Discussion
Hi guys,
Been thinking of changing car recently. I currently have an E46 M3, which I love, owned it for just over a year. I always tend to get itchy feet around the 1 year point haha!
Now my E46 is a 2002 model, so part of the thinking is get out before any issues may arise with the rear subframe, although I have had this checked and been given the all clear.
It is a great car, only 2 previous owners of which the previous owner had it from 6months old, FSH and just ticked over 70k.
Ideally I would change up for an E92 M3, but with my first house purchase looming I cant quite stretch to it at the moment. So got me thinking and the only other car I really fancy is a Z4MC, has anyone made this move and would you consider it a worthy upgrade? Or should i just spend a few quid on the E46 i.e wheel refurb, and possibly respray the front bumper to get rid of any stone chips.
Been thinking of changing car recently. I currently have an E46 M3, which I love, owned it for just over a year. I always tend to get itchy feet around the 1 year point haha!
Now my E46 is a 2002 model, so part of the thinking is get out before any issues may arise with the rear subframe, although I have had this checked and been given the all clear.
It is a great car, only 2 previous owners of which the previous owner had it from 6months old, FSH and just ticked over 70k.
Ideally I would change up for an E92 M3, but with my first house purchase looming I cant quite stretch to it at the moment. So got me thinking and the only other car I really fancy is a Z4MC, has anyone made this move and would you consider it a worthy upgrade? Or should i just spend a few quid on the E46 i.e wheel refurb, and possibly respray the front bumper to get rid of any stone chips.
I had a similar situation except I moved house before I sold my M3. That got replaced by a 120d and at the time I seriously mourned the loss of the M3. 
However, we changed my missus' car for a Z4M Roadster and all is well again.
I'm not 100% sure what the Z4MC is like, but the Z4M definitely feels a bit less like an everyday car than the M3. If you really want everyday practicality then I would say the E92 M3's a better bet. Incidentally, the Z4M feels slightly quicker than the E46 M3, but still doesn't seem quite as quick as the E92 M3. The Z4M is more vocal than the E92 M3 and makes the E92 M3 feel a bit reserved in comparison.
However, we changed my missus' car for a Z4M Roadster and all is well again. I'm not 100% sure what the Z4MC is like, but the Z4M definitely feels a bit less like an everyday car than the M3. If you really want everyday practicality then I would say the E92 M3's a better bet. Incidentally, the Z4M feels slightly quicker than the E46 M3, but still doesn't seem quite as quick as the E92 M3. The Z4M is more vocal than the E92 M3 and makes the E92 M3 feel a bit reserved in comparison.
I'm not convinced e46 M3 to Z4MC is "an upgrade".
The Z4MC feels and looks more of an event, but It has its drawbacks. The seats aren't as comfortable, the interior fit and finish isn't as good, IMHO it's not as predictable on the limit (feels more twitchy than the e46) and of course it is significantly less practical.
The e46 M3 is a performance bargain and i'm not sure the Z4MC is worth the extra outlay.
(FWIW I've had two e46 M3s, a Z4MC for a year / 10k miles, and now have an e92).
If the e92 is what you really want, I'd be inclined to keep the e46 and the cash for now and save for another year until the e92s have dipped to an affordable level.
The Z4MC feels and looks more of an event, but It has its drawbacks. The seats aren't as comfortable, the interior fit and finish isn't as good, IMHO it's not as predictable on the limit (feels more twitchy than the e46) and of course it is significantly less practical.
The e46 M3 is a performance bargain and i'm not sure the Z4MC is worth the extra outlay.
(FWIW I've had two e46 M3s, a Z4MC for a year / 10k miles, and now have an e92).
If the e92 is what you really want, I'd be inclined to keep the e46 and the cash for now and save for another year until the e92s have dipped to an affordable level.
I went from 2 E46 M3's into a Z4M, lasted all of 6 months, the car was epic in short bursts but build quality was piss poor, the ride was worse and after 6 weeks my back was a mess, swapped for an E92 M3, cars are very different, E46 defintely easier to live with but the Z4MC had alot of charisma and the smile thing going on, defo not an upgrade though
What about a mint CS? Didn't drive that many 'normal' m3s before buying my CS but for me it was a big difference and felt more of an event to drive even though the normal m3 is awesome. The CSL steering rack is a big plus. Get a top spec low mileage CS (2005 onwards) and that may tick the boxes and scratch the itch for a change.
Worth reading the reviews and going for a test drive anyway.
Assuming a CSL is out of the price range
Worth reading the reviews and going for a test drive anyway.
Assuming a CSL is out of the price range
Gonna be boring here and say 'forget changing cars until you have moved' it always costs more than you think and there is always something that needs doing that you didn't spot on the viewings.
As long as the car is running well then sit tight and don't spend on anything; move in and then decide what to do. Plus when you do buy the house then you will need something with a boot and rear seat space for those trips to the tip and Ikea type places.
As long as the car is running well then sit tight and don't spend on anything; move in and then decide what to do. Plus when you do buy the house then you will need something with a boot and rear seat space for those trips to the tip and Ikea type places.
I've driven all 3 of the cars you mention and IMO the Z4M is the more of an exciting car to drive. Looks the most exotic, sounds the best out of the three and very nearly as quick as the e92 when they are both on it. Yes it's got a hard ride so I suppose if you have a bad back then it's no good but they're perfectly usuable day to day.
Drive a Z4MC and make up your own mind
It's much more exciting that the M3, and feels faster
You sit much lower, behind a long bonnet just over the rear wheels, it a million miles away from the experience you get in a "saloon car". The rack is fast, the suspension much stiff meaning it corners flatter.
The ride isn't as good over broken surfaces. But not as bad as the 3.0 coupe or 1m
You need a CSL to get the same level of alertness in the 'saloon'
Custard
It's much more exciting that the M3, and feels faster
You sit much lower, behind a long bonnet just over the rear wheels, it a million miles away from the experience you get in a "saloon car". The rack is fast, the suspension much stiff meaning it corners flatter.
The ride isn't as good over broken surfaces. But not as bad as the 3.0 coupe or 1m
You need a CSL to get the same level of alertness in the 'saloon'
Custard
kis said:
I've driven all 3 of the cars you mention and IMO the Z4M is the more of an exciting car to drive. Looks the most exotic, sounds the best out of the three and very nearly as quick as the e92 when they are both on it. Yes it's got a hard ride so I suppose if you have a bad back then it's no good but they're perfectly usuable day to day.
Interesting that you think the Z sounds best. I'd completely disagree. I much preferred the sound of the e46 to the Z. And the e92's V8 grumble is just different.Whilst I agree the Z looks the most exotic, I found the e46 easier to drive hard and the e92 is a better all-rounder (if you ignore the emmpeegees!)
Gruber said:
Interesting that you think the Z sounds best. I'd completely disagree. I much preferred the sound of the e46 to the Z. And the e92's V8 grumble is just different.
Whilst I agree the Z looks the most exotic, I found the e46 easier to drive hard and the e92 is a better all-rounder (if you ignore the emmpeegees!)
Spot on (in my experience)Whilst I agree the Z looks the most exotic, I found the e46 easier to drive hard and the e92 is a better all-rounder (if you ignore the emmpeegees!)
Some good points raised here. Still undecided on what to do, I know the E92 is what i really want and the z4mc would just be a 'stop-gap' so to speak, so might do the sensible thing and keep hold of the 46 for a little while longer, I have also had an inspection 1 done fairly recently.
MPG does'nt really bother me as I currently live 3miles from my place of work, and I am looking to buy in the same area. Anything else you guys would recommend at ~£15k price range?
MPG does'nt really bother me as I currently live 3miles from my place of work, and I am looking to buy in the same area. Anything else you guys would recommend at ~£15k price range?
Edited by M3Alan on Saturday 7th July 01:24
how does the acceleration of a z4mc compare to the e46 m3?
i swapped a m3 for a 3.0si z4c and i must say the acceleration in the z4 is a bit of a let down. circumstances have changed - i took the non m variant as i had a 250 mile a week commute, now it's a negligible one - i'm considering swapping to either the z4mc or hanging on for an E9X m3...
it is a dilemma!!
i swapped a m3 for a 3.0si z4c and i must say the acceleration in the z4 is a bit of a let down. circumstances have changed - i took the non m variant as i had a 250 mile a week commute, now it's a negligible one - i'm considering swapping to either the z4mc or hanging on for an E9X m3...
it is a dilemma!!
The acceleration is the same, but the Z4MC feels livelier, largely due to a more aggressive throttle map.
I must admit to not being a fan of the Z4MC largely due to the way it drives. Sure if you want a hardcore, focussed drive then fine but on UK roads doing normal stuff then it's frustrating, fidgety and too uncompromising for me, but then again I'm 38 so probably too old now for a 'no holds barred' daily driver.
I love my e46 M3 as a daily driver and honestly cannot think of another car that does it all so well.
I must admit to not being a fan of the Z4MC largely due to the way it drives. Sure if you want a hardcore, focussed drive then fine but on UK roads doing normal stuff then it's frustrating, fidgety and too uncompromising for me, but then again I'm 38 so probably too old now for a 'no holds barred' daily driver.
I love my e46 M3 as a daily driver and honestly cannot think of another car that does it all so well.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff