RE: PH buying guide: BMW Z3 M Coupe
Discussion
Leins said:
^^^ Now that's what I'm talking about! I loved the idea of your old Hartge This one looks lovely too, so keep us updated with how it goes 
I can't fit in these, but I harbour ideas of doing a mad conversion on an E36 Compact some day
e36 compacts are great too, I also had one special e36 compact back in the days around 1999 I believe it was,I can't fit in these, but I harbour ideas of doing a mad conversion on an E36 Compact some day
it had a tuned 3.0 S50B30 with around 320hp, loved that car also, although a light V8 would be great too.
^^^ Lovely too! I ran a modest 316i one for a few years, and although it needed more power I did really like it
I'm actually quite taken by the Racing Dynamics K55 approach of fitting a V12 from an 850 and giving it a bit of a tune, although I would be fearful of the associated bills in such a project
Do you know if your old Hartge was the biggest engine ever fitted to a Z3?
I'm actually quite taken by the Racing Dynamics K55 approach of fitting a V12 from an 850 and giving it a bit of a tune, although I would be fearful of the associated bills in such a project
Do you know if your old Hartge was the biggest engine ever fitted to a Z3?
Leins said:
^^^ Lovely too! I ran a modest 316i one for a few years, and although it needed more power I did really like it
I'm actually quite taken by the Racing Dynamics K55 approach of fitting a V12 from an 850 and giving it a bit of a tune, although I would be fearful of the associated bills in such a project
Do you know if your old Hartge was the biggest engine ever fitted to a Z3?
Officially I think so, but 'unofficial" there also some M coupe (Z3) with V10 or with the e39 M5 engine.I'm actually quite taken by the Racing Dynamics K55 approach of fitting a V12 from an 850 and giving it a bit of a tune, although I would be fearful of the associated bills in such a project
Do you know if your old Hartge was the biggest engine ever fitted to a Z3?
BMW themselves made a prototype Z3 roadster with a V12 under the bonnet
but that was a lot of extra work I believe to get it more to the rear.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/m-gmbh-reveals-myster...
http://www.carscoops.com/2012/08/all-you-want-to-k...
In November 2002 the very last example that BMW made in RHD was bought to replace an earlier Z3M. Remarks were made to the sales guy that the engine was a nasty thing compared to the previous car. The first one had been as smooth as silk and this one made harsh mechanical sounds that aroused suspicions and some concerns. The reply was that this was how they were with the uprated engine...
Less than 1,500 miles later the engine failed whilst the car was pottering along in Sheffield rush hour traffic at tick over speed. BMW assist was fantastic. The car was picked up and returned to the dealer in Chesterfield. Investigation showed that cars with this engine should have been recalled, this one was missed because the engines were thought to be only in M3s and this one in a Z3M was overlooked. No problem, the engine was replaced with the then latest version for M3s, there had been no Z3M specification engines anymore for some time, which was why this last one had been built with what was to hand at the time (M3 engine). The replacement engine turned out to be fantastic, smooth as the engine in the previous Z3M and even more power than the one that lunched itself.
With the stupid anti-skid thingy switched off, the car is perfect for moorland roads. On motorways it is best to use the cruise control to avoid speeding through the speed traps.
Of course it has to be admitted that it always was an ugly looking thing but it still looks better than its so-called replacements. Anyway the cars which allegedly supersede it seem to be lacking in power and over computerised to the point of interference. So the Z3M has been retained and is still a great pleasure to drive. It is a great handling and rapid car, especially on the lonely roads across the Pennines.
RR
Less than 1,500 miles later the engine failed whilst the car was pottering along in Sheffield rush hour traffic at tick over speed. BMW assist was fantastic. The car was picked up and returned to the dealer in Chesterfield. Investigation showed that cars with this engine should have been recalled, this one was missed because the engines were thought to be only in M3s and this one in a Z3M was overlooked. No problem, the engine was replaced with the then latest version for M3s, there had been no Z3M specification engines anymore for some time, which was why this last one had been built with what was to hand at the time (M3 engine). The replacement engine turned out to be fantastic, smooth as the engine in the previous Z3M and even more power than the one that lunched itself.
With the stupid anti-skid thingy switched off, the car is perfect for moorland roads. On motorways it is best to use the cruise control to avoid speeding through the speed traps.
Of course it has to be admitted that it always was an ugly looking thing but it still looks better than its so-called replacements. Anyway the cars which allegedly supersede it seem to be lacking in power and over computerised to the point of interference. So the Z3M has been retained and is still a great pleasure to drive. It is a great handling and rapid car, especially on the lonely roads across the Pennines.
RR
Interesting
I have a 2002 Z3M Roadster one of only 73 RHD built with the S54 engine which I assume is the same spec as the Coupe referred to in the previous email.
The car's history shows that it too had an engine replaced free by BMW under warranty almost 3 years after it was built and at around 50k. Apparently these early S54s were in the habit of throwing their con-rods and I had also read that whilst the M3s were recalled, the Z3Ms were not. Like yours mine runs beautifully and the replacement engine has still only done 30k
Some may worry that the car is no longer "matching numbers" but on the basis the work was carried out by BMW in a dealership then I'm very happy this work was done.
I have a 2002 Z3M Roadster one of only 73 RHD built with the S54 engine which I assume is the same spec as the Coupe referred to in the previous email.
The car's history shows that it too had an engine replaced free by BMW under warranty almost 3 years after it was built and at around 50k. Apparently these early S54s were in the habit of throwing their con-rods and I had also read that whilst the M3s were recalled, the Z3Ms were not. Like yours mine runs beautifully and the replacement engine has still only done 30k
Some may worry that the car is no longer "matching numbers" but on the basis the work was carried out by BMW in a dealership then I'm very happy this work was done.
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