Today I has a taste of BMW M power and I will tell you - it is a formidable opponent. After driving the M coupe for a while, it started to grow on me. :-D Of course, my Z is an NA so it doesnt really compare in a side by side accelleration or top speed test, but the Z definately has it in handling despite the perfect 50/50 weight balance of the M Coupe. I got the car into a powerslide several times and the back end liked to drift out an uncomfortabe amount and I had to steer very hard into the slide to get things straightened back out. The ass end just felt very loose. Apparently an even weight distribution isnt as appealing as it sounds. At high speeds around a banked curve (80MPH+) the back end just felt like it was riding on play-doh. A very squirrely ride and I didnt feel like I was in the same amount of control as when I drive my Z in the same conditions. The car had great accelleration out of the hole but a mediocre tranny made speed shifting into 2nd a bitch. I missed 2nd more times than I could count, only getting it in on two impressive occasions that I can remember (nice bark from tires) through the entire 50mi test run. The interior materials were less than impressive with plastic panels all over the place - vinyl would have been much better suited and will most likely last much longer. I guess they expect people to garage keep these things or something. :-D The driver's seat was less than comforatble as well - those damn Germans must have stock in the "Sealy Posturepedic System" - the seat wouldnt lean back enough to let you feel like you werent trying to eat the damn steering wheel. Overall - although I was impressed with the power considering it is naturally aspirated, I wasnt very impressed. I was expecting much more from a car carrying that kind of price tag. The Z32 definately drives an awesome bargain when it comes to power, styling, materials and performance and I consider a ZTT being much more fun than an M Coupe on any day of the week.
