I'll keep this as brief as I can, because my Z4 M Coupe review posted recently was a bit wordy, and the Z4 Ms are both brilliant cars.

A few days after the Z4 M Coupe went back to BMW, a Z4 3.0si Sport turned up for a week's review. This is the revised Z4 (different rear light clusters

 

a good, concise review

 

I will say theZ4 is, like many BMWs commendably aerodynamic.

I was just reading a back issue of Autocar, where Chris Harris was bemoaning ULP tyres & their deleterious effects, particularly on BMWs.

Hopefully, things may start to change.

 

They have stiffened sidewalls to compensate for a loss of pressure. This means they have little give... and neither does BMW M Sport suspension. It was OK on motorways and smoother roads but on rutted sections of tarmac I honestly thought my teeth were going to fall out. The Z4 M Coupe, you see, has M Power suspension and non-RFT tyres, AND it has lighter 18 inch alloys than the Sport model's 18s, so although it is 'harder' in terms of image it actually rode quite well in comparison to the 3.0si.

All in all, the si's poor ride was the biggest negative factor. I like the idea of RFTs... but until they can get some ride compliance thrown in I'd steer clear of the damn things!

 

IKWYM

Trouble is, a tyre designed to work without air is gonna be very compromised the rest of the time when air's in it.

A tube of Tip Top seems easier.

The Z4M is a lot more expensive, so they can throw money at wheels & dampers.

It does not excuse the Si's fittings that it's cheaper. Fit lighter 17"s with some sidewalls, you Bavarian Boneheads!

 

Its the same with the M3. I have driven one with bling wheels and one with the std's, there was no comparison IMO. Ride and feedback greatly increased with the smaller wheels. Its a shame that people fall for form over function 9/10.

 

Exactly. It's advisable to have 18s on an E46 M3 because it handles and rides far better than it does on the 19s. But of course style is everything for some owners. Sure, on a convertible have the 19s, because if you've bought the rag-top M3 you're not a keen driver but someone interested in appearance. But the coupe should have 18s, even though they look a bit silly.

Mind you, the 19s on the CSL are fine because they're forged magnesium to make them lightweight, and the car was designed from the ground up to work with 19 inch wheels.

Nick, I agree with you totally. A lot of our readers replace the RFTs at the first opportunity with some 'standard' tyres and the results are always massively positive. Of course, then you're running the risk of having a puncture and being stranded. But at least it's not an offence to carry no spare; it's only illegal to carry a spare that is defective or worn below the legal limit. So get rid of RFTs!!!

 

I haven't driven the 3.0Si Z4 yet, but I expected that it would handle the same and with similar issues as before.

I have to say that I really liked the new engine, I have only driven it in the 130i but it seemed very fast to me, and just the same speed as a S2000. Sure, it doesn't give the same great feeling of speed, but I was very impressed with how quick it was from a standing start all the way through to *cough* much higher speeds.

I had a play with an 06 X3 3.0 (yuck) today and I was shocked how quick it was, even from the lights it would get slightly ahead (I was behind it) before I caught up a little (obviously more low down torque).

I had been toying with the idea of a white Z4 3.0 Si, but I really don't think its a focused car like the M version.

 

Went for a drive in the new 2.5 high compression Z4 at the weekend, which is faster than the current 3.0 version.

Black with very pale cream leather interior.... Gorgeous car to look at.

Interior was fantastic, seats very comfortable with an excellent sound system, but no wind deflector .

Its quick and makes a nice noise, but its so smooth you don't get the feeling of how fast the car really is.

For your every day cruiser, the Z4 wins hands down, but for the 'driver' The S I feel is better. Oh and at

 

[QUOTE=little Chris,Jul 26 2006, 09:08 AM] Oh and at