E46 M3 or Z4 M?

[Kong Sheng Han]

Update: I purchased an E46 M3 2 weeks ago. I posted in M3forum.net, and forgot to post here. I'm copying and pasting what I wrote in the other forum.

Hello everyone.

Here's the back story: I was supposed to pick up a 2002 M3 Coupe SMG in TiAg/Black this past Monday. About an hour before I left, the dealership called saying that the SMG pump and actuator had failed, a $5,800 fix. Of course I didn't buy the car after that. And the dealership is refusing to give us our deposit back!

Fast forward to Wednesday, I bought a 2001 M3 Coupe in TiAg/Black from a BMW Service Advisor. About 3 weeks ago, when I was trying to get service records for the 2002 M3, this guy picked up the phone. After giving me a brief history report of the car, he asked me if I'd be interested in his M3. We checked out his car, and it was in pretty good shape. This one has a six-speed manual transmission. It also has Bilstein coilovers, and other than that, it is completely stock. We decided that we would get the 2002 model since its condition was a little better, and it was newer. That eventually didn't happen..

I like this 2001 M3 more because it has a six-speed manual transmission, and I don't have to worry about the SMG taking a crap on me. The only downside is that I have never driven a manual. I'm starting to get the hang of it (after 1.5 days of driving) but still stall in traffic sometimes. I think I'll get better after a few more days of driving.
*Right now, I have no issues driving it.

Here's some info about the car:
2001 M3 Coupe TiAg/Black
73,000 miles
Xenon headlights
Premium audio
Navigation
Tint
Hard wired for a V1 radar detector
Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers with Turner camber plates.
All seats in pretty good shape
Cracked windshield (did not penetrate the inside part of glass)
Scratches on front left lip.
Dent on driver's side A-Pillar
He's getting me discounts to replace the windshield and repair the scratch and dent. It's going to cost me $450. I'll probably leave the dent alone though because it's not that noticeable anyways.

I'm probably gonna start modding next year. I'm going to do a VANOS and subframe reinforcement first, maybe towards the end of summer. And for those of you wondering about the Phoenix Yellow M3 I wanted to buy, it's still for sale..for the same price.

Thank you for reading this.










Hi guys. I have a quick question. I'm going to be buying an older M car and keep it for about a year before I upgrade to a newer M car.

I'm primarily looking for an M3, but I found a Z4 M Coupe today. I've never been able to decide if I like the design of the Z4 or not. Whichever one I get, it will have a manual transmission. Which one would you guys get?
Thanks

[davesaddiction]

Personally, I love the looks of the Z4M coupe. If you're not sold on how it looks, it may not be for you, though...

As I understand it, the coupe versions are fairly rare and may keep their value better than an E46 M3.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

You heard the phrase "Location ... Location" well substitute this with "Condition ...Condition" and the answer to your question will come to you.

Bottom line ... review all the CarFax reports and Maintenance Reports then make your decision and you be happy in the end.

Good Luck

[rjd598]

z4m gets my vote

[i001947]

Test drive both then choose the M3. The Z4 looks good but does not drive as good as the M3.

Enough said.

[thekurgan]

Light weight, tight cockpit, super tight chassis (one of the stiffest manufactured), brilliant driving position and the S54 with revised DME.

One of the most difficult decisions I had to make was selling the car for the 4 door E90M3. I miss that car every day.

Since ~ 1850 or so were brought to the U.S. - they can become quite the rare item.

[mdosu]

i vote for Z4M as well. It just feels much more raw than the E46. It's also a lot rarer. Personally, I love the design as well.

[8_is_enough]

Originally Posted by i001947

Test drive both then choose the M3. The Z4 looks good but does not drive as good as the M3.

Enough said.

I agree. I had an '08 Z4M but I prefer the driving experience of the E46 M3. The Z4M transmission is notchier and the ride penalty doesn't equate to better handling.

[mdosu]

here's a Bimmerpost member's Z4M with euro-spec 260M wheels, looking good.

[gatorfast]

Z4m coupe for sure. Had one before I got my M3. A lot of fun to drive and received a lot of complements on it.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Thanks guys. I just noticed the Z4 was involved in a rear end collision and has a salvage title. I emailed the dealership and asked if they offer warranty, and if not, I would pass. Would you still buy it? I'll try to get pics of the damage soon.

[quiksi]

salvage title? no way

[Crimson92]

Z4mc for sure. But in good condition.

[Kong Sheng Han]

They couldn't get warranty. I don't know if I should get a regular Z4.

[gatorfast]

Dont get a regular z4, unless you are a woman of course

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Get a 2006 E46 M3 ZCP

[duk]

e46 looks way better but that's subjective

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Dont get a regular z4, unless you are a woman of course

Haha. Thanks. M3 it is. I also realized that a normal Z4 is not NA.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

Haha. Thanks. M3 it is. I also realized that a normal Z4 is not NA.

What? NA? All E85/86 utilized naturally aspirated engines.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

Haha. Thanks. M3 it is. I also realized that a normal Z4 is not NA.

yes it is, well depending on the generation.

[RogeM3]

Originally Posted by Mr. ///M3 RD

You heard the phrase "Location ... Location" well substitute this with "Condition ...Condition" and the answer to your question will come to you.

Bottom line ... review all the CarFax reports and Maintenance Reports then make your decision and you be happy in the end.

Good Luck

+1

especially if you are thinking of trading it in a year.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

What? NA? All E85/86 utilized naturally aspirated engines.

I saw an ad for a 2007 Z4, and it had turbos in it. That's why I assumed all Z4s have turbos in them.

Edit: Here's a link to pics of the car when it was damaged. I would have considered buying it without warranty if the rear right wheel wasn't turned in.

http://www.autobidmaster.com/carfinder-online-auto-auctions/lot/22494729/COPART_2007_BMW_M_COUPE_NJ_HOUSTON_TX/