Thanks for the Comments, here is what I did.

[shipkiller]

A while ago, I asked you all in the forum about what would be the best color for long term durability for my soon to be car.

See this thread: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/22245-buying-new-car-need-help-color.html

I needed to give my wife back her BMW Z4......

Well, I now have gone out and did the deed.

I bought myself a very slightly used 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe' with 4100 miles on it.

It was located in Tyler, TX.
I flew out on Wed and drove it home to Virginia Beach, VA arriving home yesterday.
1300 miles, two glorious days of driving and No bad weather....

Here is some eye candy for everyone.

Picking the car up from the owner in TX. Former owner in the background.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc36/shipkiller/BMWZ4/2008%20Z4MC/101_0343.jpg

In the hotel parking lot later that night before I shove off on the trip home.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc36/shipkiller/BMWZ4/2008%20Z4MC/101_0345.jpg


Arrived home with a very dirty car.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc36/shipkiller/BMWZ4/2008%20Z4MC/101_0349.jpg

It's 31' outside but I HAD to get the road grim and brake dust off...
My wifes Z4 in the garage.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc36/shipkiller/BMWZ4/2008%20Z4MC/101_0352.jpg

I did not perform what I would call a really good deep cleaning wash, to damn cold, but it will keep for now.
I have to fly to CT on Monday for a week or two, but I could not stand the thought of all that brake dust on the car until I got back...

What the car really needs is a good wash and clay. Then a surface inspection, possible light polish, a sealer and two good coats of wax....

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions in the before mentioned post....

[cooksnj]

very nice, good choice in color to. good luck

[Clutch34]

Nice car!

And that is a LONG drive! Glad you made it home safely! :xyxthumbs:

[cLickiT]

Very long drive but it was well worth it and love the color. :xyxthumbs:

[bill walsh]

good luck with new car

[evilwrx]

what kind of horsepower and how does it handle???

[shipkiller]

what kind of horsepower and how does it handle???

340HP

Soon to be increased.... :laughing:

Handling? That is one of the things that kept bringing me back to getting a Z4MC. We already have a Z4 2.5i and it handles better than 90% of the cars on the road.

I contemplated Porsche's, Lotus's. I did this for almost two months.

I also understand that Porsche's are the benchmark for sports cars, just like the M3 is the benchmark or sport sedans.

I wanted something newer than a 2004/2005 model, so that left the Porsche and Lotus out of my price range that I was willing to pay. I did not want a 2004 model with 30K miles on it. I also don't like the look of the Corvette. I also did not want a sedan. If I wanted a sedan, then a M3 or CTS-V would work. And sedans, compared to a two seater style of car, always feels like it has a fat A$$.

I kept coming back to the Z4MC.

Some of the reasons:

1. Exclusivity. There are only 148 Alpine White Z4MC's in the U.S.
Porsche's are dime a dozen... I see them all over the place. Unless I am wrong, there is only ONE other Z4MC in my area.

2. Ease of use every day. Porsche's may be a bit better in that department. Lotus's are not.

3. Style. The Z4MC looks better IMHO than the Porsche's and Lotus's... but this is purely subjective.

4. Maintenance. This is a big factor. A Porsche is very difficult to work on. Way too much interference to remove to get to do anything. I do not know all that much about maintenance for Lotus's. I did not research that very hard. Porsche's cost more to maintain than BMW's. I know BMW really stands or "Bring Money Withyou" when you go to the dealer, but Porsche makes BMW look like a bunch of pikers in that department.

I am lucky to be gifted enough to be able to work/modify/repair almost any electrical/electronic/mechanical devise. I LIKE working on cars. Yes, I have a warranty for the next two years, but I am looking forward to doing my first valve adjustment.... I must be weird.http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/iono.gif

5. The drivers 'Driving Temperament'.
Richard Hammond of 'TopGear' compared both the Boxster to the ///M and said that "The Porsche is like laser scalpel surgery, and the Z4M is like the Red Naga Chilli."

Actually, I think a better comparison would be laser scalpel surgery to Marine Combat Knife surgery... Both are effective and get the job done.

My track buddy has a 2008 Cayman and 2009 Corvette. He has been trying to get me to get a Cayman. Trying really hard. On the drive back, before I even got home, I stopped where he works and we went for a spin. He drove it. I don't mean he drove it around the block. We went for a real drive.
I watched his face.. his grin started getting bigger and bigger.
His comment: "Now I know why you wanted this car. It makes you work for it. It is a way more satisfying drive. It is NOT for sissies.."

This from a Cayman/Corvette driver....


I think of it like this: If you want the school crossing guard to hold your hand while crossing the street, pat you on the head and say "your a good boy", get a Porsche.
If you want to cross on your own, dodging traffic, and getting that great adrenaline rush, get a BMW.

[bmw5541]

Congrats on the new car. Looks great!:props:

[02blackout]

Wow, that things nice! Good one!!

[evilwrx]

sounds like a whole lotta fun... enjoy it!!

[Shade Tree]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! :cruisin: