The antidote to bloated M Cars, My 2000 S50 M Coupe
Discussion
Pleased to say that I've managed to acquire one of the cars on my "list"
I've just sold my 1996 TVR Griffith 500 and replaced it with an Estoril Blue S50 BMW M Coupe or Z3M Coupe.
I've had her about a month now and no regrets so far.
It's exactly what I was looking for, something cool and quirky, fun to drive and yet usable.
She's just coming up to 20 years old with 88k miles on, a few bits and pieces to tidy but generally in fine fettle and with a huge amount of service history.
First few things have been a set of new Michelin PS4 Tyres to replace the 9 year old tyres that the car came with, and fitting a new throttle cable which seems to have liberated about 40bhp as the old one was stretched and not giving WOT, £60 well spent on that!
I absolutely love driving it, cable throttle, no TC and it feels light and direct.
Coming from the TVR and before that a Maserati 3200 it also feels re assuringly well put together!
Maybe controversial but I think this car reminds me how good BMW M were for a pure driving machine, current M cars just don't really appeal to me.
My DD is a Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio which sits alongside a 1966 Alfa Giulia so the M Coupe seems like the perfect in-between usable modern classic for me to enjoy. I can see why many cars have a good number of miles on.
Need to get some pictures sorted soon
Other plans are perhaps a Hayward and Scott rear exhaust system, and maybe sports cats with an X Pipe.
Supersprint exhausts are another consideration but I've heard they lean towards being too quiet and also seem to come at quite a price.
I currently have AC Schnitzer rear boxes, something I wasn't keen on although the look has grown on me, have to say though prefer the 4 pipe staggered look to the twin Schnitzer pipes that look a bit like they belong on an SR Nova
Also going to remove the clutch delay valve and consider fitting H&R anti roll bars which seem to be well regarded.
I've just sold my 1996 TVR Griffith 500 and replaced it with an Estoril Blue S50 BMW M Coupe or Z3M Coupe.
I've had her about a month now and no regrets so far.
It's exactly what I was looking for, something cool and quirky, fun to drive and yet usable.
She's just coming up to 20 years old with 88k miles on, a few bits and pieces to tidy but generally in fine fettle and with a huge amount of service history.
First few things have been a set of new Michelin PS4 Tyres to replace the 9 year old tyres that the car came with, and fitting a new throttle cable which seems to have liberated about 40bhp as the old one was stretched and not giving WOT, £60 well spent on that!
I absolutely love driving it, cable throttle, no TC and it feels light and direct.
Coming from the TVR and before that a Maserati 3200 it also feels re assuringly well put together!
Maybe controversial but I think this car reminds me how good BMW M were for a pure driving machine, current M cars just don't really appeal to me.
My DD is a Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio which sits alongside a 1966 Alfa Giulia so the M Coupe seems like the perfect in-between usable modern classic for me to enjoy. I can see why many cars have a good number of miles on.
Need to get some pictures sorted soon
Other plans are perhaps a Hayward and Scott rear exhaust system, and maybe sports cats with an X Pipe.
Supersprint exhausts are another consideration but I've heard they lean towards being too quiet and also seem to come at quite a price.
I currently have AC Schnitzer rear boxes, something I wasn't keen on although the look has grown on me, have to say though prefer the 4 pipe staggered look to the twin Schnitzer pipes that look a bit like they belong on an SR Nova
Also going to remove the clutch delay valve and consider fitting H&R anti roll bars which seem to be well regarded.
Edited by urquattroGus on Wednesday 18th December 13:31
Edited by urquattroGus on Wednesday 18th December 13:32
VeeTenM said:
Nice, do miss mine. I had H&S exhaust on my car along with Evolve Carbon Airbox, sounded amazing.
Get over on https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=...
Thanks, did you sell to a guy in Scotland? I was talking to him about his highly modded car, sounded interesting.Get over on https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=...
Carbon airbox is tempting although Evolve apparently won't map a S50 anymore, only person in the UK is Wayne at Chipwizards apparently.
I'm also a bit unsure about going for Alpha N as I've read it can be bad at part throttle/not as drivable as you lose the MAF.
Trying to mod her but without compromising usability
Thanks for the positive comments guys!
Still enjoying driving her about inc including picking up the Turkey and wine shopping yesterday, the pratical hatch etc.
Then somewhat amusingly I picked up my 89 year old Granny and took her to church this morning her comment "you like the sound of the engine in this one then" after extending it briefly. She also appreciated the heated seat.
So fun but so usable so far.
Still enjoying driving her about inc including picking up the Turkey and wine shopping yesterday, the pratical hatch etc.
Then somewhat amusingly I picked up my 89 year old Granny and took her to church this morning her comment "you like the sound of the engine in this one then" after extending it briefly. She also appreciated the heated seat.
So fun but so usable so far.
DjSki said:
I had one of these for a couple of years, interesting car, found it practical too (had the BMW rack for my bikes and took it camping) but its still a bit bloated, no? Not exactly light. Think mine (with sunroof) was over 1460kg.
Fair comment, but it feels lighter on it's feet than the weight suggests. The S50 engine is a cast iron block and then I guess adding a roof to a roadster means you have the extra bracing weight of the roadster plus the roof.
For the first few days I struggled to park the thing properly, it's so short in length seemingly and yet with wide hips!
Mr Tidy said:
Your car is stunning OP. 
If a Z3M Coupe had been in budget I might have been sorely tempted, but as it wasn't I ended up buying a Z4M Coupe a couple of weeks ago.
It doesn't feel bloated, although according to BMW it's 1,495kg. Still with an S54 engine it gets going pretty well!
Looks like you have started your project around the same time as me. I'll be looking out for updates.
Thanks Mr Tidy!If a Z3M Coupe had been in budget I might have been sorely tempted, but as it wasn't I ended up buying a Z4M Coupe a couple of weeks ago.
It doesn't feel bloated, although according to BMW it's 1,495kg. Still with an S54 engine it gets going pretty well!
Looks like you have started your project around the same time as me. I'll be looking out for updates.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 3rd January 00:05
I was tempted by a Z4M too but I stretched to get a Z3M as I just love the old school charm.
The lure of the S54 and the way the Z4M looks from behind were a temptation!
I'll try and update things as I go along
Jobs Done So Far:
- 4 New Michelin Pilot Sport Tyres
- New Genuine Gearknob to replace the slightly worn old one(love how the M logo lights up on these)
- New Throttle Cable to replace the old stretched one gaining seemingly 30-40bhp.
- Changed the Gearbox oil and it now goes into reverse a lot easier and the shift is a bit smoother. Filled with Amsoil MTF Fluid.
- Replaced the Viscous fan clutch as it was on its way out with signs of play/vibration and didn't have much sign of drag from cold.
- Change all aircon and aux belts, along with hydraulic belt tensioner and all idler pulleys (the existing ones have an intermitant squeak). Have ordered a full set of Gates Tensioners and belts.
- Replace worn seat bushings, a common fault on these. The seats rock back and forth under heavy acceleration or braking. Only £12 worth of bushing parts to fit, but seats have to come out.
- Fit braided clutch line that removes the clutch delay valve, gives a more natural feel to the gearshift I'm told.
- Rear wiper activates but doesn't work, need to investigate.
- order and fit H&R anti roll bars
- order and fit different rear exhaust boxes (probably) and or X pipe.
- perform Vanos diagnostic check with emulated BMW DIS software, have ordered lead and software.
- take sill cover and wheel arch liners off to double check for corrosion. (!)
A few smaller jobs ticked off the list this weekend.
Changed the Gearbox oil for Amsoil MTF fluid, it seems to go into reverse easier now and the changes are slightly smoother.
More of an improvement was replacing every tensioner and bearing in the aux belt and air con belt, these were pretty noisy. You could tell they were we past best as the one ones spun more freely and had a gritty feeing.
I also replaced the Power Steering pump pulley as someone had damaged the edges of it, no doubt when fitting a new pump.
Also check for play in the water pump, seemed to be next to none. Plan to change the pump and thermostat along with a few hoses in the near future as preventative maintenance.
Ordered a full set from Gates which to me seem every bit as good as what you buy from BMW at a more sensible price.
Changed the Gearbox oil for Amsoil MTF fluid, it seems to go into reverse easier now and the changes are slightly smoother.
More of an improvement was replacing every tensioner and bearing in the aux belt and air con belt, these were pretty noisy. You could tell they were we past best as the one ones spun more freely and had a gritty feeing.
I also replaced the Power Steering pump pulley as someone had damaged the edges of it, no doubt when fitting a new pump.
Also check for play in the water pump, seemed to be next to none. Plan to change the pump and thermostat along with a few hoses in the near future as preventative maintenance.
Ordered a full set from Gates which to me seem every bit as good as what you buy from BMW at a more sensible price.
Edited by urquattroGus on Sunday 19th January 21:30
Mr Tidy said:
Some good progress made then!
But as a serial BMW owner I would expect the gearchange to get even better once you've removed the CDV.
Yup need to get on and do that. I've soaked the hose ends in plus gas penetrating fluid, always a bit scary undoing brake or clutch hose ferrules on a 20 year old car! Never enjoy bleeding stuff either... Should be simple enough hopefully, keen to try it as sometimes I've felt my gear change was fine but I was just a bit too quick and the clutch came back in slowly...But as a serial BMW owner I would expect the gearchange to get even better once you've removed the CDV.
Got to consider my exhaust options too.
Supersprint, Eiesmann or Hayward and Scott.
Think I might ask Hayward and Scott for a set of their back boxes but also ask them to fab up an X pipe to replace the standard H pipe.
I also tried a Simota induction kit (like a gruppe M) but quickly took that off and re-fitted the stock airbox. The car felt like it lost torque and didn't run as well, slightly free-er at the top end but not worth it. The deciding factor was that the induction sound i hoped I'd get wasn't really there, obviously not a patch on the full carbon airbox route, but i'm also not sure about that because it's a lot of money and then it means an Alpha N remap which can mean it's not so good a part throttle and might struggle to pass emissions tests.
Trying to make subtle improvements and keep her mostly standard.
Fitted my new Hayward and Scott exhaust a couple of nights ago, finished up by about 11.30pm after work but wanted to get it on.
Fitted quite nicely, had to tweak one metal bracket slightly, and as you can see one side is not quite level, wanted to drive it though so will have to re adjust later!
Happy with the way the twin pipes look.
Sound wise I have to say that at high revs its sounds awesome, it screams quite nicely. Also sounds good when the blip the throttle and idle sounds just about right.
It is towards the louder spectrum for most I should imagine.
However, there is quite a resonance or drone between 2-3k rpm, probably more than I would like. Not been on the motorway yet.
I have spoken to Hayward and Scott and they claim that you need up to 500 miles for the drone to reduce and the sound to mellow out, a bit sceptical but I shall give it a chance. About 70 miles driven so far and it does seem to have changed tone a little.
Here is a short vid of stationary sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKW2HeAFu_Q
Will try to get some one the move at a later date.
Found out there was a Dyno day on just 10 mins away from me today, so couldn't resist popping down for a quick power run.
Car has been feeling very healthy but was curious.
Video of my runs below:
https://youtu.be/XMpjHV7Y9Mg
Pretty happy with the results, that's about right for a standard S50????
Standard apart from the Hayward and Scott rear boxes anyway....
Graph:
Car has been feeling very healthy but was curious.
Video of my runs below:
https://youtu.be/XMpjHV7Y9Mg
Pretty happy with the results, that's about right for a standard S50????
Standard apart from the Hayward and Scott rear boxes anyway....
Graph:
gareth h said:
urquattroGus said:
VeeTenM said:
Nice, do miss mine. I had H&S exhaust on my car along with Evolve Carbon Airbox, sounded amazing.
Get over on https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=...
Thanks, did you sell to a guy in Scotland? I was talking to him about his highly modded car, sounded interesting.Get over on https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=...
Carbon airbox is tempting although Evolve apparently won't map a S50 anymore, only person in the UK is Wayne at Chipwizards apparently.
I'm also a bit unsure about going for Alpha N as I've read it can be bad at part throttle/not as drivable as you lose the MAF.
Trying to mod her but without compromising usability
So, a couple of weeks ago my car went to Reddish Motorsport and they cleaned up some surface rust on the sills and jacking points.
They did quite a long video on this which will be posted in the near future, will link to it.
Gives me great peace of mind.
They also fitted a braided clutch hose for me at the same time (Glad I didn't have the faff with bleeding up myself)
Getting to love the Hayward and Scott Exhaust Exhaust now.
Shame I can hardly drive it though
I've done a few little jobs like swapping out the TPS for a new one. Replaced the screws with new allen headed ones which I think are much more robust than the original ones, one of which was very soft and rounded off. Think the idle and response is slightly better now.
I also have some Performance Friction Front Brake Pads to fit, my discs are next to new so keeping the same discs. Should make a nice little upgrade along with some braided brake hoses at a later date.
I fitted these same compound pads to my 916 3.0 Alfa Spider and I found the brake feel to be really good and confidence inspiring, with a bit more bite. No drawbacks with cold performance or noise either.
I'm now contemplating whether to remove the rear axle and trailing arms to re-bush, blast and paint.
I have plenty of POR 15 paint and various consumables in the garage.
But will I get any of the other parts I need??, I don't want to end up completely disabling the car for a long time!!!
They did quite a long video on this which will be posted in the near future, will link to it.
Gives me great peace of mind.
They also fitted a braided clutch hose for me at the same time (Glad I didn't have the faff with bleeding up myself)
Getting to love the Hayward and Scott Exhaust Exhaust now.
Shame I can hardly drive it though
I've done a few little jobs like swapping out the TPS for a new one. Replaced the screws with new allen headed ones which I think are much more robust than the original ones, one of which was very soft and rounded off. Think the idle and response is slightly better now.
I also have some Performance Friction Front Brake Pads to fit, my discs are next to new so keeping the same discs. Should make a nice little upgrade along with some braided brake hoses at a later date.
I fitted these same compound pads to my 916 3.0 Alfa Spider and I found the brake feel to be really good and confidence inspiring, with a bit more bite. No drawbacks with cold performance or noise either.
I'm now contemplating whether to remove the rear axle and trailing arms to re-bush, blast and paint.
I have plenty of POR 15 paint and various consumables in the garage.
But will I get any of the other parts I need??, I don't want to end up completely disabling the car for a long time!!!
A detailed video of the sill tidying work Reddish Motorsport did on my car:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99Ba7lictE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99Ba7lictE
Loads of updates on my car, all posted on the coupe forum.
I had the boot floor strengthened amongst other things, and about to fit all new suspension.
https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20...
I had the boot floor strengthened amongst other things, and about to fit all new suspension.
https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20...
Update on this.
It's all back on the road and sailed through the MOT after me spending since March 2020 giving the underside a major overhaul.
I've fitted new Bilstein B6 Dampeners and Eibach Proline springs along with H&R Anti roll bars.
I've also replaced every bush and ball joint in the suspension including new control arms, top mounts etc etc.
I took the rear axle beam and diff out, painted up this with POR 15 etc and added poly subframe mounts which stop the subframe whipping forwards and backwards under power.
Spent ages rubbing back the boot floor area and had a coded welder fit a new diff ear and reinforce the boot floor in the style of the Randy Forbes kit.
This was after finding that a couple of the boot spot welds had started to lift, this was only visible after removing the seam sealer in the boot.
And numerous other stuff, too much to list really, it's been great to have a lockdown project!
I'm very pleased with how it drives, the ride is very compliant yet it feels a little sharper, it's like OEM plus etc and it's not silly low to the ground.
Owning this car continues to be a joy, so fun to drive and yet so usable.
If you want pictures I have a build thread on the Z3mcoupe forum that's linked above.
It's all back on the road and sailed through the MOT after me spending since March 2020 giving the underside a major overhaul.
I've fitted new Bilstein B6 Dampeners and Eibach Proline springs along with H&R Anti roll bars.
I've also replaced every bush and ball joint in the suspension including new control arms, top mounts etc etc.
I took the rear axle beam and diff out, painted up this with POR 15 etc and added poly subframe mounts which stop the subframe whipping forwards and backwards under power.
Spent ages rubbing back the boot floor area and had a coded welder fit a new diff ear and reinforce the boot floor in the style of the Randy Forbes kit.
This was after finding that a couple of the boot spot welds had started to lift, this was only visible after removing the seam sealer in the boot.
And numerous other stuff, too much to list really, it's been great to have a lockdown project!
I'm very pleased with how it drives, the ride is very compliant yet it feels a little sharper, it's like OEM plus etc and it's not silly low to the ground.
Owning this car continues to be a joy, so fun to drive and yet so usable.
If you want pictures I have a build thread on the Z3mcoupe forum that's linked above.
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