Tell me why I should buy an E86 M
- Thread starter Pondy
- Start date
Z44Jon
Member
I love my Z, but part of the attraction is how cheap it is. I am biased as I have had a lot to do with them over the years through work, but if I wanted to spend 25K on a sportscar, I would be looking at Jaguar F Types, especially V8's although a V6 is a great alrounder too, Not a fan of the manuals though.
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Liverpool
Whilst I'd prefer a manual...I'd rather not 'ruin' the originality of a CSL to do a manual conversion and would rather convert a manual standard M3 to make a CSL-like instead.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.
But of the 2 automated manuals on offer, I preferred the SMG in the CSL over the DCT in the e9x...as the SMG seemed more consistent in choosing it's gears over the early e9x I had for a couple of weeks when my Z4MC was in for accident repair. But without trying multiples of each car I can't really say whether that's how they all are or just the cars I drove.
Although I know my mates CSL has had a few SMG software updates over the years...so address perceived deficiencies...so there may have been similar software updates to the DCT gearboxes too?
Agreed, would love a CSL they were around £20k at one point I think! 
I wasn’t going to go off track onto the SMG debate. But, I loved mine. Always got a bad rap, but it’s a manual gearbox with a hydraulic clutch. Best used in manual mode. If you learn how to use it properly and understand it, it is great. Sure it’s not lightening fast by modern standards but faster than shifting yourself on the faster settings. Those throttle blips when downshifting leaving your foot in Oh my god! Plus the shift up lights going up one by one then flashing. Bam! Amazing.
You couldn’t mis shift or under or over rev either. Plus I loved the little gearstick.
Perfect with the S54!
Buy an E86M
I wasn’t going to go off track onto the SMG debate. But, I loved mine. Always got a bad rap, but it’s a manual gearbox with a hydraulic clutch. Best used in manual mode. If you learn how to use it properly and understand it, it is great. Sure it’s not lightening fast by modern standards but faster than shifting yourself on the faster settings. Those throttle blips when downshifting leaving your foot in Oh my god! Plus the shift up lights going up one by one then flashing. Bam! Amazing.
You couldn’t mis shift or under or over rev either. Plus I loved the little gearstick.
Perfect with the S54!
Buy an E86M
I think it depends on your priorities. I have one and I like it because it is small, tactile, slightly awkward (in all respects other than ergonomics), and because it looks so different to everything else. I would say it is good looking car from the rear quarter position but a but meh from all others. The front is very awkward. If you wanted a car to pose in (probably not you have the Fauxrari) then I would say not at all. For something to attack roads at 6am (if you have such roads) and to give you something to try and master/control then yes. It’s also good at long trips but it is definitely the most tiring of all my cars by a factor of at least 2. But I accept this as it is such an event to pilot.
And £ per smiles it is really good (they are cheap). Even the servicing is okay (there is too much hand wringing on here about things that might go wrong and need to be replaced) when compared to Porsches etc. My worry would not be VANOS or big ends it’s random electrical problems with air bags etc. actually I am more worried about my E89 roof malfunctioning than the S54 going pop.
For the money, I think a sorted Z4M is just about as good as it gets, for all the reasons mentioned before.
However, if the running costs/maintenance/tax feels a bit rich for an occasional car, then the only other thing I can think of is the 370Z Nismo. My brother has one and it’s a cracking car.
It’s every bit as rare as the Z4M, similar performance and a similar ethos-big(ger) engine, 2 seats and desire to be given a good manhandling.
The benefit is it’s newer, cheaper to run and cheaper to tax. It feels every bit as well made as the Z4, probably better in all honesty and being a 370, there’s loads of aftermarket stuff available if that’s your thing.
However, if the running costs/maintenance/tax feels a bit rich for an occasional car, then the only other thing I can think of is the 370Z Nismo. My brother has one and it’s a cracking car.
It’s every bit as rare as the Z4M, similar performance and a similar ethos-big(ger) engine, 2 seats and desire to be given a good manhandling.
The benefit is it’s newer, cheaper to run and cheaper to tax. It feels every bit as well made as the Z4, probably better in all honesty and being a 370, there’s loads of aftermarket stuff available if that’s your thing.
Since you have a Z3, ill compare it to that, having had 3 in my own past stables. When your on it, the Z3 feels like a wet blanket going around a corner, you can feel the chassis twisting and bucking, the Z4, sticks to its line and throttle control is everything. (of course with all the interference crap turned off) there is no twisting and even though its not the fastest, it will make you work hard for the utter smiles youll have when you finish that run, its that rewarding. If your looking for a Sunday stroll car, this aint it.
If your looking for something track orientated, ill have this to add.
ive tracked mine previously pretty hard, and when iam out there trying to keep up with my mate in his 911 gt3 (no frikkin idea what all those stupid Porshe numbers are) , its really hard work, while he's sipping his gay late' around the corners, your there on the edge, and you'll know it. 3 laps and I get out of the car soaked, while my mate (classical music playing on his stereo, while he's out there) hasn't hardly elevated his heart rate. Your muscling this thing around the corner with she strength and will power. You will have a smile you can't remove for days to come, grinning like some insane maniac.
If your looking for something track orientated, ill have this to add.
ive tracked mine previously pretty hard, and when iam out there trying to keep up with my mate in his 911 gt3 (no frikkin idea what all those stupid Porshe numbers are) , its really hard work, while he's sipping his gay late' around the corners, your there on the edge, and you'll know it. 3 laps and I get out of the car soaked, while my mate (classical music playing on his stereo, while he's out there) hasn't hardly elevated his heart rate. Your muscling this thing around the corner with she strength and will power. You will have a smile you can't remove for days to come, grinning like some insane maniac.
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North West Surrey
As much as I prefer manual I wouldn't convert an original CSL either.
But CSL values are bonkers now, they just seem over-priced to me when a Z4M gets the same underpinnings many thousands cheaper, and if you really want a full carbon induction set up you can buy them from places like Geoff Steel Racing. Carbon roof panels are also available if you are desperate to lose a few kilos. Plus you aren't sitting in an E46 interior!
When I was looking to move on from my e34 M5, it was a choice between a 9,000 mile, 2006 Z4MC for £25k, or a 64,000 mile 2002 CSL for £30k.
The CSL would have meant spending more of my savings and not leaving much for all the trackdays & Ring trips I had planned, plus the insurance was 50% more.
My mate was looking at the same time, but his wasn’t going to be a daily driver, so spent a bit more and got a lower mileage example…and he’s done less miles in 17 years than I did in any year (or even my average over those 17 years). It’s now become too valuable to have any fun in it, so it stays tucked away.
I only ever buy a car to drive…and not kept just for the odd hoon or car show…my Polo G40, Corrado VR6, and both e34 M5s were daily drivers, and everything from the VR6 has been used for approx 10 track days a year and/or Ring trips (even the 2 Alfa 147 JTDs, e46 330D, F31 320D and F31 335D have done multiple Ring laps).
The CSL would have meant spending more of my savings and not leaving much for all the trackdays & Ring trips I had planned, plus the insurance was 50% more.
My mate was looking at the same time, but his wasn’t going to be a daily driver, so spent a bit more and got a lower mileage example…and he’s done less miles in 17 years than I did in any year (or even my average over those 17 years). It’s now become too valuable to have any fun in it, so it stays tucked away.
I only ever buy a car to drive…and not kept just for the odd hoon or car show…my Polo G40, Corrado VR6, and both e34 M5s were daily drivers, and everything from the VR6 has been used for approx 10 track days a year and/or Ring trips (even the 2 Alfa 147 JTDs, e46 330D, F31 320D and F31 335D have done multiple Ring laps).
Now THAT is a post!
Almost makes me want to buy one. Still having major issues with the looks. I like cars that are pretty and the E85/6 just aren't my eyes.
For a few more quid I could get a really good F82 M4 comp, in Sakhir Orange (yum), although it would have to be auto (as manuals are as rare as hens' teeth). I really liked my F33 440i. I know I am now comparing different types of car (and generations) and a 3 series coupe is not the same animal as an E86
I don't. I am completely the opposite these days. I want cars as a 'hobby'. I do very little mileage nowadays but have always loved cars (and bikes). I now have the money I never had before and am a 'wannabe' car collector. Space is a problem and I am not a millionaire, though!
similar position to OP i had just sold my gt3 and had cash to burn but limited myself to 25k. front runner was a 1.8l exige but after having had a ride in it etc it was too raw for me and i missed the german fit/finish and engine note so on the recommendation of a bmw mechanic mate i looked into the z4mc and bought one almost immediately after a 4 hour round trip one sunday morning
as has been said go drive it and see if its for you. i think it looks crap front the front but epic from the ass but i find the drive and the sound more than make up for the ugly face
as has been said go drive it and see if its for you. i think it looks crap front the front but epic from the ass but i find the drive and the sound more than make up for the ugly face
Rather than joining the throng selling you the Z4MC, I was going to post that you should consider an Exige, Pondy. If you’re flexible enough to get in and out, it’s a perfect car for your needs - sublime to drive, fantastic looking, and easy to dismantle and reassemble. There’s huge scope for modifications to suit your purpose and most are easy for the home mechanic. Mine bears little resemblance to the car I bought three years ago.
To answer RC1’s comment, I have an aftermarket exhaust including headers and it sounds like a super bike above 6.5k revs. It’s far too loud but it gives the S54 a run for its money in terms of aural excitement.
I stripped the interior of mine and replaced all the cheap plastic panels with carbon fibre. The two panels I couldn’t find I’ve painted Magnetic Blue and lacquered to match the exterior. Now the interior is entirely exposed aluminium, carbon fibre or body coloured. I can’t hear any rattles, so I presume there are none!
My original plan was to buy a V6 Exige, but Covid-related state border closures prevented me on two separate occasions, and then the market in Aus dried up. I bought an 4 cylinder as a stopgap whilst waiting for the market to stabilise again, but now I don’t think I’d sell it (well, perhaps for a GT3 RS).
By the seaside...
No roof = no good (for me). I don't want another convertible.