Z3M Coupe or Z4M Coupe
Discussion
I like the Z4M Coupe but always liked the slighty odd look of the Z3M Coupe, kind of ugly but in a good way, if you know what I mean.
Anyway I am looking for a car at the moment and both of these are on the potential car list.
The question to those who know is - Is it worth paying the extra for the Z4 over the older Z3, the power difference is I believe around 18hp, but the Z3 is around 100Kg lighter - according to carfolio.com - So I would expect the straight line performance to be similar, is the handling/braking etc much better in the newer car ?
My budget can stretch to either but the cheaper option leaves cash to be spent elsewhere.
Anyway I am looking for a car at the moment and both of these are on the potential car list.
The question to those who know is - Is it worth paying the extra for the Z4 over the older Z3, the power difference is I believe around 18hp, but the Z3 is around 100Kg lighter - according to carfolio.com - So I would expect the straight line performance to be similar, is the handling/braking etc much better in the newer car ?
My budget can stretch to either but the cheaper option leaves cash to be spent elsewhere.
Having owned both (albeit separated by a few years) I feel in a position to respond.
The Z3MC - fantastic bit of kit. Fast, fun, gorgeous looking and relatively cheap now but holding it's price well.
The Z4MC - at least 2 generations further down the food chain. Better built, faster and obviously so much younger likely and to be more reliable. Some good deals to be had but is still losing value at a much faster rate than the Z3.
Both great cars but my vote goes to the Z4.
The Z3MC - fantastic bit of kit. Fast, fun, gorgeous looking and relatively cheap now but holding it's price well.
The Z4MC - at least 2 generations further down the food chain. Better built, faster and obviously so much younger likely and to be more reliable. Some good deals to be had but is still losing value at a much faster rate than the Z3.
Both great cars but my vote goes to the Z4.
The Z3 is more f an old school dragster, rough on the edges ie 9/10th's, but a wonderful character filled car and in many ways better than the Z4. It will also loose less money over a longer period and in some peoples eyes is a modern classic.
Z4 is newer, built in larger numbers and not crafted with the same care. Losing value faster, not as much fun to drive and less involving and head turning.
The Z3 wins for its look and character, the Z4 if your only car is the choice to make but let your heart win this one and buy a Z3....awesome noise and a challenge to drive!!!
Z4 is newer, built in larger numbers and not crafted with the same care. Losing value faster, not as much fun to drive and less involving and head turning.
The Z3 wins for its look and character, the Z4 if your only car is the choice to make but let your heart win this one and buy a Z3....awesome noise and a challenge to drive!!!
I've got a Z4MC but i drove a friend's Z3MC in Wales about 18 months ago. Massively different cars - the Z3 was an S50 version so had the less powerful engine but this made no difference at all as there is no traction control. Made is pretty scary to drive on a damp road covered in leaves.... But the noise and thrill of it was great. As someone earlier said, a modern classic.
The Z4MC is miles ahead in terms of technology and bit more powerful. I bought one as it is newer and therefore less costly in terms repair etc. It has awful primary ride quality (the rear is way to stiff) but it is a real 'event' car - every time you get in it and start her up, you can't help but smile. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for the world.
Give em both a spin and see which one sings to you loudest
The Z4MC is miles ahead in terms of technology and bit more powerful. I bought one as it is newer and therefore less costly in terms repair etc. It has awful primary ride quality (the rear is way to stiff) but it is a real 'event' car - every time you get in it and start her up, you can't help but smile. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for the world.
Give em both a spin and see which one sings to you loudest
I've also had both. I spent 3 years in a Z3MC and now have a Z4MC. I'd dissagree about them being very different cars, the Z4 is just a modern take on the old subject. It's the same thing but just better / newer / more toys and much less cramped. Saying that I loved my Z3MC (S50) and without any traction control it can be fun, The Z4 is by far the more forgiving car, you can rely heavily on the DSC to stay alive.
It's up to you, if you can stretch the budget I personally would as when a Z3MC goes wrong it's usually expensive, I'd steer clear of an S54 version unless it's had a new motor from BMW (there seems to be a high number lettering go recently). You will lose more on the Z4MC, but it's a car, that's what they do.
If you can afford it go for the Z4MC, if not go for a Z3MC. Make that choice before trying either though; if I was in a Z3MC, I'd be yearning for the newer version.
It's up to you, if you can stretch the budget I personally would as when a Z3MC goes wrong it's usually expensive, I'd steer clear of an S54 version unless it's had a new motor from BMW (there seems to be a high number lettering go recently). You will lose more on the Z4MC, but it's a car, that's what they do.
If you can afford it go for the Z4MC, if not go for a Z3MC. Make that choice before trying either though; if I was in a Z3MC, I'd be yearning for the newer version.
I have driven a Z4MC and own a modded Z3M Roadster.....Ignoring the obvious roof difference! They were very different.
In my humble opinion:
The Z4MC feels more modern particularily interior and exterior lines. Was not overly impressed with the chassis and feel through the run flat tires (obviously can be changed). In standard form the Z4M engine has a noticeably stronger midrange than the Z3M (S50 engine). The whole car feels very crisp and taught and clearly has a lot of potnetial.
The Z3M is more retro and chunky in my opinion. In standard form is quick (if not quite as quick as Z4M) and handles fairly well (but could be improved). There is a very nice solid communicative nature to the car.
If I were you I would buy a perfect low mileage Z3MC (S50 or S54) and spend the balance on Coilovers,Exhaust&Remap&Filter(This will give you S54 power) possibly some decent brakes and ENJOY!!!
You will also not loose out on depreciating values with the Z3MC
In my humble opinion:
The Z4MC feels more modern particularily interior and exterior lines. Was not overly impressed with the chassis and feel through the run flat tires (obviously can be changed). In standard form the Z4M engine has a noticeably stronger midrange than the Z3M (S50 engine). The whole car feels very crisp and taught and clearly has a lot of potnetial.
The Z3M is more retro and chunky in my opinion. In standard form is quick (if not quite as quick as Z4M) and handles fairly well (but could be improved). There is a very nice solid communicative nature to the car.
If I were you I would buy a perfect low mileage Z3MC (S50 or S54) and spend the balance on Coilovers,Exhaust&Remap&Filter(This will give you S54 power) possibly some decent brakes and ENJOY!!!
You will also not loose out on depreciating values with the Z3MC
zmrjason said:
The Z4MC feels more modern particularily interior and exterior lines.
Agreed. zmrjason said:
Was not overly impressed with the chassis and feel through the run flat tires
They are not RFT on the M.zmrjason said:
In standard form the Z4M engine has a noticeably stronger midrange than the Z3M (S50 engine). The whole car feels very crisp and taught and clearly has a lot of potnetial.
Agreed.zmrjason said:
The Z3M is more retro and chunky in my opinion. In standard form is quick (if not quite as quick as Z4M) and handles fairly well (but could be improved). There is a very nice solid communicative nature to the car.
Agreed.zmrjason said:
If I were you I would buy a perfect low mileage Z3MC (S50 or S54) and spend the balance on Coilovers,Exhaust&Remap&Filter(This will give you S54 power) possibly some decent brakes and ENJOY!!!
IMHO any advantages of better depreciation would be more than offset by higher maintenance costs and/or the fear of expensive repairs. Add to that the cost of upgrades and the financial argument weakens.Plus the Z4 is a better car!
You really need to drive them. I had a Z3M coupe a few years ago and although not driven a z4M, I sat in one today.
I really liked the wide arch look on the z3 and was a bit disapointed that the z4M looks the same as the standard 3.0 Z4 Coupe, just with the extra exhausts and a new bumper.....
But what really would sway me into a z4 is the seating postion. In the z3M the seats are designed for fat yanks, so I use to slide around all over the place when cornering. Also the actual seat was not supportive of you thighs, so your left leg use to rest on the hard plastic of the central tunnel - not very comfy on long journeys. Also the steering wheel was only adjustable on the angle, not for reach, and so I could never get the seating postion right. These all all solved on the z4M. It is very comfy to be in, athough for all of the 2 mins i was in it.....
So I would say sit in them and see which one you fit into!
I really liked the wide arch look on the z3 and was a bit disapointed that the z4M looks the same as the standard 3.0 Z4 Coupe, just with the extra exhausts and a new bumper.....
But what really would sway me into a z4 is the seating postion. In the z3M the seats are designed for fat yanks, so I use to slide around all over the place when cornering. Also the actual seat was not supportive of you thighs, so your left leg use to rest on the hard plastic of the central tunnel - not very comfy on long journeys. Also the steering wheel was only adjustable on the angle, not for reach, and so I could never get the seating postion right. These all all solved on the z4M. It is very comfy to be in, athough for all of the 2 mins i was in it.....
So I would say sit in them and see which one you fit into!
sday12 said:
IMHO you have to think of the image
Z4M = Middle Aged Man, still quite sporty, wears a baseball cap.
Z3M = Prodigal Son, smoking a Marlboro red, doesn't give a fu*k.
Total bollox, get the car that suits your budget and needs, Z4 is a better car all round, faster, better built, better engineered, Z3 is a classic but is inferior in every way and now very out of date IMOZ4M = Middle Aged Man, still quite sporty, wears a baseball cap.
Z3M = Prodigal Son, smoking a Marlboro red, doesn't give a fu*k.
Z3 M coupe rocks, it has the E30 M3 sort of classic and wil stay in value and is a classic I don't see that in de Z4...for me the Z3 M coupe, I'm on my 4th had 2 S50 black M coupe's and one S54 M coupe (even better) and now for a year the daddy of Z3 M coupe the original Hartge Z3 coupe 5.0 V8 with 6-speed...but there's only one
GTRene
GTRene
taffyracer said:
sday12 said:
IMHO you have to think of the image
Z4M = Middle Aged Man, still quite sporty, wears a baseball cap.
Z3M = Prodigal Son, smoking a Marlboro red, doesn't give a fu*k.
Total bZ4M = Middle Aged Man, still quite sporty, wears a baseball cap.
Z3M = Prodigal Son, smoking a Marlboro red, doesn't give a fu*k.
ks, get the car that suits your budget and needs, Z4 is a better car all round, faster, better built, better engineered, Z3 is a classic but is inferior in every way and now very out of date IMOks. Its all about the image unless we would all be driving around in Evo's and scoobies.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff