Supposed to take delivery of my manual Z4 M40i in a few weeks - toying with getting a Z instead

[CPerdomo]

I’m currently back in FL right now and I keep my Z at my 2nd home so had to pull these from past pictures. I actually had two Z’s at the same time because I was planning on keeping one in FL but I ended up selling it to make room for the Carrera T and ended up keeping two Z4’s instead of two Z’s…. No question the Z4 costs more but it really is a better car. I put both pics in so you can see the one with the Nismo exhaust and one with the factory exhaust.… So I also had the opportunity to have stock vs Nismo side by side. The Nismo is louder but still has that distinct vacuum cleaner type sound with these engines. My other Z4 has a Valvetronic, Eventuri intake and also AA Sport Cat downpipes and that one is actually almost too loud with the valve open so I drive with it closed most of the time… stock exhaust with AA sport cats is about just right.

Thank you.

 

[CPerdomo]

I just drove both cars back-to-back again. It was my first time in the Z, and while I know the Z4 pretty well, I asked a friend to loan me his for an hour just to be sure.

I want to explain my thought process here and why I even considered this: I thought, the Z's original MSRP was $55k, which is very similar to the Supra. Since the Supra is a bit worse in terms of refinement and quality compared to the Z4, I figured the Z must be at a similar refinement level. I was okay with the Z being a slightly worse car for a lot less money, but sadly, it's not slightly worse-it's significantly worse in pretty much every aspect.

I'll start with the good: the power is great, the car feels small, and the manual transmission, while worse than the Z4's, is better than all the reviews said. The car also looks great. But that's about it.

It is significantly less refined than the Z4, or even other Japanese brands like Honda or Mazda. My wife's Mazda3 feels a lot better. The steering felt super weird; it had this odd behavior where if I was parked and moved it just a little bit, instead of actually moving the wheels, it would snap back to where it was. The buttons on the steering wheel felt super cheap, like embarrassingly bad. The adaptive cruise control, which I was excited about, gets immediately canceled the moment you press the clutch. Why???? And the seats... Oh, the seats. They were terrible. There is zero thigh support, and you can't control either the lumbar support or the amount of bolstering. For some reason, it's half manual, half electric????. There were a bunch of other things, too.

I think that for around $43-44k, the Performance model is a decent option-you get a lot of car for the money. But this car has no business being released with an MSRP of $55k+, and I can completely understand why they've been sitting on lots for over a year. I think the biggest issue is that I came with the expectation of driving a $55-60k sports car, not a $40k one. Personally, in this price category, I would have taken a Type R any day of the week.

There's your answer then...

 

[CPerdomo]

Really sweet rides bro!!

Did you have the decals installed later? or did the car come with them?

 

[RobotAZ]

Yes. Hence why it is cheap. My Z is only a year old, 10k miles, work from home, and I can already see some interior wear.

I also own an X6 and the build quality is out of the world. But like others have said, it is more expensive to maintain once warranty expires.

It’s not the money for me. I don’t have time for my life revolving around dealer repairs. Every time I visit one it costs me thousands in lost pay. On top of driving around pissed off trying to decide when to go so that I lose the least amount of money from income. If BMW wants to drop off a car every time I have a problem in perpetuity, fine. Plain old dealer hassle system, no freakin way.

 

[johnuf78]

Decals were from the factory.

 

[CPerdomo]

Decals were from the factory.

Thanks

 

[Larry]

I just got my 2024 performance z manual. I got a barely used one (1000 miles) for $45K. I'm very pleased with it. Took me awhile to decide. Like you, I was looking at other stuff before deciding. Manual transmission was a requirement. On my shopping list was the BMW Z4 (or Supra), Subaru BRZ, Camaro, and Mustang. I scratched off the BRZ reluctantly. If I was 26 instead of 66 it would have been my choice, Great car, but lacking creature comforts. I scratched off the Z4 because of all the electronic stuff, felt like driving a video game, and NO dipstick (what were they thinking?). The Mustang was nice, I love the Coyote engine (I have an F150) but again, a bit too much computer stuff. I must admit I really liked the Camaro with it's old school V8. But when I drove the Z I really liked it and I'm a Nissan guy, have had a 240z, two 240sx's, and an Altima Coupe 3.5, all manual transmission. The 2024 heritage sold me with the paint scheme, same colors as my old 1970 240z.
My biggest gripe is no spare tire and tool kit. But you can get stuff that fits from a junkyard. There is a thread on here about it.

 

[Apex_Z]

I just drove both cars back-to-back again. It was my first time in the Z, and while I know the Z4 pretty well, I asked a friend to loan me his for an hour just to be sure.

I want to explain my thought process here and why I even considered this: I thought, the Z's original MSRP was $55k, which is very similar to the Supra. Since the Supra is a bit worse in terms of refinement and quality compared to the Z4, I figured the Z must be at a similar refinement level. I was okay with the Z being a slightly worse car for a lot less money, but sadly, it's not slightly worse-it's significantly worse in pretty much every aspect.

I'll start with the good: the power is great, the car feels small, and the manual transmission, while worse than the Z4's, is better than all the reviews said. The car also looks great. But that's about it.

It is significantly less refined than the Z4, or even other Japanese brands like Honda or Mazda. My wife's Mazda3 feels a lot better. The steering felt super weird; it had this odd behavior where if I was parked and moved it just a little bit, instead of actually moving the wheels, it would snap back to where it was. The buttons on the steering wheel felt super cheap, like embarrassingly bad. The adaptive cruise control, which I was excited about, gets immediately canceled the moment you press the clutch. Why???? And the seats... Oh, the seats. They were terrible. There is zero thigh support, and you can't control either the lumbar support or the amount of bolstering. For some reason, it's half manual, half electric????. There were a bunch of other things, too.

I think that for around $43-44k, the Performance model is a decent option-you get a lot of car for the money. But this car has no business being released with an MSRP of $55k+, and I can completely understand why they've been sitting on lots for over a year. I think the biggest issue is that I came with the expectation of driving a $55-60k sports car, not a $40k one. Personally, in this price category, I would have taken a Type R any day of the week.

Clearly your highly developed sophisticated taste requires a level of refinement the POS Z does not provide. You should definitely get the BMW, it seems like the right car for you.

 

[ZillaZ]

Clearly your highly developed sophisticated taste requires a level of refinement the POS Z does not provide. You should definitely get the BMW, it seems like the right car for you.

Imagine being surprised that a car that costs multiple tens of thousands of dollars less feels less refined.

Not sure how OP did not see that coming. Strange thread eh?

 

[Larry]

Clearly your highly developed sophisticated taste requires a level of refinement the POS Z does not provide. You should definitely get the BMW, it seems like the right car for you.

I agree with pretty much everything you said except for the issue with the cruise control. Every manual transmission car I've ever had would disengage the cruise control when you hit the clutch. It is by design.
Personally though, I prefer the simpler experience of the Z. All bells and whistles on the Beemer are not my cup of tea and I would have picked the Z even if the BMW was same price. And what possible excuse could BMW have of not putting a dipstick in the engine? What's next? Maybe they can put a proprietary valve on the tires so you have to go to the dealer to get air?

 

[trackratZ]

The OP is looking for total refinement that he doesn't find in the Z. Of course that's the case with the Z4 costing almost half as much as the Z. I just ran a few autocross runs in a Z4, only automatics available. It feels more upscale sitting inside, great materials, power of the B58 is nice and torquey, BUT it drives and handles so muted, so much electronics and nannies even in Sport mode. Not for me. The Z feels A LOT lighter on its feet when thrown around. Yes you feel and hear less refinement but it's still way more composed than the previous 370Z. It is definitely more engaging if you want more driving 'feel', opposed to the muted feel of the Z4. I've owned a few Miatas before and can say the Z is a grown up version of it, simple, flickable fun. And then the available upgrades to button it down more. So, OP, just get and cruise in your Z4, it's what you really want anyway.

 

[Deleted member 4577]

Imagine being surprised that a car that costs multiple tens of thousands of dollars less feels less refined.

Not sure how OP did not see that coming. Strange thread eh?

What's more funny is how everyone was eager to help and nice, until I dared to "insult" their lovely car. Men really are just bigger kids. If you read my post carefully you'll understand my thought process exactly. But I'll explain it again, slower.

I test-drove the Supra a while ago. It was decent, about an 8/10 on the refinement level I was looking for. I was completely fine with a manual Supra. The car I test-drove had an MSRP of $57,345. Awesome. The dealer asked for a $10k markup and didn't budge, which is why I didn't buy it. The Nissan Z I test-drove had an MSRP of $56,350, so it was extremely similar to the Supra. The dealer was willing to sell it for $10k under MSRP (2025 model). In my mind, because both cars had a very similar MSRP and are direct competitors (to the point that Nissan said they had the Supra in their crosshairs when they designed the car), they would be similar in driving dynamics, refinement, etc.

But I guess the market has spoken, and there's a reason the Z is being sold for $10k under and the manual Supra is being sold for $10k over.

 

[ZillaZ]

What's more funny is how everyone was eager to help and nice, until I dared to "insult" their lovely car. Men really are just bigger kids.

I don't feel insulted at all nor did I call you any names or generalize fans of a specific car like you are. You came here asking for honest takes and literally everyone who responded said the Z will be less refined.

Then when you drove one you talked about how less refined and "embarrassingly bad" it is. Your words, not mine.

Nobody would disagree that a car that costs so much less would be less refined but you are on a forum made for enthusiasts of the Z and proceeded to talk about how terrible you think it is compared to even other manufacturers.

Just makes one wonder why you think the Z would be so different than it is.

Glad you got to drive one and got your answers. I don't see anyone here acting like kids or upset with your experience with both cars. You do you and most people here are telling you what you found out.

The BMW is going to be a more refined car.

 

[Apex_Z]

What's more funny is how everyone was eager to help and nice, until I dared to "insult" their lovely car. Men really are just bigger kids. If you read my post carefully you'll understand my thought process exactly. But I'll explain it again, slower.

I test-drove the Supra a while ago. It was decent, about an 8/10 on the refinement level I was looking for. I was completely fine with a manual Supra. The car I test-drove had an MSRP of $57,345. Awesome. The dealer asked for a $10k markup and didn't budge, which is why I didn't buy it. The Nissan Z I test-drove had an MSRP of $56,350, so it was extremely similar to the Supra. The dealer was willing to sell it for $10k under MSRP (2025 model). In my mind, because both cars had a very similar MSRP and are direct competitors (to the point that Nissan said they had the Supra in their crosshairs when they designed the car), they would be similar in driving dynamics, refinement, etc.

But I guess the market has spoken, and there's a reason the Z is being sold for $10k under and the manual Supra is being sold for $10k over.

Whatever the case is, you ended up on a Z forum telling Z owners that their car sucks. I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting the reaction to that to be?

 

[Deleted member 4577]

Whatever the case is, you ended up on a Z forum telling Z owners that their car sucks. I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting the reaction to that to be?

Not at all what I said, and I also don't believe there is a product that sucks without context. The Z sucks at $55k and is actually pretty decent at $45k and is amazing at $40k. Market agrees and that's why they are selling for $10k under. Simple as that.

edit: another example, I had a 718 Spyder at some point which I got with an MSRP of ~$110k, great deal in my opinion and great car AT THAT PRICE. You will hear me shitting all over the Spyder RS at rennlist. Will anyone be able to say the Spyder RS is a bad car? Of-course not. But at almost double the price of the original Spyder - yeah, it sucks.