Any Z4MCoupe owners out there who are/were also Z3MCoupe owners?

[bfm01]

I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. I'm a former 2001 MCoupe owner who stupidly sold a few years ago. I'm considering a Z4M Coupe and would love to hear from owners who have had both and their opinions. Thanks!

[VindieselJetta]

Interesting topic. I understand the s54 z3m was inferior in just about every category. Is that right?

[The HACK]

No.

S54 M Coupes, in any moderately good condition, can fetch upwards of E30 M3 money now.

They were also nearly 150 lbs lighter than the Z4 M Coupe.

The rear trailing arm design means the car will rotate much more freely. Not a bad thing if you're an autocrosser.

The shooting break design means you CAN fit 4 wheels with tires in the car if you're willing to carry one on the front seat for track days.

At 19,000Nm per degree of deflection it was the stiffest chassis BMW has ever built up until the Z4 M Coupe.

It shares all the underpinnings of the E36 except for the rear suspension, making it super easy to modify.

It remains one of the all time great BMW, back when BMWs were built by engineer that don't give a sh*t what the bean counters tell them. Due to the shooting break design every panel behind the A pillar except for the two doors were brand new sheet metal, thus the design cost far outweighs that of the Z4 M Coupe.

At this point it has a higher potential of appreciation than the Z4 M Coupe.

The truth is, a well set-up M Coupe can be just as fast around a track as a Z4 M Coupe. Plus any "tune" or FI kit that works on an E46 M3 will work on an S54 M Coupe.

Don't be ignorant. The M Coupe may not have been universally loved by critics, but it IS one of the most influential BMWs of the modern era, and reflects the old BMW's "ultimate driving machine" mantra, unlike today's ultimate marketing machine that BMWs of today has become.

I would LOVE to own an S54 M Coupe. Take it for what it's worth from the biggest Z4 M Coupe cheerleaders.

[Vanne]

Hack, love the write up, agree on everything but the stiffness thing...

All 4 of the zed3's (one M (non s54)) I've owned were loose as a goose around the track, you could literally feel the chassis twisting as you were giving it the beans around a corner.

Love them a lot, but they are far from stiff.. are you sure that 19k data is correct?

Thanks for the update Hack, i misconstrued Coupe in there.. lol

[bfm01]

Thanks for those observations! I'd go for a nice S54 Z3M Coupe but I think I'm priced out of the market at this point. Don't think I'm all that interested in a S52 so the Z4M Coupe seems like a good choice and new experience for me.

[wdb]

The Z4 was designed from the start to handle the power and torque of the S54. A Z4 3.0si coupe has more horsepower than every Z3M except the rare and ever more expensive S54 version.

Both cars have polarizing styling. I like them both personally but while the Z3 appeals, the Z4 sings a siren's song.

I have not driven a Z3 so I can't speak to that part of the comparison directly. I strongly suspect that either is a very satisfying ride.

[RABAUKE]

I've always loved the look of the Z3MC, I don't know if it's an ugly duckling sort of thing but it always spoke to me. I was looking for one when I bought my Z4MC but couldn't find one in really good shape for the money I wanted to spend. Hell, you almost never see them for sale. Having said that I love my Z4MC, also a great car and really good looking, not an ugly duckling.

[garz747]

I used to go to the dealer and stare at the Z3M coupe but at that time couldnt justify it with young kids and commitments. I still think. the interior is way nicer than the E86 coupe. Gauges are gorgeous. Pulled the trigger on a 20000km black Z4M coupe only 2 years ago and never looked back Chassis setup is much better on this vehicle and engine had a few updates as well.

[Azeka1]

As someone who just recently purchased a Z4M coupe and always lusted over the Z3M as a kid, I can say that an s54 Z3M Coupe would have been my first choice. This is for all of the reasons that Hack noted above. Before making a buy I also drove an s52 Z3M coupe for conparison purposes. Considering the reasons for my purchase, I chose the better chassis and engine over my heart and love for the Z3M coupe's body design.

Maybe some day in the future we can all dream to own both, right? Hope this helps!

[The HACK]

I'm certain about the Z3/M Coupe's chassis stiffness. At 19,000Nm per degree it was by far the stiffest chassis BMW has made up to that point, only to be surpassed by the E86 chassis. Only until the FXX chassis did BMW sedans exceed that number (E91s were 19,500Nm per degree if I recall).

The Z3 M Roadster, on the other hand, was a wet noodle by comparison. The Roadster had one of the softest chassis in a BMW, easily twisted at around 9,000Nm per degree of deflection, if I recall.

[VindieselJetta]

S54 M Coupes, in any moderately good condition, can fetch upwards of E30 M3 money now.
- Aesthetics are subjective. Resale values are undoubtedly higher for z3m's. Anyone on BAT can see that plainly. However the z4m is the superior car from an engineering standpoint.

The shooting break design means you CAN fit 4 wheels with tires in the car if you're willing to carry one on the front seat for track days.
- Also not a performance category, but interesting point.

At 19,000Nm per degree of deflection it was the stiffest chassis BMW has ever built up until the Z4 M Coupe.
- As I stated, Z4m was the engineered to be a superior (stiffer) car in both Roadster and Coupe formats.

[NickyC]

For a coupe, get the Z3M. For a Roadster, get the Z4M. That's always been my opinion. ;D

I still wouldn't trade my Z4M Roadster for the S54 Z3M Coupe I had though, I didn't like it half as much as my Roady. Personal preferences and all!

[joelselman]

The Z3MC may have been stiff in twist but the rear subframe issue is well known and I wouldn't want another for that very reason. Probably an ok car with more moderate power (3,0?).

[VindieselJetta]

Plus the obvious - 5spd z3m vs 6spd z4m

I really liked the z3m interior though.

[wdb]

All this chatter about the interior. OK. I am not a fan of the Z3 interiors. Two tone is not well done IMESHO and the gauges are busy looking and poorly placed. At first I was not terribly enamored of the Z4 interior either. But its minimalist cleanliness works both aesthetically and functionally. Except the cup holders which are a cheap fix. I even like the tiny glovebox -- keeps me focused on carrying only what I need and not one thing more. In other words it keeps the experience pure.

[VindieselJetta]

Agreed, I like the minimalist z4 interior as well. I have extended leather on mine which looks great. All black so a bit monotone. I added ultimate pedals, zhp weighted knob, removed the steering wheel controls and it's perfect.

[bfm01]

Thanks all, this really helps. Like I mentioned, I stupidly sold my S54 Z3MC several years ago and now I can't afford the prices for similar cars at this point as they have increased so much. I was considering an S52 but I'm seduced by the S54 engine. I like the fact that the Z4MC was purposely designed for this engine and the previous generation's shortcomings would have been addressed. Plus a little bit of extra sophistication...but not too much! I pretty much have the funds I would need for a decent example but I'm waiting to secure indoor parking here in the city first. My single car garage has two stacked cars, a 2006 Mini and a 1974 Innocenti Mini.

[86Zed]

Far wiser BMW enthusiasts and mechanics have mentioned more than once how vastly superior the E86 M coupe platform is from a performance driving perspective in the canyons and on the track.

The clownshoe is a joy to look at and oozes character, but it was the swan song for an outdated suspension and subframe design (ISSUES) - suffice to say it should be avoided at currently inflated costs if regularly driving the car hard is your sole goal in ownership.

[Honorebel]

Was the subframe issue the same for S52 and S54's?

[86Zed]

Originally Posted by Honorebel

Was the subframe issue the same for S52 and S54's?

Yes - no change to that area of the car between the pre 2000 and post 2000 cars Z3M cars

[Vanne]

Loved mine, thanks Hack, yeah misread that, my M was a roady, and my current one is a 3.0i roady, flexes all over the joint…

they are a nice ride though.