Z3 M Coupe any good for track days if stripped?
Discussion
Get over to www.z3mcoupe.com and ask. I would agree on the brakes, many people have squeezed Porsche brakes in.
There was a tweaked one running in some sort of GT series featured in a BMW mag recently...
There was a tweaked one running in some sort of GT series featured in a BMW mag recently...
This would not make much sense as a basis for a track day car unless you already own one and want to modify it.
You could buy an E36 M3 evo for a lot less money (the M coupe has not depreciated as much as the M3 coupe)PLUS it will handle a lot better and have the same engine/drive train (the Z M coupe chassis is based on the older 3 series and is no where near as good as an E46 M3, nor even as good as an E36 M3 coupe).
Also if 'stripped' may not make much difference, there's not a lot to strip out.
PS a standard M coupe will only last a couple of laps spirited driving before the brakes over heat.
You could buy an E36 M3 evo for a lot less money (the M coupe has not depreciated as much as the M3 coupe)PLUS it will handle a lot better and have the same engine/drive train (the Z M coupe chassis is based on the older 3 series and is no where near as good as an E46 M3, nor even as good as an E36 M3 coupe).
Also if 'stripped' may not make much difference, there's not a lot to strip out.
PS a standard M coupe will only last a couple of laps spirited driving before the brakes over heat.
I'd still have one over an M3, tho' - I like my cars a bit rawer and less polished, and the breadvan is so much cooler than the blingmeisterwagon anyways 
(well, I live in a city and frankly I wouldn't want to be lumped in the same category as the typical E36/46 M3 driving set here. If I lived on the English countryside, maybe. Shallow, I know...)
Going back to the original question - isn't the breadvan a good 150-200 kgs lighter than the E46 M3? That would more than offset the lack of an advanced rear suspension set up IMO.
(well, I live in a city and frankly I wouldn't want to be lumped in the same category as the typical E36/46 M3 driving set here. If I lived on the English countryside, maybe. Shallow, I know...) Going back to the original question - isn't the breadvan a good 150-200 kgs lighter than the E46 M3? That would more than offset the lack of an advanced rear suspension set up IMO.
surely for trackdays the issue isnt how fast they get round a track but how much fun you can have in them?
never driven one myself, but by all accounts I've heard they're great fun, excellent for sideways tomfoolery and leave the driver with a semi-permanent grin. (brake upgrade probably still worthwhile for track action though)
never driven one myself, but by all accounts I've heard they're great fun, excellent for sideways tomfoolery and leave the driver with a semi-permanent grin. (brake upgrade probably still worthwhile for track action though)
I love the Z M coupe (I far prefer it in looks and character to an M Coupe) and I have driven one on a track so I know how they behave on the limit.
The original question was 'any good for track days if stipped' and the point is it wouldnt make sense to go out and buy one for track days.
Here's why:
You can buy a decent E36 M3 coupe for £8k
The ZM coupe equivalent is going to be more like £14k
A standard M3 Coupe will handle better on the track.
If you stip out a ZM there is not much to strip out, so its not going to make much of difference, on an M3 you'd have a 4 seater to strip out, hence more weight saving.
Then there is the cost of parts, eg if you wanted a roll cage for an E36 or E46, plenty of suppliers make them, it will not be so easy (cheap) to get one for a ZM Coupe. And if you damage it on track (I'm thinking bumper/bonet or wing damage, it could happen) you can pick up second hand panels for E36, but not likely on the ZM.
ZM Coupe, great car, loads of character, not the best choice of track car.
The original question was 'any good for track days if stipped' and the point is it wouldnt make sense to go out and buy one for track days.
Here's why:
You can buy a decent E36 M3 coupe for £8k
The ZM coupe equivalent is going to be more like £14k
A standard M3 Coupe will handle better on the track.
If you stip out a ZM there is not much to strip out, so its not going to make much of difference, on an M3 you'd have a 4 seater to strip out, hence more weight saving.
Then there is the cost of parts, eg if you wanted a roll cage for an E36 or E46, plenty of suppliers make them, it will not be so easy (cheap) to get one for a ZM Coupe. And if you damage it on track (I'm thinking bumper/bonet or wing damage, it could happen) you can pick up second hand panels for E36, but not likely on the ZM.
ZM Coupe, great car, loads of character, not the best choice of track car.
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