[mjposner]

So I will be losing my 2021 SUV for in June, leaving me with only my 2004 911 Turbo (https://mart.pca.org/ads/60733). Since a nearly 20 year old car has issues, and I need more modern reliability I have been looking to sell the 911 and get something newer. My budget is up to about $60k and I want a convertible so I have narrowed the field to Z4 or 718 Boxster.

Drove this yesterday: https://www.bmwoffortmyers.com/certi...e21d2cb423.htm

I like the looks of the Z4 and the interior is nice. I felt that the engine was decent but that the transmission felt a bit slow (I am used to manuals and pdk/dcts). I assume that the M40i will be better and I think is still in budget.

Did anyone cross shop 718s and why did you choose the Z?

Questions:

1. Can tranny be tuned?
2. Android Auto works in the 2019/2020 (I have a 2022 samsung)
3. Can the cluster screen be modified, looks a bit video gameish
4. Does M40i have louder exhaust and burbles

Thanks for feedback

[TAZ007]

I cross-shopped the 718 and GTS 4.0 against the Z4M40. I found the Z4 to be much more liveable.

I will try to answer your questions:

1. Don't believe so, but the ZF8 is a great tranny. The manual in sport mode is close to an actual manual with quicker engagements.
2. It will work.
3. Yes it can. There are plenty of threads in the Z4 forums that will explain how to code it.
4. Absolutely. I found it needs to be sport or sport+ mode for it.

[RigaTony1982]

Don't have mine yet, but here's what I do know from my buying and driving experiences.

3.) Assume you're talking gauge display screen? It's modifiable, but not much. The right side of the screen in between the tach can be modified to display a few different items, such as trip computer, G meter, HP/TQ display, current gear or media playing. There are some options to make the display less cluttered, such as turning off the map in the middle. Otherwise, that's it. Not nearly as configurable as say an Audi.

4.) From my experience, yes. It is louder with more burble/cracks, especially in Sport Mode.

I also looked at a 718. The main thing for me was the price difference on a comparably optioned car. Since you have a 911 you probably know how the Porsche options work. The car I built was about $20K more than the Z4. At that point I would have just gotten an M4 convertible.

I've read the 718 is a better drivers car, but I don't plan on tracking the Z. I just wanted something fun, comfortable and decently quick. Checked all the boxes for me.

Also, I have found some decent prices on used M40i's with low mileage. Seem to be coming down a bit. If you can swing it, I'd go that route for sure.

[jcolman]

I also had to decide between a Cayman S, Boxster, older 911S or Z4M40i. I drove quite a few versions of each car before deciding on the Z4. Originally I wanted a 911s but I could only afford a 10 year old version of the car. I still love the 911's but I wanted modern safety features like blind spot monitoring. When I drove the Boxster and Cayman, I felt that the handling of each car was superb to the BMW. Again though, the pricing was just a bit higher than what I was willing to spend. I had a hard time finding a Z4 to test drive so I almost didn't buy one until I stumbled across a 2020 model with only 1800 miles on it. I fell in love with the car immediately. It's more comfortable than the Porsche's and had all the safety features I wanted. More important to me however was the Z4 had more trunk space for my golf clubs and/or photography equipment. The handling of the Z4 is almost on par with the Porsches, but in reality unless you are going to track the car, you really don't need a car that drives like it's on rails. The power of the M40i version is on par with the Porsche's so you don't give up anything in that area.

[mjposner]

I do not track my cars. I have found a m40i near me that I am interested in. I think the S30 would disappoint me in the long run.

I have coded BMWs in the past so would be comfortable doing that.

[Kwajtrader]

Here is a link to another thread on the same topic where I talk about why I chose the Z4 M40i over the Boxster. I went to the Porsche dealership to order a Boxster but after driving it in stop and go traffic it was not for me. The bottom line is that the Z4 offered more quiet comfort and better ergonomics vs. slightly better handling in the Boxster (and it was almost $20k less based on my builds). For a daily driver the Z4 was the obvious choice for me. It's been almost 20 months now and it still puts a smile on my face when I get behind the wheel.

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...84&postcount=5

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by mjposner

My budget is up to about $60k and I want a convertible so I have narrowed the field to Z4 or 718 Boxster.

I believe that my fellow board members have answered your 4 questions so I would like to address the elephant in the room, the price at your local dealer for a low mileage 30i and what you can find elsewhere. I personally feel that the $53,999 asking price from your dealer is too high for a 2020 sDrive30i (even with only 5497 miles).

If you go to the BMW USA website and do a search for M40i's you will find many in the same price range as the 30i at your local dealer. The M40i is an amazing car and you should definitely test drive one.

https://www.bmwusa.com/certified-pre...dster&Model=Z4

As long as you find a CPO it can be serviced under warranty at any dealer so it doesn't matter where you buy it.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend that you expand your search and look for a M40i.

[Christos]

Originally Posted by mjposner

So I will be losing my 2021 SUV for in June, leaving me with only my 2004 911 Turbo (https://mart.pca.org/ads/60733). Since a nearly 20 year old car has issues, and I need more modern reliability I have been looking to sell the 911 and get something newer. My budget is up to about $60k and I want a convertible so I have narrowed the field to Z4 or 718 Boxster.

Drove this yesterday: https://www.bmwoffortmyers.com/certi...e21d2cb423.htm

I like the looks of the Z4 and the interior is nice. I felt that the engine was decent but that the transmission felt a bit slow (I am used to manuals and pdk/dcts). I assume that the M40i will be better and I think is still in budget.

Did anyone cross shop 718s and why did you choose the Z?

Questions:

1. Can tranny be tuned?
2. Android Auto works in the 2019/2020 (I have a 2022 samsung)
3. Can the cluster screen be modified, looks a bit video gameish
4. Does M40i have louder exhaust and burbles

Thanks for feedback

This price is high. I purchased a fully loaded 2019 s3.0 with 5,000 miles on it last fall for $50,500.

[blue135]

Go for the one in Ft Myers, please. That lessens the competition for me as I look for the better versions - M4.0. Though the downside is that whoever buys that car at that price will encourage dealers to keep prices up there.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by mjposner

My budget is up to about $60k and I want a convertible so I have narrowed the field to Z4 or 718 Boxster.

I like the looks of the Z4 and the interior is nice. I felt that the engine was decent but that the transmission felt a bit slow (I am used to manuals and pdk/dcts). I assume that the M40i will be better and I think is still in budget.

Questions:

1. Can tranny be tuned?
2. Android Auto works in the 2019/2020 (I have a 2022 samsung)
3. Can the cluster screen be modified, looks a bit video gameish
4. Does M40i have louder exhaust and burbles

Thanks for feedback

1. I believe so. I recall reading a post somewhere from a Z4 owner who'd had the transmission tuned but I don't recall the specifics. If you drove the 30i only in Comfort mode, you've been mislead. In Sport mode, the shifting characteristics of both the 30i and M40i are significantly crisper. You may find you don't need to tune the transmision
2. Yes
3. As others mentioned, not much. Different colors and minor layout changes, removal of center map display, toggle various data.
4. Both 30i and M40i will burble more and louder in Sport mode. Some prefer the tone of the M40i.

I own a '22 s30i and am quite happy with it, including the performance but then I've not recently owned a car with a more powerful engine. That may be the critical factor, what performance level you're accustomed to. Also, if you're one who must have the "best", you may regret not going with the M40i, not because the 30i is a slouch but because there's a "better" one.

In truth, with exception of the engine (and frozen silver color), the 30i and M40i can be equipped identically, including the sport brakes and differential. They'll also handle nearly identically (a little more weight on the M40i front end) so it boils down to what you want. A new 30i and a used M40i are within your budget. To me, the larger engine wasn't worth $10K but many will disagree.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Traded this

For this


Depends on what you are looking for in a ride. The 718 is a great car for fun over NC back roads & some runs at VIR with the club. Where it came up short is longer range 3 hour rides to specific destinations.

My own definitions are the 718 is a great Sports Car & the Z4 M40i is a great GT car. The Z does not have the edge that the Porsche has but the Z4 does have the polished range capability the 718 does not have.

[Bimmerfun82]

I decided the z4 m40i was a better overall package than the 718. I didn’t want a 4 cyl and also didn’t want the long gearing of the GTS4.0, and I also wanted to save a pile of cash. Plus the new warranty and no service costs for 36k miles is a benefit. Also, the availability of the 718 (new or cpo) was non-extant or priced too high relatively. The gauges are better in the 718, but I can live with it especially given the HUD.

[mjposner]

I drove the S30i in sport plus using the paddles (which are too small fyi if you drive 10-2).

If I do buy , it wil be a used M40i for sure (I am used to 911s and m3/m4 power)

More to follow

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I drove the S30i in sport plus using the paddles (which are too small fyi if you drive 10-2).

If I do buy , it wil be a used M40i for sure (I am used to 911s and m3/m4 power)

More to follow

Agree on the paddles. I drive closer to 9-3 on the wheel. That said the aftermarket sells replacement paddles in the M4 size. Just try to get metal or carbon fiber as the plastic knockoffs are a bit flimsy.

Could be the paddle size as I tend to use them in the M4C more often than the Z4. The Z4's 8ZF does an excellent job of picking the right gear on its own. Don't think you are giving up any performance letting it shift for its self, just some of the play time.

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Agree on the paddles. I drive closer to 9-3 on the wheel. That said the aftermarket sells replacement paddles in the M4 size. Just try to get metal or carbon fiber as the plastic knockoffs are a bit flimsy.

Could be the paddle size as I tend to use them in the M4C more often than the Z4. The Z4's 8ZF does an excellent job of picking the right gear on its own. Don't think you are giving up any performance letting it shift for its self, just some of the play time.

I agree with what you said about the trans picking the right gear, but there are conditions where I want it to up shift, so I do it with the up paddle and then I’m in manual. Not a real problem, I just hold the up shifter. Again, not a problem, I just wish it would return to S.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Agree on the paddles. I drive closer to 9-3 on the wheel. That said the aftermarket sells replacement paddles in the M4 size. Just try to get metal or carbon fiber as the plastic knockoffs are a bit flimsy.

Could be the paddle size as I tend to use them in the M4C more often than the Z4. The Z4's 8ZF does an excellent job of picking the right gear on its own. Don't think you are giving up any performance letting it shift for its self, just some of the play time.

So let me get this right, the difference between men and boys is the size of their paddles?

[mjposner]

So let me get this right, the difference between men and boys is the size of their paddles?

Its not the size, its how you hold it!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I understand there is a pill you can put in your gas tank that will help the little paddles grow. Results in about 3 weeks

From This



To This

[DPelletier]

I love the 718 but I bought the Z4 M40i because;

- the Porsche was 50% more for a Boxster S
- I didn't like the 4cyl nearly as much as the M40i in both sound and feel and even though they now make a 6cyl 718, it's double the price of a Z4M40i which I just can't justify.

The Z4 is a great car IMO and a very good value in comparison.

Dave

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I understand there is a pill you can put in your gas tank that will help the little paddles grow. Results in about 3 weeks

From This



To This

You do not want flappy paddles 😂

[Westside Guy]

So is the a pill a blue color that will match my Misano Blue Z4?

Three weeks? I would have thought that you have to put the pill in the gas tank 1 hour before you get behind the wheel.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

So is the a pill a blue color that will match my Misano Blue Z4?

Three weeks? I would have thought that you have to put the pill in the gas tank 1 hour before you get behind the wheel.

No its a permanent growth supplement for the car. Pill is black. Includes the development carbon fiber trim & the red M buttons.

Note: The FDA has not evaluated the claim. The product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,"