Z3 Coupe

[Ferrino]

Has anyone here owned a Z3 coupe (not the M-coupe)? I've been on the prowl for a ~$10K fun, weekend car (canyon carving), and am wondering if this is it. Not interested in any convertibles, so my choices are obviously restricted.

I love the "breadvan" looks with the wide flares, and the earlier 2.8 versions (M52 engine) seem to be down in this price range now. 2,866lbs with 206ft-lb of torque seems like a recipe for a fun street car and by all accounts the M52 engine is well up to the task. It has comparable torque and a lighter curb weight to the M Coupe of the same generation.

They're hard to find, hence my appeal for feedback. Thanks!

[ckelly78z]

I like the look of the Z3 coupe and think it would be alot more practical than the vert....lots more interior room. I am not a fan of the rear of the passenger space being at your elbow in the convertible. I think it almost looks like a small wagon, but cooler.

My wife has the 2.5L I6 in her 2003 325CI and it is spirited, so the 2.8L with less weight would be fun.

[DanielDudley]

They are better balanced, and handle better than the convertibles.

[BeyGon]

Yes, I sold my 2001 Coup last year, I think you should be looking more in the 15k bracket 80k miles 5 speed.
.

[lin7310948]

i had a 99 z3 m coupe with most all dinan modifications including supercharger. i also installed a six speed to replace the five speed manual. it was a fun car and i loved the looks....but it is very tight inside and im not a really big guy...6 feet 220 pounds. i sold it a couple of years ago. it was a very low mileage car with approximately 40000 miles when i sold it...the supercharger really brings the s52 to life! radiators can burst the side tanks, water pumps are suspect, cracked welds in the rear pan of the car that supports the differential. i would do a little research on the potential problems. also the car did not come with tilt steering wheel

[BeyGon]

If I were to look again I would still stick with the 2001 3.0 car.

here is a place to look.

Sale Listings || Z3 Coupe Buyers Guide

[Ferrino]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

If I were to look again I would still stick with the 2001 3.0 car.

here is a place to look.

Sale Listings || Z3 Coupe Buyers Guide

Thanks, I've been looking at that site. The 3.0 non-M cars do look like good value. On paper, they seem like a match (or better) than the S54 M cars.

I've no experience of these inline 6 BMW engines. Is it possible to generalize as to how expensive they are to maintain relative to, say, a water-cooled Porsche flat 6 from a Boxster?

[BeyGon]

The 2001 3.0 probably has as much power as the M3 of the years before. I don't believe there is a weight difference, most body parts are the same. The rear end is wider but the fenders are the same, the wheel offset makes the difference.
BMW isn't the same as Porsche, my Porsche was cheaper to fix and work on. Porsche is just a better car all round. I did like my Z3 though, even though the same problems existed for years from the earlier 3 series. I liked it because it was different, quirky, and when you travel there is room for luggage, golf clubs.
I don't think many people have problems with the 3.0 six motor in them. It's other stuff like windows, seats, and the fact BMW could have given the option of tilt wheel or six speed but didn't. You can change plugs and coils in 30 minutes.
Don't ever take one to a dealer.

[Ferrino]

I'm revisiting this and am now leaning towards the Z4 coupe 3.0si (i.e. the non-M Z4 coupe). I love the looks even more than the Z3 coupe and it sounds to me like the N52 engine is a superb street engine, with the 6-speed transmission. I've seen these in the low-to-mid teens for a 2007.

Anyone owned a 3.0si?

[RedBaron]

My mom's 528xi has an N52 engine. Be aware that the block is a magnesium alloy which means you have to replace a lot of the bolts whenever you take them out (i.e. if you replace a belt pulley, you need to install a new bolt with it.) There is also a well documented issue with lifter noise. BMW released a revised head on all new engines after 11/08. Other than that, the engine is bulletproof. Typical issues are small things like oil leaks from the oil filter housing, valve cover, and eccentric shaft.

[BeyGon]

I think for the future investment the 2001 Z3 Coup is still the better bet.

[Ferrino]

Thanks all. I'm planning to look at a Z4 3.0si coupe this weekend. Is the lifter noise issue obvious?

[impactbumper]

I had an 01 mcoupe with S54. silver car, biggest mistake selling it. Better car than any Porsche I owned.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

I think for the future investment the 2001 Z3 Coup is still the better bet.

I've owned a Z3 coupe and a couple of Z4s. The looks of the Z4 were polarizing but as time moves on the deign (the best of the (Bangle era, imo) will gain acceptance abd buyers will be lured by the fact that the Z4 is a better car.

As for lifter noise, my coupe was a Z4M but I knew a few people with 3.0sis and it never stood out to me.