People's opinions on a Z3 M Coupe

[NIX]

Having a bit of a day dream about what I might get for my next car. Definitely won't be happeneing anytime soon as I intend to buy a house with the mrs next year and my current e30 has recently had a lot of work done to it costing me good few quid!

But none the less would like to have a target car in mind to remind me why I'm sat at my depressing work desk!

From what I know the z3m will be a future classic and it's marmite styling may split people's opinions on its looks, but in this case I'm definitely a marmite lover!

What are other people's opinions of it and what should I look out for if I were going to buy one?

Thanks,

Nick

[iceox]

my mate bought one a while back and sold it in under a year, like most of these cars anyone can buy them its maintaining them thats the hard bit. it cost him 250 quid to get a bulb changed at the stealer lol (but he is a retard) bloody nice cars though if you ask me

[m8782538]

Rather have my teeth removed without anasthetic (again), looks horrid. They drive very very well, but just look awefull.

[gooner1]

If i could afford to buy and maintain one properly, i'd have one in a heartbeat.

[NIX]

Thanks for the input guys!

[pony]

I got a review at home from BMW Car magazine with a buying guide specifically for the BMW M Coupe (Z3). It is Feb 2008 from memory see if you can get hold of one or try ebay.

I know that Classic Heroes are big fans of these cars.

I never liked the styling when it came out but it actually looks quite cool. Shame some of the interior looks a little untidy. S54B32 engined cars are supposed to be the ones to have and they have DSC too unlike the earlier vehicles which shared the same engine as the BMW E36 M3 Evolution and have no DSC.

These cars are meant to be a proper handful.

There is still supposed to be a fair difference in driving experience between these and Z4 M Coupes. The alloy wheels are a really nice design on the Z3 M Coupe and Z4 M Coupe.

[e21Jason]

I need one in my life

[NIX]

Hi pony,

Thanks for the info. But what does DSC stand for?

I've heard they can be a handful but surely no more than an 2.5 e30 with no mod con safety features, albeit a lot more power?...

[George]

Look bloody brilliant and apparently really great fun to drive.

As mentioned, go for the later model with the newer S54 engine from the E46 M3 (earlier models had the 3.2 from the E36 M3).

DSC = dynamic stability control (traction control).

They will be on another level with regards to being a handful - 320+ bhp vs 170. Remember, these still have old skool E30 style suspension so can be very tail happy if provoked.

Future classic.

[NIX]

Hi George,

Some useful info there, thanks! I'm scared of my car as it is when it's wet or icy!! But I do love the look of it and the fact that if I bought one for about £10k it would still be worth that in a few years time when I had to get something with baby seats in the back!

[pony]

Best thing is to research as much as you can on the model on the internet, buying guides, ask on here, Z forums etc.......then if you think you might be interested sample one or two.........

never driven one just what i have read.

[oguz327]

If i could afford to buy and maintain one properly, i'd have one in a heartbeat.

+1

I love these cars

[mabz]

not overly keen to be honest.dont get me wrong i appreciate them for what they are but looks wise im not taken.i would have a white z4m coupe any day given the chance.

[spook]

I would love one

[bss325i]

Absolutely love them! They are a wild ride with looks to match.

Uber fun!

[spook]

Theres something about the big fat rear end that appeals to me

[jann]

I love these, I have a old Topgear episode where tiff needle is driving one, ever since I saw that I have wanted one

[oguz327]

Theres something about the big fat rear end that appeals to me

And the massive back door!

[Jhonno]

Fooking awesome chariots.. Would have one in a heartbeat. Late S54 spec one please

[Dan320is]

My neighbour has a '98 in Imola red with 28k at the moment, I can't help but stare at it when ever I walk past.

[Kos]

trailing arm suspension and 320bhp is handful, more so than a 325i.

stunning cars and i have one on my wish list, but one of my other turds needs to make way before i get one.

what to look for, make sure the boot floor is intact ! engine wise, the same as any e36 m3 evo

one think i do not like, is they do not feel that solid.

[NIX]

Thanks guys!

I may be about to cause an uproar by saying this but how do you think an Audi TT (series1) Quattro Sport (240bhp) could compare? I know it might seem less of a thrill but they still do 0-60 in under 6 secs plus they seem a lot more practical - seats (albeait small) at the back and 4wd for the winter months. Plus they are roughly in the same price range although I'm not so sure they'll hold onto their value as well as a z3m coupe. My concern is that with the new TT out, they do look quite aged, however at least the Quattro Sport has the 2 tone - black pillars and roof which look quite cool I reckon.

Interested to hear what you all think...

[George]

Thanks guys!

I may be about to cause an uproar by saying this but how do you think an Audi TT (series1) Quattro Sport (240bhp) could compare? I know it might seem less of a thrill but they still do 0-60 in under 6 secs plus they seem a lot more practical - seats (albeait small) at the back and 4wd for the winter months. Plus they are roughly in the same price range although I'm not so sure they'll hold onto their value as well as a z3m coupe. My concern is that with the new TT out, they do look quite aged, however at least the Quattro Sport has the 2 tone - black pillars and roof which look quite cool I reckon.

Interested to hear what you all think...

Tarted up Golf. No comparison.

[Kos]

a sterile drive and not as quick as z3m. in the right hands and if a 0-60 is your concern a z3m is quicker to 60mph

an integra DC5 does 0-60 in 6 seconds dead.

dont bother looking a 0-60's it means nothing 0-100 1/4 miles and standing Km's are the clues to a cars performance

if you want to be the fastest round the block, go back to looking at mitsi evo FQ340's

finally

BMW's are no longer the wan-kers choice of car, that prestigious title belings to audi's and TT drivers especially these days

[NIX]

Hi Kos,

Thanks. What I would be looking for is a car that provides me with great satisfaction without having to mod it in any way. I'm looking at around 10k but it's all pipe dreams for the moment considering we need to a get a house first.

I also want something that doesn't have to require much in the the way of diy mechanics like these old e30s do. Just something that's reletively modern, driveable in bad weather and quick but not neccessarily light speed quick. Ideally I'd get something that will hold it's value in years to come perhaps through the kudos that it has - much like the z3m. The evo option is interesting but think it will just cost too much to maintain and I prefer Euro cars on the whole.

What would you go for?

[ross_jsy]

Will come in a fair bit under the £10k budget but an e36 m3 evo 4 door? Fast, great fun and very usable as an everyday car?

[pacerpete]

ZMcoupe versus TTgaylord special, mmm, thats a toughy ?

The ZM coupe is a true hero chariot / super car for 10k, what is not to like ? We won't talk about the ZM roadster

[bmwbmwbmw]

hi i had a estrol blue z3m coupe, and i cant knock it in any way, mines was the early on with the e36 3.2 engine in there but still what a lovely car, hard car to drive under full power but the best car i have ever owned/drove to this date, my manager got a black one again the coupe when i drove his it just put a big smile on my face, im looking to get another one and it has to be a coupe no convertible shit

if you want to see clips of the a z3m being driven really hard then google clips for "ghostrider"

[bmwbmwbmw]

here is a clip of ghostrider
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 9053975339#

[pony]

for 10k you could get yourself behind the E39 M5 though they got almighty running costs......if your a family man and the wife only lets you have one car then to do everything E39 M5 all the way especially in Le Mans Blue / facelift version

[NIX]

Thanks again guys!

Not a family man yet but it's on the cards over the next few years. At the time something like an M5 could/would be perfect, but before the mrs starts sprouting rug rats I'd like to have more of a weekend play thing but with some practicality.

[m8782538]

If thinking TT go for the 1.8T 225 Quattro Manual, the 3.2 is pointless, real world driving its heavy and slower than the 1.8T 225. TT looks better than the Z3M, but still not great, the interior is very good and hard wearing.

[e21Jason]

I am up for a coupe, and my mate sold his e46 330i a few months ago and bought a 225 TT. had it a month sold it as it was to bland and went back to his winter beater 205 diesel.

e39 m5 runing costs are also well more than the z3m coupe and they are getting cheaper, the coupe's are goign up.

Jason

[pony]

The one car not mentioned for similar money is the BMW E46 M3 Coupe. Unfortunately might not be regarded as "future classic" like the M Coupe (Z3) but then you probably got one of the best engines in the world and the greatest straight six ever built producing the FULL 343bhp rather than in the M Coupe (Z3) 325bhp. It will be a vehicle that does EVERYTHING and usefully more practical and looks stunning.

Only downside is all the lads down in Ilford probably have one or pretend to with their mickey mouse body kits

[NIX]

The one car not mentioned for similar money is the BMW E46 M3 Coupe. Unfortunately might not be regarded as "future classic" like the M Coupe (Z3) but then you probably got one of the best engines in the world and the greatest straight six ever built producing the FULL 343bhp rather than in the M Coupe (Z3) 325bhp. It will be a vehicle that does EVERYTHING and usefully more practical and looks stunning.

Only downside is all the lads down in Ilford probably have one or pretend to with their mickey mouse body kits

Haha, yes totally agree. Great car and covers a lot of points but I don't wear hair gel nor a ridiculously large, shiny watch! None the less, it's still a car I have in mind - at the end of the day it's a lot of car for the money they go for these days.