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      08-13-2019, 12:41 PM   #1
TodmordenLad
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30i test drive

Test drove this Z4 this morning. Was looking for an M40i to test but it would have meant travelling further so settled on the 30i.
The ride was good, firm without being crashy. Being the 30i in M Sport Plus guise, this one had adaptive suspension. Running on 255/35 and 275/35 section tyres, the ride would have been pretty harsh without it, I'd imagine. The car felt planted with nicely weighted steering.
Was testing in an urban environment so didn't get much of chance to accelerate hard. When I did, the engine pulled well, and the noise wasn't bad for a 4 pot. A bit synthetic but at least you could hear it.
The seats were nice and supportive and the interior all looked good, apart from the silver dash buttons which were a bit down market compared with the ones around the gear selector. The car is really wide, by the way, so you don't feel hemmed in at all.
Really didn't like the new digital cockpit, I'm sorry to say. Looked like a car video game to me, too busy and pretty tacky.
The roof operated quickly and the sound proofing with the roof in place was surprisingly good.
With the roof in place, visibility out of the back is poor, and there's obviously a blind spot over your right shoulder, which is unnerving at some junctions. The reversing camera is a 'must have' option.
Overall, I liked the car. More of a GT than a pure sports car, from the 30mns I had in it - which wouldn't be a bad thing for me, given that I'd use it for touring and longer distances, in the main.
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
The all black exterior trim with bi colour black alloys on the M Sport Plus model I tested really looked the business. Better than the cerium grey trim and wheels on the M40i, imo.
I'll see what the discounts are like this time next year when I'll be looking to change in anger. The sales guy said that with Brexit around the corner, they were giving massive discounts for pre end September registered cars. I suspect he wasn't telling porkies either. Good time to get a new car, I guess. Pity I'm not in the market for one right now.
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      08-13-2019, 03:49 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
Thanks for posting. This got me thinking so I checked; according to BMW the 30i weighs in at 3280 lbs and the M40i at 3443 lbs for a difference of 163 lbs. Since the M40i also has more standard equipment, the actual weight difference between an M sport 30i and an M40i with similar options will be a bit less than that......I'm going to guess 140 - 150lbs.

Dave
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      08-13-2019, 04:40 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DPelletier View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
Thanks for posting. This got me thinking so I checked; according to BMW the 30i weighs in at 3280 lbs and the M40i at 3443 lbs for a difference of 163 lbs. Since the M40i also has more standard equipment, the actual weight difference between an M sport 30i and an M40i with similar options will be a bit less than that......I'm going to guess 140 - 150lbs.

Dave
Hi there
Just checked and the base curb weights of the M40i vs the 30i are 1535kg Vs 1415kg respectively, so a difference of 120kg (265lbs)
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      08-13-2019, 11:04 PM   #4
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Hmmm; not what i found...direct fron BMW as well. Go buy a 30i and weigh it and ill weigh my M40i and well knw for sure. 😁
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      08-14-2019, 03:59 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DPelletier View Post
Hmmm; not what i found...direct fron BMW as well. Go buy a 30i and weigh it and ill weigh my M40i and well knw for sure. 😁
Haha
Contacted the BMW Genius Team via live chat this morning and these are the curb weight figures which they gave me. Their 30i figure is 15kg heavier than the various sources which I'd found online. Nevertheless, the M40i is 105kg heavier.

z4 20i - 1420kg
z4 30i - 1430kg
z4 m40i - 1535kg

Wouldn't stop me getting an m40i as I love that engine . Ive got it in my 440i, with the M Perf power and sound kit, and its a peach.
That extra weight over the front end will make a difference to handling and steering feel though.
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      08-14-2019, 09:43 AM   #6
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Again, there seems to be mixed info from BMW;

BMW has also released the curb weight of the Z4 M40i (3,443 lbs) https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/01/14/b...r-the-z4-m40i/

Jalopnik and several other sources site "official" weight of the 30i at 3287 lbs; https://jalopnik.com/the-2019-bmw-z4...har-1829163317

Based on these "official" figures, it gives us 156 lbs or 71 kg's.



Again; guess we'll have to wait until some of us weigh the cars to know for sure

Cheers,
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      08-14-2019, 11:01 AM   #7
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Official specifications (in German) from www.press.bmwgroup.com attached. Unladen weights are as follows:
  • 20i 1405kg
  • 30i 1415kg
  • 40i 1535kg

I'll probably be getting an M40i next year anyway, subject to tariffs and discounts

Have a good day
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      08-14-2019, 04:16 PM   #8
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I'm sure you'll like it if you do; I'm impressed with mine so far.

Cheers,
Dave
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      08-15-2019, 03:14 AM   #9
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I bought a 30i last week in Alpine White. I love it. I got a deal on a pre-register car that the dealer had, picked it up 3 days later. I was tempted by the M40i felt that the 30i was just right for me. I have always like a white car, especially combined with black. It is quite a change from my X3 35d!
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      08-15-2019, 07:13 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Test drove this Z4 this morning. Was looking for an M40i to test but it would have meant travelling further so settled on the 30i.
The ride was good, firm without being crashy. Being the 30i in M Sport Plus guise, this one had adaptive suspension. Running on 255/35 and 275/35 section tyres, the ride would have been pretty harsh without it, I'd imagine. The car felt planted with nicely weighted steering.
Was testing in an urban environment so didn't get much of chance to accelerate hard. When I did, the engine pulled well, and the noise wasn't bad for a 4 pot. A bit synthetic but at least you could hear it.
The seats were nice and supportive and the interior all looked good, apart from the silver dash buttons which were a bit down market compared with the ones around the gear selector. The car is really wide, by the way, so you don't feel hemmed in at all.
Really didn't like the new digital cockpit, I'm sorry to say. Looked like a car video game to me, too busy and pretty tacky.
The roof operated quickly and the sound proofing with the roof in place was surprisingly good.
With the roof in place, visibility out of the back is poor, and there's obviously a blind spot over your right shoulder, which is unnerving at some junctions. The reversing camera is a 'must have' option.
Overall, I liked the car. More of a GT than a pure sports car, from the 30mns I had in it - which wouldn't be a bad thing for me, given that I'd use it for touring and longer distances, in the main.
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
The all black exterior trim with bi colour black alloys on the M Sport Plus model I tested really looked the business. Better than the cerium grey trim and wheels on the M40i, imo.
I'll see what the discounts are like this time next year when I'll be looking to change in anger. The sales guy said that with Brexit around the corner, they were giving massive discounts for pre end September registered cars. I suspect he wasn't telling porkies either. Good time to get a new car, I guess. Pity I'm not in the market for one right now.
As you know a I have gone for a Z4 M40i as similar to you I love and and I'm used to the B58 engine in my 440i GC. From the test drive I had the B58 engine and exhaust sounded fantastic in the Z4 all be it with a bit of fakery in there also.

The 30i gets some great reviews by the way and also and seen plenty of YouTubers testing these and they are pretty impressed with the car and engine package. As you noted they sound good as well for a 4 pot.

I can't rember if I have posted this before but this is the discount achievable on a Z4 M40i (in the UK).

List Price £52,635 OTR
dealer contribution £7185
Customer price £45,450.
Customer deposit £5000 then 47 x £567.40 plus GFV £19,592.02

based on 12K miles pa
APR 4.9%
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      08-15-2019, 10:04 AM   #11
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@F20MAW73

where did you get that discount/quote ?

Looking to possible purchase soon
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      08-15-2019, 10:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blaird03 View Post
@F20MAW73

where did you get that discount/quote ?

Looking to possible purchase soon
I will PM you shortly with details
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      08-15-2019, 11:15 AM   #13
TodmordenLad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F20MAW73 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Test drove this Z4 this morning. Was looking for an M40i to test but it would have meant travelling further so settled on the 30i.
The ride was good, firm without being crashy. Being the 30i in M Sport Plus guise, this one had adaptive suspension. Running on 255/35 and 275/35 section tyres, the ride would have been pretty harsh without it, I'd imagine. The car felt planted with nicely weighted steering.
Was testing in an urban environment so didn't get much of chance to accelerate hard. When I did, the engine pulled well, and the noise wasn't bad for a 4 pot. A bit synthetic but at least you could hear it.
The seats were nice and supportive and the interior all looked good, apart from the silver dash buttons which were a bit down market compared with the ones around the gear selector. The car is really wide, by the way, so you don't feel hemmed in at all.
Really didn't like the new digital cockpit, I'm sorry to say. Looked like a car video game to me, too busy and pretty tacky.
The roof operated quickly and the sound proofing with the roof in place was surprisingly good.
With the roof in place, visibility out of the back is poor, and there's obviously a blind spot over your right shoulder, which is unnerving at some junctions. The reversing camera is a 'must have' option.
Overall, I liked the car. More of a GT than a pure sports car, from the 30mns I had in it - which wouldn't be a bad thing for me, given that I'd use it for touring and longer distances, in the main.
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
The all black exterior trim with bi colour black alloys on the M Sport Plus model I tested really looked the business. Better than the cerium grey trim and wheels on the M40i, imo.
I'll see what the discounts are like this time next year when I'll be looking to change in anger. The sales guy said that with Brexit around the corner, they were giving massive discounts for pre end September registered cars. I suspect he wasn't telling porkies either. Good time to get a new car, I guess. Pity I'm not in the market for one right now.
As you know a I have gone for a Z4 M40i as similar to you I love and and I'm used to the B58 engine in my 440i GC. From the test drive I had the B58 engine and exhaust sounded fantastic in the Z4 all be it with a bit of fakery in there also.

The 30i gets some great reviews by the way and also and seen plenty of YouTubers testing these and they are pretty impressed with the car and engine package. As you noted they sound good as well for a 4 pot.

I can't rember if I have posted this before but this is the discount achievable on a Z4 M40i (in the UK).

List Price £52,635 OTR
dealer contribution £7185
Customer price £45,450.
Customer deposit £5000 then 47 x £567.40 plus GFV £19,592.02

based on 12K miles pa
APR 4.9%
That's a very good discount on a brand new model, a shade over 13%
Where do you reckon Z4 discounts will be this time next year, given all that's going on!?! :
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      08-15-2019, 11:43 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F20MAW73 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TodmordenLad View Post
Test drove this Z4 this morning. Was looking for an M40i to test but it would have meant travelling further so settled on the 30i.
The ride was good, firm without being crashy. Being the 30i in M Sport Plus guise, this one had adaptive suspension. Running on 255/35 and 275/35 section tyres, the ride would have been pretty harsh without it, I'd imagine. The car felt planted with nicely weighted steering.
Was testing in an urban environment so didn't get much of chance to accelerate hard. When I did, the engine pulled well, and the noise wasn't bad for a 4 pot. A bit synthetic but at least you could hear it.
The seats were nice and supportive and the interior all looked good, apart from the silver dash buttons which were a bit down market compared with the ones around the gear selector. The car is really wide, by the way, so you don't feel hemmed in at all.
Really didn't like the new digital cockpit, I'm sorry to say. Looked like a car video game to me, too busy and pretty tacky.
The roof operated quickly and the sound proofing with the roof in place was surprisingly good.
With the roof in place, visibility out of the back is poor, and there's obviously a blind spot over your right shoulder, which is unnerving at some junctions. The reversing camera is a 'must have' option.
Overall, I liked the car. More of a GT than a pure sports car, from the 30mns I had in it - which wouldn't be a bad thing for me, given that I'd use it for touring and longer distances, in the main.
Need to try the M40i next. Its a lot heavier, I believe, but I'm used to the B58 in my 4GC so it would be good to see how well it performs in the Z4.
The all black exterior trim with bi colour black alloys on the M Sport Plus model I tested really looked the business. Better than the cerium grey trim and wheels on the M40i, imo.
I'll see what the discounts are like this time next year when I'll be looking to change in anger. The sales guy said that with Brexit around the corner, they were giving massive discounts for pre end September registered cars. I suspect he wasn't telling porkies either. Good time to get a new car, I guess. Pity I'm not in the market for one right now.
As you know a I have gone for a Z4 M40i as similar to you I love and and I'm used to the B58 engine in my 440i GC. From the test drive I had the B58 engine and exhaust sounded fantastic in the Z4 all be it with a bit of fakery in there also.

The 30i gets some great reviews by the way and also and seen plenty of YouTubers testing these and they are pretty impressed with the car and engine package. As you noted they sound good as well for a 4 pot.

I can't rember if I have posted this before but this is the discount achievable on a Z4 M40i (in the UK).

List Price £52,635 OTR
dealer contribution £7185
Customer price £45,450.
Customer deposit £5000 then 47 x £567.40 plus GFV £19,592.02

based on 12K miles pa
APR 4.9%
That's a very good discount on a brand new model, a shade over 13%
Where do you reckon Z4 discounts will be this time next year, given all that's going on!?! :
Difficult to say really. The best from 5 offers on the carwow discount site was only 7.1%
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      08-16-2019, 03:11 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F20MAW73 View Post
Difficult to say really. The best from 5 offers on the carwow discount site was only 7.1%
As I mentioned, I gought a pre-reg 30i.

It had the m-sport plus, comfort plus and tech packs. 77 miles on it. 21% discount from new. There are quite a few around.
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      08-16-2019, 04:49 AM   #16
TodmordenLad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnesy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F20MAW73 View Post
Difficult to say really. The best from 5 offers on the carwow discount site was only 7.1%
As I mentioned, I gought a pre-reg 30i.

It had the m-sport plus, comfort plus and tech packs. 77 miles on it. 21% discount from new. There are quite a few around.
Yeh, pre-reg makes a lot of sense. I've had one or two in the past.
I only bought my 440i GC new because I couldn't find the colour/spec combo I wanted used or pre-reg
I won't be in a position to get a Z4 until this time next year - by which stage, G*d knows what will have happened to BMW pricing in the UK!?
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