Z4MC or M3 e46 and Z4C

[InterlagosZ4MR]

Well, the e46 m3 is a much better drivers car. Just look at all the reviews of each. No one has really claimed - ever - that the Z is a good drivers car. Brutal, maybe. Fun, perhaps. So I’d definitely go M3 if you want a drivers car. Or a cayman. The reason I have a Z4M is that you can take the roof off - if I couldn’t take the roof off I’d have no interest in it as there are plenty of cars better looking and better to drive.

[Bottom]

I've had an M3 E46. I've got a Z4MR.

It depends a lot on your personal circumstances. The M3 is a lot more practical than a Z4, decent sized boot, room for 4 adults, 5 at a squeeze. The M3 is a better long distance cruiser as it's a bit more civilised and quieter.

I don't need the practicality now, I've got other cars for that, so I prefer the "fun" aspect of the Z4, albeit with the suspension properly upgraded with aftermarket parts, so as I said, it depends on your personal needs/wants.

[shuey]

Thing is I wanted an m3 since forever, but sitting behind the wheel just didn’t feel special to me, having been used to driving two seaters a lot (love that hunkered enclosed feel of a proper coupe), Of course the m3 drives superb and love how it looks on CSL rims but sitting in a z4c feels so much more special, despite then lack of power.

So yeh I love m3s and also the price compared to a z4mc, but the z4 coupes just look soo good and a hell of a lot rarer. Anyway the more I think about it, I think the z4 m coupe is the way to go for me even if it means spending a good 5-10k more for a decent specimen.

[ph001]

I currently have a manual E46 M3 (45k miles) and a Z4 so can speak from experience. The M3 is the better handling more compliant car for sure and in E46 format with the oem resonator box it sounds just epic compared to the Z4M imho. I've had the M3 for 10 years and have to say it has been amazingly reliable.

For me it wouldn't make sense getting two coupes though, which is why I went for the E85 Z4 to give me options of the lid down action on those fine sunny weekends. I do find the Z4 more of an event to drive to be honest but it's not a complete a package as the M3. If a roadster is defo not your thing I would just go for a Z4MC and be done as there will be less issues with it.

At such low mileage the M3 has become a bit of a garage queen now, such is the rate of appreciation in value for mint manual facelift cars.

[MrPT]

This just in, folks - BMW Is Tired Of Your s**t

As if to preempt critics who say the all-new 2019 BMW 3 Series won’t be as good as the old BMW, development chief Klaus Frohlich gave a surprisingly and unusually candid interview to Australia’s Motoring at the recent Paris Motor Show in which he said, emphasis mine:

“It has to beat everybody in the segment in driving dynamics because all the Australian, UK and American journalists say ‘ooh the E46 CSL was the last real 3 Series’,” Frohlich told motoring.com.au. “I do not want to hear that s**t anymore.”

Better be good then. The new 5 is good, the G29 Z4 feels like it is going to be pretty good (in the handling department) too. Maybe this really will be a new era of The Ultimate Driving Machine?

Back on topic (ish), I like this comparison, because although there are so many setup differences between the cars, you still get a feel for their fundamental nature when he absolutely spanks them on track.

[shuey]

dilemma dilemma!, yeh for sure I've driven an M3 e46 before, be it an SMG, loved the sound and also the looks... but the Z4MC looks like nothing out there. I think the clip has split me even more now... yes if I wanted a faster car point to point - e46 M3 all the way... but Z4MC feels like more of a challenge - not just a car to own and drive quickly - but to learn it, maybe add some suspensions tweaks to the front for it to turn in better maybe... I dunno.

The other issue I'd say is M3 e46 maybe start rusting a lot quicker on the wings?
And as the video points out Z4M feels more well put together, even if it may not be the better driving experience...

So head says get e46 M3, and keep my current z4C (best of both worlds), but then heart says Z4M...

Ok decision is, buy Z4MC - and then rob a bank, and then buy M3 e46 CSL.

[hopz121]

dilemma dilemma!, yeh for sure I've driven an M3 e46 before, be it an SMG, loved the sound and also the looks... but the Z4MC looks like nothing out there. I think the clip has split me even more now... yes if I was a faster car point to point - e46 M3 all the way... but Z4MC feels like more of a challenge - not just a car to own and drive quickly - but to learn it, maybe add some suspensions tweaks to the front for it to turn in better maybe... I dunno.

The other issue I'd say is M3 e46 maybe start rusting a lot quicker on the wings?
And as the video points out Z4M feels more well put together, even if it may not be the better driving experience...

So head says get e46 M3, and keep my current z4C (best of both worlds), but then heart says Z4M...

Ok decision is, buy Z4MC - and then rob a bank, and then buy M3 e46 CSL.

E46's do seem to have a rust issue unfortunately where as the Z4M's don't seem to have that problem yet.

[goon]

I would take a really tidy m3 and a decent z4 3.0 roadster.

[shuey]

yeh unfortunately I've never been into open tops, and the ones I do like, usually means I have to have a few mill lying around.
AC Cobra, F50, or Carrera GT, or BMW 507

[Mr Tidy]

Ok decision is, buy Z4MC - and then rob a bank, and then buy M3 e46 CSL.

Great plan - man maths at it's best!

[buzyg]

This just in, folks - BMW Is Tired Of Your s**t

As if to preempt critics who say the all-new 2019 BMW 3 Series won’t be as good as the old BMW, development chief Klaus Frohlich gave a surprisingly and unusually candid interview to Australia’s Motoring at the recent Paris Motor Show in which he said, emphasis mine:

“It has to beat everybody in the segment in driving dynamics because all the Australian, UK and American journalists say ‘ooh the E46 CSL was the last real 3 Series’,” Frohlich told motoring.com.au. “I do not want to hear that s**t anymore.”

Better be good then. The new 5 is good, the G29 Z4 feels like it is going to be pretty good (in the handling department) too. Maybe this really will be a new era of The Ultimate Driving Machine?

Back on topic (ish), I like this comparison, because although there are so many setup differences between the cars, you still get a feel for their fundamental nature when he absolutely spanks them on track.

May be so, but a moded old school Nissan 200sx would spank em both.
Fun video, had to laugh when the MC span off.

[Mr Tidy]

May be so, but a moded old school Nissan 200sx would spank em both.

Maybe, but a supercharged Z4M or M3 would probably spank a moded 200SX.

As would a modded Supra, Skyline or Sierra Cosworth - or an RX-7 with a turbo. Surely you need to compare on a like for like basis?

[shuey]

the sad thing is a standard Tesla S P100D would whip everything out there... what is the world coming to!

[Silverzedtom]

Interesting thread... I’d go for the z4mc

If it was a minter e46m and a cheap e85 I might have voted differently.

[buzyg]

May be so, but a moded old school Nissan 200sx would spank em both.

Maybe, but a supercharged Z4M or M3 would probably spank a moded 200SX.

As would a modded Supra, Skyline or Sierra Cosworth - or an RX-7 with a turbo. Surely you need to compare on a like for like basis?