Thinking of getting a z3 MCoupe for my next motor

[SHOOTSOON]

Currently I drive a Limited Edition Fiat Coupe Turbo with 35k on the clock.

However 0-60 in 6.4 is getting to be a bit of a drag. Time to upgrade me thinks. :lol:

Can anyone tell me what to keep an eye out for when searching for the perfect mCoupe for me.

I will only go for a low mileage one the lower the better and so far the black with red/black or grey/black leather looks like the one for me, but to be honest I know nothing about these monsters

P.S. I can't afford the Z4 so don't even go there.

Thanks for you help

[David1975]

i would not go there either. Not while there are good Z3 M Coupes on the road. I too am looking for a MC. I saw one advertised on Munich Legends website. Black with black/grey leather. Its the newer S54 engined model with 26K on the clock if i remember correctly. Cant really remember the price....maybe about £25k

I would have given it a viewing but i had/have my heart set on black/red leather combo.

Good luck with your search. I have been looking for about 9 months now but still confident the right one is out there somewhere.

[SHOOTSOON]

I like the black/red combo best but would settle for a black/grey.

Yeah i saw that one too.

But would really like some advice on what to look out for and bear in mind.

I mean I don't even know what s50 or s54 means?

[Lee]

z4... pah

unless you are talking about the not yet released M version of the coupe then the z4 is a completely different beast. (is it a beast at all?)

You will find a Z3 M coupe from £14k upto around £19k for an S50(e36 M3) engined model

from 2001 the later S54(e46 M3) engine was used, there were other minor changes but to the untrained eye they would be hard to spot.

expect to pay £20k+ for an s54

the early model having 321 bhp and the later model 325bhp with added traction control

either will fill your life with pleasure but there are some things to bear in mined if you are looking.

I will break it down to model

S50

VANOS - the s50 engine suffered from vanos troubles and syptoms can be heard straight away but I do not know of a car which has had terminal probs from this.

Boot floor/sub frame/diff mounts cracking

lesser time between service intervals



s54

bearing shells has caused engine failiure to a minority of cars

Boot floor/sub frame/diff mounts cracking

longer service intervals



apart from the above there is the standard check for the consumables, barake disks etc etc..... and of course crash damage.

you may want to consider a car with a BMW warranty but they are now very expensive to maintain.

I have tried to cover most of the things which are important but have a browse through the forum and you will learn lots aboput peoples experiences

Good luck :!:

[SHOOTSOON]

Thank you very much this is a very useful start to my search.

...of course i was talking about the z4 'M' coupe which is now available to spec up on the BMW site.

Was there only ever 2 versions of the Z3 MCoupe (no LE versions etc..)?

What colour combos are thought to be the best?

Is the Boot floor/sub frame/diff mounts cracking a big problem or do I just be careful when purchasing?

Does bearing shells causing engine failure to a minority of cars a major concern?

thanks again.

[PhilT]

Spun Bearing Shells have been quite common in E46 M3's but very rare in MCoupes. The S54 MC and the E46 M3 share the same engine but obviously there are far more M3's around to go wrong.

I can only recall hearing of 2 MCoupes suffering and BMW replaced the entire engine in both cases - as I believe they did on M3's as well so it isn't really a major concern.

[SHOOTSOON]

BMW replaced the entire engine in both cases.

This would only happen on a car in warrantee though right?

Which reminds me, why does everyone I speak to with a MC have extended warrantee?

[Lee]

BMW replaced the entire engine in both cases.

This would only happen on a car in warrantee though right?

Which reminds me, why does everyone I speak to with a MC have extended warrantee?

no I think bmw would fix the bearing shells under good will

I would imagine that there is a fairly even split between cars with and without warranty and a large percentage of owners will not be re newing after the price hike!

[Shunt]

z4... pah

unless you are talking about the not yet released M version of the coupe then the z4 is a completely different beast. (is it a beast at all?)


Good luck :!:


erm excuse me..... I think you find there's a Z4 out there that'll see most ///MC's off. 8) 8) 8)

[Lee]

z4... pah

unless you are talking about the not yet released M version of the coupe then the z4 is a completely different beast. (is it a beast at all?)


Good luck :!:


erm excuse me..... I think you find there's a Z4 out there that'll see most ///MC's off. 8) 8) 8)

I should think before I open my mouth :D

present company excluded from that statement

However Steve I hardly think of your car as a Z4, its much more exclusive hence why it did not come to mind :wink:

[SHOOTSOON]

erm... what is this z4 you speak of in such a grand manor?

[BEN]

its the alpina one!

[Lee]

its a fab car and one that I would have

seeing off an M coupe is a strong statement, holding its own is more realistic I reckon!

but you are the only member to own both so you are speaking from experience

....I would put my money on a well sorted M Coupe (mine maybe :roll: :wink: )

[exdos]

erm excuse me..... I think you find there's a Z4 out there that'll see most ///MC's off. 8) 8) 8)


If you want to put your theory to the test would you like a drive on one of your favoured biking routes in Wales :?:

I'll turn up in my Z3 MC with an unadulterated engine and you can turn up in your Z4 Alpina. I'm sure that we'd both enjoy the fun whatever the result .....

[gerry]

Who Knows Exdos it may keep up but it will never look as good :D

[Shunt]

Who Knows Exdos it may keep up but it will never look as good :D

You're probably right there Gerry, I do miss the view from the side mirror!

I may take you up on the A483 offer Exdos, a great day I'm sure.

[chippy]

Of course you'll need a referee.......and my car is black :!: :wink:

[exdos]

Of course you'll need a referee.......and my car is black :!: :wink:
Of course fair play must be observed at all times :!: You'll need to look like Pierre Luigi Collina though.

Shunt, seriously, if you want a blast then I'd be more than happy 8) 8) 8) 8)

I think Chippy would come too and a few other guys too.

[BEN]

i shall be there, for a bit of colour!

[Shunt]

Of course you'll need a referee.......and my car is black :!: :wink:
Of course fair play must be observed at all times :!: You'll need to look like Pierre Luigi Collina though.

Shunt, seriously, if you want a blast then I'd be more than happy 8) 8) 8) 8)

I think Chippy would come too and a few other guys too.

Gettin Wed this weekend, but we'll sort a Sunny Sunday out soon. :P :P :P

[BEN]

Gettin Wed this weekend, but we'll sort a Sunny Sunday out soon.

er.......

where are everyones invites????? :lol:

[Rags]

The s54's had a major recall for the bearing shells and anyone who missed the recall and suffered an engine failure(providing they were still in warranty) received a new engine.

So as long as the S54 has had the bearing recall, it will be fine.


S50 is another story with the whole vanos debate.

Rags

[PhilT]

The recall only applied to M3's, not MCoupes

[Lee]

The s54's had a major recall for the bearing shells and anyone who missed the recall and suffered an engine failure(providing they were still in warranty) received a new engine.

So as long as the S54 has had the bearing recall, it will be fine.


S50 is another story with the whole vanos debate.

Rags

Rags

you are right but as many people have pointed out including BMW mechanics, an S50 engine has never blown up from faulty VANOS

it seems as if the symptoms are noise and in some cases power loss

so as long as you have Bolts changed and your power is there then do not worry!

I think BMW parts departments were so quick to change them under warranty because it was easy money for them

[Rags]

Yep, you are right.

Its the doubt that has been placed in peoples minds.

When I owned an e30 m3, all people banged on about was rattling timing chains.

I think every car has its one over hyped issue.

Out of interest, what does your car sound like, vanos wise. I know it looks immense........

Rags

[Lee]

Yep, you are right.

Its the doubt that has been placed in peoples minds.

When I owned an e30 m3, all people banged on about was rattling timing chains.

I think every car has its one over hyped issue.

Out of interest, what does your car sound like, vanos wise. I know it looks immense........

Rags

sometimes a little noisey and then other times not,

Racing technologies have serviced it and said its fine, and not to worry

the performance definitely there, members of this forum have driven it and commented on how quick it feels which is a nice reasurance

I have kind of got used to the on/off noise now!

I think it must be hard for buyers to feel confident with all of the hype about VANOS :roll:

[Rags]

yep, it is a major doubt when looking at a car.

You know the sound, recognise its the vanos gears.

On one hand people say its a sound you get with most of them, but you also know that it shouldn't be there.....

hmmmm :shock:

[Lee]

yep, it is a major doubt when looking at a car.

You know the sound, recognise its the vanos gears.

On one hand people say its a sound you get with most of them, but you also know that it shouldn't be there.....

hmmmm :shock:


make sure the bolts have been done!

I am sure you must know what you are looking at anyway having owned M3's in the past but ask them to meet you at a specialist to get it checked over

its a lot of cash to spend on a car!

[spunkym]

"Just come from a Fiat Coupe Turbo" - SNAP! Me too! I had my 20VT for about 3 years and have to say it was one of the best cars I have ever owned. They are also a complete bargain at the moment if you ask me.

I looked at Z3's for quite a while and watched the prices closely. I ended up going for an 02 plate S54 Z3 M roadster as for some reason they seem to be quite a bit cheaper than the MC. Mine is black with the Imola black/red leather. Also has cruise and BMW (Becker) sat nav. A few miles on the clock at 58K but at £17K from the dealer it seemd like a good price so I just went for it.

The newer M roadster (>01) has much of the suspension changes from the coupe which improves the handling immensly and you also get the benefit of the electric hood to enjoy the summer sun 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v115/spunkym/Z3M_06.jpg

[Lee]

looks nice in black

[gerry]

Cool Car :D The black that is :shock: