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  • Potential owner

    I currently have a Westfield, which I have owned for 10 years, and am thinking of a possible change. Really fancy a Z3M Coupe, but don't know too much about them, have been having a browse on here to learn as much as poss, but there is an awful lot to look through!

    So, I think I want something a bit more refined than my Westie, but something still fun to drive, don't suppose anyone else has gone from a 7 type car to a Z3MC? I assume they are a good drive?

    If I do get one, it would be at the cheaper end of the market, I would most probably be able to afford £10-12k, is this just asking for trouble and big bills?
    Been reading about boot floors and stuff like that, but the biggest worry I have is if anything were to go wrong with the engine, as I couldn't afford £5k for an engine rebuild, so is it the case if I can't afford a bill like that then I shouldn't be looking at these cars? How much are secondhand engines if one needs replacing?

    Apart from the worst case scenario, are these expensive to run? What sort of costs do you pay on servicing, repairs, insurance and fuel?

    Any advice or links to previous answers that I have missed would be greatly appreciated!

  • #2
    welcome in!

    spooks may be able to help with comparison on the 2 type of cars

    12k is a good budget

    boot floor isnt an expensive repair anymore, the more common they get, the more specialists are recommended for a good job

    regarding engine rebuilds, its like any car, theres no real answer to it.
    you could try buying one thats had a rebuild already if youre that worried about it, or one thats been opened and had the bolts uprated and everything checked etc.

    Click here to email me

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Adam

      Have we spoken? My silver z3m is back on the market - after trying to sell during holidays and a busy time with work I was not able to accommodate any vieings...

      I built a westfield a few years ago (my friend now owns it), the Z3m is certainly something a bit more refined than the westie, more useable (has a roof), but still completely bonkers Unfortunatly with a busy job and 2 young kids I just do not have time to use it ( I seem to remember being in the same position with the westfield) - I'm hoping that 4 seats for its replacement is the answer!!

      Mine is up at £10,250 at the min, sensible miles, good condition - No rust - would probably benefit from new shocks and a few bushes. Boot floor is good - engine pulls well and has been regularly serviced (frequent oil changes). There are some preventative engine mods that you can do to protect engine, ARP bolts - uprated Vanos seals etc..

      I'm in Matlock - you are welcome to come and take a look....

      Cheers

      Mike

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Mike, no we haven't spoken, I've only just decided I might want a change. I've just got back after driving around Italy in my Westie, and after doing this for a few years running I was thinking it might be nice to potentially do it next year in a bit more comfort, but still want it to be an occasion to drive.

        Not in the position to buy yet, still got to decide exactly what I want to do, and then sell my Westie if that is what I decide, so won't be for a good few months yet!

        Comment


        • #5
          Adam,Welcome to the forum!

          Your budget seems reasonable,cars come up for sale all the time on here,i am sure if you find one for sale on here,you will get people that already know the car and with that will come all sorts of advice...stick with your search,one of my mates races Westfield's and i have tried one,Handling wise the MC will seem a bit soft etc but far more comfortable! Good luck with your search!

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Adam,

            as a few of the guys who have commented above, plus a few others, I have both a Westie (SEi) and a MC and whilst in some ways they are similar they are a very different drive indeed, certainly when comparing against a standard MC. Thats not to say that a MC can not be modified to make it handle far far better than stock because you can, it still wont have the supreme levels of feedback etc a Westie has but it has all the added benefits of a roof, comfortable/heated seats, a decent size boot, decent headlights (!); the list goes on.

            As people will say, try a MC and see what you think!

            Cheers
            Ian
            2002 '52 S54 - Titanium Silver with 18" BBS LMs, AP Racing BBK, KW V3, H&R anti roll bars & ACS flippers (previously 2000 'X' S50 - Arctic Silver)

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for all the replies, I've got some thinking to do!

              Comment


              • #8
                Adam, don't think too much... just drive one. You'll know straight away if it's what you're looking for.

                Coming from a Westfield, I'd suggest perhaps looking for an MC that has uprated suspension. OE can feel very wallowy.

                I bought 2 years ago after wanting an MC since clapping eyes on one in the flesh in 2000. I'm on a very average wage and I know what you mean about worrying about large bills. The worry still hangs over my head occasionally but I have to say that so far so good... the car has been fantastic and I don't regret buying at all. Non of the work I've had done to the car has cost any more than any other car I've owned.

                Ownership has surpassed my expectations (and they were high!)
                Not actually in the least bit fat

                2000 S50 Titanium Silver / Black
                ACS Suspension, Exhaust & Type III Wheels
                Simota carbon air intake | Strong Strut Front Brace

                Comment


                • #9
                  +1 on the wallowy suspension. The only thing I would add is that if you are a DIY kind of person, which I am not unfortunately, its quite a cheap car to maintain. I have seen the guys on the bf dot com site do everything themselves that it makes me want to start doing that too, but there is the issue of my job which takes far too much of my time.

                  I have two of them and all I can say is that it has been the most rewarding car I have owned/driven and I have had quite a few. The only others to match the satisfaction were a 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo (owned from 1988-2007), but the problem there is that its just not a car you can drive daily and my 1988 E30 M3 (owned from 1993-2007 - got stolen) and with that car it was just too under powered, but such a blast to drive.
                  BMW Polygamy
                  1988 E30 M3: stolen Zinnabarot/Tan
                  1991 850Ci: Sold.
                  1999 M Coupe: Sold
                  2002 M Coupe: (US Spec, S54) Custom Black/Black, Powerflo Headers, UUC short shift, RK6A, RAID silberfil, 3.73 LSD, Randy Forbes sub-frame kit, ACS splitters & roof wing, rear diffuser, SSR GT3 18" wheels
                  2006 Mini Cooper Sold

                  sigpic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Adam,
                    the MC (with uprated suspension) is a very sporty drive, even when compared to the other vehicles in my signature, you won't be disappointed!!
                    2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                    1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                    2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                    Lots of Land Rovers!
                    No wife or kids!!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Adam,

                      I've had two Caterhams before I got the MC, and bought a Coupe for exactly the reason you cited. I've done numerous European trips in mine in the 2.5 years I've owned it and the MC is the perfect car for it, being fast and surprisingly practical. I can easily fit luggage for a two week trip (with camping gear) and two people in the MC.

                      In my view there is nothing else out there than combines the rarity, practicality and performance of the MC at the same budget.

                      This forum is very friendly, with a number of members who have encyclopedic knowledge of the cars and are very generous with their time.

                      Good luck with the decision!

                      Comment

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