Hiya...hope all is well.


went off loking for S2000's today to replace my damaged one...

had made up my mind that i didnt want / couldnt quite afford a Z4 or 350Z and was totally happy with my mission - find an S2000 to buy...

then i saw this 2002 Z3M for the right money, low mileage, 340 bhp....red and black leather interior, 340 bhp , ...electric everything. 340 bhp.

oh, and its got 340 bhp - did i mention that already? 3.2 flat six. the sound is unbelievable.

now i am confused.

why do i not want the beemer? why am i still arguing with myself about S2000 vs Z3M?

anybody got any experience with the Z3M?

help me please....

 

thirstier than the s2k and the insurance may be a pig.

look at parts prices as well gsf arent that good for the mor specilist german models imo

 

A mate of mine had one and I understand that the engine is basically same as the M3 (E36?).

Anyway his vanos went out of warranty and cost

 

Will you be delivering bread in the van

 

ok...i'll bite.....the bread van???

insurance is CHEAPER than the my 1999 S2000 by 70 quid a year. couldnt believe that, but there we go.

everyday parts seem to be similar - i guess i fht eengine blows or whatever, yeah, thats gonna hurt.

ive seen other stuff about the vanos being a bit unreliable.
engine went pop at 40k...wow, thats a bummer. thats really worrying.

any pluses? (its got abigger boot!)

 

Is it not the E36 M3 engine... 320hp straight six. (only porsche have flat 6's)

The E46 m3 had 343hp... but the only Z to get that is the Z4!

no matter what power it has.... its still a hairdressers BMW:

 

That pic is a bit unfair. The Z3M car is fatter with 4 exhaust pipes and different bumpers.

 

Funny you should ask about them, I had not seen one for ages but ended up being parked next to a coupe in town today. My 9 year old son was impressed, four exhaust pipes, yaay!!

I've never driven one but I would certainly like to, I think they look great, if in a slightly oddball kind of way, it can't be accused of being dull at least.

Engine wise the first of them had the S50 from the E36 M3, the later ones were fitted with the S54 from the E46 M3, both slightly down on power due to different exhausts, but then they are lighter than a M3.

I would expect them to be mighty quick.

 

IMHO the interior schemes are hideous..........

Pluses - they are quick.

Didnt Racelogic has a demo one with TC at some point?

 

Tiff's favorite IIRC.

I thought about this a long time back, and although I didn't drive one, I decided that it wasn't going to be as good as the S2000.

Steering and handling being the main issues.