Time for Change >>> from Coupe to Roadster?

[3002 tii]

Sad day but after 10+ years of ownership I finally said goodbye to my n52 coupe. What started out as a weekend car slowly converted to full time track car. Had no intentions of selling but good friend of mine was looking to replace his Elise and one thing led to another...

I will say the car was rock solid reliable and the motor pulled as strong as it did on Day 1. Headers, LSD, 3.73 gears, suspension, 255 square with some mild weight reduction made it the perfect track weapon. None of these are my PB but it shows what the n52 is capable of against other higher hp cars (with just street tires no less):

Lime Rock

NJMP

As for what’s in store for me, considered anything from e9x m3, m235i, and 987.2 but end of day I still have too strong of a connection to the E85/86, and frankly none of those cars have that special sauce. Hence I’ll be looking to jump into a M roadster. Never owned a convertible but it seems really appealing for a 3rd car (and I’d get more ‘utility’ vs a purpose built track car). I’ll update this thread once my replacement car is picked out.

How she looked week 1 after getting tints.... and then more recently, Aero trim, full suspension with Arc-8’s 17x9.5 square

Edit: See post 12 for my replacement car!

[dschultz]

*sigh* but best of luck with whatever comes next.

[The HACK]

There were a few cars I was emotionally attached to in my life. And to this day, I regretted losing EVERY SINGLE ONE of them.

I hope that's not going to be the case here for you.

My first BMW was a 1997 Z3 1.9L. 5 speed manual in Boston green with beige top and interior. Not a lot of power but it was fun to drive, and in Southern California the top was rarely up unless it's raining. Now a days whenever I see a clean Z3 I always feel a ping of guilt, and have on numerous occasions thought about pulling a trigger on a low-ish mileage 1.9L just for fun. Alas they're getting harder and harder to find, and frankly, most are in pretty poor condition because the 1.9L was the unloved step-child in the family.

My second BMW was a 2000 E46 323Ci. It was the car that got me on the track, and got me interested in mechanical work on the car. I swapped out just about every thing under the sun, did 99% of all the maintenance on it, and my wife even accused me of loving THAT car more than her (Little did she know that I would eventually get the MZ4 Coupe). It was eventually sold to one of the jr. mechanics at my friend's shop when it suffered a busted strut tower when I went over a large pothole during one of the few torrential downpours in Southern California that destroyed 2 forged BBS RGR wheels. The repairs far out-paced the value of the car, and in hindsight, I probably should have just sacked up and repaired it and kept it. It wasn't fast for a track car, but I was able to keep up with faster cars (330is and some E36 M3s) driven by inferior drivers. But most importantly, it was the car I learned to drive on track with.

And the MZ4 Coupe.

Throughout the year I've been asked by the Missus to sell the MZ4 Coupe and get something practical to accommodate for the family. And it's a compelling argument. Logic would dictate, that for us, the MZ4 Coupe makes no practical sense, especially now that it's basically been relegated to just track and weekend driving, and we can't even go out to dinner in it because we can't take our daughter. The sad truth is, my daughter has ridden in the MZ4 Coupe more in the last 10 years than my wife has. And despite the least amount of miles driven, it's the most expensive to maintain simply because of the 6 bottles of 10W-60 it consumes on an annual basis.

But the answer to her request has always been a simple "no." Even now, as I contemplate adding another horse to the stable, her demand of selling the MZ4 Coupe in order to free up space in the garage for the possible new addition was met with a simple "no." Because I know the second it's sold and I hand over the keys, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

So despite the 2,000 miles I put on it a year now, the bulk of it on track, and the obsessive cleaning I do on it, and the amount of annual consumables (6 bottles of 10W-60, 3 bottles of Motul 600) far outpacing all the other cars in the garage combined...The MZ4 Coupe isn't going anywhere for as long as I live.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by dschultz

*sigh* but best of luck with whatever comes next.

If all goes as planned I’ll be staying in the E85/86 family

Originally Posted by The HACK

There were a few cars I was emotionally attached to in my life. And to this day, I regretted losing EVERY SINGLE ONE of them.

I hope that's not going to be the case here for you.

Throughout the year I've been asked by the Missus to sell the MZ4 Coupe and get something practical to accommodate for the family. And it's a compelling argument. Logic would dictate, that for us, the MZ4 Coupe makes no practical sense, especially now that it's basically been relegated to just track and weekend driving, and we can't even go out to dinner in it because we can't take our daughter. The sad truth is, my daughter has ridden in the MZ4 Coupe more in the last 10 years than my wife has. And despite the least amount of miles driven, it's the most expensive to maintain simply because of the 6 bottles of 10W-60 it consumes on an annual basis.

I know I’ll have my moments of nostalgia but luckily it’ll be driven by a close friend whom I frequent the track with so I’ll still get to see her occasionally. I am hoping an s54 roadster will offer a different type of ownership experience that will be just as unique as what I had with my coupe.

For you, simple answer... just find a clean e46 323i and that will be your family friendly car! (Btw thought you had a wrx?)

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

For you, simple answer... just find a clean e46 323i and that will be your family friendly car! (Btw thought you had a wrx?)

I did. The '09 WRX Wagon came closest to eliciting some sort of emotional attachment of all the other cars I've owned, and I've owned quite a few.

I was excited to buy the WRX. Got a fantastic deal on it. Enjoyed the crap out of it, both daily driving and on track. Took it to all the local tracks, dry and wet. On slicks and street tires. It was especially fun at Laguna Seca because it was far more comfortable to drive long distance than the MZ4 Coupe. Best part was it kept up with all the M3s at the time while costing a fraction new, and had enough space and practicality to swallow a ton of stuff on road trips. In fact, we took it camping several times.

If I didn't have the MZ4 Coupe in my garage, I would have been emotionally attached to the WRX. It was rock solid and ticks off all of my "requirement" for a car love affair. The only down-side was, for a daily driver it consumed gasoline disproportionately (I averaged 21mpg on mostly highway driving, not much better than the MZ4 Coupe) during a time where gasoline reached $5.xx per gallon in California, and the Missus complained incessantly about the boy-racer exhaust I put on (there's a joke to be inserted in here, but I won't do it). On what amounts to a 2-2.5 hour spent a day in the car, it got tiresome quick. That's probably the reason why I haven't touched the exhaust on the MZ4 Coupe yet, and probably never will.

It's kinda like the nerdy girl you dated earlier in life, not the hottest you've slept with, but GREAT in bed...But just not "hot" enough to continue the relationship with. Occasionally you think back and reminisce, but don't miss her enough to drunk dial.

There are a few others in my carlationships of the past that should have stood out, but didn't for all the wrong reasons. I think the WRX just got "dumped" because I was already dating the MZ4 Coupe, which is very hard to measure up to.

I hope you will enjoy the MZ4R. I think you will. That open top experience is the ONLY thing I miss about the MZ4 Coupe, coming from the Z3 and the Z4 3.0i.

[bananabun]

Must be such a bittersweet moment! I was hoping to see you and the car at the track this year, but guess I'll keep an eye out for what's next.

You probably know this already, but you're going to LOVE the S54. Good Luck!

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by bananabun

Must be such a bittersweet moment! I was hoping to see you and the car at the track this year, but guess I'll keep an eye out for what's next.

You probably know this already, but you're going to LOVE the S54. Good Luck!

Thanks, if anything we’ll prob have better chance of meeting since I won’t be tied to the NASA time trial schedule. I’ll probably start looking at PCA events again..

[bananabun]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Thanks, if anything we’ll prob have better chance of meeting since I won’t be tied to the NASA time trial schedule. I’ll probably start looking at PCA events again..

That sounds great!

[WickedNy]

Hopefully you'll remain a z owner and stick to the forum...any last parts you'd like to part ways with lol

[TRiCC]

Literally my inspiration/favorite n52 Z4 3.0si coupe, an end of an era! Been following you for a minute! Hope you find yourself a fine/specific Z4M roadster!! Convert to the vertside! Hehe Thanks for your N52 contribution to the ZPost!

[ZAR4MC]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The MZ4 Coupe isn't going anywhere for as long as I live.

I second this!! I plan to keep mine until the world runs out of fuel lol...

[3002 tii]

Found my replacement for my coupe! The newest addition to the family is an 08 M Roadster in Grigio Telesto with black leather and carbon trim. Car was pretty clean minus few marks on the front bumper and touch up on the wheels. More importantly the car was nearly bone stock with decent service history. It seems though the 1st owner didn't take great care of the soft top so I may end up replacing the fabric and going with black instead.

Oh did I mention the exterior is Grigio Telesto? =D The lines of the E85/86 will always be classic but thought it would look even better in one of the more modern color offerings. Noticed more and more new BMW's are being sold in this individual color but it first caught my eye when a fellow member here painted his 3.0si coupe the same. However I wasn't looking to do a full on paint job so I reached out to local vinyl shops.

Big shoutout to termigni, who's also on the boards here. He does vinyl wrap and PPF jobs on the side, working out of his personal garage and the results are fantastic. OCD is an understatement and his work is just as good as the pros but his rates are much more competitive and wallet friendly. If you're near NJ... definitely give him a holler!

Driving back, even with overcast I decide to take a chance and drive top down. I think I literally drove with a smile on my face for those few hours. Ended up in a trance, don't recall making it home but I somehow burned through way more gas than I should've.

Plan is to keep her pretty close to stock. I find the factory M suspension to be surprisingly firm. Very happy with the overall driving dynamics so don't think much tinkering will be needed. Full disclosure I've got gloss black grills being delivered to me next week lol.

[PLCZ4MC]

Nice replacement! WOW looks beautiful! Congrats

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Found my replacement for my coupe. The newest addition to the family is an 08 M Roadster in Grigio Telesto with black leather and carbon trim. Car was pretty clean minus few marks on the front bumper and touch up on the wheels. More importantly the car was nearly bone stock with decent service history. It seems though the 1st owner didn't take great care of the soft top so I may end up replacing the fabric and going with black instead.

Oh did I mention the exterior is Grigio Telesto? =D The lines of the E85/86 will always be classic but thought it would look even better in one of the more modern color offerings. Noticed more and more new BMW's are being sold in this individual color but it first caught my eye when a fellow member here painted his 3.0si coupe the same. However I wasn't looking to do a full on paint job so I reached out to local vinyl shops.

Big shoutout to termigni, who's also on the boards here. He does vinyl wrap and PPF jobs on the side, working out of his personal garage and the results are fantastic. OCD is an understatement and his work is just as good as the pros but his rates are much more competitive and wallet friendly. If you're near NJ... definitely give him a holler!

Driving back, even with overcast I decide to take a chance and drive top down. I think I literally drove with a smile on my face for those few hours. Ended up in a trance, don't recall making it home but I somehow burned through way more gas than I should've.

Plan is to keep her pretty close to stock. I find the factory M suspension to be surprisingly firm. Very happy with the overall driving dynamics where so don't think I much tinkering will be needed. Full disclosure I've got gloss black grills being delivered to me next week lol.

Wow! What a find! Enjoy!

[termigni]

Thx for using my service! What a handsome car to work on. I have some pics I can share

[yousefnjr]

What a beauty grats

[wdb]

Congratulations! I find the suspension on my Moupe to be a bit less harsh than the M Sport suspension on the 3.0si coupe. I attribute the difference to the tires; Contis on the M, Michelin PSS on the si.

Is the M debadged on the back too?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by wdb

Congratulations! I find the suspension on my Moupe to be a bit less harsh than the M Sport suspension on the 3.0si coupe. I attribute the difference to the tires; Contis on the M, Michelin PSS on the si.

Is the M debadged on the back too?

Honestly it’s been so long I’ve driven a stock 3.0si (M sport with runflats) so don’t recall but overall surprised that the stock dampeners on this M are still firm despite the 45k miles.

Nope, first mod was actually to replace the OEM badge with the blacked out version from the M4 competiton and apply red taillight overlays.

[AmmarYasirA]

I knew wraps looked really good and came out nice but this thing looks painted

Looks amazing. Congrats!

[Flipckyz4m]

Looks even better now. Congrats Does he do paint correction as well?

[86Zed]

Stunning example and tremendous work with the wrap! Glad to see you stayed with the Z4 platform

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Flipckyz4m

Looks even better now. Congrats Does he do paint correction as well?

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