Whats the Z3 M Roadster like then ??
Discussion
Looking for a new fun car, thought of the Honda S2000, VX VX220, Z4 (a little over budget for the 3.0), 350Z (again a bit too much) then came across the Z3M.
If you can buy one for 10-11K then thats a good performance bargain I would have thought ?
I didn't think the Z3 were up too much though as they were based on the compact (that might not be right but I thought thats what I heard a few years back). If so how do they peform with the M3 engine stuffed in it ??!!
Expensive to run ??
If you can buy one for 10-11K then thats a good performance bargain I would have thought ?
I didn't think the Z3 were up too much though as they were based on the compact (that might not be right but I thought thats what I heard a few years back). If so how do they peform with the M3 engine stuffed in it ??!!
Expensive to run ??
I was in a similar situation when looking for a bit of summer fun and like you considered the S2000, Boxster etc. The Z3M is often overlooked but when you consider what you get for your money, 300bhp RWD LSD for around £10k, it is a bargain (even when some of the others look better in my opinion).
The rear suspenion is indeed E30 derived (just like the compact) but that is not neccesarily a bad thing (E30 M3 was quite good I seem to remember
). If you need convincing check out youtube etc. for Clarksons Top Gear review of the Z3M Coupe and Tiff Needel in his own Roadster in "Burning Rubber".
I took my Z3M on the track and it was a hoot, you just need to be careful in the wet (like most high horse, RWD cars).
Running costs and problems are the same as the E36 M3 although the Z3 chassis can suffer cracks around the rear diff mounting points due to the torque but this is rare. The biggest downside would be servicing costs if you go through the BMW network, there are plenty of decent indys around now that can keep costs down.
I kept mine for a year and sold it for pretty much what I paid for it, most of it's depreciation has now gone so it's cheapish motoring.
Oh yeah stick a strut brace on the front, it transforms the front end like no other mod I have ever done.
The rear suspenion is indeed E30 derived (just like the compact) but that is not neccesarily a bad thing (E30 M3 was quite good I seem to remember
). If you need convincing check out youtube etc. for Clarksons Top Gear review of the Z3M Coupe and Tiff Needel in his own Roadster in "Burning Rubber".I took my Z3M on the track and it was a hoot, you just need to be careful in the wet (like most high horse, RWD cars).
Running costs and problems are the same as the E36 M3 although the Z3 chassis can suffer cracks around the rear diff mounting points due to the torque but this is rare. The biggest downside would be servicing costs if you go through the BMW network, there are plenty of decent indys around now that can keep costs down.
I kept mine for a year and sold it for pretty much what I paid for it, most of it's depreciation has now gone so it's cheapish motoring.
Oh yeah stick a strut brace on the front, it transforms the front end like no other mod I have ever done.
I heard on Saturday from an owner that MZ3s are not selling at the moment. He can't shift his and it's 80ish K miles and under £9k. Says he's seeing the same cars for sale week in week out on AT and PH. I think a cheeky bargain is there to be had.
Edited by E36GUY on Monday 14th April 14:09
Remember there are 2 versions of the car. The early ones have the 321bhp S50 engine and the later ones the S54 with the 325 bhp. . The latter have traction control etc. Checkout this for more info..
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=16
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=16
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