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

[option click]

I had an S50 in Estoril Blue. Such a great car, although the blue/black interior was a bit minging.
Sold it to buy a family-friendlly car but one day I'll have another...

[Steve-B]

Ha!

I just Gargled my old reg plate and it's in Dublin!

I hope if the owner of it is on here you're having a d4mn good time with it!

[bobberz]

Though I'm not necessarily a huge BMW fan, for some reason I've always wanted a "shoe". It's one of my dream cars. I remember seeing the M Roadster in a magazine article when they first came out and thinking it seemed like a modern-day Shelby Cobra: 300+ bhp, relatively small and light-weight, with muscular looks.

I will own one, someday, but the prices are currently way out of reach (especially since owning my S3 Alfa Spider has just about cleaned me out).

Personally, I don't like yellow cars, so Estoril Blue or some shade of Silver, for me.

[s m]

Anyone partial to Welsh Rarebit? Click

[Patrick Bateman]

How to spoil a car video; replace a 6 cylinder scream with a backing track instead.

[s m]

Patrick Bateman said:

How to spoil a car video; replace a 6 cylinder scream with a backing track instead.

Play the Hakusoka Gtr clip through your headphones whilst watching it

[smilo996]

gigglebug said:

Or if you want something slightly different

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

That has been for sale on the interweb for a very long time

Someone else said that for the same money you could buy a Porsche 996. That is exactly the point, it isn't.

[ghibbett]

Very much enjoyed mine

I had a 130i beforehand and the M-Coupe didn't feel much quicker...until I found that the throttle cable had stretched and was only giving approx 80% throttle opening. Once corrected it really was a step above. In fact it's the engine I most fondly remember of all my cars - C63 AMG included - as it had that angry 'race car' feel to it.

Also the gearing was superb. Only 5 speeds, but 70mph in 5th was 2750rpm which was peak torque. Foot down in top from 70mph and it just kept pulling and pulling to an indicated 160mph (on the Autobahn).

I took mine over to Austria for 8 months whilst living there, and it was superb. It lapped the 'Ring without issue, other than being cautious about cooking the brakes, and toured the Alps beautifully.

The obligatory Nurburgring pic:



One up on the GrosseGlockner (Austria):


And another looking back at the GrosseGlockner (great wheel design!):



Happy days

[Dr Nookie]

I've had an LSB S54 for about 8 years now and I love it more now than I did when I bought it. Feels old fashioned, hard work, and noisy, but I wouldn't swap it for anything in the price range tbh. It's an enthusiasts car that you can tinker with or not depending on your ownership preferences. I'm at 114k, having added 80k myself and bar the usual consumables haven't had any big bills at all.

If you're saying 'you could get a 996 for the same money' or 'it doesn't have any racing heritage' etc, you're missing the point and that's why you haven't bought one.
They're collectable and desirable to those who want them for just what they are - a bloody great fun, bonkers looking oddity that stands out a mile against the vast majority of others cars out there. Nothing else matters really.

[Trfcok]

northwest monkey said:

peter450 said:

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

No. The roadster looks like a Z3, the Coupe looks like nothing else.

For me, this is the "one that got away". I nearly bought one in 2002 but wanted a car to do a lot of motorway miles in so went for a 330 convertible instead. Loved the car, but I still want an M Coupe.

The original article describes the Z3M roadster as "one of the biggest disappointments ever" . What a load of old tosh! Has he driven one? I've owned my estoril blue 2002 s54 version for 18 months now and it's fantastic fun. Has had more use than my old 911 since I bought it. And with only 73 RHD cars ever made I would have thought it just as good an investment proposition as the coupe. And when the sun is shining.... I know what I'd rather be driving!

[Leins]

I can't seem to see any mention in the article or subsequent postings of the "skunkworks" nature surrounding the creation of this car, which surely only adds to the appeal

Steve-B said:

Ha!

I just Gargled my old reg plate and it's in Dublin!

I hope if the owner of it is on here you're having a d4mn good time with it!

What colour was it? If it's the one I'm thinking of (not too many over here) then it's in very safe hands and still in beautiful condition

Edited by Leins on Thursday 4th December 20:24

[sday12]

Sold my 99 56k FBMWSH for £15k one and a half years back, car now would be £20k plus

just as well I've made £15k on it's replacement 993!

[urban_alchemist]

Best car I ever owned - bought it new (S50) from Dick Lovett Bristol; was written off by Hexagon Temple Fortune barely two years later during a service. Much missed.

One day I will buy another one and send it to BMW to restore. These things are the holy grail - skunkworks built by engineers for drivers, marketeers be damned.

[urban_alchemist]

magic_marker said:

I owned one of these - an Imola Red with the S54 engine; until my brother drove it into a tree.

F+ing loved that car, one of the most fun I've ever owned. Definitely deserves its classic status.

I thought it was the Albanians

[bungle]

TimmD said:

magic_marker said:

I owned one of these - an Imola Red with the S54 engine;.

I used to own a S54 engined Imola Red one, I wonder if it was the same one?

And me... Imola Red S54!

[bungle]

^^^^ ps. feels like I am being ufaithful to it when I look at its successor...

[DJFish]

I was always very keen to own one of these but, try as I might I could never fit my knees under that massive steering wheel.

[MNBrennan]

Dr Nookie said:

I've had an LSB S54 for about 8 years now and I love it more now than I did when I bought it. Feels old fashioned, hard work, and noisy, but I wouldn't swap it for anything in the price range tbh. It's an enthusiasts car that you can tinker with or not depending on your ownership preferences. I'm at 114k, having added 80k myself and bar the usual consumables haven't had any big bills at all.

If you're saying 'you could get a 996 for the same money' or 'it doesn't have any racing heritage' etc, you're missing the point and that's why you haven't bought one.
They're collectable and desirable to those who want them for just what they are - a bloody great fun, bonkers looking oddity that stands out a mile against the vast majority of others cars out there. Nothing else matters really.

I think I met the old owner of your car at Cars in the Park a couple of months ago.

Here's mine. I think they're great fun!!!





Had to be imola red!

[Debaser]

I had one of these many years ago. The handling was rather vague but it always put a smile on my face (unless it was throwing up yet another four figure bill).

[Escort Si-130]

Ugly as fk this car. Hate it, the standard convertible is so much better. This just looks like a weird afterthought that should have NEVER happened.
This car may have the power etc it its been hit with the ugly stick a million times over. This car is like Susan Boyle as a girlfriend, while she has a excellent singing voice; she doesn't have the looks.