Possible new Z3 M coupe owner needs reiteration

[The Danielson]

Hello all
I am very close to purchasing a 2002 Z3 M coupe. I was wondering if any owners on can share their experiences with their car to further help me on this decision. My other option is an e46 M3 or the long shot of a 2006 Z4 M coupe as some decent deals are now out there. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

[GAJ]

Having recently purchased a 2002 M Coupe myself, all I can say is Oh. My. God. It's simply awesome. I haven't had it long enough to experience any downsides, if there are any. It's relatively easy to work on, if you're into that kinda stuff, and a blast to drive. Did I say it's awesome? S54 engine in a raw and straight-forward chassis appeals to my back-to-basics funny-bone. Not sure what kinda feedback you're looking for but if you're wondering about the grin-factor, rest assured they'll have to surgically separate the corners of your smile from your earlobes. Oh, and I must say...t's awesome (I have a Lotus Elise which is awesome, too, but in a very different high-strung kinda way). Can't imagine you'll regret it. And didn't they make something like less than 300 of 'em for the US market in 2002? Go for it and enjoy your rare toy. It's...awesome.

[Frank Agostinel]

FIRST? IS THIS AN EVERY DAY DRIVER? IF SO E46m IS MY CHOICE

SOLD MY e46 m3 2003 SMG FEB 2008 20K MILES MINT GREAT CAR I MISS IT SOME TIME BUT IT WOSENT SPORTY ENOUGH. AT THE TIME I HAD A 2005 PORSCHE 911s
CAR IS GETTING OLD & DID NOT WANT THAT ENGINE/CAR OUT OF WARRENTEE SMG TO MANY $$$$ ISSUES BOUGHT NEW

I HAD 3 Z3 1999 2.3 2000 M ROADSTER 1999 M COUPE. ALL GREAT CARS I LOVED MY M COUPE THE MOST FUN CAR DROVE GREAT. - THE CAR IS STILL GETTING $$$ RESALE VALUE. I BOUGHT MY 1999 M COUPE USED IN 2000 WITH 5K MILES FOR 29K SOLD IT TWO YEARS LATER FOR THE SAME PRICE. BACK IN 1999 THEY WERE GIVING THEM AWAY; THEY WOULD SIT ON THE LOT FOR MONTHS. NOW THAT IT IS RARE RESALE HAS GONE UP + NOT TO MANY MADE SO DEMAND WILL STAY HIGH

I HAVE A 2007 M COUPE I BOUGHT WITH 44MILES NEW LOADED FOR 43K IN FEB 08 I LOVE THIS CAR. FIRST THE PRICE ON THEM IS LOW FOR AN M CAR UNDER A BMW WARRENTEE. THE BEST BARGAIN AT THIS TIME ONLY 1600 IN THE US. THIS CAR WILL INCREASE IN VALUE IN 3 YEARS. SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY 1999 M COUPE.

PROS:
E46 M IT HAS BACK SEAT, GOOD FOR d&d STILL HAS A GOOD RESALE VALUE, MANY GOOD ONES AVALIABLE, FUN CAR. I LIKE IT MUCH BETTER THAN THE NEW M3 HAD ONE ON ORDER AFTER DRIVING WALKED FROM DEAL.

M COUPE 2001 2002; RARE CAR I WOULD KEEP IT STOCK FUN CLEAN CAR WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HIGH DEMAND HIGH $$$$ I THINK LESS THAN 300 MADE

Z4M COUPE MUCH BETTER FRAME/CHAS & SUSP THAN THE Z3. STILL RARE GOOD PRICE BEST TIME TO BUY IS NOW DEMAND IS LOW BEST BANG FOR$$$$ i THINK PRICING WILL LEVEL OUT. ITS NOT BETTER THAN THE Z3 M COUPE JUST MORE MODERN & DIFFERENT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS THICK & THE BEST OF ANY M CAR. RADIO THX IS GOOD NOT SURE IF ITS ANY BETER THAN THE Z3 M COUPE. A BOOM BOX IS BETTER THAN THE Z3 M ROADSTER THAT RADIO SUCKED

CONS:

E46M: CAR IS GETTING OLD CAN BE EXSPENSIVE TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD IF YOU DONTT KNOW HOW TO WORK ON IT. THE RADIO HK SYSTEM IS NOT GOOD BSM CAN FIX $$$/ TO MANY ON THE ROAD/ I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH MY CARS BUT I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD HIS VANOS GEAR GO OUT AT 27K MILES AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR IT COST$$$ TO FIX.

Z3M COUPE: 2001 2002 I THOUGHT EARLY S54 MOTORS HAD ISSUES WITH THE LOWER BEARINGS AND OIL STARVATION. BMW ONLY HAD A RECAL ON THE M3 NOT THE Z3. AFTER THE FIX THEY EXSTENDED THE WARRENTEE ON THE CAR TO 6 YR 100K MILES. THE M COUPE SAME ENGINE THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS RED LINE AND IT WAS NEVER ADDED TO THE RECALL WTF BACK IN THE DAY MANY OWNERS WERE COMPLEXED AND NOT HAPPY. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE Z3 M S54 & THEY STILL LOVE THE CAR AND HAVE HAD NO ISSUES.

Z4M GREAT PRICE BEST TIME TO BUY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRENTEE.
NO GARRENTTEE I THINK THE VALUE WILL LEVEL OUT I LIKE THE THX RADIO FREE MAINT & TRUST BMW FIXED ANY ISSUES WITH THE S54 SINCE IT***8217;S A 2007 YOU NEVER KNOW


I CURRENTLY OWNE THE Z4M COUPE THE LAST TRUE M CAR THEY MAKE
YOU GET THAT ROUGH FEELING IN A WITH THE BMW QULITY
ALL THE NEW M CARS HAVE TO MUCH ELECTRONIC BS + M BRAND LEFT THE HERITAGE OF THE INLINE 6 AT THIS TIME THIS IS THE M CAR WITH A INLINE 6
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THE M CARS. I ENJOYED THEM ALL GOOD LUCK

[Let's Go!]

all I can say is Oh. My. God. It's simply awesome.

That pretty much nails it. I bought my 01 in 04 to drive for a year and then resell. Hasn't happened yet.

The stereo amp and speakers are simply awful. It doesn't matter at first because you'll be listening to the wonderful sound of the car. You'll find it's easy to upgrade the speakers and amp.

Do a search on the subframe cracking issue some have had.