RE: BMW Z3 M Coupe: Catch It While You Can

[TR4man]

daveofedinburgh said:

CharlieB said:

Links? I cant seem to find any around that price, and they would be of interest.

Here you go:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&...

He's got a breadvan for sale too at £12.5K if you fancy it!

Roadster with hardtop & winch included- £5.5K. That's some vfm right there.

If you delve into previous threads on zroadster you'll discover why that particular example is probably the cheapest on the market.

I doubt that you'd get a good Z3M for much under £8k

[daveofedinburgh]

TR4man said:

If you delve into previous threads on zroadster you'll discover why that particular example is probably the cheapest on the market.

I doubt that you'd get a good Z3M for much under £8k

I would never claim there are a vast number of them around this price point, merely pointing out they can be had for almost half the price of a decent breadvan.

[CRA1G]

Two interesting articles on the M Coupe this month,BMW CAR Mag has a buyers guide simply saying be quick buy now before you miss the boat... and CLASSIC CAR Quentin Wilson's Smart Buys predicts a rise in what he calls an iconic BMW....

I'll go and give mine another polish....

[TR4man]

Incidentally, I understand that the £5.5k roadster mentioned in previous replies has now been sold.

[vsonix]

I'd really love one of the non-M ones powered by the M52B28. Unfortunately we never got those here.

Spotted one in Italy a few weeks ago.

[vsonix]

s m said:

shalmaneser said:

theJT said:

Cheburator mk2 said:

Such a shame that in standard form the Z3M is absolutely pants to drive - understeers like a pig and mushy brakes to start with, and non supportive seats to finish. Loved the design though...

I know this isn't a very PH thing to say, but honestly I think the 4pot one may be a better car. Yes, it's relatively slow, and no it doesn't make a particularly inspiring noise, but it's very... "Pointy". You just aim the nose where you want and that is _exactly_ where it goes. Without the weight of the big six up the front it handles and stops very nicely... I've had mine for going on 7 years now, and it's still really quite a fun thing to drive - as long as you accept that you have to carry speed, not gain it.

I do wish it was faster every time I get caught behind a caravan tho. Big power quick overtakes are really not it's forte.

That feeling might come from the fact that the 1.9 litre z3 has by far the fastest steering rack of the e36 lineup. They are retro fittable across the range and hence now rather pricey! Supposedly makes the car feel much more lively.

They were light compared to the Z3M Coupe as well
1165kg vs 1400kg

Deep down I sort-of agree, my 318ti was very similar when compared to the several 328i I have owned. The 6-pot is such a fantastic engine in pretty much every respect but the first time I got into a 328i I was almost disappointed as it did feel so much less precise through the twisties with the extra weight up front. Naturally the extra pace and low-end shove is very welcome, the bigger engine is way more versatile for passenger and load-lugging but I miss the feel of the lighter nose. If money was no object, I would be thinking very seriously about a supercharged M44 car, probably a Z3 or another Compact.

[vsonix]

GTRene said:

Yes that one off Hartge 5.0 is my car

I want its wheels soooo badly... dibs first refusal in the unlikely event of them ever being separated from the rest of it...

[vsonix]

Mr Whippy said:

Of course, I like the car, but I've had to spend a fair bit of money to make mine nice. I've no idea what kind of person would want a Z4 in it's standard form unless they were a hairdresser buying the image only.

I think that as BMW becomes bigger and sells more cars in emerging markets, with poor quality roads they have to engineer their cars to be softer and more forgiving, engines in a lower state of tune to allow for poor quality fuels, and knowing that many of their buyers don't really mind or notice, those that do will gravitate towards full 'M' cars or the likes of an Alpina 'remix'. There's a reason why there's a strong tradition of modding BMWs,the run of the mill models have always been well set up but needed a little help bringing out the true value of the chassis and motor. Thinking about it, I'm fairly sure no other German marque has so many tuning houses dedicated to pushing their cars that little bit further, what with AC Schnitzer, Alpina, Hartge and Hamannbeing practically synonymous with BMW.

[e21Mark]

Saw this but still seems expensive when you factor in repairs and what you'll be left with.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3M-Coupe-Body-Shell...

[GTRene]

indeed, I would rather buy a cheap complete one without damage to start with.

[CRA1G]

THERE ALL SOLD.....!!! just been searching Z3M Coupe's for sale on Pistonheads and Autotrader etc and other than Target Cars in the Netherlands that have either Mega miles,LHD or Cat C/D Cars there is not a single car for sale.....!!! So I don't think it's " Catch it while you can" but find one if you can.....!!! I think people are now just hanging on to them me included....

[GTRene]

CRA1G said:

THERE ALL SOLD.....!!! just been searching Z3M Coupe's for sale on Pistonheads and Autotrader etc and other than Target Cars in the Netherlands that have either Mega miles,LHD or Cat C/D Cars there is not a single car for sale.....!!! So I don't think it's " Catch it while you can" but find one if you can.....!!! I think people are now just hanging on to them me included....

The list is getting shorter indeed...
In Germany there are still a view, see list, the good examples getting more expensive>>

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/bmw-z3-m-sportwagen-c...

[aka_kerrly]

vsonix said:

I'd really love one of the non-M ones powered by the M52B28. Unfortunately we never got those here.

Spotted one in Italy a few weeks ago.

Absolutely, these would be welcome in the UK , if you could get them at eg E46 money I'd have one in an instant.

[CRA1G]

One has just reappeared for more money....! The 2000 49K Dakar car was advertised at £25,750 two weeks ago is now advertised for £26,950.... At the same garage....!!!

[CRA1G]

Another lovely Dakar yellow has just appeared on Here http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... 22,000 miles £34,995......!

That makes me happy......

[GTRene]

lovely, another nice M coupe, you don't see those often in that color.

[DJFish]

Chaps,
Are the owners of S376GAN or S236GAN on here?

I was having a tidy up & found an Autocar from Nov 88 and a Car mag from Jan 99 which feature said cars, the owners are welcome to them if they'd like to add them to their cars history files, if not they're free to a good home.
As is an M car brochure (in French) that I've acquired at some point.

Edited by DJFish on Monday 26th January 00:25

[CRA1G]

DJFish said:

Chaps,
Are the owners of S376GAN or S236GAN on here?

I was having a tidy up & found an Autocar from Nov 88 and a Car mag from Jan 99 which feature said cars, the owners are welcome to them if they'd like to add them to their cars history files, if not they're free to a good home.
As is an M car brochure (in French) that I've acquired at some point.

Edited by DJFish on Monday 26th January 00:25

You have mail

[sday12]

GTRene said:

lovely, another nice M coupe, you don't see those often in that color.

There's a reason for that.

[CRA1G]

sday12 said:

GTRene said:

lovely, another nice M coupe, you don't see those often in that color.

There's a reason for that.

Yes,because there's only 42 RHD cars...... One of which is in my garage parked next to two other "Dakar" BMW's.......