Benji
Well-known member
It all started early one fateful December morning in Camps Bay where I was woken up to go for a quick mountain drive. With the enjoyment of the previous nights' beer still heavy on my head, I stumbled out of bed. The fog quickly cleared when I was handed the keys to a neat E46 M3 and was directed in the direction of Chapmans peak drive. On that drive, I decided that, 1; I had to own a S54 car in my life, and 2; I need to move to the Cape.
Around the same time, a mate was looking at getting into a 2 door coupe/sports car for daily purposes. He, quite incorrectly, was looking at a Nissan 350Z/370Z, so, as a good friend, I took it upon myself to educate him and proceeded to convince him he needs a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si in manual. In my exceedingly convincing argument, I unintentionally managed to convince myself that I, indeed, was also in need of a Z4. The casual search for a Z4M started, I looked at one and posted a thread here to start educating myself, but was not in a financial position to afford one or had the garage real estate to park one.
Soon, a forum member posted this fantastically detailed for sale thread:
I innocently thought a quick look couldnt possibly hurt. I took the car for probably the longest test drive I've ever done and was immediately in love with the car! Avi was an absolute gent and was happy to keep the car for me while I figured out the logistics behind the purchase. Within 2 weeks, there was an alignment in the stars, the red M5 was paid for and it finally vacated its spot in the garage. 30min later I was at Avi's place and on my way home in my new pride and joy
I had several laugh out loud moments on my drive home! As James May says, there were a fizzing sensations...
There has been some previous history/interaction with this car:
The previous forum owners thread is here:
My initial impressions are:
Around the same time, a mate was looking at getting into a 2 door coupe/sports car for daily purposes. He, quite incorrectly, was looking at a Nissan 350Z/370Z, so, as a good friend, I took it upon myself to educate him and proceeded to convince him he needs a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si in manual. In my exceedingly convincing argument, I unintentionally managed to convince myself that I, indeed, was also in need of a Z4. The casual search for a Z4M started, I looked at one and posted a thread here to start educating myself, but was not in a financial position to afford one or had the garage real estate to park one.
Soon, a forum member posted this fantastically detailed for sale thread:
I innocently thought a quick look couldnt possibly hurt. I took the car for probably the longest test drive I've ever done and was immediately in love with the car! Avi was an absolute gent and was happy to keep the car for me while I figured out the logistics behind the purchase. Within 2 weeks, there was an alignment in the stars, the red M5 was paid for and it finally vacated its spot in the garage. 30min later I was at Avi's place and on my way home in my new pride and joy
I had several laugh out loud moments on my drive home! As James May says, there were a fizzing sensations...There has been some previous history/interaction with this car:
The previous forum owners thread is here:
My car - Z4M Coupe (silvergrey/2007)
Hi all So I haven't posted a few pics up of the car, decided to finally get round to it. My initial wanted thread (from 9/9/16): https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=76158 The Z4 coupe was a favourite shape of mine from their initial release in 2006 to present day, when my older...
www.bmwfanatics.co.za
My initial impressions are:
- Car is exceptionally clean for its age, this is intentionally not a project car. For once in my life!
- Eventuri intake is a musical instrument and invites illegal activities every time you go close to the loud pedal
- Car can be clunky if you are not paying attention, but it rewards your considered inputs and encourages you to remain attentive
- This is the easiest car Ive driven for heel and toe downshifts
- The view over the never-ending bonnet is spectacular
- The low seating position by the rear wheels makes you feel like you are in something much more exotic
- The S54 is a well-documented peach when running well - much more torquey than I was expecting
- The Vitour tyres on the car are hilariously rubbish, I shall punish them at the skidpan, but may just keep them on for now or change the tyres when/if I refurb the wheels
- ZHP gearknob and associated shift action is excellent, although it doesnt light up at night
- It fits in my overcrowded garage 👀
- My brain, there is nothing that needs sorting on this car
- Repair/replace sunglasses holder as it doesnt stay clipped
- I'd maybe like to wrap the door handle trims in a similar brushed aluminium as the dashboard
- Find a set of leather covered sun visors (My mates 3.0si has leather covered upper door trims and visors, I thought the visors were awesome)
- The wheel refurb, but they really are not that bad
- Some paint touchups
- Adjust the handbrake
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to new driving experiences with this beaut. 
