Is it even reasonable to compare 135i vs. Z4M?

[esscolab]

I agree, if only we had the $$$'s

[HondaGoneRogue]

Originally Posted by Balls

Of course I like style and function, and would gladly have a stylish Italian piece of 4-wheeled moving art in my drive if I could afford it, which I can't.

For sure the Z4M is no God's gift to sports cars. Just the best I was willing to pay for.

Well spoken.

[bmwzone]

I like this thread. Anytime my 37k 1er is compared to a 50k M car it's good.

The fact my 135i outhandles the Z4 M and is faster is just a bonus!

[MVF4Rrider]

^^ In the late 70s I used to own a 1975 Kawasaki H2 with Denco expansion chambers and Wiseco forged pistons. There wasn't a faster road bike on the planet back then (at least in a straight line). My best friend's cousin was the parts manager at Hendrick BMW in Charlotte NC (when they were a tiny dealership compared to today). This parts manager owned a new 528i with Alpina suspension and used to brag about how fast it was (actually was a super nice car back then). I used to tell him he didn't know the definition of fast nor acceleration based on his 528i experience (he didn't ride bikes), mainly because he was always an ass about everything. Above reminds me of those days. There's just some people who haven't a clue and need paper evidence (and suspect at that) to do their bidding for them. And yes, I've evolved in the two wheeled department over the years as well. Neither my 135i nor Z4 M would reach 60 mph before my $25K MV Agusta is about to blast through the 100 mph threshold. That's how slow these cars truly are. If there was an award for hairsplitters, I'd nominate you.

[HondaGoneRogue]

Wish I would be brave enough for 2 wheels. I had a nasty spill on a BMX when I was younger, turned me off completely. I wouldn't mind the rush though.

[Cooldaddygroove]

Been riding and racing sport bikes for 6 years, the last one (of a series of 7 bikes I've had) was a 2005 Suzuki GSXR1000. At about 165hp and 400lbs, there really isn't a car made that comes close, especially for $10,000.

All cars pale to the acceleration, braking, and handling of today's sport bikes. Safest vehicle on the road (up to the point of impact) IMHO.

[Guibo]

Out of curiosity, Balls, why did you pick Z4 M Coupe over the regular Cayman? If steering response, feel, and handling are what you value over power and 0-60 times, then the Cayman seems to make more sense. According to their German sites, the Porsche is over 9000 euros cheaper than the Z4 M. The Cayman S is not that much more (2400 euros) than the BMW. They're pretty much the same.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Cooldaddygroove

All cars pale to the acceleration, braking, and handling of today's sport bikes. Safest vehicle on the road (up to the point of impact) IMHO.

Handling? Theoretically only IMO. As in, a modern bike can corner faster, change direction faster etc. according to the specs.

Fact is few riders have the knowledge or courage to do what it takes to stay with a well driven high performance car on a twisty road. And for good reason, of course - when you are 9/10th committed in the car and something unexpected happens, you still have a good chance of walking away from it - but not so on a bike. I also got the impression that when you truly commit on a bike, you need more road than a single lane typically offers.

When I took my car to the Nurburgring during ED, I wasn't the fastest car out there by any stretch of the imagination, yet I passed 9 out of 10 bikes encountered on the track. (While the 10th one blew by me as if I was standing still).

So yes, a well ridden bike will kill anything else no matter what the contest is - but there are so precious few of those...

[HondaGoneRogue]

I was just going to say the same thing, bikes are ALMOST ALWAYS slower on the ring.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by Guibo

Out of curiosity, Balls, why did you pick Z4 M Coupe over the regular Cayman? If steering response, feel, and handling are what you value over power and 0-60 times, then the Cayman seems to make more sense. According to their German sites, the Porsche is over 9000 euros cheaper than the Z4 M. The Cayman S is not that much more (2400 euros) than the BMW. They're pretty much the same.

I bought US spec (military pricing, which my spec even with prem and heated seats came out at $47.5K out the door), and didn't then and don't want now a normal Cayman. I like Porsche very much but their scant 3% discount under MSRP and all the goodies I'd want pushes the car far beyond what I was willing to pay. Plus, I've always really liked the Z4 M and love the fact it's so raw and rare, an M car with a killer engine, and is tons of fun to drive. I also plan to keep this car for a very long time, so it only gets driven when for fun. Not to mention, have you taken a close look at older Boxsters? They don't seem to age as gracefully as one would think or hope.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by bmwzone

I like this thread. Anytime my 37k 1er is compared to a 50k M car it's good.

The fact my 135i outhandles the Z4 M and is faster is just a bonus!

Yea, but the prices are closer than you think. I paid over $46k for my 135i and the Z4M's sales are slow so they're selling at large discounts. I don't know the exact amount in today's market but the two cars are very close in price off the lot.

I'm taking the 135i to the dealer for trouble with the comfort access.. I'll ask my advisor what the ballpark discounts are on Z4m's these days. Of course, I'm no longer in the market but it is interesting to consider.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by Balls

Not to mention, have you taken a close look at older Boxsters? They don't seem to age as gracefully as one would think or hope.

The headlight design is one of porsche's biggest mistakes.

[scrapiron7]

I test drove both a 08 135i and an 07 Z4 M Coupe today. Both are nice cars, but at the end of the day, I think I will be going with the M.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by scrapiron7

I test drove both a 08 135i and an 07 Z4 M Coupe today. Both are nice cars, but at the end of the day, I think I will be going with the M.

So are you getting a deal on the M? Is the coupe really that hard to see out the rear blind spots? thanks

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by crzy4135i

So are you getting a deal on the M? Is the coupe really that hard to see out the rear blind spots? thanks

It's a bit hard to see out the rear window, and US versions don't have PDC. Although the rear side windows have great side-rear visibility.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by scrapiron7

I test drove both a 08 135i and an 07 Z4 M Coupe today. Both are nice cars, but at the end of the day, I think I will be going with the M.

You won't be disappointed...

[Robert]

m is a more purposeful machine than the 1.

[Guibo]

Originally Posted by Balls

...didn't then and don't want now a normal Cayman. Plus, I've always really liked the Z4 M and love the fact it's so raw and rare, an M car with a killer engine, and is tons of fun to drive. I also plan to keep this car for a very long time, so it only gets driven when for fun. Not to mention, have you taken a close look at older Boxsters? They don't seem to age as gracefully as one would think or hope.

Ok, thanks for the info. You have given some reasons why a person might take either Bimmer over the Porsche even if the price was the same. They wouldn't necessarily be a fool.

[Alext]

Z4M has a much greater sense of occassion than the 135i everytime you drive it.

[future135i]

I have to have the back seat. no if's but's or and's. M3? way.... out of reach.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by Guibo

Ok, thanks for the info. You have given some reasons why a person might take either Bimmer over the Porsche even if the price was the same. They wouldn't necessarily be a fool.

Amazingly too, these entry level Porsches don't seem to hold their value so well either...unless a special edition model.

[Mad Dragon]

Hey guys, guess what?