
Anyone Had A Z3M Coupe Or E46 M3?
#1
Posted 23 August 2012 - 10:12 AM
#2
Posted 23 August 2012 - 10:18 AM
#3
Posted 23 August 2012 - 10:24 AM
#4
Posted 23 August 2012 - 10:30 AM
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.
#5
Posted 23 August 2012 - 10:31 AM
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.
#6
Posted 23 August 2012 - 12:13 PM
#7
Posted 23 August 2012 - 12:40 PM
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.
#8
Posted 23 August 2012 - 12:45 PM
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.
#9
Posted 23 August 2012 - 12:49 PM
#10
Posted 23 August 2012 - 02:23 PM
#11
Posted 23 August 2012 - 02:27 PM
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.
#12
Posted 23 August 2012 - 02:46 PM
#13
Posted 23 August 2012 - 02:49 PM
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Posted 23 August 2012 - 02:53 PM
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Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:22 PM

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Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:31 PM
#17
Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:36 PM
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Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:37 PM
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Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:44 PM

#20
Posted 23 August 2012 - 04:48 PM
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