German Car Zone

OK… so I dropped by my dealers today to do a scheduled test drive of the 335i coupe, only somebody fouled up and the only available test car was taken by one of the other salesmen for the day! So the 335i test drive will occur another day.

To apologize for the mistake and make amends, my sales guy borrowed the dealership's owner's M Coupe. Now it’s not really the owners’ permanent personal car, it’s just his “car of the month.”

My test drive was somewhat limited because of the location of the dealer (inside the city) and the time of the day (beginning of afternoon traffic, so highways are out of the equation). But I still managed a pretty good 25 minutes ride, which included crowded city streets and then some action in a more quiet industrial part of town.

BTW, this was my first experience in an M car… so it’s hard to compare it to anything.


Colours
Silver Grey Metallic with Imola Red interior trim.

Interior
Sitting comfort, positioning and ergonomics are excellent. The interior is very simple and to the point, which is exactly what a car like this needs.

Yes it’s a small cabin, but it’s very efficient and everything is where it should be. There’s just the right amount of space for a 6’2” 200+ lbs guy (like me).

Power
Power delivery is spectacular… at least for the first 3 gears (I didn’t really get a chance to take it further). The most powerful I’ve driven to date was a 645i, and it had nothing on the M Coupe due to the 645i size/weight and slightly power handicap.

Tranny
Smooth as silk with great pedal response. The best I’ve driven, but that doesn’t necessarily say much.

Driving dynamics
Amazing handling… and I mean amazing. First of all, like all Z4 cars, you have a roadster seating position, which is quite particular and always gives you the impression of great handling. I got a very similar feeling when driving a Z4 2.5i, but this monster has a much stiffer chassis and suspension. I took a fairly small radius roundabout with incredible ease… it’s he same roundabout I take every test drive and let just say it’s never been this easy to take it so fast.

Also the steering is incredible… it’s surgically precise! Much better than standard BMWs I've driven (E46, E90, E60 and E63)! This of course adds to the driving fun factor.

Driving comfort
Now driving comfort is another matter… we have pretty rotten streets in Montreal (much worse than cities like NYC, Boston. Detroit…) and you just feel every crack/hole on the road. And when I mean that you feel it, I mean you feel it going through your spine! Definitely made for the autobahn or the track.

Acoustics
Throttle noise is incredible… although it is regulated with the level of aggressiveness you put on the throttle. So if you drive smoothly the engine will very quietly purr, otherwise it will simply roar in delight!

The verdict
Like having sex with a supermodel (I imagine)… but definitely not a car for everyday driving.


P.S. Sorry for not having any pictures, my camera died a few months ago and I didn’t get a chance to borrow one. Besides, it’s kinda of pointless to bring a camera since I can’t take pictures while driving and you all know what the car looks like.

I'm still waiting for the my local bmw dealer to call me and schedual my test drive. either how I liked your review. So the car wasn't comfortable at all on rough roads?

Great review! Be sure to write one up when you drive the 335i. Are you in the market??

No, it was prety brutal.

My lease ends in 18 months or so... and right now the 335i coupe is at the top of my list of cars I think I'll be able to afford then.

Its a car for those who can afford two cars. Z4M for fun and trackdays and another car for everyday-use.
One member on m5board.com own a M5 and he recently added a another family member, a Z4M Coupe. So now he own both a M5 and a Z4M

Same colour as the one you drove?
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=80869

Yup

Great review Siko, thanks!

I have driven the M3 plenty of times now, so I know about how special the engine is. It is even better in that lighter and smaller car for sure

Too small for me though, no no comfort whatsoever.

wow, great review siko!

I respect your opinion! It would make a great second car!

Siko you are very lucky to have been able to test drive such a car. I don't do that anymore and I am only 22. I used to run around dealerships pretending to be buying but I guess I ran out of that 'spark.'

Congratulations on driving a great car and thank you for the review!

I'm fortunate enough to have a good sales guy, after all I'm on my 2nd BMW and my dad has gotten 4 off of this guy. So it comes with some perks.