I have both a Z8 and M5 (I know, Im a very lucky guy- and for way more than the cars). Anyhow, here is something I posted a while ago comparing both cars. I will probably make some edits to make it more current:
Handling/ Steering:
During the first 3,000 miles I noticed that the Z8 sticks very well on smooth roads, but it would get unsettled on bumpy off ramps. It didn’t become totally unglued, but it skipped/hoped over them. I also noted that, as the speed increases, the Z8 gets more stable in these situations. I guess the run flat tires need more miles to break in or (as the Z8 Product Manager suggests to me) the suspension had to break in? Either way, the car now really sticks to the road. Id have to say that at first the M5 stuck better- but as the miles added up (I have 11k miles on the Z8 and 17k on the M5) I can say that in general the Z8 sticks a little better.
In terms of steering, the Z8 is and feels more precise; likely due to the rack & pinion setup vs. the recirculating ball on the M5. The Z8’s steering gives more communication than that of the M5, but both are very good. The Z8’s steering weighting is heavier than that of the M5 in normal mode, and its even a little heavier/stiffer than the M5 in sport mode. It’s definitely more linear. To me the M5’s steering has a somewhat isolated feeling as compared to the Z8.
I prefer the Z8’s steering feel but you also feel the tires grabbing the road, whereas with the M5 this sensation is mostly absent (this is sometimes referred to as “tramlining”). The Z8 has much less body roll and almost no dive or squat.
The M5 is very nimble for a car of its size. Yet, taking a turn quickly in the M5 you can sometimes sense the mass of the car; while the Z8 has a more nimble feel. As expected, the M5 rides much better over rough pavement and road conditions.
The shifter in the Z8 is essentially that of the M5, but the throws feel shorter (I don’t know if they are or if it just feels shorter) and the shifter is much smoother. It has a great feel- very percise and mechanical. By comparison the M5’s shifter feels longer, a little wobbly and a little notchy.
Then there is the exhaust note. The Z8’s is much better. Of course, it’s fairly easy to modify the M5’s exhaust.
So that’s handling- my conclusion: youve got to break in those run flats and they take a few thousand miles for that.
On to driving experience:
You’d expect a sedan and roadster to be different- and they are. The M5 is a truly refined sedan capable of mind-boggling performance; it is the classic “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. The Z8 is a stunningly beautiful roadster also capable of really mind-boggling performance; you can look at it like a modern, very refined Cobra. It feels as if it out accelerates the M5 by a considerable amount- even though we all know this is not true. It’s just that you’re closer to the action. On the whole, the Z8 is a much more involving experience.
The M5’s personality is "high-tech"- it is literally the ultimate daily driver. While the Z8’s personality is that it gives you the romantic sensation of driving that the “classic” cars from the 50s and 60s. In the M5 you have a similar view as most modern cars- an easy to see over hood and the sense is there isn’t that much hood in front of you. While in the Z8 you sit nearly at the beginning of the rear wheels! The first time you sit in one or drive one you will feel a bit shocked because there is this long hood in front of you. This is very easy to get used to and its not like the old design in that the hood gets in your way. But the first time around, for someone used to modern cars only, it is a bit different.
When I think of the best car in the world, the M5 comes to mind. When I think of automotive jewelry, I think of the Z8.
Both cars feel like bank vaults as far as chassis rigidity. As we know the M5 feels very sturdy, especially considering the taught suspension and weight it carries. Believe it or not, the Z8 feels just as sturdy. It’s easily the stiffest open top car I’ve ever driven- there is NO cowl shake.
Both have some “personality quirks”. The M5 has some bizarre squeaking from the rear deck when it goes over rough pavement and bumps. The moon roof cover rattles over rough pavement (strangely- this has stopped!) and some of the wood trim will rattle a little over rough pavement. In the Z8, all the switch gear is aluminum and if the steering wheel is in the all the way in position (it’s a telescoping steering wheel) when you go over bumpy pavement, it sometimes clangs together- its not often but it was disconcerting enough for me to inquire about it. A partial remedy is to extend the steering wheel about 1” or more. Also the steering is so precise that when you make a slow turn over rough pavement you can sense the tires hunting over the pavement and it feels as if the steering column is loose- I had this checked too, its not loose, its just how it is. A friend with a Ferrari tells me he has the same sensation. The only rattle is the passenger seat, when unoccupied, will sometimes jiggle over rough pavement- the fix, move it all the way to the back so it rests on the back of the interior.
As to the location of the gauges in the middle: this is something that’s very easy to get used to and IMHO is not a problem for the car. The reason is that the Z8 isn’t about gauges or data. It’s a purely subjective vehicle- all about feel. I think if they were doing this on a car with the volume of the M5, it would be a problem, but they are doing this on a very small volume car. Sure, it’s a little bizarre the first time you look out and there’s no gauge cluster in your view, but its easy to get used to and once you train your “muscle memory” for your eyes to look more over than down its no big deal.
The Z8 is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The Z8 doesn’t really compare to Ferrari, although the comparison is inevitable. I’ve driven a Ferrari F40 (ok- it was a very short drive- but I did get to drive it!). Several months ago I drove a 360 Modena. I liked it very much! And to be fair, I won’t push cars I don’t know well to their limits- so my “reviews” are more average-driver than race-driver. I think if you want pure performance a Ferrari would have the edge.
But for my tastes, Ferraris are too flashy and I think their styling runs the risk of being dated- while the Z8 is already dated, lol. Again, were talking personal preferences and personal observations. But when I see a 308 or 328 or Testarossa just don’t find their styling any where as appealing as when I saw them years ago. That’s said with the benefit of hind-sight, so I’m expecting to not be saying that about the Z8, but I won’t know for several years. Again this is a personal preference thing so I’m not knocking Ferrari because of some empirical problem like bad engineering- they are engineered wonderfully. I really like the 360 Modena.
We are very fortunate to be able to have cars like these and having choices is a good thing. But when I considered the whole package I made my choice for the Z8.
As to the experience of driving each on a regular basis:
I drove the Z8 almost every day for the first 6 weeks I took delivery of it.
Comparing to the M5 here are pros and cons:
Cons
Rougher ride- the ride is fine for most trips but as a daily commuter it can be a little tiresome- not bad though, just compared to the "dampened" ride of the M5 it can get a little tiring. To compare the ride is more like the E36 M3- but a tad stiffer. That said, the Z8’s ride doesn’t beat you up either.
People freaking out and acting stupid- I have no problem with genuine car enthusiasts but there are those folks who stop you at the gas station with only one question to ask- which I think is a little rude to ask of a stranger. I loved the way the car drove so much I picked it up- but the attention it generates is my biggest gripe (and its not *that* bad). I usually talk to people who seem truly interested in the car b/c its pretty or they know what it is. And there are times where people honk on the road or nearly lose control of their vehicles so you have to keep an eye out. I kid you not when I tell you that one day I heard the screech of tires and I looked around and it was a guy in a brand new M5 going the other way on a 2 way road- he hit his brakes to stop- he could have caused an accident!
The ragtop wasn’t designed the way car companies design ragtops for modern convertibles. Its not quite as insulated and it doesn’t have a glass rear window nor does it have an automatic boot cover. The reason why is that to design the low window lines of the car (compare to the new 3 series cabrio or the new MBs) BMW had to make the top as thin and small as possible. This meant a plastic window (easier to fold) and a manual boot cover. Before I knew the reason I thought this was absurd. I thought that in a car with CD, GPS, VANOS, etc you have to take this leather covered cover and clip it over the lowered top. In fairness, with the top up the insulation is good and you can drive year round and not get too hot or cold. BMW decided that for winter driving you would use the hardtop that comes with the car, there are no options except color, and for summer driving you would drive open air. The ragtop is really there for the summer day when a rainstorm surprises you.
The lighter is far back on the center tube way- kind of to the driver side behind the emergency brake; so running a wire for a radar detector is distracting.
The “sport button”- this is also in the M5. There shouldn’t be a sport button! If anything they should have it reversed and have a button for a gentler driving mode.
The cup holder is this bolt on after thought that encroaches into passenger’s legs.
Ok, so those are the cons- now for the pros:
First and foremost
!!!THAT FEELING!!! -- you know, that feeling that produces an ear-to-ear smile - if you like to drive, this is one of THE cars.
Strange as it seems- it makes the M5 seem boring- and
that is very hard to do!
The sound of the engine from 4,000 rpm on is intoxicating.
The sensation that you are a part of a singular mass- or that it’s an extension of you.
The lines of the hood as miles pass by
The way the car feels much smaller on twisty roads- it literally will shrink 2 sizes when driven more aggressively- as does the M5
No built in cup holder- this is sports car not glorified beverage transportation!
The red interior is fabulous!
The shifter is very smooth.
The sensation of even more massive acceleration than the M5. The engine (as you other M5ers know) but here its pushing a smaller and lighter mass. The standard throttle program is the same as the M5s sport mode. The Z8s sport mode is kind of like a super hyper drive. However, in the Z8 the sport button only affects the throttle, not the steering also as in the M5.
It rejuvenates you.
I could keep going but basically the Z8 is probably the best daily driver when compared to other sports cars. But the M5 is the ultimate daily driver, probably the most amazing sports sedan you can/will find. If you had to have only one car, it’s definitely the M5. IMHO- for the enthusiast driver, it is the best car in the world.
I think the best way to describe the cars is to borrow BMWs phrases from different markets. Their USA phrase: “The Ultimate Driving Machine” really does apply to the M5, while their phrase from somewhere else (I don’t know): “Sheer Driving Pleasure” really describes the Z8. Or maybe its visa-versa..................
here are some pictures!
http://homepage.mac.com/menthusiast/Personal.html
I'm also looking forward to DrRob's first impressions.
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