Took the plunge

[dreamingat30fps]

Finally found a decent deal on an FRS Monogram and decided to pull the trigger. Just picked her up last night, haven't even had time to remove all the dealer crap.

Anyways here are my babies snug as a bug in the garage.

[Tcoat]

Congrats! You will not regret it. Now you need to edit your profile to reflect the change!

[durdinn]

Congrats!

[Red FRS]

Congrats man. We got a soflo 86 page on Facebook where we post about local meets.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Congrats! You will not regret it. Now you need to edit your profile to reflect the change!

Done

Originally Posted by Red FRS

Congrats man. We got a soflo 86 page on Facebook where we post about local meets.

Thanks I'll definitely check it out!

[Quentin]

Always liked those Z4 Ms.

[BANGER]

Ugh, I hate dealer decals. I can tolerate plates but decals, seriously??

[djmm]

Congrats! I see you have a Z4 as well. I always think Z4 is a cool looking car. How is the car compared to Z4? Wouldn't mind reading a short writeup of the comparison between the two. Ie. Pros and cons.

Thanks

[SuperDave]

define decent deal?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Done



Thanks I'll definitely check it out!

Although I was really just joking about changing your profile PROPS for actually doing it! You may find that you drive the FRS more anyway.
I also would be very interested in a driver's/owner's perspective comparison between the FRS and Z4.
Drove one for about an hour 10 years ago and found it to be rather underpowered/unresponsive with the auto tranny. Wasn't long enough to really get to know the car though so probably not a fair impression at all.

[DarkSunrise]

Congrats! I think you'll love how the FR-S drives.

I came across a Z4 3.0si coupe at one of my track days on a tight/twisty circuit and had a great time trading point-by's with the owner. Those seem like fun cars too, and I bet your Z4M is even better.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Although I was really just joking about changing your profile PROPS for actually doing it! You may find that you drive the FRS more anyway.
I also would be very interested in a driver's/owner's perspective comparison between the FRS and Z4.
Drove one for about an hour 10 years ago and found it to be rather underpowered/unresponsive with the auto tranny. Wasn't long enough to really get to know the car though so probably not a fair impression at all.

I will definitley drive the FRS more, I bought it as a dd. Had a CC for less than a year that I traded in for the FRS. The CC is a very nice car, fit and finish and interior design is great, but it was just to boring for me especially after using the Z4M as a dd for years.

If the Z4 you drove was automatic it was not a Z4M, big difference. The Z4M is basically an M3 drivetrain in a Z4 and only comes in a 6spd manual.

A quick comparison would be they are not that different. The main differences I notice right off the bat having only driven the FRS for a day. Power, I know everyone bitches about the FRS being underpowered, but honestly, I think it has plenty of USABLE power, but yeah the Z4M has more power. Although you quickly get into trouble with the Z4M while in the FRS I could be having a blast and look down at the speedo and I'm only doing 70-80mph. I like that, especially for a dd. I LIKE the fact that it's naturally aspirated just like the Z4M and you get that instant response, I wouldn't want either of these cars with forced induction.

Sound. Honestly, the FRS kinda sounds like a tractor or something, not the sexiest sounding engine I've heard. The Z4M has a very nice sounding engine, however like the FRS the exhaust is very quite (although I changed it on the Z4M for a stromung).

Steering. BMW purposely went with a hydraulic power steering system on the Z4M instead of the electric system and I think it shows. Very heavy, very direct with great feedback. FRS I was surprised at how good the steering feel was. Although not quite as responsive as the Z4M still very good especially when new the FRS is $30k+ cheaper.

Ride. For a dd I much prefer the FRS ride over the Z4M. Although not soft by any means, the FRS is slightly softer than the Z4M which is hard as a rock.

Seating. Believe it or not this is a big one for me. The Z4M fits like a glove. Seat position, shifter, everything. It's kind of hard to describe. The FRS is still kinda odd fitting for me. Now I still need to drive it more to find the best spot but overall I like the interior ergonomics better in the Z4M, oh yeah and steering wheel controls!!

That's a quickie since I have to go to work, but I will do a better one once I have driven the FRS for a while. I am loving the tech in the FRS though, keyless entry, bluetooth streaming, oh yeah!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

If the Z4 you drove was automatic it was not a Z4M, big difference. The Z4M is basically an M3 drivetrain in a Z4 and only comes in a 6spd manual.

Sound. Honestly, the FRS kinda sounds like a tractor or something, not the sexiest sounding engine I've heard.

Although not quite as responsive as the Z4M still very good especially when new the FRS is $30k+ cheaper.


That's a quickie since I have to go to work, but I will do a better one once I have driven the FRS for a while. I am loving the tech in the FRS though, keyless entry, bluetooth streaming, oh yeah!

That would explain it! The z4 I drove was really underwhelming!


Exhaust can be changed relatively cheaply and you can get just about any sound you want. Totally agree the stock sound is lacking. If you don't know already plug the sound tube under the passenger floor mat. This will get rid of a huge part of the "tractor", fake race car sound you hear in the car.


Can't even imagine what the FRS would be like if it cost $30K more! Don't think anything could touch it. Huge bang for the buck as it is.


Bought mine with just the basics to get RID of all the tech!


Thanks for the great mini review!

[Cope52]

I'll bet the FR-S is better to drive. 600 fewer pounds will do that..