Z3M coupe to a caterham

[paulm3]

After some advice please guys. Selling my m coupe (ad here- http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... )
A. Had lots of enquiries and a couple if views, but no sale yet, is the ad/price ok?

And b. I'm after a more track focused and something a bit cheaper to run on track/sunny days as I'm getting a diesel run around for the miles I'm going to be doing soon with my job. Will a caterham/westfield be ok? I'm thinking ill miss the power, noise and maybe comfort the z3m gives? Or will the handling and lightness out way that?
Any help or experiences pls share thanks

[bennyboysvuk]

Have a read of the 2 car thread running in GG currently. Unless you do loads of trackdays then the Caterham might sit in the garage a lot.

Your Z3MC looks great, but I wonder if the high mileage is putting people off.

[Hedgetrimmer]

bennyboysvuk said:

Have a read of the 2 car thread running in GG currently. Unless you do loads of trackdays then the Caterham might sit in the garage a lot.

Your Z3MC looks great, but I wonder if the high mileage is putting people off.

My R500 did 10k miles over 3 years, non of which were on the track. Very easy to drive decent distances cross country and very rewarding even in the wet. A decent power output Caterham ie 200bhp upwards would cover 0-100 slightly quicker than your Z3m. My modified R500 was timed at 6.7 Seconds to 100 which is more than 5 seconds quicker than the Z3m.

[ndj]

This sentence would have me clicking off your add I'm afraid :-(

"I viewed a lot worse when I was in the market buying one."

[bennyboysvuk]

Hedgetrimmer said:

My R500 did 10k miles over 3 years, non of which were on the track. Very easy to drive decent distances cross country and very rewarding even in the wet. A decent power output Caterham ie 200bhp upwards would cover 0-100 slightly quicker than your Z3m. My modified R500 was timed at 6.7 Seconds to 100 which is more than 5 seconds quicker than the Z3m.

Fair enough, but the OP is already wondering if he'll miss the comfort of the Z3MC.

Of course, if the OP wants performance as his main requirement then very little will touch a decent Caterham for driving kicks.

[Hedgetrimmer]

bennyboysvuk said:

Fair enough, but the OP is already wondering if he'll miss the comfort of the Z3MC.

Of course, if the OP wants performance as his main requirement then very little will touch a decent Caterham for driving kicks.

Fair point but Caterhams ride comfortably and the leather seats are great for long journeys. Probably too loud though if confort includes noise levels.

[paulm3]

I don't mind it for long journeys as i'll have the option of the shed mobile (prob a golf gtdi thing)

[Hedgetrimmer]

Paul,

I am probably a little biased towards Caterham as I have owned 4 over the years. My glasses are not rose tinted as I have also owned a number of M's over the years including E46 CSL and E39 M5 e92 M3. The Caterham always plays with my emotions most as every drive is so rewarding and invigorating (especially if it rains!).

If you like playful cars that move around underneath then the Caterham is pretty much unrivalled. Lotuses handle brilliantly but are less playful at a sensible speed and the same goes for Atoms.

I would recommend that you attend your local Lotus 7 meet and chat to some of the drivers and enjoy sampling a range of passenger rides.

[FunkySon]

If you go to a lotus 7 club track day then you'll see that most people seem to turn up with the car on a trailer. There's a reason for that - they're noisy, uncomfortable, miserable little cars. Great on the track in the right conditions but horrible at every other time.

With the benefit of hindsight I had far more track time in my porker. It wasn't as quick but I could use it in all weathers. If I were you I'd stick with the Z3MC and tweak that for track days. I don't expect you to listen, though, as you probably have to experience it first hand to decide whether you can put up with the compromises that comes with caterham ownership.

Regards.

Duncan (clearly now too old and soft for Caterhams)

[Hedgetrimmer]

Best try one (or attend a Lotus 7 meeting as suggested) given the wide opinions.

Always drove my cars to track days as do all of the members in our local region. Lotus 7 track days are a little different given that they attract national attendance given that they include the Caterham national sprint race series (on slicks).

Alternatively watch the following:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxwRgSZiKTk

One of the best videos from the Ring!

Edited by Hedgetrimmer on Saturday 20th July 09:30

Edited by Hedgetrimmer on Saturday 20th July 09:35

Edited by Hedgetrimmer on Saturday 20th July 09:35

Edited by Hedgetrimmer on Saturday 20th July 09:36