the car handbook. Unladen weight is the car's weight minus any fuel, water and tools, and driver. This figure is a hard figure to come by in documentation. In practice, for a medium-sized car, the unladen weight will probably be about 130kg less than the published kerbweight for most cars.


So is the weight listed on BMW site an unladen weight or kerb weight, am I loosing the plot or do I have a point?

 

[cheets64]

The M3 CSL is special because its got a carboard boot

 

[Gibbo]

What you say is true but it's also true of the Z4M in that there are many Z4's on our roads.

Hi m8

I see your point too, but I find the Z4 Coupe looks nothing like the Roadster, looks completely different from the rear and sides. At the end of the day there are far less Z4's on the roads in comparison to 3 series.

 

[PMKeates]

So is the weight listed on BMW site an unladen weight or kerb weight, am I loosing the plot or do I have a point?

I last saw the plot jumping out your computer room window

Admiteddly it's very confusing, but the weights on BMW's website, even though credited with being unladen, conform to EU Directive 95/48 and are "EU DIN", and as such include the 68kg driver, 7kg luggage etc.

You have to be careful when comparing figures; VAG companies, for example, quote with the 75kg driver and luggage subtracted.