RE: BMW Z3 M Coupe: Catch It While You Can
Discussion
Having owned a few of these in the past, dynamically speaking it is really hard to understand the desirability.
Aesthetically though - WOW they look fab and the engine (S50 or S54) really drags these cars around with amazing pace.
A lot of the price fury over the S54 is definitely down to the limited numbers because again, the difference is 'noticeable' at best in terms of the way it drives and I honestly think the S50 sounds better
Taking this further still - comparing the roadster to the coupe - again neither are amazing to drive and need substantial chassis upgrades to make them feel remotely 'special' and what you would expect of an M car.
Buying one to enjoy as a second car in standard for then for me, the Roadster is best purely because the roof drop allows further enjoyment of the engine note with the added dimension of the wind accompanying the noise. What I'm getting at is that no matter what you do to any model they are always compromised and never truly sharp so save some money and enjoy them for what they are.
Aesthetically though - WOW they look fab and the engine (S50 or S54) really drags these cars around with amazing pace.
A lot of the price fury over the S54 is definitely down to the limited numbers because again, the difference is 'noticeable' at best in terms of the way it drives and I honestly think the S50 sounds better
Taking this further still - comparing the roadster to the coupe - again neither are amazing to drive and need substantial chassis upgrades to make them feel remotely 'special' and what you would expect of an M car.
Buying one to enjoy as a second car in standard for then for me, the Roadster is best purely because the roof drop allows further enjoyment of the engine note with the added dimension of the wind accompanying the noise. What I'm getting at is that no matter what you do to any model they are always compromised and never truly sharp so save some money and enjoy them for what they are.
As the original owner of a manual 1996 hellrot 1.9 and the recent buyer of a 2000 imola red S52 M Coupe, here are my thoughts contrasting both of these great machines...
Both are head-turners, the 1.9 really only with the top down. The Coupe is about the most exciting, semi-practical car a person can drive, but the power and sound so intoxicating that short trips to the store often end up in drag races with curious/(maybe jealous?) muscle cars lining up incessantly hoping to challenge.
The 1.9 is a much more relaxing, care-free DD. The car is plenty quick, and can pass/keep up with most anything in city traffic so long as you're willing to keep the tach reving between 6-7 grand. The shifter is also easier/mushier than my Coupe's stiffer short shifter, making heavy traffic a breeze.
Both are a riot in the twisties, the light tossability of the Z3 outgunned by the powerful carves of the heavier Coupe.
Mechanically, both are super reliable and economical to drive.
For me, it boils down to this--
The original Z3 was an under-rated, fun, love-at-first-sight type of car. The Coupe was more performance, modern art shocking when introduced, morphing into a true classic over time. I like the fact the Coupe would never have come to be without the Z3 there to inspire it..
Both are head-turners, the 1.9 really only with the top down. The Coupe is about the most exciting, semi-practical car a person can drive, but the power and sound so intoxicating that short trips to the store often end up in drag races with curious/(maybe jealous?) muscle cars lining up incessantly hoping to challenge.
The 1.9 is a much more relaxing, care-free DD. The car is plenty quick, and can pass/keep up with most anything in city traffic so long as you're willing to keep the tach reving between 6-7 grand. The shifter is also easier/mushier than my Coupe's stiffer short shifter, making heavy traffic a breeze.
Both are a riot in the twisties, the light tossability of the Z3 outgunned by the powerful carves of the heavier Coupe.
Mechanically, both are super reliable and economical to drive.
For me, it boils down to this--
The original Z3 was an under-rated, fun, love-at-first-sight type of car. The Coupe was more performance, modern art shocking when introduced, morphing into a true classic over time. I like the fact the Coupe would never have come to be without the Z3 there to inspire it..
rolfp said:
As the original owner of a manual 1996 hellrot 1.9 and the recent buyer of a 2000 imola red S52 M Coupe, here are my thoughts contrasting both of these great machines...
Both are head-turners, the 1.9 really only with the top down. The Coupe is about the most exciting, semi-practical car a person can drive, but the power and sound so intoxicating that short trips to the store often end up in drag races with curious/(maybe jealous?) muscle cars lining up incessantly hoping to challenge.
The 1.9 is a much more relaxing, care-free DD. The car is plenty quick, and can pass/keep up with most anything in city traffic so long as you're willing to keep the tach reving between 6-7 grand. The shifter is also easier/mushier than my Coupe's stiffer short shifter, making heavy traffic a breeze.
Both are a riot in the twisties, the light tossability of the Z3 outgunned by the powerful carves of the heavier Coupe.
Mechanically, both are super reliable and economical to drive.
For me, it boils down to this--
The original Z3 was an under-rated, fun, love-at-first-sight type of car. The Coupe was more performance, modern art shocking when introduced, morphing into a true classic over time. I like the fact the Coupe would never have come to be without the Z3 there to inspire it..
I regret never buying an M Coupe at the time - but the lack of a 6th speed put me off and I bought an E36 M3 Evo instead - which of course depreciated like anything. I know what you mean by intoxicating though - I now have a Z4M which although doesn't have the presence of the M Coupe has spoiled me for many other cars as it is so intense, and compared to many cars, still a bit bonkers...Both are head-turners, the 1.9 really only with the top down. The Coupe is about the most exciting, semi-practical car a person can drive, but the power and sound so intoxicating that short trips to the store often end up in drag races with curious/(maybe jealous?) muscle cars lining up incessantly hoping to challenge.
The 1.9 is a much more relaxing, care-free DD. The car is plenty quick, and can pass/keep up with most anything in city traffic so long as you're willing to keep the tach reving between 6-7 grand. The shifter is also easier/mushier than my Coupe's stiffer short shifter, making heavy traffic a breeze.
Both are a riot in the twisties, the light tossability of the Z3 outgunned by the powerful carves of the heavier Coupe.
Mechanically, both are super reliable and economical to drive.
For me, it boils down to this--
The original Z3 was an under-rated, fun, love-at-first-sight type of car. The Coupe was more performance, modern art shocking when introduced, morphing into a true classic over time. I like the fact the Coupe would never have come to be without the Z3 there to inspire it..
I can't Belive the Z3 is now 20 years old.... I bought a new 2.8 in 1997 which is when we saw the first of the fuller wider rear arches which were then to follow on to the ZM a year later and then came the "bread van" ZM Coupe,I now have a 99 S50 ZM Coupe in Dakar yellow low milage and here for keeps it always makes me smile on that Sunday drive... 
As for the E36 M3's depreciating it's now the opposite,nice low mileage standard cars are becoming few and far between and i think will evolve into another "M" classic,fortunately I also have a low mileage one tucked away and it too is in Dakar yellow...
As for the E36 M3's depreciating it's now the opposite,nice low mileage standard cars are becoming few and far between and i think will evolve into another "M" classic,fortunately I also have a low mileage one tucked away and it too is in Dakar yellow...
Edited by CRA1G on Thursday 14th January 07:46
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