Anyone want to swap a clean E46 M3 for Z4M/Z4M C

[VvrooomM]

9k for a pre face lift, pre vanos issue car. Nice if u can get it, but if hark only got 13 or under for a MR and an 07 plate if memory serves it just doesn't add up to me!?

I assume you mean POST VANOS issue

The VANOS 'issue' is still around - even on the latest S54 in the Z4M. But it's significantly reduced to what it had been as most of the causes have been rectified in later versions.

would ity not need to read 'not post vanos'??

 

[sharkman07]

9k for a pre face lift, pre vanos issue car. Nice if u can get it, but if hark only got 13 or under for a MR and an 07 plate if memory serves it just doesn't add up to me!?

I assume you mean POST VANOS issue

The VANOS 'issue' is still around - even on the latest S54 in the Z4M. But it's significantly reduced to what it had been as most of the causes have been rectified in later versions.

Yes the Vanos issue was a lot worse on M5's but you are right it affects a lot of S54 engines. One of the things that I had very carefully checked on the M3 when I was buying it. My vanos is pretty quiet, no chatter, but some of the M3's I looked at were very loud and it was very obvious. I think that is one area where sticking to the silly factory service intervals causes problems. For the cost of a few litres of Castrol, it's well worth changing the oil every 6000 miles. All the S54 engined cars I have seen with Vanos issues did not have interim oil services and factory indicators are 15,000 miles between changes which is a loooooong time between oil changes on a high performance car. I would recommend anyone with an S54 engined car to do at least one interim oil change between the service indicators. A little bit of money spent in the short term can save a lot of money in the long term, which is pretty much the approach I have always taken with any of my cars.

 

[VvrooomM]

liking the cheeky shot of mileage with 30+ mpg, if real that makes it worth a few quid more, get them pipes polished too!!

 

[sharkman07]

liking the cheeky shot of mileage with 30+ mpg, if real that makes it worth a few quid more, get them pipes polished too!!

It is real mate!

26mpg around town, 34mpg motorway. I would hope ZM's are similar or better being slightly lighter. I think a smooth running engine should always do such numbers, the first sign of an engine not running properly is usually a dive in fuel consumption.

But when I press the Sport button it can go down to 18mpg..

Will get the Zaino out on the pipes, I did polish them but I drive the car a lot at weekends which dirtied them up again

 

[VvrooomM]

34+ in your dreams in a Z4MC in my experience, averages 10% less than my E46 M3, both running on 19's.

Think mine shows 22.4 around town and M3 did 24.6 ish if memory serves

 

[markos]

OP might be going off the dash readings rather than doing the maths to get 34mpg?

I had a convertible E46 M3 before buying the Z4MC: the Z4MC is better by around 3mpg according to my app on the iPhone – I stick in the miles and litres with every visit to the pumps. A vert M3 will be heavier than a coupe though so will be slightly worse on fuel.

There are many more dodgy M3s out there than MR/MCs, I think they attract different people. :|

Any spec to shout about on your M3 sharkman?

Best of luck with the sale of it, when I sold mine in Feb this year there were 450 E46 M3s for sale on Pistonheads I tried selling it for what I thought it was worth (according to other cars for sale) late Dec 2010 but only got stupid callers (wot iz ur best price boss?). In the end I priced it quite keenly late Jan 2011 for almost £1k less than before and thankfully it sold in less than 24 hours.

 

[dgm]

Your car's nice and probably not too badly priced for an M3 with that mileage. There are, however, a couple of points I'd take issue with.

What common issues with the VANOS in the S54 in it's M3 and Z4M guise? It's very rare for the VANOS on these cars to give problems unlike the E36 M3 which did suffer. The chatter you heard on other M3's is more likely to be the lack of valve clearance adjustment during servicing than anything to do with VANOS issues. The only major issue I know of in pre facelift cars was the weakness in the shell bearings which was rectified from June 03 onwards. That said it's unlikely that there are many, if any, pre facelifts that haven't had this problem rectified under the recall that was undertaken and it wouldn't put me off your car.

Conti's M3's as a selling point? These are amongst the worst tyres I've ever used and are an ancient design. The E46 M3 was supplied from new with many different tyres, Michelin, Bridgestone etc as well as the Conti which got plenty of bad press in the forums I frequented when the E46 was first launched. In 2011 you should look for something better IMO.

Your fuel consumption figures are wildly optimistic, I've driven an M3 and now a Z4M for the last 7 years and driving the vehicle in the most sympathetic manner possible will not bring you to the figures you quote. Your target audience on here are currently driving with the same engine and know the MPG figures.

Sorry to be critical but you did offer your views. Good luck with your sale/swap.

 

[inkey$]

Beautiful M3 and rare to find one in such fine fettle. Good luck with the search Sharkman

 

[sharkman07]

Your car's nice and probably not too badly priced for an M3 with that mileage. There are, however, a couple of points I'd take issue with.

What common issues with the VANOS in the S54 in it's M3 and Z4M guise? It's very rare for the VANOS on these cars to give problems unlike the E36 M3 which did suffer. The chatter you heard on other M3's is more likely to be the lack of valve clearance adjustment during servicing than anything to do with VANOS issues. The only major issue I know of in pre facelift cars was the weakness in the shell bearings which was rectified from June 03 onwards. That said it's unlikely that there are many, if any, pre facelifts that haven't had this problem rectified under the recall that was undertaken and it wouldn't put me off your car.

Conti's M3's as a selling point? These are amongst the worst tyres I've ever used and are an ancient design. The E46 M3 was supplied from new with many different tyres, Michelin, Bridgestone etc as well as the Conti which got plenty of bad press in the forums I frequented when the E46 was first launched. In 2011 you should look for something better IMO.

Your fuel consumption figures are wildly optimistic, I've driven an M3 and now a Z4M for the last 7 years and driving the vehicle in the most sympathetic manner possible will not bring you to the figures you quote. Your target audience on here are currently driving with the same engine and know the MPG figures.

Sorry to be critical but you did offer your views. Good luck with your sale/swap.

No problem and no offence taken mate. In my job it takes a great deal to upset me, trust me! Again, I am very relaxed about this. I have £5k in my pocket. If it gets me into a Z4M then great, if not happy to stay with the M3. I definitely dont feel like there is a gun to my head and I have to change. I have a good car which I really enjoy driving (it's my weekend car, use the tube in the week). People who know how good my car is and have driven it have suggested I dont need to spend more money for what is ultimately similar performance, especially in the present economic times.

Point taken about Vanos. My car is noticably quieter and smoother than at least three other M3's I tried. I assumed it was the Vanos.

Four matching tyres that were bought new I do consider to be a selling point Reason being, again I saw a number of M3's with used tyres, mix and match, unknown brands, all sorts! I guess it goes back to the point about there being many more 'bad' M3's out there than good ones. At the price point, many people dont maintain them properly and that includes putting cheap tyres on. Personally the Contis are fine, I'm happy with both wet and dry grip and the ride is fine too (though would be better on 18's than my present 19's I'm sure). I saw one M3 that had four tyres of different brands. And I had only heard of one of them! If I end up keeping the car what brand would you recommend? I always tend to stick with factory recommendations on tyres.

Because I only use the car at weekends a tank can last me for three weeks sometimes. My last tank went 320 miles and that was up to the point the reserve light came on. I guess it's 60 litres or so (off the top of my head, have to check exactly) which I think is about 25mpg. When I have used the car on the motorway I've had better figures, so while yes I guess the onboard readout is wrong, it shouldnt be more than 10% out. I only run the car on V-Power which is expensive but I think makes the car run smoother and gives me better economy.

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[tomscott]

Well I've had my Z4M a month now. I have averaged 26.6 over the first 1100 miles and have had 34+ on long journeys. Have to say my experience has been very similar. Most of my driving is around town but have done a fair bit of motorway driving. My figures are backed up by working out my milage.

My dad also had an E46 M3 showing similar figures, an E92 M3 which did slightly less and now a Porsche CS which is better than my Z4M we saw 36.8 on a run from Carlisle to London and back. Even if you say its 10% out its still very good.

 

[markos]

Work out your mpg over the course of a full tank and let us know what you get tomscott.

 

[tomscott]

I have. First week I did Carlisle to Newcastle and Carlisle to Chester and back my calculations revealed 32mpg, computer was saying 33.6. Got 360 miles out of the tank, using Shell V Power As long as you don't rag the arse off it all the time it is quite frugal.

BTW I also agree with your tyres being a selling point. The car is only £9k and it will cost more than 10% of the cars value to replace a set, so they would definitely be on my list of things to look for. Also they may be old tyres but suitable for the car, regardless of peoples opinions and perceptions of the tyres themselves.

 

[dgm]

26mpg in genuine urban driving? I say that's not achievable. Also if you sit at 80 mph for hundreds of motorway miles then you'll probably experience in the region of 26 mpg.

 

[sharkman07]

I have. First week I did Carlisle to Newcastle and Carlisle to Chester and back my calculations revealed 32mpg, computer was saying 33.6. Got 360 miles out of the tank, using Shell V Power As long as you don't rag the arse off it all the time it is quite frugal.

BTW I also agree with your tyres being a selling point. The car is only £9k and it will cost more than 10% of the cars value to replace a set, so they would definitely be on my list of things to look for. Also they may be old tyres but suitable for the car, regardless of peoples opinions and perceptions of the tyres themselves.

Interesting debate but yes my 'real world' statistics also give me similar figures. I just checked the exact numbers and up to reserve the M3 has 63 litres. So my urban figure for one tank of 326 miles is 23.5mpg, dash display says 26mpg. I'll live with that. Maybe V-Power makes a difference?

 

[Beedub]

i manage 24mpg on a LONG run...... i find the s54 a great cruising motor, infact its probably the thing that keeps me with my z4..........
Shark i agree, i do interim oil changes and really go to town with valve checks every single service.....

 

[markos]

I doubted those figures, but here is me myself getting close to 34mpg!

It was on a run down to Folkestone and it was just 93 miles miles (probably 90 motorway miles, 3 in town) and I got 33.61mpg!

With just long runs and driving 70ish 33+mpg is possible it seems!

 

[tomscott]

Well like I said I have averaged 26.6 over the first 1100 miles which includes 600-800 motorway miles and the rest urban. If you are talking just round town then probably in the low teens. But just motorway miles I have seen 34mpg numerous times. It depends how heavy your foot is.

I reset my car MPG figures quite a lot leaving the consumption 2 to its own to see how im doing over the longer term (I know not strictly accurate but good enough) but resetting consumption 1 when I do longer journeys.

Although I love to give the M a good rag, im 23 and my licence is important and insurance is high enough so I stick to speed limits on the motorway as speed cameras are numerous up here in Cumbria and south west Scotland. When im on the motorway I like to just cruise, we have so many good country road and lake roads and that is where the hammer goes down, don't really see the need on the motorway hence my MPG figures. If your not getting close to this then slow it down. Just because its an M doesn't mean you have to drive it like an idiot.

 

[sharkman07]

Just to add to this I've done a few high performance driving courses and the one thing they teach you about car control is smoothness. A bit hard to describe but be smooth with your inputs and with the pedal movements and you will see a benefit at the pumps (and hopefully your car will last a lot longer). I never stamp on the pedals, always a very smooth 'blending' of throttle and brake, if that makes sense.

I've also had 25mpg out of a 997 in the past, which was also surprising to a few people.

 

[woozzle]

why would someone buying a z4m/m3/m5 worry if it did 22.6/24.2/25.3/26.3 or whatever mpg. i thought it was a performance car not a diesel family car. just fill it up and put your foot down and have some fun before we all end up driving around in poxy electric cars.....

 

[tomscott]

why would someone buying a z4m/m3/m5 worry if it did 22.6/24.2/25.3/26.3 or whatever mpg. i thought it was a performance car not a diesel family car. just fill it up and put your foot down and have some fun before we all end up driving around in poxy electric cars.....

True but at the same time it is my only car I like to look after it and not abuse it. Although it is a performance car it doesn't need to be driven hard all the time.

Just to add to this I've done a few high performance driving courses and the one thing they teach you about car control is smoothness. A bit hard to describe but be smooth with your inputs and with the pedal movements and you will see a benefit at the pumps (and hopefully your car will last a lot longer). I never stamp on the pedals, always a very smooth 'blending' of throttle and brake, if that makes sense.

I've also had 25mpg out of a 997 in the past, which was also surprising to a few people.

I couldn't agree more, and I drive in a very similar manner. My dads 997 CS does get a few more than that tho, hes around 28.8 on average at the moment, but he does mostly long runs.