Talk to me about the clown shoe. :) BMW Z3 Coupe
Discussion
This is one of those cars which has grown on me over the years. I saw one the other day and it looked stunning! Way better than I seem to remember. The squatted stance, wide arches, deep dished wheels, long bonnet and totally exotic looks. I have seen some comparing it to the 1 series hatchback 2 doors, but I don't see it. Somehow I get a TVR vibe from the Z3 coupe, where the 1 series is just a normal hatchback. In looks the Z3 is more mini Ferrari FF than 2 doors hot hatch.
Combine that with the BMW straight 6, RWD, manual transmission and it seems like a nice recipe for a fun and eventful weekend toy. Special in every way but the badge one could say. Somehow seems like a car a small scale manufacturer would have put out rather than a mass produced one. The same can be said about the Z4 coupe. Probably the 2 least BMW like cars BMW has ever made. Or at least from the last 25 years.
Between the 2, I like things about both. But somehow have the feeling the Z3 coupe would feel more special and more eventful to drive. I also think it's slightly better looking than the Z4 coupe. Maybe I like the roof line of the Z4 more. But not even sure about that.
So anybody out there with experience in a Z3 coupe? Specially the 3.0 non M car. Does mileage matter here? I see low mileage ones have gone silly. But higher mileage examples are still ok priced.
Would you rather it over a Z4C?
Combine that with the BMW straight 6, RWD, manual transmission and it seems like a nice recipe for a fun and eventful weekend toy. Special in every way but the badge one could say. Somehow seems like a car a small scale manufacturer would have put out rather than a mass produced one. The same can be said about the Z4 coupe. Probably the 2 least BMW like cars BMW has ever made. Or at least from the last 25 years.
Between the 2, I like things about both. But somehow have the feeling the Z3 coupe would feel more special and more eventful to drive. I also think it's slightly better looking than the Z4 coupe. Maybe I like the roof line of the Z4 more. But not even sure about that.
So anybody out there with experience in a Z3 coupe? Specially the 3.0 non M car. Does mileage matter here? I see low mileage ones have gone silly. But higher mileage examples are still ok priced.
Would you rather it over a Z4C?
Dieci said:
Heathwood said:
When you say 3.0 non-M car, I’m not sure BMW did a non M coupe.
The M was the only version sold in the UK ,other markets had the other engine{S}Certainly a very cool / cult car. Get a good one and you will not lose money.
Shifter1 said:
I must agree they are getting better with age. Prices on the M version have gone crazy for a while. But I heard many times the better engine is the lower car. I would be concerned with rust. But I don't have any experience with the Z3 in that regard.
Good point about the rust. Cars from that time normally like to rust. Anybody knows if the Z3 has rust problems above the normal?InformationSuperHighway said:
Dieci said:
Heathwood said:
When you say 3.0 non-M car, I’m not sure BMW did a non M coupe.
The M was the only version sold in the UK ,other markets had the other engine{S}Certainly a very cool / cult car. Get a good one and you will not lose money.
I've always loved the quirkiness of the Z3 Coupe, but living in the UK where we only got the M version they've always been way out of my budget sadly. And getting even more out of my budget all the time!
I don't know about the non-Ms but I believe the early M cars can be "exciting" as they don't have much in the way of driver aids.
Luckily I always loved the looks of the Z4 Coupe too and currently have my 3rd. Two 3.0Sis and now an M.
The 3 litres were great cars but the M just feels so special thanks to that S54 engine.
Main issues with the 3 litres are oil leaks from the cam-cover gasket and oil filter housing and electric water pumps dying. M issues are crank rod bearing shells and needing valve clearances checked at Inspection services then adjusting with shims if required, but the same would apply to Z3M Coupes.
But some Z4 Coupes did suffer from corroded tailgates around the edges that will be visible when it's open.
I don't know about the non-Ms but I believe the early M cars can be "exciting" as they don't have much in the way of driver aids.
Luckily I always loved the looks of the Z4 Coupe too and currently have my 3rd. Two 3.0Sis and now an M.
The 3 litres were great cars but the M just feels so special thanks to that S54 engine.
Main issues with the 3 litres are oil leaks from the cam-cover gasket and oil filter housing and electric water pumps dying. M issues are crank rod bearing shells and needing valve clearances checked at Inspection services then adjusting with shims if required, but the same would apply to Z3M Coupes.
But some Z4 Coupes did suffer from corroded tailgates around the edges that will be visible when it's open.
Mr Tidy said:
I've always loved the quirkiness of the Z3 Coupe, but living in the UK where we only got the M version they've always been way out of my budget sadly. And getting even more out of my budget all the time!
I don't know about the non-Ms but I believe the early M cars can be "exciting" as they don't have much in the way of driver aids.
Luckily I always loved the looks of the Z4 Coupe too and currently have my 3rd. Two 3.0Sis and now an M.
The 3 litres were great cars but the M just feels so special thanks to that S54 engine.
Main issues with the 3 litres are oil leaks from the cam-cover gasket and oil filter housing and electric water pumps dying. M issues are crank rod bearing shells and needing valve clearances checked at Inspection services then adjusting with shims if required, but the same would apply to Z3M Coupes.
But some Z4 Coupes did suffer from corroded tailgates around the edges that will be visible when it's open.
I like the Z4C too. I think it is a special car. It has also grown on me. I remember not liking it much when it came out. As all BMWs of that time. But the Z4C aged well and looks different from anything on the road.I don't know about the non-Ms but I believe the early M cars can be "exciting" as they don't have much in the way of driver aids.
Luckily I always loved the looks of the Z4 Coupe too and currently have my 3rd. Two 3.0Sis and now an M.
The 3 litres were great cars but the M just feels so special thanks to that S54 engine.
Main issues with the 3 litres are oil leaks from the cam-cover gasket and oil filter housing and electric water pumps dying. M issues are crank rod bearing shells and needing valve clearances checked at Inspection services then adjusting with shims if required, but the same would apply to Z3M Coupes.
But some Z4 Coupes did suffer from corroded tailgates around the edges that will be visible when it's open.
Have you driven the Z3? How would you compare them?
sosidge said:
Always thought they were an awesome looking car. Quite surprised to see that they are now approaching 25 years old!
Never a realistic buying proposition for me but I think they may have hovered around the 15k mark a decade ago. Two or three times that now.
I think now is about the last window to get one before they all go really silly. The M has already gone. The 3.0 is already starting. Unless high mileage. The 2.8 is the only one which is still left for reasonable money. But for me it would have to be the 3.0. Enough power. But any less and I think it would be under powered. 2.8 has only 193bhp. Never a realistic buying proposition for me but I think they may have hovered around the 15k mark a decade ago. Two or three times that now.
Downshiftup said:
I like the Z4C too. I think it is a special car. It has also grown on me. I remember not liking it much when it came out. As all BMWs of that time. But the Z4C aged well and looks different from anything on the road.
Have you driven the Z3? How would you compare them?
I think the Z4C has aged well and like their relative rarity, especially the MC as it seems less than 600 of those were registered in the UK.Have you driven the Z3? How would you compare them?
Because I've only ever been interested in the Coupes and with Z3MCs being out of my budget I've never driven a Z3 so can't offer a comparison.
You might get an insight if you asked the question on z4forum - I'm sure there is someone on there who has owned a Z3MC and a Z4MC.
I personally find the Z4MCs / Z4Cs a better proposition. More classic in. Terms of looks and I think these will randomly rocket in price somepoint in future.
Having owned z4c previous - loved the looks and how they drive and from what everyone says M cars is just an animal, but not so easy to daily.
Z3 coupes, I think if you’re picking between a z3m coupe vs z4 coupe, go with the M, the M will always be more sought after and its got more practicality. Unless you want to more modern feel of the Z4 from the interior.
Me personally - I’d go with the Z4C or MC - it’s the last proper dedicated 2 seat sports car BMW (not counting the 2 seater M4s etc as essentially they’re four seaters with seats removed.
Anyway potential bargains to be found out there… this was on collecting cars the other day… absolute steal at 19k, even if it’s the older M engine.
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-bmw-z3-m-...
Having owned z4c previous - loved the looks and how they drive and from what everyone says M cars is just an animal, but not so easy to daily.
Z3 coupes, I think if you’re picking between a z3m coupe vs z4 coupe, go with the M, the M will always be more sought after and its got more practicality. Unless you want to more modern feel of the Z4 from the interior.
Me personally - I’d go with the Z4C or MC - it’s the last proper dedicated 2 seat sports car BMW (not counting the 2 seater M4s etc as essentially they’re four seaters with seats removed.
Anyway potential bargains to be found out there… this was on collecting cars the other day… absolute steal at 19k, even if it’s the older M engine.
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-bmw-z3-m-...
shuebc said:
Anyway potential bargains to be found out there… this was on collecting cars the other day… absolute steal at 19k, even if it’s the older M engine.
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-bmw-z3-m-...
I didn't realise you could still find a Z3MC for that sort of money, but it would have meant selling my Z4MC! https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-bmw-z3-m-...
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