Thinking about going to the Z4 M coupe

Shaung · 09-01-2012, 07:29 PM

Hello everyone,

My dearly loved E46 M3 was just totaled. Heart breaking really, 2004 with on 46K miles on her. My first thought was to just find another E46 M3 but I've had my eye on the Z4 M coupe since it came out. I know the S54 engine and it's short comings, as well as the E46 chassis. Aside for the Vanos issue, the S54 is a very tough motor. The E46 chassis has only one real short coming, the rear subframe. If these are addressed in a timely manner the car will be (major) problem free for a very long time. Lastly avoid the SMG transmission. I rarely hear about how problem free they are.

Anything big I should know about as I begin looking for a Z4 Moupe? Ripping subframes etc.

Thanks and I'm searching the forums as well.

Mirko · 09-01-2012, 08:18 PM

Hello and welcome. Sorry about your M3.

A few of the trouble points
Engine mounts - factory install issue, fixed with stronger OEM bolts. Not all cars, only a small percentage
Rear spring mount breaks - can break off, small percentage
Sway bar mounts - fine with stock bars, if aftermarket then they can rip off
Sway bar bolts - can come loose and creak, some special locking washer is available for it

Otherwise I think this car is supposed to be pretty solid.

pokeybritches · 09-01-2012, 08:39 PM

Watch out for F-150's

mfanatic325 · 09-01-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Watch out for F-150's

yeah, these cars don't have nearly as good a view as the E46.

thekurgan · 09-02-2012, 10:06 AM

There isn't a whole lot that goes wrong with the E86M, there just aren't that many of them to hear en masse, the sheer number of issues with the other BMWs. If you can handle 2 seats and near-zero storage, go for it; there are very few beautiful BMWs as of late, this is one, IMO, along with the E46 coupe, that are stunning from every angle.

Shaung · 09-02-2012, 11:50 AM

Yeah, kurgan

I'd have to agree, really a truly stunning car. Im lucky enough to have and X5 and access to a Amg c55. So seats are not really and issue. Anyone looking for a true sleeper? The c55 might be getting sold

Swashplate · 09-02-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Watch out for F-150's

Yea......they will get you everytime.

Swashplate · 09-02-2012, 01:59 PM

Oh and if you test drive one you will be ruined forever. You thought the seats in the M3 were good....

Shaung · 09-02-2012, 05:56 PM

eerr.. I hated my seats in my M3.. took months to get them comfortable..lol

KevinC · 09-03-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

If you can handle 2 seats and near-zero storage, go for it; there are very few beautiful BMWs as of late, this is one, IMO, along with the E46 coupe, that are stunning from every angle.

Or you can have your cake and eat it too, solving the 2-seat problem the way I did..

mousitch · 09-03-2012, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Or you can have your cake and eat it too, solving the 2-seat problem the way I did..

Kevin C for FTW

mousitch · 09-03-2012, 01:19 AM

I was thinking lately I might have my will changed as to be buried in my coupe. But that would be a wasted coupe for someone else.

SD ///M4 · 09-03-2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Or you can have your cake and eat it too, solving the 2-seat problem the way I did..

Here's our solution:

Jbs · 09-03-2012, 03:16 AM

Same kind of maint as the E46 for the most part, and all major problems have been mentioned that I can think of. Be careful if you test drive it!!

thekurgan · 09-03-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Or you can have your cake and eat it too, solving the 2-seat problem the way I did..

Man, you can always tell AZ ... ZERO grass, hell just about ZERO green anything organic ...

Nice ZHP

zgood4u · 09-03-2012, 10:47 AM

Similar solution to above problem.

Endless619 · 09-03-2012, 10:05 PM

E92 M3 is another option. I went from E46 M3 to Z4MC to E92 M3 and at first I really hated the stock look of the E92 M3. Looks cheap. Interior is way ahead of the Z4MC but the Z4MC is more raw. Now after getting the car where I like it I have to say its dead even with my old Z4MC in the looks department. I like the slightly more power but what sold it was the interior, even though the exterior lacked big time in stock trim.

But I would totally take a Z4MR or Z4MC over any E46 M3..

epbrown · 09-06-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Man, you can always tell AZ ... ZERO grass, hell just about ZERO green anything organic ...

I drove back from KY yesterday and at a rest stop in IN there were some grammar school ages kids running around barefoot. The mom sees me looking at them as says "We're from Arizona - this is their first time seeing grass in person." I knew it wasn't common there, but whoa!

RandysV10 · 09-06-2012, 07:07 AM

Here is my solution to the two seat problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgood4u

09-01-2012, 07:29 PM	#1
Shaung First Lieutenant 43 Rep 386 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	Thinking about going to the Z4 M coupe Hello everyone, My dearly loved E46 M3 was just totaled. Heart breaking really, 2004 with on 46K miles on her. My first thought was to just find another E46 M3 but I've had my eye on the Z4 M coupe since it came out. I know the S54 engine and it's short comings, as well as the E46 chassis. Aside for the Vanos issue, the S54 is a very tough motor. The E46 chassis has only one real short coming, the rear subframe. If these are addressed in a timely manner the car will be (major) problem free for a very long time. Lastly avoid the SMG transmission. I rarely hear about how problem free they are. Anything big I should know about as I begin looking for a Z4 Moupe? Ripping subframes etc. Thanks and I'm searching the forums as well.
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09-01-2012, 08:18 PM	#2
Mirko Major 182 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	Hello and welcome. Sorry about your M3. A few of the trouble points Engine mounts - factory install issue, fixed with stronger OEM bolts. Not all cars, only a small percentage Rear spring mount breaks - can break off, small percentage Sway bar mounts - fine with stock bars, if aftermarket then they can rip off Sway bar bolts - can come loose and creak, some special locking washer is available for it Otherwise I think this car is supposed to be pretty solid.
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09-01-2012, 08:39 PM	#3
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Watch out for F-150's __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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09-02-2012, 10:06 AM	#5
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 232 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	There isn't a whole lot that goes wrong with the E86M, there just aren't that many of them to hear en masse, the sheer number of issues with the other BMWs. If you can handle 2 seats and near-zero storage, go for it; there are very few beautiful BMWs as of late, this is one, IMO, along with the E46 coupe, that are stunning from every angle. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-02-2012, 11:50 AM	#6
Shaung First Lieutenant 43 Rep 386 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	Yeah, kurgan I'd have to agree, really a truly stunning car. Im lucky enough to have and X5 and access to a Amg c55. So seats are not really and issue. Anyone looking for a true sleeper? The c55 might be getting sold
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09-02-2012, 01:59 PM	#8
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	Oh and if you test drive one you will be ruined forever. You thought the seats in the M3 were good.... __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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09-02-2012, 05:56 PM	#9
Shaung First Lieutenant 43 Rep 386 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	eerr.. I hated my seats in my M3.. took months to get them comfortable..lol
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09-03-2012, 01:19 AM	#12
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	I was thinking lately I might have my will changed as to be buried in my coupe. But that would be a wasted coupe for someone else. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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09-03-2012, 03:16 AM	#14
Jbs The Photographer 76 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC BSM/Black extended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Same kind of maint as the E46 for the most part, and all major problems have been mentioned that I can think of. Be careful if you test drive it!! __________________ John Batte Photography / Flickr / Facebook 2007 ///M Coupe BSM/Black Extended/Loaded \| RPi GT Exhaust w/custom gloss black tips \| KW V3 \| Michelin PSS 245/265 \| Pinnacle F1 Tint 35% \| ZHP Shift Knob
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09-03-2012, 10:47 AM	#16
zgood4u Second Lieutenant 494 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC BSM Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Alpharetta,GA iTrader: (0)	Similar solution to above problem. Attached Images
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09-03-2012, 10:05 PM	#17
Endless619 DHS 203 Rep 4,008 Posts Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Disneyland iTrader: (14) Garage List 2014 Range Rover Ev ... [0.00] 2006 Acura TL [0.00]	E92 M3 is another option. I went from E46 M3 to Z4MC to E92 M3 and at first I really hated the stock look of the E92 M3. Looks cheap. Interior is way ahead of the Z4MC but the Z4MC is more raw. Now after getting the car where I like it I have to say its dead even with my old Z4MC in the looks department. I like the slightly more power but what sold it was the interior, even though the exterior lacked big time in stock trim. But I would totally take a Z4MR or Z4MC over any E46 M3.. __________________ 2020 Land Rover Velar Autobiography 2023 BMW M4 2016 X3
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09-06-2012, 07:45 AM	#20
ga41 Lieutenant 31 Rep 503 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Paphos iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Z4 M Coupe [0.00]	Bloody show-offs. Here's my solution to the 2 seat problem And no, that's not crashed on the tree, it's just the only place that gets some shade. __________________
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09-06-2012, 07:47 AM	#22
ga41 Lieutenant 31 Rep 503 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Paphos iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Z4 M Coupe [0.00]	The sun shifts across the sky you know smarty-pants :P __________________
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