Anyone have M Roadster experience??

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

In my continuing schizophrenic quest for my next daily driver, I have come across the idea of a BMW M Roadster. I would probably get 2001-2002 since those are Z3 based and have a bit more horsepower than the earlier Z3 M Roadsters. I believe 2002 was the last year until this year when they re-introduced the M Roadster, but based on the Z4. I personally like the look of the Z3 better than the Z4 and it's cheaper too. Anyone have any ownership/driving experience with these? Would you choose a Boxster S of a similar year or an M Roadster and why?

The Contenders:

greglepore · 08-20-2006, 07:53 AM

I have driven an M roadster a bit. Nice enough car, very tailhappy if you like that, personally I think its a fine cruiser but a bit rough around the edges if you're pushing it. I'd prefer the boxter day in- day out.

fastpat · 08-20-2006, 07:56 AM

I don't have personal experience, but a guy I used to work with almost every day has a Dinan conversion of an M Roadster and liked it so much he bought an stock M coupe and his wife bought herself an M coupe.

A female nurse I worked with didn't want the extra power of the M, so she bought a Z3 coupe 3.0 and loved it.

asphaltgambler · 08-20-2006, 08:02 AM

The M roadster with the real M-series engine is very, very quick in stock form. I believe the HP is in excess of 300+ net. All the suspension, brakes , diff, trans are heavy-duty units not found in the ordinary Z car.

The car will out perform most drivers capabilities. I've heard of some potential problems with the engine relating to piston - wrist pin failure, but have never seen this at our dealership. We are one of the largest independent BMW sales/service on the east coast.

I think these cars are a lot of bang for the buck; not much else out there with that kind of performance per/$$$ My biggest beef is with the color combo of the interiors specific to the M cars. Looks almost tuner/rice designed - hideous to me.

The Boxter S does not even hold a candle in overall performance to the M. I have driven and worked on both. My opinion of the Boxter. Great entry level P-car, the 'S' option will actually get out of its own way but the resale /trade value is poor. As a Porsche........................it is a great MR-2 !!

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Some data to go along with the eye candy pics:

2001 Boxster S....................2001 M Roadster

Length 171 in...............................158.5 in
Width 70.1 in...............................68.5 in
Height 50.8 in...............................49.80 in
Wheelbase 95.2 in...............................96.8 in
Curb weight 2,855 lb............................3,086 lb
Cargo space 9.1 cubic ft........................5.0 cubic ft
Horsepower 250 bhp @ 6250 rpm........315 bhp @ 7400 rpm
Torque 225 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm........251 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
Fuel capacity 16.9 gal...........................13.5 gal
Est. milage 18/26 mpg city/highway.....19/26 mpg city/highway

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Agree on some of the two tone interiors, blue, red and yellow are pretty extreme. However I am looking for the Black or the Gunmetal Grey so those interiors look pretty good.

89911 · 08-20-2006, 10:31 AM

I'd go with a Boxster S. I just read some reviews of the Boxster S compared to the new Z4 roadster. I'll steal a quote:

"If the Z4 M roadster were the only car we drove on this magnificent road, we'd walk away perfectly happy-thrilled, even-with its performance. But then we trade the BMW for the Porsche, and the Boxster demonstrates once again that it is the more natural performer. It seems custom-built for this road as it shrugs its shoulders at hairpin after hairpin. Its brakes never protest the harsh treatment we subject them to, and its wailing flat-six provides plenty of power. On this road, the Porsche makes us feel like we couldn't possibly cover ground faster or more easily in any other car."

They also like the Caymen S over the more powered Z4 coupe. Ilike and own a BMW, but the Boxster is a very good car and I am always looking for a good deal on a used S.

For more the complete article.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/convertibles/0605_2007_bmw_z4_2006_porsche_boxster_s/index.html

Dottore · 08-20-2006, 10:55 AM

I have driven both cars extensively in Europe.

The essential difference between the two in my view is that the Porsche is the more complete, integrated and harmonious package. Everything about it feels right, solid and all-of-a-piece.

The M Roadster on the other hand feels overpowered for the chassis. It is very easy to get it sideways. You also sit much closer to the rear wheels - and this adds to the feeling of being unbalanced - whereas in the Boxter you feel planted squarely in the middle of the car.

I like the M roadster - no question - but compared to the Boxter it very clearly feels like less stable and more poorly designed product. Somehow incomplete.

As for the interiors - the Z cars may sport gaudy colours - but in my view the swoopy look of the interior of the 2001 Boxter (and indeed all 996's) is pretty hard to beat on the ugly-meter.

Dottore · 08-20-2006, 10:55 AM

I have driven both cars extensively in Europe.

The essential difference between the two in my view is that the Porsche is the more complete, integrated and harmonious package. Everything about it feels right, solid and all-of-a-piece.

The M Roadster on the other hand feels overpowered for the chassis. It is very easy to get it sideways. You also sit much closer to the rear wheels - and this adds to the feeling of being unbalanced - whereas in the Boxter you feel planted squarely in the middle of the car.

I like the M roadster - no question - but compared to the Boxter it very clearly feels like less stable and more poorly designed product. Somehow incomplete.

As for the interiors - the Z cars may sport gaudy colours - but in my view the swoopy look of the interior of the 2001 Boxter (and indeed all 996's) is pretty hard to beat on the ugly-meter.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 08-20-2006, 11:03 AM

I drove a Z3 M roadster a while back and would easily take it over the Boxster S. More power, better handling IMO. Really fun car to drive.

epbrown · 08-20-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
I'd go with a Boxster S. I just read some reviews of the Boxster S compared to the new Z4 roadster. I'll steal a quote]

snipped

That's an article about the 2006 M Roadster. The OP was asking about the Z3 based version, disocntinued in 2002.

For my own thoughts - the Z3 chassis isn't up to the S54 engine, imo. And the Z3 models have that problem with the rear subframe. I'm surprised "chgrec" hasn't popped in yet to discuss them; he was pretty disappointed with his M Roadster purchase, iirc.

asphaltgambler · 08-20-2006, 02:23 PM

The subframe failure only comes from constant 6k holeshots

89911 · 08-21-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by epbrown
snipped

That's an article about the 2006 M Roadster. The OP was asking about the Z3 based version, disocntinued in 2002.

For my own thoughts - the Z3 chassis isn't up to the S54 engine, imo. And the Z3 models have that problem with the rear subframe. I'm surprised "chgrec" hasn't popped in yet to discuss them; he was pretty disappointed with his M Roadster purchase, iirc.

Exactly. Thats my point. It is still favored over the newest, improved Roadster, which is light years ahead of the old roadster. There isn't much to compare with the old Z3 car in my book.

epbrown · 08-21-2006, 10:48 PM

For me it went the opposite way. I liked the retro looks of the Z3 and originally was shopping for one, but it was significantly better than my 911SC despite being much newer. The Z4 was only a couple of grand more, but the handling is light-years better. The Z4 M Roadster has tempted a LOT of Z3 M Roadster owners to move up to the Z4 platform, going by what I've seen on the Z4 boards I follow.