So on the track, you'll feel like a hero: the on-road experience is less resolved, however. That straight-six bangs out a marvellous tune when pushed, but maximum torque and power are developed at 4,900 and 7,900rpm, respectively. That peaky nature, combined with some flywheel effect, makes the Z4 M difficult to drive smoothly in the cut and thrust of city and motorway traffic: it just feels too much like hard work sometimes. And because this car is totally focused as a driver's machine, BMW admits that the ride is harsher than that of the M Roadster.
That's a bit of a pity, because otherwise, the Z4 M is a remarkably practical car. The tailgate opens wide to reveal a quite adequately spacious boot and there are cubby spaces in the cabin for mobile phones and the like. Visibility out is pretty good, apart from the rear three-quarter, which is a little compromised by the C-pillars.
None of this is likely to give BMW UK any sleepless nights, though. There will be just 1,000 Z4 Coupes, including a cooking 265bhp 3.0-litre version, coming to the UK this year. Of those, just 200 are expected to be accounted for by the nutter M version. And I doubt they'll struggle to find 200 souls in search of the ultimate Z car.
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| The Porsche Cayman S is an easier car to live with than the Z4 M Coupe |
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It'll cost £41,285, which includes such goodies as leather trim, carbon-fibre-look leather dash trim (what is the point of that, exactly?), those M3 CSL brakes and the M-variable differential, which gives the really committed drive more traction.
So now to the elephant in the room. The Porsche Cayman S costs about £2,700 more than the Z4 M. And, frankly, I think it's worth it. An easier car to live with as a daily driver, the Porsche also delivers a driving experience that's just that bit more tactile and involving. Simply put, it's a more delicate tool and less of a blunt instrument compared with the Z4 M.
