Z3M or Z4 Information
Discussion
Hi Guys, I am buying a stable mate for my 400se Wedge and the Z3M or the Z4 3.0 ticks all the boxes. Is there any good web sites that I should be reading/ looking at for information regarding known issues, usability etc.
I was going to go for the Z4 3.0, the prices are simular for the years I'm looking at but the extra M badge seems to be drawing me towards it.
Would I be better going for the Z4 as obviously the extra power would never be used (220 against the M's 320). It will just be a weekend toy so everyday use is not an issue. Not driven either yet as living up in the sticks means there isn't much option other than travelling a long way to try/view them
Any info appreciated ....TT
I was going to go for the Z4 3.0, the prices are simular for the years I'm looking at but the extra M badge seems to be drawing me towards it.
Would I be better going for the Z4 as obviously the extra power would never be used (220 against the M's 320). It will just be a weekend toy so everyday use is not an issue. Not driven either yet as living up in the sticks means there isn't much option other than travelling a long way to try/view them
Any info appreciated ....TT
Have a look at z4-forum.com for lots of Z4 related information.
Whilst I can't comment on the Z3MC (I use my car daily and felt the Z4MC would be more robust), it was defintiely Z4MC > 3.0 Z4 Coupe.
Also, a fair few people have moved from 3.0 to M on the Z4 Forum, but not seen any move the other way.
FWIW, my Z4MC works equally well as a daily driver as it does a weekend car... and particularly for the latter I feel you'd get more out of the M.
Whilst I can't comment on the Z3MC (I use my car daily and felt the Z4MC would be more robust), it was defintiely Z4MC > 3.0 Z4 Coupe.
Also, a fair few people have moved from 3.0 to M on the Z4 Forum, but not seen any move the other way.
FWIW, my Z4MC works equally well as a daily driver as it does a weekend car... and particularly for the latter I feel you'd get more out of the M.
Thanks so far guys.
Given the money we're willing to spend(my boy and me, about 8k)the Z4M is out of budget and stepping down to a lowly 3.0 Z4 against the 3.2 Z3M is a no, so we've just decided that it will be a Z3M.
I've tried to justify not needing all that extra power but I can't, there is far too much petrol running through my veins.
We both agree that a Z with the 3 front end and the 4 back end would be an awesome looking car.
So the search is on.
Given the money we're willing to spend(my boy and me, about 8k)the Z4M is out of budget and stepping down to a lowly 3.0 Z4 against the 3.2 Z3M is a no, so we've just decided that it will be a Z3M.
I've tried to justify not needing all that extra power but I can't, there is far too much petrol running through my veins.
We both agree that a Z with the 3 front end and the 4 back end would be an awesome looking car.
So the search is on.
TOPTON said:
Thanks so far guys.
Given the money we're willing to spend(my boy and me, about 8k)the Z4M is out of budget and stepping down to a lowly 3.0 Z4 against the 3.2 Z3M is a no, so we've just decided that it will be a Z3M.
I've tried to justify not needing all that extra power but I can't, there is far too much petrol running through my veins.
We both agree that a Z with the 3 front end and the 4 back end would be an awesome looking car.
So the search is on.
You have chosen wisely. The M (3 or 4) isn't just about the engine, there's the M-diff, suspension, brakes etcGiven the money we're willing to spend(my boy and me, about 8k)the Z4M is out of budget and stepping down to a lowly 3.0 Z4 against the 3.2 Z3M is a no, so we've just decided that it will be a Z3M.
I've tried to justify not needing all that extra power but I can't, there is far too much petrol running through my veins.
We both agree that a Z with the 3 front end and the 4 back end would be an awesome looking car.
So the search is on.
Z3M is the way to go, if you get a good one it will not lose much in value if at all.
Have a look on Zroadster they are a good bunch, have a read up on Vanos issues on the S50 engine pre99 i think and also find out how to take the boot lining out and check the floor has not come apart (common problem due to power) don't let it put you off if you find a car that has had a repair but check it has been done properly.
Great cars.
jontymo
Have a look on Zroadster they are a good bunch, have a read up on Vanos issues on the S50 engine pre99 i think and also find out how to take the boot lining out and check the floor has not come apart (common problem due to power) don't let it put you off if you find a car that has had a repair but check it has been done properly.
Great cars.
jontymo
I owned a Z3M & a Z4 3.0 for a year at the same time last year so am well placed to answer.
What I should point out is that I still own the Z3M and don't own the Z4 anymore (kept it a year).
The Z3M is an expensive car to run, they are getting on a bit however a completely different beast to the Z4. The biggest failing on the Z4 was the lack of a LSD as it didn't feel like a proper sports car in comparison. Also I didn't like the throttle either.
My Z4 only cost me a window regulator in a year and was pretty cheap to run servicing aside, however it had the feel of a mass produced car v's something a bit special.
Z3M's are holding their value well these days - Z4's are still dropping in value.
What I should point out is that I still own the Z3M and don't own the Z4 anymore (kept it a year).
The Z3M is an expensive car to run, they are getting on a bit however a completely different beast to the Z4. The biggest failing on the Z4 was the lack of a LSD as it didn't feel like a proper sports car in comparison. Also I didn't like the throttle either.
My Z4 only cost me a window regulator in a year and was pretty cheap to run servicing aside, however it had the feel of a mass produced car v's something a bit special.
Z3M's are holding their value well these days - Z4's are still dropping in value.
Z3M all the way,I wouldn't consider a z4mr over it let alone a 3.0 (maybe a coupe one day though). I'm now on my second (being an S54).I generally change my car every 1-2 years but i've been with z3m's for almost 4 now. In my ownership they have both been extremely reliable with just the servicing costs to deal with.
Get on zroadster.net - very good forum and full of info
Get on zroadster.net - very good forum and full of info
Edited by shantybeater on Tuesday 24th April 14:41
Hi TT
Sold my TVR 400SE last September and bought a nice black 98 Z3M. Really good fun and a little more forgiving than the 400SE.
So highly recommend the Z3M - just look at the service history, but do remember they do go rusty unlike the TVR.
Can recommend the Zroadster.net forum as they have been a great help to me and also a mine of information.
It will certainly give you a grin on your face !!
Richard
Sold my TVR 400SE last September and bought a nice black 98 Z3M. Really good fun and a little more forgiving than the 400SE.
So highly recommend the Z3M - just look at the service history, but do remember they do go rusty unlike the TVR.
Can recommend the Zroadster.net forum as they have been a great help to me and also a mine of information.
It will certainly give you a grin on your face !!
Richard
If the one you go to see isn't the one, I have one I have owned for the last 11 years (eleven) just in case you think it's a typo.
It's an estoril blue, blue black interior S50, 66,000 miles, new tyres, full service history. I am the second owner (I bought it at 11,230 miles back in 2000.
It is yet to be advertised for sale. (there is a thread running on Z3mcoupe) with a few more details.
Matt Fletcher
It's an estoril blue, blue black interior S50, 66,000 miles, new tyres, full service history. I am the second owner (I bought it at 11,230 miles back in 2000.
It is yet to be advertised for sale. (there is a thread running on Z3mcoupe) with a few more details.
Matt Fletcher
I spent all last night, well about 4 hours reading zroadster.net forum. Very enlightening and it doesn't sound like a lot goes seriously wrong.
The vanos and diff hanger/boot floor seem to be the major areas of concern. These are both well doable at far less than BMW dealer prices so I don't have any big concerns about them if the worst happens. Can't see me ever visiting a main dealer at their prices for anything anyway, including servicing.
Owning a Tiv means that I already well prepared to get my hands dirty, but hopefully not on the z.
The boy (26 years old lol) is well excited about tomorrow. Only trouble is for him, he is presently working near Jon o Groats, so travelling 400miles home today, then travelling with me another 600miles there and back tomorrow, then back to Jon o G on Sunday. So 1400 miles ish over the weekend. Does he sound keen or what. It better be worth it though
I should add, he was planning on coming home for the weekend anyway, so its not all for viewing a car. But still keen, he said he'll sleep all the way tomorrow
The vanos and diff hanger/boot floor seem to be the major areas of concern. These are both well doable at far less than BMW dealer prices so I don't have any big concerns about them if the worst happens. Can't see me ever visiting a main dealer at their prices for anything anyway, including servicing.
Owning a Tiv means that I already well prepared to get my hands dirty, but hopefully not on the z.
The boy (26 years old lol) is well excited about tomorrow. Only trouble is for him, he is presently working near Jon o Groats, so travelling 400miles home today, then travelling with me another 600miles there and back tomorrow, then back to Jon o G on Sunday. So 1400 miles ish over the weekend. Does he sound keen or what. It better be worth it though
I should add, he was planning on coming home for the weekend anyway, so its not all for viewing a car. But still keen, he said he'll sleep all the way tomorrow
Edited by TOPTON on Friday 27th April 11:04
Will be interesting to see how you get on viewing your first Z3m.
I was originally in the market for a Z4m weekend toy 4 years ago and ended up buying a Z3m and am now on my second. Never regretted it for a minute, something so retro about the Z3's that the Z4's just don't have and now the much improved new Z4's are out the series one Z4 is looking dated by comparison. I would have lost at least 50% on the Z4m (and that is factoring in some real bargains at the start of the recession) but I've lost at most £2k on the Z3m, never had a car before that cost me so little to run and it gives me as many smiles per mile as a £160k car.
ps I drove a Z4m quite a bit one summer, nothing wrong with them that some character would not fix but you will still lose money on them over the next few years (I have the same engine in my Z3 but in the real world a good S50 is no different).
I was originally in the market for a Z4m weekend toy 4 years ago and ended up buying a Z3m and am now on my second. Never regretted it for a minute, something so retro about the Z3's that the Z4's just don't have and now the much improved new Z4's are out the series one Z4 is looking dated by comparison. I would have lost at least 50% on the Z4m (and that is factoring in some real bargains at the start of the recession) but I've lost at most £2k on the Z3m, never had a car before that cost me so little to run and it gives me as many smiles per mile as a £160k car.
ps I drove a Z4m quite a bit one summer, nothing wrong with them that some character would not fix but you will still lose money on them over the next few years (I have the same engine in my Z3 but in the real world a good S50 is no different).
Well, what a day. Set off at 3 this morning for the run down south. About 8.30am we were viewing the car, a 1998 Estoril Blue 41k miles and by 9.15 we were going to the bank for some money to pay for it.
Love the car looks, love its power delivery, love its comfort compared to the Tiv. If I am ever going to change the Wedge then it would definatly be for one of these, but I don't need to now because we've go one.
Half way home I was trying to put the roof back up, It moved most of the way, then strugled just enough to close it properly. Got home and tried again, no joy, it definatly will not move to the open position this time. I was about to post the question on here for potential problems, fuses-broken wires-motor burnout etc, when I read in the owners handbook (while looking for fuse box position) that you NEED TO KEEP YA FOOT ON THE BRAKE YOU NOB
Love the car looks, love its power delivery, love its comfort compared to the Tiv. If I am ever going to change the Wedge then it would definatly be for one of these, but I don't need to now because we've go one.
Half way home I was trying to put the roof back up, It moved most of the way, then strugled just enough to close it properly. Got home and tried again, no joy, it definatly will not move to the open position this time. I was about to post the question on here for potential problems, fuses-broken wires-motor burnout etc, when I read in the owners handbook (while looking for fuse box position) that you NEED TO KEEP YA FOOT ON THE BRAKE YOU NOB
TOPTON said:
Half way home I was trying to put the roof back up, It moved most of the way, then strugled just enough to close it properly. Got home and tried again, no joy, it definatly will not move to the open position this time. I was about to post the question on here for potential problems, fuses-broken wires-motor burnout etc, when I read in the owners handbook (while looking for fuse box position) that you NEED TO KEEP YA FOOT ON THE BRAKE YOU NOB
Sounds a nice car...I used to forget to put my foot on the brake all the time with my old one when raising the roof.They're good solid cars, the power delivery is fantastic. Enjoy!
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