BMW Z3 Coupe?

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Is anyone familiar with the Z3 coupe? What years were they made, pros vs. cons, etc? Wife and I were talking this morning and I am pretty sure it'd be a good replacement for her MCS. Thoughts? Here's a pic...

Thanks,

Paul.

Porsche virgin · 12-21-2007, 09:59 AM

Some totally unscientific thoughts:

I always loved the Z3 Coupes. Great looking cars. My wife was kind enough to let me consider getting one a few years ago.

I drove one with about 10k on it, and was SORELY disappointed. I didn't think it handled that well (it felt more like a Camaro -- heavy, very willing to kick the back end out), the interior felt really cheap to me, the storage aspect (even with the bread-van back) was seriously lacking, and (at the time) way too much money for what you got.

Just my $0.02.

I ended up with the 911!

strupgolf · 12-21-2007, 01:01 PM

The best one to get is the M model, otherwise forget going fast.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Thanks for the info guys. It will/would be the wifes daily driver- she drives her current MCS like she's 80, so a lack of power wouldn't be a big deal. I too have always thought they look really cool- but am sure the 'M' part will not only drive the price up, but make finding a low-mile example a lot harder. Maybe we'll go test drive one next time we're in Portland.

Thanks,

Paul.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

M coupe is a fast, fun go kart. I'd own one if I didn't need a back seat. The hatchback makes them usable as a daily driver. Kind of hard to find though...they didn't make/sell that many.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

The "M" version was made for 4 years ('98-'01? or '99-'02? I can't remember exactly.) The first two years came with the 3.2 liter 240 HP motor. The last 2 years had the motor bumped up to 331 HP or so (European heads, IIRC). I also looked into buying one a few years ago (coincidentally while I was living in PDX). Couldn't find any for sale locally. And the ones I did see listed were over the $30K range (whereas Blue Book had them in the lower 20s).

BMW CCA has an online classified section, if you're really interested. If you join (and you don't need a BMW to do so), you can peruse all the classifieds. If you don't join, then you can only look at the classifieds once they're 2 weeks old. Roadfly.org is also a pretty active BMW site, from what I remember.

Kind of a fugly car, in a good way. I like the styling. I'm sure there will be a good cult following down the road.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

You guys are awesome! I guess we really need to go drive one. The MCS is actually made by BMW, and we've been impressed so far. I looked around for one- found an '01 non-M model with just 19k on the odo, but they want $28k for it. The other negative is trading an '04 in on an '02. I'll do some more research and will let you know what I think if we get as far as driving one.

Cheers,

Paul.

Chocaholic · 12-21-2007, 05:44 PM

I've always liked the coupe version more than the cab. Have never driven one though. It's one of those cars people love or hate...not much in between. +1 for me.

cantdrv55 · 12-22-2007, 12:01 PM

Clown shoe. I'd have one though.

Tishabet · 12-22-2007, 12:24 PM

I've always had a serious thing for the clown shoe. Fugly in a way that reminds me of the early jag E-types. Seriously hard to find... I've looked.

SLO-BOB · 12-22-2007, 02:33 PM

You either love them or hate them. Not a lot of in between. I have no direct experience with the car, but the Z3 coupe is a rare bird. I see M coupes all the time (just got my 5 year pin for BMWCCA - lotsa lapses), but very few Z coupes. I like them and you'll never get confused in a parking lot. The motor is awesome and despite criticism above, will get you down the road in a big hurry.

john walker's workshop · 12-22-2007, 02:41 PM

ugly little sucka. where's the butt end?

SLO-BOB · 12-22-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul K

found an '01 non-M model with just 19k on the odo, but they want $28k for it.

That's low mileage but an outrageous price imo. They're off by about 5-7 grand. You could be in the M coupe for that easily. By comparison, there's a 01 coupe in the just released Roundel right now. Silver over red. Located in Mass. It has more miles, 80k, but it's priced at $18k. Advertised as "like new".

However, compared to this one, yours is a bargain - 01 Z3 coupe with 21k miles priced at $34.5k.

99 M coupe in California. Imola Red - my favorite! 79k miles. A steal at $15,900 if it's as nice as advertised.

PM me if you want the contact info on any of these.

If you like the Z3 coupe, at least try out the Z4. Word is, they're a much improved car. I've been very tempted by the new Z4 coupe myself.

WI wide body · 12-22-2007, 03:44 PM

Just my personal opinion of a Z3 Coupe of course....but evertime I see a picture of one of those puppies a vision of an AMC Pacer comes into my mind!

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Two friends bought M Coupes. Great driving car. Some issues with the stereo, though, it would overheat and shut down in normal use. Made me uneasy about overall engineering (that and my bad experiences with BMW in the past).

Gotta be the ugliest road-going thing designed in the past 20 years.

slow&rusty · 12-22-2007, 04:56 PM

Wow...I didn't think people actually bought these cars..

I learn something new every day...

WI wide body · 12-22-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Wow...I didn't think people actually bought these cars..

I learn something new every day...

Yeah, actually that was what I really was thinking but I figured that the Pacer analogy would be a bit more gentle. If someone did offer me one for free I would have to check the related costs (plus the obvious and expected ridicule) before accepting one of those coupes!