[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by LegendVer2

So is half the people on here and reddit that says stuff like "car isn't trying to kill me, so it's not fun".

Word.

At nearly 3k miles now. I'm taking mine back, it isn't fun.

Just kidding. It's fun as fuck. And the stereo doesn't suck.

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Mark says that about 95% of the cars he drives. He's been doing this for so long that the only thing that gets him erect are the Porsche 4-liter cars. 99% of M2 drivers won't get to experience an all expenses paid trip to California to rip $300,000+ cars around a track for free. I genuinely do like Mark and Jack, but you have to listen very carefully to what they say and how they say it. They lean very subtly into sarcasm a lot of the time and they're still paid speakers for these brands. Otherwise they'll get cancelled by marketing departments.

If you watch his 718 T review, he was a complete sourpuss, then he told Jack “the first time I drove it I was instantly, 100% engaged and I was so connected to this car”
This is the opposite of “I feel dead”. Just sayin
If hp, cylinders, bragging and sound are paramount, the M2 is the better car for sure.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by ourlee

If you watch his 718 T review, he was a complete sourpuss, then he told Jack “the first time I drove it I was instantly, 100% engaged and I was so connected to this car”
This is the opposite of ‘I feel dead”. Just sayin
If hp, cylinders and sound are paramount, the M2 is the better car for sure.

He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, but he also admitted in that review that the buyers for the Cayman T are extremely niche because of the insane price point. It’s a trim that a few hundred people are going to buy. Maybe if you park a Cayman T at $50,000 against an M2, it becomes a valid conversation about value and compromise. But hell, I’d buy a Z4 M40i or a Supra before I buy a Cayman for $80,000 - $90,000.

[ourlee]

Just kidding. It's fun as fuck. And the stereo doesn't suck.

Love this so much

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, but he also admitted in that review that the buyers for the Cayman T are extremely niche because of the insane price point. It’s a trim that a few hundred people are going to buy. Maybe if you park a Cayman T at $50,000 against an M2, it becomes a valid conversation about value and compromise. But hell, I’d buy a Z4 M40i or a Supra before I buy a Cayman for $80,000 - $90,000.

I’m the niche. I’m maxing my car budget at my C8 build, $84,500.
The C8 is turning into a build quality shit show so I’m passing. Same with the Emira, I drove one (I was on the list for a bit) car was AWESOME but they recently bumped it to 100k and it’s more of a build quality shit show than the vette so another pass. LOVE that the M2 is $68k and that was really winning me over, I really love the car.
But if I’m comfortable at $85k, I gotta entertain used cars in that range. I think the 718 is better for me but the value proposition (4 cylinder) really bugs me. But then I remember it’s 3000 lbs and no roof. As a retired empty nester, it makes a strong case for itself.
I’d reach to $90 for a CPO 911.2 T but they are still too expensive. The 911T is my fav, I’d keep it forever and drive it every day.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by ourlee

I’m the niche. I’m maxing my car budget at my C8 build, $84,500.
The C8 is turning into a build quality shit show so I’m passing. Same with the Emira, I drove one (I was on the list for a bit) car was AWESOME but they recently bumped it to 100k and it’s more of a build quality shit show than the vette so another pass. LOVE that the M2 is $68k and that was really winning me over, I really love the car.
So if I’m comfortable at $85k, I gotta entertain used cars in that range. I think the 718 is better for me but the value proposition (4 cylinder) really bugs me. But then I remember it’s 3000 lbs and no roof. As a retired empty nester, it makes a strong case for itself.

If you don't need a roof, then you should absolutely test drive a Z4 M40i. I live in Colorado and use the roof for bikes, so it's literally impossible for me to currently own a Z4 - otherwise I would have one. It doesn't have a manual sadly, but that B58 with the roof down sings like an angel. Not to mention it looks timeless. I regretted not buying one after I test drove it, but in the future and after I pay off the M2, there is a plan.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

If you don't need a roof, then you should absolutely test drive a Z4 M40i. I live in Colorado and use the roof for bikes, so it's literally impossible for me to currently own a Z4 - otherwise I would have one. It doesn't have a manual sadly, but that B58 with the roof down sings like an angel. Not to mention it looks timeless. I regretted not buying one after I test drove it, but in the future and after I pay off the M2, there is a plan.

If rumors of a last hurrah manual Z4 come true, there will be one in my garage next to the G87 and Z4MC.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by mtoosexy

a SMALL drop! The mods I have seen on the "utoob" drop it too far... makes it look like a dog's tail between its legs. Some serious spacing and a minor drop makes it look niiiice.

Yes. Definitely a small drop (nothing huge) and the spacers and you are good to go!

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

If you don't need a roof, then you should absolutely test drive a Z4 M40i. I live in Colorado and use the roof for bikes, so it's literally impossible for me to currently own a Z4 - otherwise I would have one. It doesn't have a manual sadly, but that B58 with the roof down sings like an angel. Not to mention it looks timeless. I regretted not buying one after I test drove it, but in the future and after I pay off the M2, there is a plan.

I think the Z4 is gorgeous but it’s not as dynamic as the 718 (per reviews lol) but goose actually loved it (the 4 cylinder no less)
Witness

[Tag]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

If rumors of a last hurrah manual Z4 come true, there will be one in my garage next to the G87 and Z4MC.

MT Z4 M40i goes into production on 03/24.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Tag

MT Z4 M40i goes into production on 03/24.

WHAT!?!? I missed that!


My accountant isn't going to be pleased.

[npirnia]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

but what im pointing out is that there are cheap light cars with good fun steering, and heavy cars with good steering too. E39 M5 was 4000 pounds, porsche taycan (4500 pounds) usually gets praises on its electric steering in reviews sayings its very 'porsche like'. Same with the alfa quad.

Hmm...have you driven an E39 M5 recently? I wouldn't say they have fun steering. It is a recirculating ball system that is somewhat imprecise and doesn't have much off-center feel. It weights up well in corners, but doesn't give much feel and it allows you to drive down the highway oscillating the steering an inch in either direction without the car reacting much.

The modern affection for the E39 M5 is a real reflection of how much context plays a role in how we perceive a car. In its day, there was nothing quite like it. It delivered good performance (enough to keep up with a C5 or 911 on a back road) with real comfort and refinement. That comfort, refinement, and ease of use is what many on the forum are complaining about these days - M cars feeling like regular cars that are also very fast. Back then it was a novelty that very few makers could pull off: BMW M, Porsche, and Acura with the NSX - that's about it.

I do think the E39 M5 is very, very balanced in its design in terms of the marriage of the chassis with the engine and gearbox. Things really do sing together when the car is pushed. But the gearbox and steering are actually worse than modern BMWs when viewed in isolation. But those things feel harmonious in an older car with much worse NVH than today, a lot more chassis flex (which does give the driver something to feel), and tires that give much less ultimate grip, but much more opportunity to approach the cars limits.

I think BMW M is still haunted by its past successes as one of the only companies that could build a high performance daily drivable car with a nice interior. Now the the competition is much stiffer as other companies have invested the resources to really do this as well, but everyone still expects BMW M to rise above and vanquish the competition. Like they say, you can never go home again...

-Nick

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Tag

MT Z4 M40i goes into production on 03/24.

God dammit you're right! Well now I know how I'm spending the rest of this evening, figuring out how to get one in my garage ASAP.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by npirnia

Hmm...have you driven an E39 M5 recently? I wouldn't say they have fun steering. It is a recirculating ball system that is somewhat imprecise and doesn't have much off-center feel. It weights up well in corners, but doesn't give much feel and it allows you to drive down the highway oscillating the steering an inch in either direction without the car reacting much.

Agree 100%.

In 2015-16 I had a nice E39 M5 (EAG-sourced) and a 2005 ZHP coupe. The steering in the ZHP was absolutely sublime. The crappy recirculating ball setup in the M5 was exacerbated by switching back and forth between the 2 cars. Over time I found my self reaching for the ZHP keys more and more often. After a little over a year of M5 ownership, I sold it back to EAG. I was done. I'd wanted one for ages, finally got my hands on a really nice example, and while I loved a lot of things about it, the overall package just didn't tickle my rectum (as Mark at Savagegeese would say). I sold my first Z4M coupe to get it, after having it for 8 years, and pretty quickly regretted that decision.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by Tag

MT Z4 M40i goes into production on 03/24.

If this actually does happen, I will sell my M2.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

God dammit you're right! Well now I know how I'm spending the rest of this evening, figuring out how to get one in my garage ASAP.

You and me both, been plotting since Horatiu started teasing me with it before I put my deposit down for the M2.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Tag

MT Z4 M40i goes into production on 03/24.

This is a fact or you’re playing with my emotions? I know I’ve been nonstop daydreaming about my incoming 2 but I can’t see how I would of missed this.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

This is a fact or you’re playing with my emotions? I know I’ve been nonstop daydreaming about my incoming 2 but I can’t see how I would of missed this.

You can thank the Supra for giving the Z4 a MT. This news broke around a year ago and has since been confirmed. You don’t need to believe me, you’ll find out soon enough from BMW themselves.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Tag

You can thank the Supra for giving the Z4 a MT. This news broke around a year ago and has since been confirmed. You don’t need to believe me, you’ll find out soon enough from BMW themselves.

Yes, thanks Tag and Supra. I’ve been eagerly aware of all of the above except the part of it being actually true. That small detail has eluded me. Not a matter of believing you or not, I’m trying to ascertain if this “has been confirmed” is solely among the secret society or I missed the big news while buried in the M2 forum?

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Tag

You can thank the Supra for giving the Z4 a MT. This news broke around a year ago and has since been confirmed. You don’t need to believe me, you’ll find out soon enough from BMW themselves.

“G29 Z4 In production until 03/26
Manual M40i starts production in 03/24”

Yes, I’ve seen this and am aware of his track record. Is this the confirmation you mean?

[Ravenseal]

I wonder if a manual Z4 would actually survive the remainder of production run, or if they’ll cancel it because only three people from Bimmerpost bought it in the first year. Lol. The FOMO in me says that if it’s actually confirmed and can be ordered, I should put a deposit down on a purple one ASAP. The factory is Graz is extremely low volume. No way they’ll have as many allocations as G8x cars.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

“G29 Z4 In production until 03/26
Manual M40i starts production in 03/24”

Yes, I’ve seen this and am aware of his track record. Is this the confirmation you mean?

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/01/14/b...-transmission/