Nikki is a Data Content Administrator at Edmunds.com. Read her first entry on her car here.
My car doesn't have navigation, a sunroof, or push-button start. It doesn't have fog lights, a back-up camera, or folding rear seats. My car doesn't even have rear seats. What it does have are six gears, four (non-runflat) tires, 330 hp and an 8,000rpm redline. And that's good enough for me.
Actually, if that were true I would have bought a Lotus Elise years ago. I must admit that I do enjoy the leather seats, power windows/locks, and 10-speaker stereo system. And yes, I'm addicted to the heated seats. As the perfect blend of luxury and performance, the Z4M Coupe fits my every need for a daily driver. And at under $30k it fits the budget too.
Living in Los Angeles, I'm surrounded by Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, etc., so you wouldn't exactly think that the M Coupe would stand out. Oh, but it does.
I receive compliments on it at least once a week. My favorite compliment came when I was driving to the grocery store about a year ago. An Aston Martin V12 Vantage was in front of me. The Aston owner turned onto another road and a minute later an older man in an early '90s Cadillac came along side me and shouted out, "Wow, now that's the nicest looking car I've ever seen! You got the right color too." I smiled and yelled back, "Thanks!" but in my head I was thinking, "He must not have seen that Aston right up ahead!" Or maybe he did...
Our perception of beauty, quality, and performance are influenced greatly with price. But does paying more always get you more?
I often think of what cars I would buy if I had a $100,000 or even $200,000 to spend; an Audi R8, a Mercedes SLS, an Aston Martin DB9? And then I think about how I could have four or five of my car at those prices. Is an Aston Martin really five times better than an M Coupe? It's easy for me to answer that – Most definitely not!
It's the same argument for any diehard car enthusiast. I'm sure all the vintage BMW guys are reading this and thinking, "Wow, she's silly for spending that much on an M Coupe. She could have thirty e30s instead!" Meanwhile, the few Aston readers are probably scoffing at the thought of a $30,000 used BMW being compared to their luxury exotics. And they're both right.
We all try to explain and justify our purchases but ultimately, your opinion is the only one that matters (and maybe your spouse's too, unfortunately). At the end of the day, what's really important is the love you have for your vehicle and the passion and joy it brings to your life. That's one thing no one can argue or take away from you. And that's why I can honestly say that if I were to buy a car tomorrow, regardless of price, it would still be a Z4M Coupe.
throwback says:
05:04 AM, 02/13/12
In a city like LA I'm guessing there are more Aston Martins thean M coupes. BMW cretainly didn't build many, and I can't remember the last time I've seen a Z4 coupe much less an M coupe. Love that color!
epbrown says:
05:41 AM, 02/13/12
From 2006-2008 BMW sold 1,815 Z4 M Coupes in North America (so that includes Canada and Mexico), so you don't see many around unless you do a lot of track days or BMW club meets.
frank908 says:
06:43 AM, 02/13/12
Always loved the coupes, more so the first generation for its meaty looks. If the first generation reminds me of a stocky English Bulldog, the second generation reminds me of a sleek American Greyhound in motion.
But what I love about why I love the coupe is that most people don't understand the virtues of a body-style like this, with a hatch, and therefore don't even know it exists. We do, but they don't and that's why I like it even more.
alex4515 says:
08:08 AM, 02/13/12
Looks and sounds like a lot of fun! I'd love to see interior shots on future Reader's Rides.
hernstein says:
08:33 AM, 02/13/12
Wow! Those BBS wheels look fantastic on the car.
cjasis says:
08:35 AM, 02/13/12
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those BBS wheels on that car. They really make the car look incredible.
Good on Nikki!
isend2c says:
12:15 PM, 02/13/12
I really enjoy how you say that you contemplate having $200,000 for a car and would end up with what you own. I would do something similar, 1 of what I had (E90 330i, but I'd probably bump up to a 335), Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, 2001 Honda Prelude, Volvo V70, 2007 Mercedes C230... and of COURSE, a DeLorean.
bk1715 says:
12:24 PM, 02/13/12
Does anyone remember a video with a F1 driver (Schumacher?) thrashing one of these cars in a parking lot (in Germany?), commenting that it was his favorite car?
oh, and love the new wheels, same size as old? what tires on them? did u sell the old set?
niklu says:
12:54 PM, 02/13/12
Thanks all for the comments and compliments!
@ bk1715 - The new tires are Continental Extreme Contact DW 245/35ZR19 front and 275/30ZR19 rear. Stock they come with 225 front and 255 rear so the extra tire width definitely helps a lot around the turns. Also, I think the BBS LM-Rs weigh about 20lbs less per wheel than stock.
christople says:
02:19 PM, 02/13/12
I always flip flop between this and the Cayman S.
Cayman for driver feel
BMW for trunk space, and the last of the good looking BMW's, and you can wrench on it yourself
autotragic says:
04:44 PM, 02/13/12
Those BBS wheels look great on your car. I didn't know they'd save you that much weight! Love the pics, car looks super clean.
Question, what were to happen if you got a flat? Would you have to call for help or do you have a repair kit? I ask, because this car is on my short list of practical sports cars and I'm not fond of run-flat tires.
z4_m_ says:
06:19 PM, 02/13/12
I love the color nikki,
We bought our 06' m coupe with 21000 miles on it. It was an immaculate garaged pampered car. Silver with red leather, so nice and an amazing car, I dont think we will ever sell the car, she would never have it, She cant even drive it but she says the way it looks and drives is the most amazing car she has ever seen and been in. they are truly unique designs and masterpieces as automotive imagination and enthusiasm. Enjoy yours!
gtrguy2012 says:
10:50 PM, 02/13/12
Great choice in wheels. And I enjoyed reading your post, I have mixed feelings about the Z4M coupe in terms of looks but to each his/her own.
steve_s2006 says:
08:09 AM, 02/14/12
Love the M coupe thinking of getting one as a second car or perhaps a Cayman S. The only thing that makes me not consider it is it’s slower than my DD and the specs are on par with the much cheaper 370z (I’m too old for a Z car though).
I thought you were selling this, well actually selling it again as I think you changed your minds once. Is that still the case?
lzks says:
10:39 AM, 02/14/12
What can I say... amazing car. The free revving engine is the best part. It's just so sad that BMW has completely lost its roots, and just don't make good cars like these anymore.
autoboy1 says:
11:24 AM, 02/14/12
One of my favorite cars. The droptop was always a bit more awkward looking. It was close, but the coupe seemed to take a slightly strange look and turn it into a complete looker.
I'd probably have one of these too but I'm too tall for the car. I can drive it, but when I look out the rear view mirror I'm staring at the roof.
Enjoy.
dwharwood says:
11:37 AM, 02/14/12
Bangle's finest work. This car is high-concept and exquistely detailed, but still raw and aggressive.
niklu says:
11:46 AM, 02/14/12
@autotragic - There are TPMS sensors in the tires so that definitely helps. I've had a few slow leaks before and when the warning comes on I hop over to a gas station and fill up more air before bringing it to a local tire shop.
@steve_s2006 - I have been on and off about selling it. It was an impulse buy and not having the payments would certainly be a relief but every time I think about selling it I get pretty emotional. I've never had such a strong bond with a car. I've cut back my spending in other areas and did the ramen diet for a while, but I think it's time that if I can part with it without losing much then I can always get back into another one down the road.
sscott_r50 says:
03:25 PM, 02/14/12
This is really inappropriate, but, Nikki, I think I'm falling in love with you--as a writer and as a lover of cars.
"We all try to explain and justify our purchases but ultimately, your opinion is the only one that matters...At the end of the day, what's really important is the love you have for your vehicle and the passion and joy it brings to your life. That's one thing no one can argue or take away from you."
This is exactly the way I feel. I shake my head in sorrow for those who cross cars off their lists based on how they think it will make them look.
I've had multiple homophobes yell obscenities at me on the road (they assume I'm gay 'cause I drive a base Mini Cooper), and I shudder to think of how much I'd be missing out if I actually cared what they thought.
farvy says:
06:45 PM, 02/14/12
Nikki,
Don't sell it. Based on your words, I think you will regret it:
"I've never had such a strong bond with a car."
If you do sell it, your chance of "I can always get back into another one down the road" will be small. You have a terrific color, nice wheels, & the car is in great shape. It's already a rare car. Your chance of getting another one down the road like this will be small. Marriage, kids, mortgages, etc. make things like this difficult. Keep the car & chow down on the Ramen! Hopefully your salary will increase down the road making this more affordable. And then the day will come when you have no more car payments on it!
Enjoy this car as long as you can. I wish you many happy years of motoring...
southernutahn says:
02:39 PM, 02/15/12
In my opinion the best looking bimmer from the last decade. Great color and wheels too. Has it been fairly reliable for you?
niklu says:
10:21 AM, 02/16/12
@southernutahn: It's been reliable so far, although I've only had it for 20k miles, 15k of which were under warranty. I had to replace the rear sway mount because it fell off. That's a common issue but easy to fix; I just had to get the $5 part and then loctite'd both sides afterwards to prevent it from falling off again. And after that I took it to the dealer because it was still clunking a little and it turned out a bolt had sheared off into the differential housing but luckily it was repairable and did not affect the diff itself, just the housing. Since then it's been perfect and it feels really solid.
quackman says:
11:05 AM, 02/16/12
PERFECT paint color and wheels... looks awesome!
nicholasrage says:
03:10 PM, 02/17/12
Is that why you've had it up for sale/trade for a convertible or roadster for over a year? ;)
As an E30 owner, I applaud the Z4M. It's the best application of Bangle's flame surfacing design philosophy in all of the BMW lineup. The vintage BMW guys would either applaud the Z4M (because everyone else wants M3 'verts) or mumble about how Chris Bangle ruined BMWs. It's actually the readers at cardomain.com who'd tell you to get an E30.
lzks says:
11:29 AM, 02/21/12
I just wanted to post again, because that's just a beautiful car. Excellent color and wheel choice. Just excellent!
spdracerut says:
08:30 AM, 02/28/12
I swear I saw Nikki driving in Hermosa/Redondo on PCH in the last week at night. I was on my way home from the gym and saw a really clean M Coupe. "Don't see those everyday" crossed my mind. I caught up to it in traffic and noticed the wheels, "those are really clean and complement the car well." Then I noticed an attractive female driving. I hate to use a phrase coined by Paris Hilton, but "that's hot." How many M Coupes of the same color, wheels and a female are driving around LA? I seem to recall a guy sitting in the passenger seat.... lucky guy.
niklu says:
03:25 PM, 03/ 2/12
HAHA, yeah that was me alright! I was driving with my friend down to Redondo, it was last Thursday night.
niklu says:
03:27 PM, 03/ 2/12
BTW, you should let him know that. He doesn't seem to realize.