What RWD hero? 350Z, Z4 Coupe or E46 M3?

[white_goodman]

Which one of these would you go for with a budget of about £15k? They're all RWD, naturally-aspirated, six-cylinder coupes with ample power and are all likely to become future classic but there the similarity ends.

I've always liked the look of the 350Z and they appear to be quite good value, plentiful and reliable.

The Z4 Coupe looks great and is quite rare but not so polished in the handling department as an M3 by all accounts and probably not as much choice for the budget (would consider a 3.0 or a Z4M though)

The M3 isn't really a direct rival to the others but it is an iconic driver's car, lots of choice within the budget and I have wanted one for the longest! It is the most practical but 4 seats and a big boot not essential and as it's not a purpose-built sports car, possibly not quite as special as the other two?

Which one would you go for? Any experiences of driving/owning the three cars would be most welcome.

[(steven)]

I went with the Z4C as it ‘feels the most special’ whether it’s a wet Wednesday crawling through traffic or a full on hoon on the route napoleon.

The M3 is the most resolved handling package. It much better set up for the average bumpy B-road than the Z4C, which is far too stiff with the run-flats on. It’s the quickest point to point (whether round a corner or a straight line) car of the three but feels the slowest due to the higher ride height and the softer suspension. From behind the wheel it doesn’t feel special but it drives well. It also suffers from “M tax” when it comes to insurance. Little extra performance compared to my Z4C yet twice the insurance.

I limped away from my 350z test drive as driving position was so bad (but I am hard to please). A serious lack of steering wheel and seat adjustability compared to the Z4C. However you get a lot more “bang for your buck” and again having chased a mates one across France, much better rough road suspension than the 4.

The 350z is definitely the value proposition of the 3, being (when I looked) cheaper to insure, maintain and buy in the first place.

However fuel consumption is much worse (over a drive across France with a 350z, an E46 M3, a Z4C and a Z4MC we saw something like 24mpg, vs 29, 31, 30) the interior is a bit so-so in places and the driving position isn’t great if you’re tall.

All great cars though, there isn’t a bad choice among them.

[VWAUDI]

Not driven any of the three - but at that price I think you should be looking at Z4M Coupes instead of the regular 3.0.

When you say these are likely to become a future classic are you looking to buy and keep for many years until classic status is reached? I would be quite surprised if any became strong money classic cars - the exception would be the E46 M3 CSL though.

Have you considered at 996 911 instead?

[DrTre]

white_goodman said:

Which one of these would you go for with a budget of about £15k? They're all RWD, naturally-aspirated, six-cylinder coupes with ample power and are all likely to become future classic but there the similarity ends.

None: Tamora

Not sure a 350z will ever be a classic in the mould of the 240z tbh.

[John D.]

Tidy E46 for me. Between that and the Z4 the 350Z doesn't even get a look in.

[FamilyDub]

For a 15k budget I'd be finding a nice Interlagos blue M3 CS, in manual (but I need the back seats).

Can't go wrong with any of those three, though.

[thinfourth2]

a 14 grand caterham and a 1 grand shed

if you are going to do RWD hero do it properly

[John D.]

FamilyDub said:

For a 15k budget I'd be finding a nice Interlagos blue M3 CS, in manual (but I need the back seats).

Why does he have to give you the back seats?

[SWoll]

Z4M Coupe

Or if you are lloking for something that's already considered a classic and unlikely to lose any money

Z3M Coupe

M3 CS is a great car, but perhaps a little lacking in the 'special' stakes and there are hell of a lot of them around.

Would probably have suggested an early Cayman, but apparently their engines are made from chocolate...

Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 21st August 21:23

[FamilyDub]

I meant I would need a car with back seats, rendering the Z4M & 370 useless.

Or was that a 'joke'?

[oj121]

[quote=(steven)]
I limped away from my 350z test drive as driving position was so bad (but I am hard to please). A serious lack of steering wheel and seat adjustability compared to the Z4C. However you get a lot more “bang for your buck” and again having chased a mates one across France, much better rough road suspension than the 4.

The 350z is definitely the value proposition of the 3, being (when I looked) cheaper to insure, maintain and buy in the first place.


[/quote]

I find the seating position very comfortable (6ft 3 and close to 15 stone so not a little guy). Takes a little time to get it right. As said though I dont think you can really go wrong with any of them. All comfortably under 6 seconds cars and limited to 155. All have plenty going for them and none of them are a duff drive. I bought a 350 but I only had £10k to spend.

[redgriff500]

If you don't need rear seats then I'd be buying a 2 seater as they are better sports cars.