Discussion
Took a look at these myself a while ago. They seem pretty good value right now. The main mechanical concerns seem to be the Vanos system and the rear diff mounts failing. It looks like servicing can be quite pricey but should be no worse than your M3. Only thing that put me off a little, is that I think I'd prefer the Coupe even though they're little bit pricier.
Well, I bought one last weekend. Can't stop staring at it it's oh so beautiful.
Mine had a vanos replaced 10k miles ago so no worries there.
The only thing is - S50B32 has so little torque at low revs. I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1933343.htm
and that's so much easier to drive fast in the city due to a torque curve.
Apart from that - DO IT!!!
Mine had a vanos replaced 10k miles ago so no worries there.
The only thing is - S50B32 has so little torque at low revs. I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1933343.htm
and that's so much easier to drive fast in the city due to a torque curve.Apart from that - DO IT!!!
rottie102 said:
Well, I bought one last weekend. Can't stop staring at it it's oh so beautiful.
Mine had a vanos replaced 10k miles ago so no worries there.
The only thing is - S50B32 has so little torque at low revs. I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1933343.htm
and that's so much easier to drive fast in the city due to a torque curve.
Apart from that - DO IT!!!
If you don't mind a bit of constructive criticism, there's far too many things in your advert that are 'not big jobs' that you've 'not gone around to doing'. In my opinion, if you sort those out you will have a better advert and thus a better chance of selling.Mine had a vanos replaced 10k miles ago so no worries there.
The only thing is - S50B32 has so little torque at low revs. I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1933343.htm
and that's so much easier to drive fast in the city due to a torque curve.Apart from that - DO IT!!!
Nice, cheap motor though
rottie102 said:
I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now
How do you find the comparison between the two cars in general?I've heard conflicting reports ranging from 'the Z3M is a completely different experience' to 'the 2.8 Z3 is virtually the same car for a lot less money' (usually from the respective owners it has to be said!) As a result, I'm a bit confused.
Chris71 said:
rottie102 said:
I also have a Z3 2.8 which is for sale now
How do you find the comparison between the two cars in general?I've heard conflicting reports ranging from 'the Z3M is a completely different experience' to 'the 2.8 Z3 is virtually the same car for a lot less money' (usually from the respective owners it has to be said!) As a result, I'm a bit confused.
Everything in Z3 M is slightly stiffer, gearbox works harder, clutch is harder to press etc. Also mine is slightly lowered so that's another reason why I can drive normal Z3 faster in London full of speedhumps
So for mainly city driving normal Z3 will be more than enough ( not the 1.9 of course) Plus I know that maintenance bills will be much higher with the M.But yes - The difference in performance is NOT worth the price difference, especially comparing to my other Z3 because of M interior and I do agree on that even when I just did it
Like with all M cars - it's what heart says, not what head thinks. I like having a rare car, there's really very few Z3M cars EVEN on London roads. I've seen more Murcielagos than Z3Ms.Chris71 said:
rottie102 said:
I like having a rare car, there's really very few Z3M cars EVEN on London roads. I've seen more Murcielagos than Z3Ms.
A Breadvan really appeals for that reason. Not only is it a bit different, but it's only enthusiasts who'd appreciate what it is.
) to say HI but he just looked confused 
I don't get them though, most of the Z3s appeal for me it's being a roadster... Lookwise and DrivingEnjoymentWise

rottie102 said:
I don't get them though, most of the Z3s appeal for me it's being a roadster... Lookwise and DrivingEnjoymentWise 
Allegedly the Breadvan supposed to be better to drive than the Roadster (being structurally stiffer).
I've never driven one, but simply going on 'mystique' the apeal is the fact they're even rarer still and they were (so the story goes) a weekend project by the engineers rather than part of a management-planned marketing campaign. I also happen to have a bit of a thing for coupes/GTs and the added security (and perhps marginally improved practicality?) of a coupe seems appealing as an every day prospect.
Wouldn't say no to either though and there is definitely something special about having the wind in your hair with a convertible. I've got a Caterham currently and had a TVR prior to that, so the Z3M (in one form or another) strikes as something that might be able to combine some of the excitement and sense of occasion of those with all the sensible stuff you need for every day use like a watertight roof, a bit of a boot (compared to the Caterham), decent headlights, de-misting facilities, slightly less conspicuous to park outside, more relaxed on the motorway etc. etc. etc.
I'm trying to think and I reckon something like a Z3M or a Boxster is probably the closest you can get to a specialist sports car like a TVR or Elise without accepting some of the compromises they tend to entail.
I also quite like the look of the Z4 Coupe (aesthetically, no idea what they're like to drive), but they'll be out of my price range for a while....
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