Forced to pick one: Z3M Coupe, E46 M3 or E39 M5
Discussion
If you had to pick one as a daily run about, which would it be? I'm fortunate enough to be child free, so practicality isn't important.
I've never owned an M, but am in the market for something decent. My shortlist so far is a Honda S2000 or something from the M brigade. I have owned plenty of BMWs over the years, so I understand the marque, know how to fix and maintain them (not the Ms obviously) and love the quality feel and character of them.
They're all in the same ball park price wise now, so I guess it boils down to handling preferences?
If going for the Z3M, I will of course go for a later S54 engined one, so which of the two motors has the longest life span? The S54 or the V8? Both have well documented issues lists and I also don't like the sound of this boot floor cracking issue on the M3, and filling the void with foam(??) to fix it?!
OK, so it's between the Z3M and the E39 5. Then I read about the E39's rusting problems, which can be quite significant if not treated early enough.
OK, so it's now just the Z3M coupe then. Funny how you can talk yourself into a decision whilst typing isn't it.
Are there any buying guides for them anywhere?
Yeah, the more I think about it's quirky looks (which I like) and it's rarity, I think it's the car for me.
Am I right in thinking the E39 M5 would be the best handling of the 3? It's longer wheelbase and heavier weight would make it the more accomplished GT car I imagine?
I've never owned an M, but am in the market for something decent. My shortlist so far is a Honda S2000 or something from the M brigade. I have owned plenty of BMWs over the years, so I understand the marque, know how to fix and maintain them (not the Ms obviously) and love the quality feel and character of them.
They're all in the same ball park price wise now, so I guess it boils down to handling preferences?
If going for the Z3M, I will of course go for a later S54 engined one, so which of the two motors has the longest life span? The S54 or the V8? Both have well documented issues lists and I also don't like the sound of this boot floor cracking issue on the M3, and filling the void with foam(??) to fix it?!
OK, so it's between the Z3M and the E39 5. Then I read about the E39's rusting problems, which can be quite significant if not treated early enough.
OK, so it's now just the Z3M coupe then. Funny how you can talk yourself into a decision whilst typing isn't it.
Are there any buying guides for them anywhere?
Yeah, the more I think about it's quirky looks (which I like) and it's rarity, I think it's the car for me.
Am I right in thinking the E39 M5 would be the best handling of the 3? It's longer wheelbase and heavier weight would make it the more accomplished GT car I imagine?
TBH Handing of the z3m is not the greatest as standard.Comfortable, but not sharp enough.
It is easily solved though, H&R arbs make a massive difference and are only about £350.00. I would add some Ireland engineering bushes for the rear suspension as they made a massive difference to mine.
If you wanted to go further you could add kwv3 coilovers as I have which will totally transform the handling.
Great cars btw I've had mine 5 years.
It is easily solved though, H&R arbs make a massive difference and are only about £350.00. I would add some Ireland engineering bushes for the rear suspension as they made a massive difference to mine.
If you wanted to go further you could add kwv3 coilovers as I have which will totally transform the handling.
Great cars btw I've had mine 5 years.
Edited by DUBU on Thursday 25th October 17:09
Having owned all three, I personally think that the e46 M3 is one of the most competent all round vehicles you can ever wish for.
The tricky part is finding a good one as a lot of them are now in the grimy hands of young rapscallions who mercilessly rag the living f
k out of them every second their pimpled arses are in the driving seat.
Find a good 'un and it will reward on a daily basis.
The tricky part is finding a good one as a lot of them are now in the grimy hands of young rapscallions who mercilessly rag the living f
k out of them every second their pimpled arses are in the driving seat. Find a good 'un and it will reward on a daily basis.
Its a nice dilema to have, and for my money, i agree with pig skill.
I have owned an e39 m5 and absolutely loved it, but they are long in the tooth now, and while i loved mine and took very good care of it, most will have not been cared for as well as you might look after it from now on..
The e46 m3 is a joyous car to drive. It makes a great noise (like the m5) but does need to be up in the revs to get the most out of it - but it has a lot to give. It steers amazingly with great feedback, and i think is the best car i have ever owned. Mine has done 100k and was in EVO magazine earlier in the summer - who were very positive about it. I think BMW got it just right with the m3.
Take your time to find a good one though as a bad one will empty your piggy bank very fast
Therefore, a s54 breadvan is the one for me. If I had the cash, I'd buy one and keep it under a permanent coat of polish and look at it daily, driving it only when the weather is just so, as this car will be a bona fide classic
Good luck!
I have owned an e39 m5 and absolutely loved it, but they are long in the tooth now, and while i loved mine and took very good care of it, most will have not been cared for as well as you might look after it from now on..
The e46 m3 is a joyous car to drive. It makes a great noise (like the m5) but does need to be up in the revs to get the most out of it - but it has a lot to give. It steers amazingly with great feedback, and i think is the best car i have ever owned. Mine has done 100k and was in EVO magazine earlier in the summer - who were very positive about it. I think BMW got it just right with the m3.
Take your time to find a good one though as a bad one will empty your piggy bank very fast
Therefore, a s54 breadvan is the one for me. If I had the cash, I'd buy one and keep it under a permanent coat of polish and look at it daily, driving it only when the weather is just so, as this car will be a bona fide classic
Good luck!
I have wanted an E46 M3 for some time now, it has always been my realistic dream car. It's only been in the last couple of years that I have been able to afford one, and I've been looking for a while now. I've been to see a couple and missed some others but not found one I liked enough to buy.
However in the last couple of months I have found myself looking at E39 M5's and getting very tempted. Not sure which way I will go to be honest.
Never really been that interested in breadvans to be honest, don't know why.
However in the last couple of months I have found myself looking at E39 M5's and getting very tempted. Not sure which way I will go to be honest.
Never really been that interested in breadvans to be honest, don't know why.
I had a Z3MC for a year, and it is a gorgeous car with loads of character and will maintain its price, whereas the others will not.
However, for my driving needs (mainly blasting down the motorways), the lack of a 5th gear, small (50 litre) petrol tank and no electronic safety net (the S50 engined one has no DSC, the S54 does) meant an E39 M5 was a better match. I kept the M5 for 5 years, and is still the best allrounder I have had (maybe to be surpassed by my E60 M5, but early days still).
The E39 M5 does the comfortable cruiser and all out bruiser very convincingly, so if you do a lot of miles, I would go for that. If you are looking for a weekend car, Z3MC without a doubt.
However, for my driving needs (mainly blasting down the motorways), the lack of a 5th gear, small (50 litre) petrol tank and no electronic safety net (the S50 engined one has no DSC, the S54 does) meant an E39 M5 was a better match. I kept the M5 for 5 years, and is still the best allrounder I have had (maybe to be surpassed by my E60 M5, but early days still).
The E39 M5 does the comfortable cruiser and all out bruiser very convincingly, so if you do a lot of miles, I would go for that. If you are looking for a weekend car, Z3MC without a doubt.
Z3M all day. Won't be the easiest to live with compared to M3/M5 but you will always hate yourself for not giving it a go. Top car and most are well known to z3m.com to help you avoid buying a dog.
S50vs S54 been covered a million times over there. Just concern yourself with condition and enjoy a very rare cool looking mental motor.
Nothing quite like it. Good luck
S50vs S54 been covered a million times over there. Just concern yourself with condition and enjoy a very rare cool looking mental motor.
Nothing quite like it. Good luck
The Z3 can suffer the same boot floor \ diff mount issues as the E46 where it pulls the chassis crossmember away from the boot floor due to popped spot welds. There's loads of info on the Z3 forums. I had a Z3MR and had the chassis crossmember seam welded as a precaution prior to a trip round the Alps.
The interior of the Z3 is pretty dated and the steering wheel is IMO too big for the interior and not easy to swap for something smaller. I loved my roadster though, the S50 engine is almost as impressive as the S54, if anything a bit creamier, although as someone said, no traction control on the S50. Mine had H&R ARB's and ACS suspension and cornered nice and flat. I put a standard Z3 steering rack on as well as its quicker than the M rack. As a daily driver it would be E46 for me as it's a nicer place to be every day, but I can totally see the appeal of the M Coupe.
The interior of the Z3 is pretty dated and the steering wheel is IMO too big for the interior and not easy to swap for something smaller. I loved my roadster though, the S50 engine is almost as impressive as the S54, if anything a bit creamier, although as someone said, no traction control on the S50. Mine had H&R ARB's and ACS suspension and cornered nice and flat. I put a standard Z3 steering rack on as well as its quicker than the M rack. As a daily driver it would be E46 for me as it's a nicer place to be every day, but I can totally see the appeal of the M Coupe.
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