2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster Review - Did I Buy The Wrong One?

A few years ago, I owned a Z4M Coupe. It was one of the most flawed cars I had ever driven. Beautiful, fast, but tough to drive round town and difficult to live with. Today I'm taking out a Z4 M Roadster to see whether the loss of a roof can improve the Z4 M experience.

#BMW #Z4M #Review

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[flybobbie]

Most significant thing about this video, he chose the only day of the year we had a totally cloudless sky in the UK.

[FelixIsMyName]

I was the one from Oxford (atm) who emailed about trying a Z4M roadster James and I'm glad you agree that the roadster is a more relaxed car than the coupe :)

[chappy]

I think these "bangle era" BMWs have aged really well. Look loads better now than when they came out

[Traktion]

I have a z4 3.0si and once the runflats are ditched, it stops hedge hunting and rides pretty well.

It's a touch softer than the z4m, even with sports suspension, so just about perfect for weathered back roads.

The electric steering is a bit inert, but the gearbox is smoother and with a ZHP knob, it feels great to me.

I gather it is missing the top end zing of the z4m, but the engine is lighter. It isn't a steel lump, which takes a useful chunk of weight off the front, helping it turn in better (apparently!).

I never tried an m, but they were over twice the price to buy and similar to maintain. For the money, the 3.0si is hard to beat.

I look at stuff to replace it with, but I can't see anything in the same price bracket that competes.

[erudite]

Recently acquired an '06 M Roadster with low mileage (55k miles). What a gem of a car .. a pretty hardcore road machine that's being discovered by enthusiasts and collectors. Glad I found mine as they're going up in price.

[Stag]

The S54 comment is very true. Fresh coil packs and a VANOS refresh using Beisan parts will wake up most S54s.

[neilstewart]

I think the review is spot on! having owned an m3 csl, , z4m roadster and a couple of m3's, i couldn't agree at 7 tenths driving and a great place to sit and enjoy.

[rickhunter]

I have the LHD twin to this car including color and high end cold air intake and cat back. The one additional modification that transforms these cars is installation of a modified clutch delay valve - modified meaning the guts of the valve are removed so that it no longer functions. For $100 or so you vastly improve the driving experience - the clutch release point is now stable and the 1st to 2nd shift is vastly improved. All in all, a fair review although brand and age of tires have a huge impact on ride and steering feedback.

[saskwotch]

I own one of these and find it a lot more hardcore than my M3, it’s an extremely involving car to drive. Unique short-shift 6 speed manual, proper limited slip diff, brakes and steering from the M3 CSL and the latest iteration of BMWs greatest engine. Which is extremely similar in design to the two straight sixes that were mates together for the McLaren F1s S70 V12.
Tootle along in third at 20mph, plant your right foot and with the added character of individual throttle bodies it’ll howl all the way past 100mph before you shift in to 4th at 8, 000rpm. It’s a crazy little car with big attitude.
Always puts a smile on my face when I drive it 😀

[jeffk]

this looks like a wonderful car to take out on a sunny day and drive no more than 8/10s, just a bit relaxed and enjoy! lovely exhaust note! Lovely video!

[naiart]

Yes, yes. Thank you James. I love this car. I might be biased. I daily drive mine, including in the Canadian winter 😮

[gavinleyfield]

Whilst the M car is a big pull, especially for that engine. The 3.0 Z4 would make more sense to me, for that 8/10s vibe. and SUPER cheap at the moment. Nice video James, great quality and really useful observations. Congrats on the 550 too!

[spikeisgr]

Try a Z3M roadster. I have one and have driven a Z4M. The former is a much more raw, traditional roadster feel vs the latter. And looks, don’t even get me started. Still, the Z4M is a very underrated car. Glad you enjoyed!

[ryanpatterson]

My little Z3 M roadster with the S54 is the bees knees! Analog perfection!

[johntearle]

Thanks Jay. Enjoyed sharing the car and great to hear your take on it!

[djchocice]

It’s a sublime car, I chose an S2000 in the end due to the lower running costs and better handling. But, that straight six is one of the most glorious engines ever put in a road car, with a good intake, it is simply the best sounding road car of the past 20 years.

[davidblair]

Sold my S2000 (bought new in 2003) in 2008 and bought one with only 2000 miles on the clock. Had it for 3 yrs, did 3 euro tours and 36, 000 miles. Loved it. Lusted for a V8 and bought an E92 M3 after that. Z4MR is always fondly remembered 😎

[myou]

Great review. Owned the Z4M coupe for about 2 years. Loved it but was a bit twitchy on anything but perfectly dry tarmac. Moved on to an E92 M3 and found it to be a better all rounder and just as entertaining. Saying that the Z4M has probably gone up in value a few thousand pounds since I sold it.

[pHilliUK]

I have the Z4 M coupe with quite a lot of mods and it's brilliant. The stock car is good but flawed. Adding KW V3s and better brakes, and a load of other tweaks it's great. I have the Carbon eventuri and stock exhaust to hear the induction raw.

[DutchBane]

Yes! I like this one a lot. Its such a timeless looking car too.