Tell me why I should buy an E86 M

Pondy

Pondy

Muppet
 At the summit of the picturesque fens
I have been looking at buying a 'modern classic' car again and am struggling to find anything that floats my boat. I want to spend a maximum of £25k. I have two modern cars and the Fauxrrari in the garage, but that is not suitable for anything other than a fine Summer's-day 'pose' in reality.

So I started thinking about the E86 M. I will admit I am not in love with the looks, but as a fun 'toy' it could tick the boxes. I do like a manual and have never experienced a BMW 'S' engine. Also I have the added advantage of knowing this forum like the back of my hand and knowing help is only a message away!

So what is so good about an E86M? Sell them to me!
 
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bigwinn said:
F*ck me did he’ll just freeze over?
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As I said, I don't love the looks but there ain't a lot to choose from for £20k odd which could be considered 'fun', sporty (not a sportscar though!! ;)) and potentially could be considered as a 'modern classic'.
 
I think they are one of THE best looking cars ever, especially in M form with THAT engine. Go for it.
That budget will get you one of the best too.
 
Pondrew said:
I have been looking at buying a 'modern classic' car again and am struggling to find anything that floats my boat. I want to spend a maximum of £25k. I have two modern cars and the Fauxrrari in the garage, but that is not suitable for anything other than a fine Summer's-day 'pose' in reality.

So I started thinking about the E86 M. I will admit I am not in love with the looks, but as a fun 'toy' it could tick the boxes. I do like a manual and have never experienced a BMW 'S' engine. Also I have the added advantage of knowing this forum like the back of my hand and knowing help is only a message away!

So what is so good about an E86M? Sell them to me!
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Based on me and my experience.

Why
Best of the best from a Zed perspective
Despite what you say they look fantastic
You won't see another one on the road
The S54 engine note
Driving experience - every trip is an event

Why Not
Driver ability - are you good enough
Rod bearings - will they fail
The S54 engine note - overpowers standard exhaust note
The ride - most passenger's will hate it
MPG
Annual road tax - £760 and climbing
Speeding tickets - you will get one

Of all the Zed's I've owned the Z4MC is the one I regret selling but in reality the 23i I own now is much better suited to how I use the car and my driving abilities.

So when I come across one in the classifieds I just remind myself that I have no desire to track the car and at best would only utilise a small % of it's capabilities on the UK road network.

All very sensible but in all honesty if I had a spare £20k lying around it would be the first thing I spent it on - if money's no object and you like to drive for the sake of driving you'd be hard pressed to find something more appropriate.
 
RMB said:
I think they are one of THE best looking cars ever, especially in M form with THAT engine. Go for it.
That budget will get you one of the best too.
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OK, thanks. But looks aside.....what is so good about them?
 
I thought I’d be ‘happy’ with my long list of non M e85/6s. The mantra of the 3.0si being 80% of the M is fairly accurate.

However

I can’t believe it took me so long to acquire one and pound for pound I would recommend it all day long. Mine being an e85 I have the luxury of dropping the roof which is the whole point of a z4 I wouldn’t change it for anything else

Road tax is bonkers
Rod bearings cost £1000+
M tax on parts is a joke

But I love it. Take my money

You are always welcome over here to drive the M and the 3.0si coupe I currently have as long as you bring the fauxrarri
 
It’s all about the engine, the S54 truly is something else. The linear power delivery, the revs, that noise, the response, that noise. Goosebumps.
I just sold my m240 and the B58 really is incredible but just didn’t make enough noise, I couldn’t hear the engine note enough.
No such issues with the S54, I loved mine (in my E46 M3) and should never have sold it.
Compact cars too so very useable on our roads.
Simple to use without all the modern faff and modes and settings.
 
Having had both I agree with Stuart when he says the 3.0Si is 80% of the M, but the Si now seems to cost much more than 50% of the price. But that extra 20% is just so special, albeit at quite a price like the Road Tax, Inspection Services, rod bearings, front brake prices (they're E46 M3 CSL parts), etc. And some M specific parts are getting hard to find.

I'd definitely take Stuart up on his offer because you just have to experience the S54 to fully appreciate it. Peak power at 7,900rpm just before the 8K redline, and they sound epic once they start to really take off above about 5K. :D

I ran my Si Coupes for over 5 years but 6 years since I got my M it still just feels so special every time I use it that I don't worry about the running costs!

And with only 592 M Coupes ever coming to the UK I like the rarity factor. You can avoid some of the big costs by buying one that has good brakes, has recently had new bearing shells and an Inspection Service.

You'd also be allowed to go to Zedfest!
 
Mr Tidy said:
Having had both I agree with Stuart when he says the 3.0Si is 80% of the M, but the Si now seems to cost much more than 50% of the price. But that extra 20% is just so special, albeit at quite a price like the Road Tax, Inspection Services, rod bearings, front brake prices (they're E46 M3 CSL parts), etc. And some M specific parts are getting hard to find.

I'd definitely take Stuart up on his offer because you just have to experience the S54 to fully appreciate it. Peak power at 7,900rpm just before the 8K redline, and they sound epic once they start to really take off above about 5K. :D

I ran my Si Coupes for over 5 years but 6 years since I got my M it still just feels so special every time I use it that I don't worry about the running costs!

And with only 592 M Coupes ever coming to the UK I like the rarity factor. You can avoid some of the big costs by buying one that has good brakes, has recently had new bearing shells and an Inspection Service.

You'd also be allowed to go to Zedfest!
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Bang on. That’s it.

It feels special.
 
Over the 17 years I’ve had the car, I’ve had fewer (i.e. 1 in 155,000 miles) speeding tickets in the Z4MC than I have had in a Jaguar XJ40, Alfa 147, 320D 330D, 335D (i.e. 3 in 50,000 miles).

I simply put that down to the other cars being quieter/softer and quite competent at hiding the speed creeping up, as you’re removed from the driving experience somewhat…and don’t have to hang on for dear life ;)

The Z4MC requires more concentration, especially on OE tyres & suspension, and more than 30 mins of stop-start city traffic can become tiring. But when you want to be on it, or take the longer/twistier way home, I wouldn’t want to be in anything else - except maybe an M3 CSL, but then I’d be worrying about reducing its value by driving it.

Yes, the 320/330/335 petrol/diesels make the better daily driver, but there’s no occasion about them, they’re just ‘white goods’.
 
I'd never want to be in an M3 CSL with that dreadful SMG gearbox!

And I got my first points in 49 years for speeding in May in my MC on the M6 in Cumbria. :cry:
 
Mr Tidy said:
I'd never want to be in an M3 CSL with that dreadful SMG gearbox!

And I got my first points in 49 years for speeding in May in my MC on the M6 in Cumbria. :cry:
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Oh dear oh dear Mr Tidy….as a mod you’re supposed to set an example…tut tut..🫵

So you’re shite at bollocking folk, you speed, maybe time to consider your position on here…🧐😬
 
An M…yes Pondy, but a roadster, roof options, better looking, less harsh but then you’ll be binning the crap standard suspension anyway, wind in what’s left of your hair is priceless…👌
 
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john-e89 said:
Oh dear oh dear Mr Tidy….as a mod you’re supposed to set an example…tut tut..🫵

So you’re shite at bollocking folk, you speed, maybe time to consider your position on here…🧐😬
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I am setting an example though.

Dawdling in a Z4 isn't encouraged but tolerance of the gobby increases the entertainment factor! 😜
 
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