Swap 1M for a Z3 M Coupe?
Discussion
I've had my 1M for a couple of years and I'm getting itchy feet. It is brilliant, it ticks all the boxes, but I'm starting to window shop. I was browsing the classifieds and a beautiful Z3 M Coupe caught my eye. It's a '99, 35k miles, Estoril Blue, full history, etc. Basically the car and spec I hankered after since I was 18 but never had the means to buy one.
Has anyone here driven both?
I appreciate they are two different cars and two different ownership propositions, but it would be interesting to hear some opinions. Does the Z3 live up to the hype?
Everyone I've spoken to regrets selling their 1M, even guys who are in more expensive, desirable cars now.
Any input is most welcome. Cheers!
Has anyone here driven both?
I appreciate they are two different cars and two different ownership propositions, but it would be interesting to hear some opinions. Does the Z3 live up to the hype?
Everyone I've spoken to regrets selling their 1M, even guys who are in more expensive, desirable cars now.
Any input is most welcome. Cheers!
Given the choice, I'd take the Z3MC over the 1M. The N/A engine in the MC is glorious, in a way that the turbo-charged lump in the 1M just isn't really. I really liked my 1M, but it lacked the old school high-revving character that, for me, is a big part of the 'M' experience.
In many respects, the 1M is the safer bet: the handling is more benign, it is newer, stronger, has back seats, etc etc. But the Z3MC is the more special car - sitting over the back wheels with that long bonnet stretching out ahead, a stand-out design, and snappy handling demanding concentration and connection. Of course, without a turbo it'll feel less punchy in the mid-range. But that top-end zing more than makes up for it, IMHO.
A nice dilemma to contemplate!
In many respects, the 1M is the safer bet: the handling is more benign, it is newer, stronger, has back seats, etc etc. But the Z3MC is the more special car - sitting over the back wheels with that long bonnet stretching out ahead, a stand-out design, and snappy handling demanding concentration and connection. Of course, without a turbo it'll feel less punchy in the mid-range. But that top-end zing more than makes up for it, IMHO.
A nice dilemma to contemplate!
Hi,
I Sold a TVR Griffith 500 many years ago to buy a Z3M Roadster. Original thoughts were for buying the car were, like the looks - like the straight six engine and the thought of an electric roof sold it to me.
After 5 months the car was up for sale and bought another Griff 500, reason being not quite as fast as I expected, the ride wasn't that great especially on motorways (felt the ridges in the roads), the driving position was far too high - felt like you were sitting on it, rather than in it.
Wish that I had waited and bought a Z4M, far better driving position and car.
But, we all have different tastes.
I Sold a TVR Griffith 500 many years ago to buy a Z3M Roadster. Original thoughts were for buying the car were, like the looks - like the straight six engine and the thought of an electric roof sold it to me.
After 5 months the car was up for sale and bought another Griff 500, reason being not quite as fast as I expected, the ride wasn't that great especially on motorways (felt the ridges in the roads), the driving position was far too high - felt like you were sitting on it, rather than in it.
Wish that I had waited and bought a Z4M, far better driving position and car.
But, we all have different tastes.
Not driven the newer car but have driven lots of the old one. They go very sideways very easily. Easy to slide like a loon if you want to.
On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
I’ve owned both.
I’d keep the 1M as it’s just a special and much quicker more of the time.
The breadvan’s handling is laugh-out-loud fun when you’re in the mood but if you need your car for more than Sunday blasts it can a bit too much........
Also starting to feel like a classic car nowadays, is that what you’re after?
2 of the best ever BMWs in my view, you can’t really go wrong, good luck.
I’d keep the 1M as it’s just a special and much quicker more of the time.
The breadvan’s handling is laugh-out-loud fun when you’re in the mood but if you need your car for more than Sunday blasts it can a bit too much........
Also starting to feel like a classic car nowadays, is that what you’re after?
2 of the best ever BMWs in my view, you can’t really go wrong, good luck.
Thank you all for your replies. Some really great info there.
I think I'm just going to have to drive one and see how it feels (and if I fit as I'm a lanky 6ft 1"). I have very fond memories of driving an E46 so if it captures some of that, then it could be the one. Trouble is, I'm in Sweden and all the cars are SORNed until March when the winter tyre rule ends.
That's why I started looking at 2 seaters. It will be purely a weekend car and in reality will only do a few thousand km a year. I don't mean for it to be a garage queen, but I don't have the time to drive more than that. So an older classic car would be ok I think.
But then you start looking at 2 seaters and the choices are endless. It's going to be a long winter...
I think I'm just going to have to drive one and see how it feels (and if I fit as I'm a lanky 6ft 1"). I have very fond memories of driving an E46 so if it captures some of that, then it could be the one. Trouble is, I'm in Sweden and all the cars are SORNed until March when the winter tyre rule ends.
breadvan said:
I’ve owned both.
I’d keep the 1M as it’s just a special and much quicker more of the time.
The breadvan’s handling is laugh-out-loud fun when you’re in the mood but if you need your car for more than Sunday blasts it can a bit too much........
Also starting to feel like a classic car nowadays, is that what you’re after?
2 of the best ever BMWs in my view, you can’t really go wrong, good luck.
At the moment we have a 3 year old and we like to use the 1M for daytrips, however we have another baby on the way which is what got me thinking. There's no way we can fit a baby seat, a toddler with booster seat and 2 adults in the 1M (I have the performance seats so theres no isofix in the front and rear legroom is slightly compromised for adults). It's just not worth the hassle to potter about with my family aboard.I’d keep the 1M as it’s just a special and much quicker more of the time.
The breadvan’s handling is laugh-out-loud fun when you’re in the mood but if you need your car for more than Sunday blasts it can a bit too much........
Also starting to feel like a classic car nowadays, is that what you’re after?
2 of the best ever BMWs in my view, you can’t really go wrong, good luck.
That's why I started looking at 2 seaters. It will be purely a weekend car and in reality will only do a few thousand km a year. I don't mean for it to be a garage queen, but I don't have the time to drive more than that. So an older classic car would be ok I think.
But then you start looking at 2 seaters and the choices are endless. It's going to be a long winter...
helix402 said:
Not driven the newer car but have driven lots of the old one. They go very sideways very easily. Easy to slide like a loon if you want to.
On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
I remember when I got mine felt like a floaty boat, I go KW V3 suspension on it and handled like it was on rails. Miss it alot but vs 1M I don't know. Power wise can't do alot apart from an intake which is expensive, had an Evolve Carbon one on mine, made around 345bhp. On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
If you are driving it everyday I think you will get bored easily but if it is going to be a weekend toy then different story. They seem to be garage queens now and price is similar to 1Ms? Your probably better off with an M4 family run about lol
helix402 said:
Not driven the newer car but have driven lots of the old one. They go very sideways very easily. Easy to slide like a loon if you want to.
On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
I so wanted to buy one of these back in the day but I found there wasn't enough legroom for me...and I'm not that tall at 6' 2". A great period of BMW M cars! On standard suspension they feel very light and floaty at the front above approx 65mph.
Brakes will fade rapidly if driven vigorously. Drivers space is very tight if you are tall.
Go drive a Z3M, I have had one and its a great classic car now, feels special, gets recognition etc...but its not as quick as you'd expect (unless you can afford an S54) and the handling is pretty average/clunky. My 130i was as quick and handled better, people at the time were seeing the 130i as an upgrade. 1M is a better car all-round.
I've had a Z3M(S54) for about 12 years now.
They've been covered on here loads in some way or other, but IMO:
- They offer a rare combination of rarity, performance and reliability, and in my experience are very happy to be driven and driven (120k on mine atm)
- They're probably a much more emotive purchase than most of the possible alternatives and you get a great ownership experience as a result(if that's relevant to you)
- They are easily fast enough for any legal road use, particularly given the 'exciting' handling
- Bilsteins all round at 100k transformed mine into a properly great to drive (if somewhat old school) motor
- as much of a cliche as it is, they really do feel like an event to drive, particularly if it's a weekender and has a different backbox
- As has been said, they are really in classic car territory now, which might affect appeal one way or the other
- The loyal following should give some indication of how much people, owners or not, love them
For what it's worth I wouldn't swap mine for anything I can remotely afford and think I'd need another 50k to get into anything I'd rather have. But as I've said, it's the ownership experience I love as much as the outright performance.
They've been covered on here loads in some way or other, but IMO:
- They offer a rare combination of rarity, performance and reliability, and in my experience are very happy to be driven and driven (120k on mine atm)
- They're probably a much more emotive purchase than most of the possible alternatives and you get a great ownership experience as a result(if that's relevant to you)
- They are easily fast enough for any legal road use, particularly given the 'exciting' handling
- Bilsteins all round at 100k transformed mine into a properly great to drive (if somewhat old school) motor
- as much of a cliche as it is, they really do feel like an event to drive, particularly if it's a weekender and has a different backbox
- As has been said, they are really in classic car territory now, which might affect appeal one way or the other
- The loyal following should give some indication of how much people, owners or not, love them
For what it's worth I wouldn't swap mine for anything I can remotely afford and think I'd need another 50k to get into anything I'd rather have. But as I've said, it's the ownership experience I love as much as the outright performance.
I had a Z3M for about 5 years and 50k km …. stupidly sold it for 15k euros about 10 years ago. Am currently thinking of buying another one for a lot more money as I still miss it. Mine was my only car and it felt quick enough and was good fun to drive as well as reasonably practical. Also one of the best looking cars of the last 30 years imo.
Would like to own a 1M at some point too, but not so keen on the turbo engine and the relatively high weight for what looks like a small car.
Would like to own a 1M at some point too, but not so keen on the turbo engine and the relatively high weight for what looks like a small car.
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