RE: PH buying guide: BMW Z3 M Coupe

[BrewsterBear]

I loved every minute of my S50 Coupé. Much faster than my 993, but in a very linear way unlike the big swell at 4k revs in the Porker.

I'd even go as far to say it has a smidgen on my 996 C4S in terms of outright pace. The Beemer is nothing like as composed in the corners though. It would let go in a moment and needed sharp reactions to catch. Good fun if you're provoking it and playing with it. Not so much if you hit an unexpected slippery patch.

I'd definitely have an S54 in my lottery fleet.

[s m]

BrewsterBear said:

I loved every minute of my S50 Coupé. ..........nothing like as composed in the corners though. It would let go in a moment and needed sharp reactions to catch. Good fun if you're provoking it and playing with it. Not so much if you hit an unexpected slippery patch.

There was a clip recently of a young lad crashing his VX Turbo coming out of an island on the bypass on way to Wales. He got rounded on quite sharply by the armachair "massive" if anyone needs a memory jog.

By coincidence, 2 Z3M Coupes have come a cropper out that same island in separate incidents

[yads]

Have a 51' (S54) black sapphire Z3M Coupe with 21k miles on the clock. Owned it for the past 5 years... Had a mere 7k miles on it when I bought it from hexagon BMW, London. Paid £27k. Absolutely brilliant car!!!

[buzzer]

the write up refers to the boot floor problem being rare... I don't know if the Coupe is better, but both of the two convertibles I looked at had substantial cracks in the floor under the boot carpet... Its the reason I stopped looking for one. Also a Z3 2.8 I looked at had all the boot floor spot welds with rust marks around them indicating impending problems. Its not an easy fix, and such a common structural issue put me of the cars altogether.

[Adz350z]

I am on my second S50 z3m coupe and i have to say I love them !

The boot floor hasnt ben an issue on either and my old one is with a friend so i know its still fine. Although a friend has just bought a bare shell which was not in the best shape, rear diff hanger and boot floor were a mess. If you know what your doing its doesnt cost alot to put right.

http://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123...

The car has many niggles but all can be found on the forum and its all part of owning a 13 year old car. !

I sold my first one and seriously regret it so had to have another. It suits my driving stlye and never fails to put a smile on your face. As a package (looks, power, exlusivity) you will struggle to beat it for the price. With numbers diwdling the price can only go up i hope :-)

The insurance companies dont seam to have got a grip on it either. I was 25 had points for good driving and pay £600 a year with admiral. Put into perspective i have an e36 m3 and insurance came in at £1500.

The standard suspension is abit soft and the steering wheel is a little on the large side but this doesnt cost the earth to put right. A drift day will help most people's fears of it being to twitchy.

If any one is considering buying one, do it even if its just for a year you wont regret it . . . . . .

[Agent Orange]

One of my biggest regrets was never buying a Z3M Coupe when I had the chance. Oh that and a Z1 (black with camo leather), a Marine Blue 968 CS, a Aston V8 for £19K and a... but anyway I digress!

Couple of friends had coupes and one a roadster. Great cars. Didn't suffer ham fisted drivers though and the friends roadster met its maker reversing at 80mph into the central barriers of the Wessex Way in Bournemouth.

The fool put his foot down in the wet at 80mph and it swapped ends.

[GTRene]

buzzer said:

the write up refers to the boot floor problem being rare... I don't know if the Coupe is better, but both of the two convertibles I looked at had substantial cracks in the floor under the boot carpet... Its the reason I stopped looking for one. Also a Z3 2.8 I looked at had all the boot floor spot welds with rust marks around them indicating impending problems. Its not an easy fix, and such a common structural issue put me of the cars altogether.

Coupe's are just as bad, its a known "problem" and you could let it fix by stronger parts for free within 8 or 10 years I believe?
the models from 2000 to 2002 had the better stronger parts, but those can crack to because its to much power on just one diff ear holder, though last longer, there are special repair kits but need some welding and a diff-plate with 2 ears etc.
You also can cut and weld in a complete new rear floor part with say E46 or E60 rear floor those have better rear suspension too.
Fact is all power hangs on 1 ear and thats more on the left side wich then also pulls that side a bit stronger in the springs...so all in all thats also a point I say they should have done that better but all in all those car are perfect when you incl price and rare and fast and fun to drive, love them.

[sc4589]

urban_alchemist said:

sc4589 said:

urban_alchemist said:

I was (and still am) devastated when my dealership totalled my car a week after production ended.

What..?!!!

Yeah. That.

I took it in for a service and got the "we'll get back to you" for two days when I called to find out when to collect the car. A 'technician' had spun it and barrelled into a wall. He was hospitalised and the car was a write-off. Can't say I had much sympathy.

I wanted a new one, but they weren't able to get one. Hence the e46 and years of regrets...

...

Begs the question, what in the name of all things holy was a technician doing to your car to get that to happen?

I hope he was rewarded with the sack... seriously... shocked that BMW didn't source you another car through their network and compensate you. Pontius Pilate-class handwashing right there.

On another note, is the E46 really that disappointing? I quite like them... but also love the breadvan...

[only1ian]

s m said:

BrewsterBear said:

I loved every minute of my S50 Coupé. ..........nothing like as composed in the corners though. It would let go in a moment and needed sharp reactions to catch. Good fun if you're provoking it and playing with it. Not so much if you hit an unexpected slippery patch.

There was a clip recently of a young lad crashing his VX Turbo coming out of an island on the bypass on way to Wales. He got rounded on quite sharply by the armachair "massive" if anyone needs a memory jog.

By coincidence, 2 Z3M Coupes have come a cropper out that same island in separate incidents

I bet I can guess exactly which roundabout that is! A 24 year old me very nearly lost my MK1 MR2 trying to be a clever dick on that wet roundabout. Its deceptive after that long bypass along the north wales coast

[Dave Hedgehog]

ugly ugly car..

[muckymotor]

You say that like it's a bad thing

[paulm3]

Brilliant cars, have had mine for 3 years nearly. Had quite a bit of work done on it over the time.
Had a replacement vanos a month before I bought it, have had the boot welded with plates whilst changing rear suspension, bushes and mounts to be on safe side.
Any upgraded suspension/coilovers will dramatically improve handling over very soft oem.
Servicing and consumables are not to expensive at the specialist where I go.
Definately check out the plethora of knowledge at z3mcoupe.com
Very helpful guys and anything you need to know will be answered!
Still get people asking what it is too!?

[buzzer]

Dave Hedgehog said:

ugly ugly car..

ugly in a good way though...

[speed8]

I loved my Z3MC and should never have sold it.
It went because I thought I needed more seats with a pending new arrival on the way but the Pork that replaced it just didn't provide the same fun once the novelty of 450bhp wore off. I'm now back in two seats with the Lotus which is providing a similar level of enjoyment that the MC provided.

[PKZ4M]

Had two new Z3M Coupes, the first version in 1999 in Estoril Blue and then a run out model in 2002 in Silver. Loved them both, far more than the Z3M Roadster I had between them. Had many cars since, but always missed the ZM's. So this month I decided to revisit (well almost) my ZM passion..... I've just bought a 2007 Z4M Coupe..... Just 20k miles, fsh, one owner etc. Amazing value and almost as quirky as the original M Coupe. It's true in these cars every journey is an event...... The engine is fantastic! Brilliant!

[JM1962]

I owned a 99 Imola Red M coupe a couple of years back. I bought it because it was just about the only coupe available that easily fits a large Labrador in it ! Sold it due to a rattling vanos and didn't fancy the repair bill. Can be a bit awkward to get comfortable in if you are over 6'. As has already been mentioned check diff mounting point on the boot floor before buying as the welds can tear under stress, mine was ok. Wing mirror aluminium bases are prone to corrosion but a relatively easy fix.

Edited by JM1962 on Sunday 25th December 12:47

[s m]

only1ian said:

s m said:

BrewsterBear said:

I loved every minute of my S50 Coupé. ..........nothing like as composed in the corners though. It would let go in a moment and needed sharp reactions to catch. Good fun if you're provoking it and playing with it. Not so much if you hit an unexpected slippery patch.

There was a clip recently of a young lad crashing his VX Turbo coming out of an island on the bypass on way to Wales. He got rounded on quite sharply by the armachair "massive" if anyone needs a memory jog.

By coincidence, 2 Z3M Coupes have come a cropper out that same island in separate incidents

I bet I can guess exactly which roundabout that is! A 24 year old me very nearly lost my MK1 MR2 trying to be a clever dick on that wet roundabout. Its deceptive after that long bypass along the north wales coast

West side of Shrewsbury on the bypass there

[Benjaminbopper]

Love love love these cars, this thread has forced me to step up the search.

Off to view a mid 02' S54, 47k miles, black in and out, HK system and sun roof tomorrow for £17k, hoping for nearer high £15k if it all stacks - any expert thoughts on pricing? I'm aware of what to look out for mechanically.

I'll be booking some tuition too as I fear it's the worst switch of vehicles possible from my daily (company) 11' Type R....!

[paranha]

Some good advice on the Z3MCoupe forum.I have owned my Imola example for 10 years and have had the important upgrades, and is a Great pleasure to drive--If you can?.
There is a "Z" Fest at Silverstones Classic 20-22 July 12, when its hoped for 500 Z cars to attend--All Z1-Z3-Z4-Z8,s-- are welcome.

[steadyup]

Sold an immaculate vw golf Mk 1 that I had owned for years to buy a Z3 coupe, as much as I loved the golf, I have no regrets. Both great cars but the coupe has the edge IMO.

I've had the car for about a year and apart from a water pump, all good, so not bad for a twelve year old 86,000 mile "performance" car.

Anybody thinking of getting one these, just do it ! A lot of car for the money. The Z3 forum very helpful too.