47 replies to this topic

[ChrisS1]

As title. Interested in real world experience and opinion on Z3M Coupe and E46 M3s. Surely some of you hooligans out there have owned one or both of these cars at some point. TIA

[JG]

I've not owned either but i've driven both quite a lot. The M3 is the better, more capable car (on 18s - useless on 19s). The Z3M coupe is much more of an event, it doesn't behave nearly as compliantly at the limit and tends to be quite snappy. But you sitting virtually over the rear wheels gives an almost caterham like feel. Slides seem bigger because you rotate about a point that is in front of you. I would have had one if it were not for the vx. NB: I drove both these cars quite a bit when they were new, no idea how well each of them have aged.

[DarrylB]

Not had any experience - but I do know an experienced BMW dealer, my Mum child-minded his kids a while back and he lives not far from me. Infact- unknowingly, a mates brother got an E46 M3 through him! he travelled from Taunton to collect as Kevin was able to source exactly the the car he wanted. Worth a shot? He may be able to help with the Z3 too. Kevin Mackenzie 0778 990 4887 His wife sometimes gets annoyed with him as he keeps selling "her" car (mostly BMW mini's) Ha!

[ChrisS1]

I've not owned either but i've driven both quite a lot.

The M3 is the better, more capable car (on 18s - useless on 19s).

The Z3M coupe is much more of an event, it doesn't behave nearly as compliantly at the limit and tends to be quite snappy. But you sitting virtually over the rear wheels gives an almost caterham like feel. Slides seem bigger because you rotate about a point that is in front of you. I would have had one if it were not for the vx.

NB: I drove both these cars quite a bit when they were new, no idea how well each of them have aged.

Interesting.
Did you drive them for any long touring journeys?
The M coupe is the one that appeals to me, but the price difference between them and E46 Ms is hard to ignore.

[ChrisS1]

Not had any experience - but I do know an experienced BMW dealer, my Mum child-minded his kids a while back and he lives not far from me.

Infact- unknowingly, a mates brother got an E46 M3 through him! he travelled from Taunton to collect as Kevin was able to source exactly the the car he wanted.

Worth a shot? He may be able to help with the Z3 too.

Kevin Mackenzie
0778 990 4887

His wife sometimes gets annoyed with him as he keeps selling "her" car (mostly BMW mini's) Ha!

Cheers Darryl.

[luke.]

How much are you looking at spending? I know of a mint m3 being sold but its going for like 12k

[Rosssco]

I do like the 'breadvan' quirkiness of the Z3M, but from all accounts I've read, the E46 M3 is just a better all round car, and comes with much greater practicality to boot (see what I did there..).

There's obviously a much greater choice of M3's due to production numbers, but the flip side is that they really are common a muck, where as the Z3M still looks unusual and interesting. I believe some of the later Z3M's actually came with the improved S54 engine, rather than the older E36 engine (my car geekiness could have ran out of puff there and I could be wrong about that )

Edit - PH buying guide (although I never take them as gospel..)

http://www.pistonhea...p?storyId=24919

Edit 2 - The one you want

http://www.pistonhea...les/3390496.htm

Edited by Rosssco, 23 August 2012 - 12:47 PM.

[Bargi]

As title.
Interested in real world experience and opinion on Z3M Coupe and E46 M3s.

Surely some of you hooligans out there have owned one or both of these cars at some point.

TIA

Z3M

I know the looks can be a bit marmite, but I love the look of them.

[JG]

The diff in the M3 is what makes the biggest difference over the Z3M coupe. the Z3 will spin its inside wheel at the slightest opportunity.

[Duncan VXR]

I though all the Z3M's had an LSD as std? Maybe an option? M5 v8 in the Z3M would be nice DG

[pete-r]

Rosssco sums it up well.

I use to own this e46 and e36



The z3m had the s52 e36 unit until around 2002 ish, before being replaced by the s54 from the e46 (lots of acronyms!)

The 52 suffered from cracking manifold which would hiss slightly and more crucially vanos issues. vanos will cost high hundreds to fix and there were stories of multiple failures.

The S54 seems much better, but apparently the e46 in general is proving to be a rust magnet so check arches.

Both my cars needed frequent spending on them for silly stuff like peel box movement, alarm faults etc

If your spending under 12 I would by the m3 as is drove better than my boxster s in the bends, but if your looking at an s54 engined z3m for mid teens or more, I would get neither and buy a z4m instead...

Edited by pete-r, 23 August 2012 - 02:30 PM.

[westie]

The trouble with the m brand is the m tax this applies to any bmw owner who has an m car this gives bmw a licence to overprice all their parts and servicing for these cars, im not a fan i had an e46 m3 and ir was a duffer! Cost sh*t loads to put right i'll try to find my previous thread on the car but i wouldn't buy again,this experiance put me off bmw for life! If you do buy get the lowest mileage you can find full bmw history, manual gearbox,and an aa/rac inspection, maybe its me being cautious as i had a bad experiance but you can poke your beemers where the sun dont shine!!!

[JG]

I'd forgotten about the interiors of the Z3M... Imola red for me please (although you've just had a rab red vx so might want a change)

[westie]

Oh and another thing check wishbones, front shocks, rear springs tend to brake, diff grinding/play/leaking, all electrics working,as mentioned before rust on rear arches, bottom of doors,on a positive note(if i could find one!) the engines a corker! Not much goes wrong with it. I feel a lot better now, having got that off my chest i think i'll have a little lie down!!!

[ghand]

I drove my mates z3 Coupe and thought it was very very good.Slight problem he lent it to a guy who did not realize the back was wide and caught a skip in Asda car park,it was new at the time 40 odd k worth.It felt very fast and well planted.I would not like to feed one on a fast spirited blast may cost a few bob.

[ChrisS1]

Some great information here guys and food for thoughts thanks guys. I've always loved the marmite looks of the M coupe but have never driven one. the car would only be used for weekends and touring holiday so I'd be hoping that running/servicing/maintenance costs wouldnt be too horrendous. As it would just be for pleasure the E46 almost seems too practical/sensible. I'm also concious that the number, age and price of M3s is dropping and attracting the undesirables who can't afford to run them so ultimately could drag the price down even further over time. With the M coupe being a limited number I would hope that over time it would hold its value fairly well.....hmmm.

[Bumblebee]

I love the z3m coupe! Like you say a bit marmite though but that's what I like about it

[pete-r]

If its a weekender the M3 I pointless unless you stretch to a CSL. The perfect touring weekender in my opinion is the Boxster S or SLK55, or if you want BMW a Z4M roadster. What's the budget and do you want/need rear seats or a roof?

[ChrisS1]

I need to be able to fit a passenger and a dog (the dog has to be either in a cage or in the back with a guard. Budget around 8k ish

[jonnyboy]

What Pete said. I had a E46 for a short time and whilst it was fun on the roundabouts and it sounds well its a p*ss poor drivers car. Too big and heavy. As a bare minimum you would need coilovers and uprated brakes. Not driven a Z3M but I had a Z4M. Thats a cracking motor. Comes with the M3 CSL brakes which are trackday useable. Engine feels even more vocal and potent in the Z4 Chassis. Steering feel is a bit lacking and its actually quite big (same as all modern sports cars I guess) hustling down tight lanes not a strong point. I understand the Z3M is a bit more agricultural than the Z4. Major downside of the Z4M is that unless you are very very lucky they are all in the £400 tax band. I think there are a handful in the country that sneaked in before they changed the bandings but I've never seen one of them.