Chimaera to Z3M ???

[WindsorRob]

Just wondering, has anyone else out there done it. My current motors is a 4.0, year 2000 car and I'm thinking of a change. No real problem, just like to try different motors. I've seen a few Z3Ms (the 3.2 proper version) for decent money and was a little tempted. Anyone been here before ?

[DMc]

if i was you i would keep the chim they are more fun than a little Z3M but thats my own oponion

[mike s]

Any people won't think your a bird or Hairdresser

But remember if you buy a BMW don't Indicate and pull out infront of everybody!

>> Edited by mike s on Thursday 25th September 18:10

[MatthewTamea]

Just sold a 2.8 Z3 to get my Chimaera. Thought about the M version. I remember Top Gear (I think) testing a Chim and Z3M head to head a few years ago and couldn't decide between them. I think their verdict was that if you like creature comforts go for the beamer...if you like a good drive go for the Chimaera

[jamieheasman]

Z3Ms are underrated IMHO. They've got a gem of an engine, plenty of 'go' and handle nicely too. They can even be tempted into a bit of hooligan driving.

Having said this if I was considering trading a 4.0litre Chimaera for one I look past it and think about upgrading to a 5.0litre Chimaera. I suspect one of the reasons you are thinking about this is because you've gotten used to the Chimeara's performance?

[k3njw]

I borrowed a Z3M fopr a couple of days from my boss, and though it was bloody quick, handled well, and the roof came down at the press of a button ... it didn't make any noise. Horrid. If you're used to the V8 noise, and that is half the fun, the BMW will sound like a sewing machine.

[zumbruk]

I test drove a 2.8 Z3 (not the M) before I bought my 450. I thought the Beemer was pants. All the soul of a domestic applicance. And it wasn't very comfortable for a 6'3" fatty, either.

The leccy hood was nice, tho', but then you have to drag round all those electric motors to go wrong at BMW prices.

[flat out]

i traded a 4 litre chimaera and got a z3M best move ive ever done tvr's are crap just do it andyou wont regret it a lot faster too

[Big Al.]

flat out said:

i traded a 4 litre chimaera and got a z3M best move ive ever done tvr's are crap just do it andyou wont regret it a lot faster too

Each to there own flat out.... each to ther own.

It's good to have a around

[CraigAlsop]

flat out said:

i traded a 4 litre chimaera and got a z3M best move ive ever done tvr's are crap just do it andyou wont regret it a lot faster too

Or you could change to a 4.5 or 5.0 litre Chimaera/Griff & be even faster
Don't forget the M3 engine has it's fair share of reliability issues - so much so that BMW will refuse all warranty claims if the car has ever been on a trackday - (unlike TVR)


>> Edited by CraigAlsop on Sunday 28th September 23:01

[mr john]

WindsorRob said:

My current motors is a 4.0, year 2000 car and I'm thinking of a change. I've seen a few Z3Ms (the 3.2 proper version) for decent money and was a little tempted.

Don't do it !

[Apache]

take a 500 for a spin (not literally) and have a rethink

[drum4it2]

flat out said:

i traded a 4 litre chimaera and got a z3M best move ive ever done tvr's are crap just do it andyou wont regret it a lot faster too

If they're crap - why did you buy one? and if it's gone, why are you still lurking on the Chimaera Forum? - have you been waiting for a post like this to come up then? I take it you're not English! - leave it Gra' leave it....

[ribol]

flat out said:

i traded a 4 litre chimaera and got a z3M best move ive ever done tvr's are crap just do it andyou wont regret it a lot faster too

You are comparing two completely different types of cars. A TVR is a hand built low volume sports car, it is unfair to compare it to a big wallet production line built car. You no doubt see them as competitors because you read the back of a car magazine, saw the numbers and thought they must be similar. You may well have owned a TVR and been unhappy with it and therefore concluded they are all “crap.” The truth is with a little more subject knowledge you would probably have concluded that you bought a bad one were not really up to putting it right and paid the price.
With that in mind a BMW may well be a better bet for you, you have completely missed the point of owning a TVR.

Ivan

[johhn]

i changed from a Z3 to a 4.5 in January 01 best thing I ever did. I regret those 3 wasted years with the BMW. there really is no comparing the two. Oh, and I use the Chim daily without major problems 12K per year

[Voltaire53]

Big Al. said:

<flat out> It's good to have a around

... but 4 posts out of 4 ?
Sounds like he's just anti TVR/Chim (underpriced 94 Chim by 4 grand, suggested joining the AA for a drive North and thinks the best thing to do is sell and get a Beemer) and hanging around Chim forum to criticise.

Time will tell ...

[big col]

Well said Voltaire

i guess it takes al sorts perhaps she chipped her nails getting the beastly roof up and down (not to mention messing the hair up)and those BMW have such nice illuminated mirrors inside for touching the lippy up with. I saw a pink BMW the other`month it must have been flat out, (flat out on a sun bed more like)

[chimburt]

the beemer is a re-bodied saloon.
this is immediately obvious as soon as you take it out.

and no-one smiles at bmw drivers ( for good reason ).

[GreenV8S]

Never driven a Z3M but sprinted against one at Debden a while ago, on two circuits: one is mainly a power circuit, the other is mainly a handling one. The driver had set the class record the previous year (in a Lotus) so presumably quite a decent driver. The 4 liter TVRs were slightly faster than the Z3M and the bigger engined TVRs were considerably faster, on both circuits. The Z3M is quite a fast car, but I wouldn't describe it as faster than a Chimaera.

[SiH]

Afternoon all! I think it's fair to say that I've been laughing my arse off reading this banter between all of you and Flat Out. Something tells me that he has his tongue wedged firmly in his cheek and that it's all a bit of a laugh. Secondly I can vouch for the fact that the TVR he had wasn't a bad example because I bought it from him a couple of months ago! (By the way, Hi Steve, cheers for making the trip across to HHC, much appreciated, and hope you're well) I saw a fair few on my travels and his was easily the nicest example, even if it did mean a 500 mile round trip to see it!! Anyway, can't stop for long, the sun is shining and I'm off out to wash the car and take it for yet another pointless spin! Oh yes, I nearly forgot, hello everyone by the way, it seems like the done thing to introduce onesself to this when you buy a TVR but I'll be honest I've been too busy out driving the car to sit on the computer!! Happy driving all, Simon