If you long for a car with BMW's iconic S54 straight-six cylinder engine, but can’t quite make the finances stretch all the way to the perfect E46 M3, then there is a suitable alternative, the rather brilliant (and still affordable) Z4 M Coupé.
Words & Images: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
Let's start with a look at the current M-Car "modern classic" market. If you are shopping for a M product of, say, the past 25 years, there is a staggering number of variants to choose from. However, seeing as we live in a BMW-loving country, the values of most of these cars have increased substantially over the past few years. Some of them are now simply priced beyond reach!
One such example is the BMW E46 M3, with prices now above half a million rand for a good one and closer to three quarters of a million rand for some of the best examples in South Africa. But where should you look if you want a more affordable M product, at least in terms of the initial outlay of the purchase price, if we leave maintenance aside?
Your next M car
May I suggest you take a closer look at the BMW (E86) Z4 M Coupé and (E85) Roadster? These are arguably the most affordable full-fat BMW M products you can currently purchase in South Africa, particularly so in the case of the Roadster. It won't stay that way forever, and the Coupe in particularly is already trending upwards...
At the time of writing this article there were a few attractive examples available online - one 2007 and two 2009 Coupé models with between 99 000 and 120 000 kilometres on the clock, priced from R328 000 to R369 000. If you want to look for (and are prepared to wait) for a perfect example, you will pay a bit more than that.
The current owner of this car has had three other BMWs in his life and perhaps unsurprisingly the previous one was the Z4 M Roadster.
However, when this Sepang Bronze example was teased by the Mother City Car Company on social media, the owner got in touch and soon thereafter the car was in his garage. A particularly attractive feature of the Z4 M Coupé is the fact that it's a proper sports car. It's not a saloon, it is a two-door GT and it is definitely not an SUV (uhm, as the X“M”!).
Underneath the long bonnet is the iconic S54 3.2L straight-six engine, the same unit as found in the E46 M3. This begs the question, surely this should be a more exciting M product - after all it is lighter and more "focused" than the M3, which is a derivate of the BMW 3-Series?
Behind the wheel
The afternoon sun, combined with this particular colour, really work wonders for this era of BMW design. Although not directly designed by Chris Bangle but rather by Jan Hettler, Herr Bangle was in charge of the BMW design team at the time. There are creases that you can see from the front to the rear along the lowest third of the car, but it is unmistakably a BMW Z4. At the back you've got a short overhang with the four exhaust pipes protruding below the rear bumper. In M specification it looks suitably muscular.
The nose might look slightly long when you walk up to it, but when you get into the car it doesn't feel as long – your feet being in line with the wheels. The cabin is another highlight from a decade and a half ago. There is no infotainment screen, just analogue dials and a gorgeous slab of aluminium with the air conditioning and the radio controls in the centre.
There are no features that take your attention away from the driving experience. The seats are comfortable and fairly supportive, while the steering wheel is not as thickly rimmed as some modern BMWs. To my left is a stubby gear lever with relatively short throws.
Twist the key and there's an immediate gruff sound to the engine. Cruise along at 2 000 or 3 000 rpm and you will already get the sense that this is a rather focused sports coupé. Depending on what you are used to, the ride is on the firm side, but it's not too harsh to make it impossible to live with on a daily basis.
At all times the car feels planted and solid. However, when you start to push on, the naughty side - in terms of the handling traits that we've associated with most BMW M products from this era - becomes evident. On poor surfaces the traction control light will flicker regularly as this stiff, powerful sportscar tries to put its power down.
However, it's not intrusive, because thankfully the system allows slight movements of the rear axle before it intervenes. That trait allows you to really enjoy the car close to the limit.
Past 5 000 and 6 000 rpm on the way to the 7 500 rpm red line, the engine is at its best and the full 252 kW can be felt and enjoyed. Help the gear shifts along with some throttle blipping on the way down and you will smooth out the process. The brakes on this specific car might need a little attention but even so the brake pedal is extremely sensitive and this truly inspires confidence when pushing on.
The nicely weighted and direct steering is another highlight, though it must be said that at times it feels like you are driving the car from the seat of your pants, because you are so close to the ground and the rear axle. Not a bad thing, either...
Summary
Offering arguably one of the best and most special M engines from the noughties in a car that is focused enough to be enjoyed on a weekend blast but still usable enough to drive on a daily basis, it is hard to fault this Z4. It is undoubtedly a modern classic.
The Z4 M Coupe is not only special in terms of its design but it offers an exciting driving experience - you will definitely experience some laugh-out-loud moments along the way. I've realised that you don't need to stretch to E46 M3 money to own one of the best M engines from the 21st century. The Z4 M Coupé is pure joy to pilot. What a winner!
Specifications:
Model: BMW Z4 M Coupé
Engine: 3.2-litre, six-cylinder, petrol
Power: 252 kW at 7 900 rpm
Torque: 365 N.m at 4 900 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 1 495 kg
0-100 km/h: 5.0 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h