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

[Hasbeen]

Volvo did it about a hundred years ago with the P1800es, & that looks a lot better too.

[Fastra]

kambites said:

SteveSteveson said:

I didn't realize they did a non M Coupe. Did they only do the M in the UK, or is it just that I was young enough at the time that all my motoring news came from EVO?

Correct, the non-M version was never sold in the UK. I don't think there was much choice of engines either, maybe just the 2.8 (which I have a feeling was actually a 2.5).

Here you go...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[g3org3y]

dutchpaddy said:

Indeed UK / right hand drive only came in M version. Whereas Europe / US there was also a 2.8l version which had the M52TUB28 engine. In 2000 BMW replaced it with a 3.0 engine

Also worth noting BMW's decision to move the rear numberplate down to the bumper for the non M coupes.

[Mr Whippy]

FWDRacer said:

peter450 said:

Surely the roadster is likely to be the bigger hit in the future ?

With you 100%. Once people have finished fapping themselves into oblivion over driving dynamic benefits of the Breadvan/Coupe. In 12-20-30 years time it'll be a classic market irrelevance (except to proper beards). Both Coupe end Roadsetr will be scarce.

How many people get excited over a MGB roadster over a coupe? And this car is the 1990's equivalent. Flawed but fun, and great to drive roof down. I really enjoyed my shot in a Z3M Roadster. Worth it for the engine alone.

Same here.

All the fun of this kinda car is in the roof down part imo.

I did look at some Z4 M Coupe at a time but when I sat in a Roadster it just made sooooo much more sense. A completely different experience that makes that kinda car worthwhile for me at least, and I'm sure very many.

I'm sure the same could be said of the Z3s too.

I like the idea of an M5 V8 in one... brmmmm!

Dave

[dutchpaddy]

aka_kerrly said:

Love these things, as another poster pointed out the stronger colours like red, yellow and LS blue look tremendous.

Does anyone have much experience of the non M 2.8 versions that were available in the US & mainland Europe???

My car has done over a 100k, but when I bought the car the engine bay looked virtually brand spanking new as previous owners had taken good care of it. The engine seems bulletproof so far, and I like its character. The guy I bought the car from did lower it by 30mm (springs and shocks) so sometimes it can feel a bit stiff. However I usually cycle to work so when I do drive it, I thoroughly enjoy it.

[BoRED S2upid]

Great looking cars they need to do the same to the Z4!

[Froomee]

I very nearly purchased one of these two years ago (Pheonix yellow one at Hexagon) but they wouldn't offer me an extended warranty and it was more expensive than Z4M coupes at the time.

Decent S54 engined ones have always commanded close to £20k although the S50 engined ones could be had for £10-£12k at the time.

I opted for a Z4M as I got two years warranty, prefer the newer cars looks and the Z4M is just a "better" car all round although I do like the Z3M coupe and would seek to buy one if I had somewhere to put one

[keith2.2]

A car i still regret overlooking when I bought my Chim..

[roystinho]

Love these. Had to sell my Clio V6 last year (house move) and I see one of these as its replacement. Disappointed that they seem to be appreciating faster than I seem to be able to save

[paulyv]

This bruiser is the very reason I bought my Z4 sport coupe just a couple of weeks ago. Have always loved the Z3 version but decent ones are out of my price range now. Still, I am very happy with my choice - I'll always smile whenever I see the Z3 Coupe in my mirror (as it prepares to roar past me).

[sanctum]

No, couldn't disagree more with the article.
Prices two years ago were about £15000 for a good car with reasonable miles and full history. Anything less than that was a rolling money pit. Prices have stayed nice and solid around that figure and are showing no signs of falling any further, but there certainly aren't any signs of them going up at the moment.
They have no race pedigree, no history with unique individuals, were not the last run of that engine configuration, I can't actually think of anything that would make the Z3 M coupe anything more than a curio at best.

[shalmaneser]

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.

[crostonian]

JuanEl said:

I was at the NEC with the intention of buying that very z3m coupe. After inspecting the car (which was slightly tatty) and history I was shocked to see what price the car finally sold for when you consider buyers commission on top of the sale price and VAT. The car was purchased by what looked like a nice chap on a whim for his other half!

Drew Pritchard bought it, the chap off Salvage Hunters on TV

[British Beef]

sanctum said:

No, couldn't disagree more with the article.
Prices two years ago were about £15000 for a good car with reasonable miles and full history. Anything less than that was a rolling money pit. Prices have stayed nice and solid around that figure and are showing no signs of falling any further, but there certainly aren't any signs of them going up at the moment.
They have no race pedigree, no history with unique individuals, were not the last run of that engine configuration, I can't actually think of anything that would make the Z3 M coupe anything more than a curio at best.

I agree with you.

Low mileage 1 owner cars will always appreciate on the basis that 90% of the cars are actually driven.

Only an Investment potential if you buy a low mileage one, choose not to drive it and plan on keeping it for many years in pristine condition while maintaining it.

These cars if used will likely cost more to run and maintain than the possible appreciation they will experience.

[CliveM]

I sold my S54 Z3M for 19.5k back in about 2008.
Curious to think that if I'd kept it and done 10k a year I could have easily got the same for it now.

[myhandle]

Mr Whippy said:

Same here.

All the fun of this kinda car is in the roof down part imo.

I did look at some Z4 M Coupe at a time but when I sat in a Roadster it just made sooooo much more sense. A completely different experience that makes that kinda car worthwhile for me at least, and I'm sure very many.

I'm sure the same could be said of the Z3s too.

I like the idea of an M5 V8 in one... brmmmm!

Dave

Agreed. The M Roadster is lots of fun, did many miles in one a long time ago. It's very fast and feels even faster. Really good noise too. The early ones had no traction control. 5 speed, very short throw manual. TVR by BMW.

As for the article's quote "Let's face it, though, it grew out of pretty inauspicious beginnings. The Z3 M Roadster on which it's based was slammed by almost everyone as one of the biggest disappointments ever." I recall that Top Gear Magazine (I know, hardly Evo but hardly What Car? either) said in about 1998 that the M Roadster was about the best handling car on sale at the time.

Hartge did do a V8 by the way, in the M Coupe in any event.

[ManOpener]

gigglebug said:

Or if you want something slightly different

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

With those subtle modifications to the bumpers, wings and arches, that V8 in the front and the wheels it's currently sitting on, that's ridiculously appealing. I'd lose the V8 badges though.






Been for sale forever though.

[Alfa159Ti]

I remember back when Top Gear was still a program about cars and they had one of these on when they were new - I seem to recall Clarkson raving about it.

One used to park next to me at work a while back and it was a great looking thing with a lovely squat stance and fat hips. Never driven one, but imagine they are a fabulously analogue experience with that raspy, revvy 3.2 and a manual shift.

[Scockers]

FWDRacer said:

peter450 said:

Surely the roadster is likely to be the bigger hit in the future ?

With you 100%. Once people have finished fapping themselves into oblivion over driving dynamic benefits of the Breadvan/Coupe. In 12-20-30 years time it'll be a classic market irrelevance (except to proper beards). Both Coupe and Roadster will be scarce in number.

How many people get excited over a MGB roadster over a coupe? And this car is the 1990's equivalent. Flawed but fun, and great to drive roof down. I really enjoyed my shot in a Z3M Roadster. Worth it for the engine alone.

Edited by FWDRacer on Thursday 4th December 11:23

The Roadster is the bargain of the moment. Currently selling for half what the equivalent coupes are going for.

[Mark Wibble]

Ahhhh bugger. I was looking at Z3M coupes but I actually went for a Focus ST, when decent examples of the bimmer had good prices. One of my few regrets in life I didn't get one! Then just to rub it in I started at my new job at the time, and there's a lovely yellow one in the car park. Ah well.