Z3M Coupe Values

[survivalist]

Just a quick question for those in the know. Based on the occasional PH thread I’d assumed prices for these had risen to the point of being unattainable. However, a quick look at eBay and classifieds suggest that a 70-85k can be bought for about £25k.

Are these examples likely to be dogs that require a significant spend to get them up to scratch? Or is it just that my mind has adjusted to £25k being the entry point whereas 6/7 years ago it was closer to £15k?

[Dr Nookie]

I see a few MC's popping up quite often either at random dealers or ebay etc. usually at the price you're talking about or less.

I have a 120k S54 that I've had for about 12 years now. If I was seriously looking for one that I intended to actually use, I'd ignore all the sub 70k mileage ones and try and find something from a solid enthusiast owner or a decent dealer. You then need to decide if originality is important, as that adds value, or if you're happy with something that's had a few tweaks. Suspension and ARB's are pretty common upgrades, but depends what you want.

I'd imagine nearer 25-30k should get you something perfectly nice, just be careful it's not a 2.8 pretending to be an M, or a anything that's been wrecked. As they're now worth more, they do attract chancers. A particular S50 keeps turning up for sale with an LSB respray and very questionable history.

Get over to http://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/index.php and have a word there.

I think at least 20 of us will be at the Silverstone classic this year, so that will be a great way to view a load in one place if you can wait,

Cheers,

D.

[tjlazer]

survivalist said:

Just a quick question for those in the know. Based on the occasional PH thread I’d assumed prices for these had risen to the point of being unattainable. However, a quick look at eBay and classifieds suggest that a 70-85k can be bought for about £25k.

Are these examples likely to be dogs that require a significant spend to get them up to scratch? Or is it just that my mind has adjusted to £25k being the entry point whereas 6/7 years ago it was closer to £15k?

I would seriously look at the z4mc if you want to use the car. Much better car stock and newer so more wallet friendly. Arguably prices have more headroom too. And they have decent TC so don’t immediately try to kill you if it rains. I love the z3c but when it came down to it the z4mc is a much better car for the money and you would be getting a very clean example for your budget.

[89pgy]

there seems to be two markets on these. early S50 cars are a lot cheaper than the later and lower production numbered S54 cars. If you are buying for fun it does not really matter, but S54 cars will always be worth more.

[rassi]

tjlazer said:

I would seriously look at the z4mc if you want to use the car. Much better car stock and newer so more wallet friendly. Arguably prices have more headroom too. And they have decent TC so don’t immediately try to kill you if it rains. I love the z3c but when it came down to it the z4mc is a much better car for the money and you would be getting a very clean example for your budget.

From a purely functional point of view I would agree, having owned a Z3M and a Z4C but it misses the point about how unique the Z3M is, completely off the charts in terms of looks and old school feel driving it.

If it is a pure (and more modern) driving experience, then the Z4M is difficult to beat

[tjlazer]

rassi said:

tjlazer said:

I would seriously look at the z4mc if you want to use the car. Much better car stock and newer so more wallet friendly. Arguably prices have more headroom too. And they have decent TC so don’t immediately try to kill you if it rains. I love the z3c but when it came down to it the z4mc is a much better car for the money and you would be getting a very clean example for your budget.

From a purely functional point of view I would agree, having owned a Z3M and a Z4C but it misses the point about how unique the Z3M is, completely off the charts in terms of looks and old school feel driving it.

If it is a pure (and more modern) driving experience, then the Z4M is difficult to beat

100% agree buddy, we will never see the likes of either again.

[survivalist]

Thanks for all the replies.

I probably should have given more of a background. I’ve currently got a Z4M Coupe, originally purchased as I wanted a slightly left field daily driver. I’d always loved the Z3M but as you’ve all pointed out it’s a bit too old school and raw as a DD.

Unfortunately had a pretty brutal snowboarding accident about 2 weeks after buying it and could only drive an auto for about a year after that. However, as I bought it for a bargain price in early 2010 I couldn’t bring myself to sell and held on to it.

In the meantime I changed jobs and had a child, so fate relegated it to second car status. So I guess my backstory to the OP was my thing out loud (or on paper/website) was whether I should sell up and get a Z3M Coupe instead. I’ve toyed with swapping the Z4 for and M3, but as much as I’ve enjoyed driving the M3 (test drives, friends cars and Palmer Sport - so mixed experiences) I just don’t get the same buzz. Might be ideal as a family car though - if we can learn to live without the space of an estate.

In summary though, thanks for the comments. Seems to point me towards keeping the Z4 and looking at other options for our daily car.