How hard is firm?

[dodgyken]

We all know the Z4 on M-sport suspension and 18" runflats is hard - very hard.

But how hard is an Alpina Roadster on 19" Pirelli P-zeros - non rft?

And how hard in an M Roadster?

[dario]

PeteH should be able to answer this one.

i believe this is the same suspension as the 3.0 sport 18 non rft's its ok.

Geoff Minchell has the very car ATM i l believe.

Dario

PS thinking of a Zed?

[PeteH]

The Alpina isn't as much as a bone shaker as the standard Z4 and is very similar to the Z4M in ride comfort.

That said the handling and brakes on the Alpina are a LONG way behind the ///M. Performance wise there is nothing in it and the Alpina is a lot less thirsty

[dodgyken]

I need something that when I am at home I can take for a proper drive. The 525 might be competent and have a wonderfully balanced chassis but it is not quick - and does take an awful lot of abuse to get fun!!

Finding the right priced and specced M5 or M6 is proving harder then I thought. Natural brown leather in yesterdays.

They did have a silver Alpina Roadster - leather everywhere and lovely stitching - and it sounded magical. My gut instinct says it will still be enjoyable to drive - and then over time perhaps the addition of some proper brakes would help matters.

Then there is the 911 option - in coupe form

[PeteH]

I need something that when I am at home I can take for a proper drive. The 525 might be competent and have a wonderfully balanced chassis but it is not quick - and does take an awful lot of abuse to get fun!!

Finding the right priced and specced M5 or M6 is proving harder then I thought. Natural brown leather in yesterdays.

They did have a silver Alpina Roadster - leather everywhere and lovely stitching - and it sounded magical. My gut instinct says it will still be enjoyable to drive - and then over time perhaps the addition of some proper brakes would help matters.

Then there is the 911 option - in coupe form

What about a Z4M Coupe / Roadster? - The other issue with the Alpina is the electric steering. Lets put it this way when I had mine I went on my first ever Zed run to Cheddar - I came back and immediately bought the ///M. Don't get me wrong the Alpina is a great car but its more of a fast cruiser, rather than an out and out sports car. I think Simmer had the exact same thoughts as me about the car.

I guess the best thing to do is take one for a good drive and get a feel for it.

[PeteH]

I was just having a think back about the suspension on the Alpina. From memory it uses Alpina dampers with 3.0 SE Coilovers.

It also used standard 3.0SE / E46 330 SE anti-roll bars front and rear. I swapped mine out for E46 CSL ones to reduce the body roll. It did make a marked improvement and wasn't that expensive -about £350 parts & fitting from the dealer.

[dodgyken]

Thanks Pete - I will put this to the wife who yesterday stated - "You buy that and I will never get in it - ever"

I can't work out whether that is a bad thing

[Nick]

Then there is the 911 option - in coupe form

Try and get a demo.......preferably without a salesman.

[dodgyken]

I spent 50mins in the back of a 2005 997 2S recently - other than neck ache it was actually OK on the ride front

It is the most tempting offer. R8s and AMV8s are too pricey.

M6 is also a very good compromise - bet you never thought that would ever be written!!

[pvr]

M6s are unsaleable. Good thing if you buy second hand, but it will be very hard to shift when you want to get rid of it.

In the current BMW magazine there is an article of someone who had been trying to sell if for about 2 years, and almost had to give it away to a dealer to get rid of it.