2002 M3 SMG vs. 2004 Z4 3.0

[Walla80]

I am not the most knowledgeable on cars so thought i'd pick the minds of the finest motorheads. I have £17k to splash on a car and I've shortlisted the choice of an M3 SMG (02 plate) or a Z4 3.0 (04 plate).

I test drove an SMG yesterday and simply fell in love with all the fun i could have with it. But the Z4 is newer, more reliable and obviousely cheaper to maintain......HELP

[Andrew D]

I'd have reservations about an E46 M3 for £17k; sounds like you'd be buying work.

I wouldn't put too much stock in the age, but the M3 would likely have been to the moon and back for that price.

[RichBurley]

Andrew D said:

I'd have reservations about an E46 M3 for £17k; sounds like you'd be buying work.

Not necessarily; that sounds like it's close enough to the market price for that particular car.

[Slurms]

Very different cars...

If your after performance get the M3, if your after roof-down fun get the Z4

You also need to remember that the M3 is going to be more expensive to run.. Insurance, tyres, servicing the whole thing will cost more.. But your getting an M Car rather than just a convertible BMW which is why it'll cost that much more..

[gwatson]

Slurms said:

Very different cars...
If your after performance get the M3, if your after roof-down fun get the Z4

You also need to remember that the M3 is going to be more expensive to run.. Insurance, tyres, servicing the whole thing will cost more.. But your getting an M Car rather than just a convertible BMW which is why it'll cost that much more..

True.. but the Z4 pulls much better low down. Where as the M3 is all top end, really depends how you drive, I love low down grunt which the M3 massivly lacks. I've supercharged my Z4 both both worlds lots of low down torque and big power top end

G

[Walla80]

RichBurley said:

Andrew D said:

I'd have reservations about an E46 M3 for £17k; sounds like you'd be buying work.

Not necessarily; that sounds like it's close enough to the market price for that particular car.

I've manged to find an 02 M3 SMG with only 55k at £17k....and it's from a trader too! I know the running costs will set me back somewhat but does anyone know the sort of costs involved? It's had it's Level 2 recently plus new brakes, pads, and tyres. Assuming I keep it for 2 years max, what sort of damage would I be looking at?

Also in terms of depreciation compared to the 2004 Z4 3.0, surely the M3 will hold better when I come to sell it in 2 years.

[Jasper3.0]

If the 04 Z4 is from a main dealer it will come with 12months warranty....

I needed mine has just had a new clutch and dual mass fly wheel.

To check if it has the fame problem as mine had - accelerate in 2nd to 4500 and then change to 3rd (in sport) if it jumps out of gear and doesn't go to 3rd you need the box seeing to.