Z3 Coupe after E46 M3
Discussion
Hi all,
last year I've sold my E46 M3, and regretted it ever since. I want to get back in a BMW, and always had a soft spot for the Z3 Coupe. How would a 2.8i compare to the M3? I'm not looking for the last bit of performance, so I don't think that will bother me. Just the general joy of ownership, enough power to make good progress (nice road trips to Germany, holidays to the south of France, but not looking for track time)... And where do you see these go value-wise? Again not the most important thing, but you know the usual man-maths that might be needed to persuade the girlfriend, who might not be a fan of the looks... Then again, when I told her about an Impreza a while ago, she was okay with it ;-)
And yes, I know an M Coupe is on another planet, too bad prices are as well, so that ship has sailed. Will the ship of the 2.8i set sail soon?
last year I've sold my E46 M3, and regretted it ever since. I want to get back in a BMW, and always had a soft spot for the Z3 Coupe. How would a 2.8i compare to the M3? I'm not looking for the last bit of performance, so I don't think that will bother me. Just the general joy of ownership, enough power to make good progress (nice road trips to Germany, holidays to the south of France, but not looking for track time)... And where do you see these go value-wise? Again not the most important thing, but you know the usual man-maths that might be needed to persuade the girlfriend, who might not be a fan of the looks... Then again, when I told her about an Impreza a while ago, she was okay with it ;-)
And yes, I know an M Coupe is on another planet, too bad prices are as well, so that ship has sailed. Will the ship of the 2.8i set sail soon?
Futse said:
Hi all,
last year I've sold my E46 M3, and regretted it ever since. I want to get back in a BMW, and always had a soft spot for the Z3 Coupe. How would a 2.8i compare to the M3? I'm not looking for the last bit of performance, so I don't think that will bother me. Just the general joy of ownership, enough power to make good progress (nice road trips to Germany, holidays to the south of France, but not looking for track time)... And where do you see these go value-wise? Again not the most important thing, but you know the usual man-maths that might be needed to persuade the girlfriend, who might not be a fan of the looks... Then again, when I told her about an Impreza a while ago, she was okay with it ;-)
And yes, I know an M Coupe is on another planet, too bad prices are as well, so that ship has sailed. Will the ship of the 2.8i set sail soon?
There's a Z3 M Coupe 50% in my line of sight as I type. Wheels look massive, so I doubt they're stock. last year I've sold my E46 M3, and regretted it ever since. I want to get back in a BMW, and always had a soft spot for the Z3 Coupe. How would a 2.8i compare to the M3? I'm not looking for the last bit of performance, so I don't think that will bother me. Just the general joy of ownership, enough power to make good progress (nice road trips to Germany, holidays to the south of France, but not looking for track time)... And where do you see these go value-wise? Again not the most important thing, but you know the usual man-maths that might be needed to persuade the girlfriend, who might not be a fan of the looks... Then again, when I told her about an Impreza a while ago, she was okay with it ;-)
And yes, I know an M Coupe is on another planet, too bad prices are as well, so that ship has sailed. Will the ship of the 2.8i set sail soon?
I've never driven one, only had a ride in a roadster.
But I do own a E46 M3 and find it so different the ordinary E46s and wonder if that difference is same with the Z3, thus you may fall short of recapturing the M experience you lost and not just in performance, feel of chassis etc?
But that said, naturally aspirated manual, straight six in a light body, sports car, I can't see how it's not going to be fun.
The handlng will be different. Remember that the Z3 is based on the E30 suspension layout. This could be perceived as being more fun.
As for the power it depends on the state of tune that your M3 was in. When I first got my M3 it didn't feel that much faster than a 330i. Now however, it feels alot pokier. The 328i will definitely feel slower but not to the extent that it is not enjoyable.
I reckon drive one. If you can get on with the handling go for it. You'll have something different but without the running costs of the M3.
As for the power it depends on the state of tune that your M3 was in. When I first got my M3 it didn't feel that much faster than a 330i. Now however, it feels alot pokier. The 328i will definitely feel slower but not to the extent that it is not enjoyable.
I reckon drive one. If you can get on with the handling go for it. You'll have something different but without the running costs of the M3
.
Thanks for the replies!
I reckon driving one is always the first thing to do. There's a nice one for sale, not too far away. I'll give that a try :-)
Lucky where I live? Taxes are killing all the fun in Belgium ;-) What do you guys pay per year in taxes? In Belgium, I for my 3.2 M3 I paid about 1.200€ taxes per year...
I reckon driving one is always the first thing to do. There's a nice one for sale, not too far away. I'll give that a try :-)
Lucky where I live? Taxes are killing all the fun in Belgium ;-) What do you guys pay per year in taxes? In Belgium, I for my 3.2 M3 I paid about 1.200€ taxes per year...
Think the Z3 Coupe in 2.8 version will leave you wanting.
I have just sold my Z4 Coupe (incidentally I also live in Belgium), and as a driving experience it is much better than a Z3 Coupe 2.8, and this is speaking as a former Z3 M Coupe owner.
The Z4 Coupe is much more modern, and the N52 engine is fantastic. You should have bought mine, in fact ;-)
I have just sold my Z4 Coupe (incidentally I also live in Belgium), and as a driving experience it is much better than a Z3 Coupe 2.8, and this is speaking as a former Z3 M Coupe owner.
The Z4 Coupe is much more modern, and the N52 engine is fantastic. You should have bought mine, in fact ;-)
Would have loved to have given it a try, to compare the 2. But I just love the shape of the Z3C though... I don't really care about what's more modern, or what's better. I love the charm of an older car. And besides, it would only be for a few trips per year. But I'll definitely have a look at the Z4 as well :-)
Futse said:
Thanks for the replies!
I reckon driving one is always the first thing to do. There's a nice one for sale, not too far away. I'll give that a try :-)
Lucky where I live? Taxes are killing all the fun in Belgium ;-) What do you guys pay per year in taxes? In Belgium, I for my 3.2 M3 I paid about 1.200€ taxes per year...
Fair comment OP - I knew the Netherlands and Denmark were expensive, but it sounds like Belgium is similar! But at least you could buy a Z3C with a 2.8 option - we couldn't get them regardless of tax! I reckon driving one is always the first thing to do. There's a nice one for sale, not too far away. I'll give that a try :-)
Lucky where I live? Taxes are killing all the fun in Belgium ;-) What do you guys pay per year in taxes? In Belgium, I for my 3.2 M3 I paid about 1.200€ taxes per year...
I won't tell you what tax I pay for my Z4C as I think it is punitive, but you'd think it was cheap!!
Anyway good luck with your search!
Mr Tidy said:
Fair comment OP - I knew the Netherlands and Denmark were expensive, but it sounds like Belgium is similar! But at least you could buy a Z3C with a 2.8 option - we couldn't get them regardless of tax!
I won't tell you what tax I pay for my Z4C as I think it is punitive, but you'd think it was cheap!!
Anyway good luck with your search!
I think compared with the Netherlands, we can't complain- certainly for the prices of new cars, I'm don't know about taxes...I won't tell you what tax I pay for my Z4C as I think it is punitive, but you'd think it was cheap!!
Anyway good luck with your search!
Fair point as well, at least we could get it with the 2.8 :-) My dad had an E39 528i when new, but he didn't care too much about cars. Should have kept it, looking back...
It's an interesting point though. You pay less taxes in the UK, and so big engined cars are more popular there. And thus more expensive cars, so more taxes for the governement there. I always thought a tax on use, and not ownership, should be the way to go...
But back to BMW Z3C's :-)
Just sold a late model 2.2 that was used as a Summer only runabout for Mrs LFB.
Was a good car and hassle free, the 170bhp motor got it moving quite nicely but no sports car, much more of a cruiser. We saw a few before we bought this one, many with broken electric hoods, duff rear plastic windows and trashed interiors. Wind deflector is a must, awful to drive without.
Was a good car and hassle free, the 170bhp motor got it moving quite nicely but no sports car, much more of a cruiser. We saw a few before we bought this one, many with broken electric hoods, duff rear plastic windows and trashed interiors. Wind deflector is a must, awful to drive without.
Futse said:
I think compared with the Netherlands, we can't complain- certainly for the prices of new cars, I'm don't know about taxes...
Fair point as well, at least we could get it with the 2.8 :-) My dad had an E39 528i when new, but he didn't care too much about cars. Should have kept it, looking back...
It's an interesting point though. You pay less taxes in the UK, and so big engined cars are more popular there. And thus more expensive cars, so more taxes for the governement there. I always thought a tax on use, and not ownership, should be the way to go...
But back to BMW Z3C's :-)
Yes, tax on usage rather than ownership would be a great idea - but we don't have that here either! Fair point as well, at least we could get it with the 2.8 :-) My dad had an E39 528i when new, but he didn't care too much about cars. Should have kept it, looking back...
It's an interesting point though. You pay less taxes in the UK, and so big engined cars are more popular there. And thus more expensive cars, so more taxes for the governement there. I always thought a tax on use, and not ownership, should be the way to go...
But back to BMW Z3C's :-)
And as well as the 2.8 Z3C we never got here, we also never got the E36 Compact in 323i form which most of Europe did!
Probably why I ended up with an E46 325ti Sport Compact and a Z4C!
Good luck finding your Z3C.
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