Coupe ownership.......is this normal????

[TOMGREEN413]

Okay folks I'm about 8 months into my "bucket list "ownership of the classic and stunningly beautiful e86 Coupe, mine being in Montego Blue :sweetheart: and whilst my Coupe been around the block a few times which copious owners, over 100k on the clock and now into its 16th year plus being probably the cheapest sports/gt car I've ever owned............its really surprised me how with each passing drive or polish I find myself enjoying this car moe and more. Sadly today was my last drive till the spring as she's being SORN and my OCD for detailing together with my fear of the dreaded winter salt will give me a chance to make some more improvements, seat restoration for the interior and a few mechanical things like replacing the disa units, coil packs and plugs as part of my general ongoing non essential improvements.
But my main question to fellow Coupe members is this......did you also by your Coupe with the intention of just keeping it for a year or two only to find it got under your skin so much that you decided to keep it?
I've been fortunate enough to have owned quite a number of impressive sports and super cars over the years and the e86 is definitely one of my favourite cars to date and as bizarre as it may seem reminds me very much of the Lotus Elise 111S in as much as I feel so at one and connected when driving briskly around the lanes here in Wales..........in conclusion, the E86 in my opinion is a fabulous drivers car and with prices so low compared to anything similar, an absolute bargain ........................(but I must confess I dream of a Z4M Coupe but for now I'll have to dream)

 

[Barty]

Sounds incredibly familiar! I never usually owned cars for long; 6-12 months tops. Then I’d get the itch for something new. While I still get that inkling, I don’t see myself getting rid of the coupe when doing so! It’s a stunning car to look at, incredibly fun to drive and not overly sensitive or expensive to run. It’s special alright

 

[Mr Tidy]

I bought my first E86 in 2014 with every intention of keeping it, until I got a painful bill for a new water pump.

So I stupidly agreed to sell it in 2016, but after a "final fling" drive I realised I'd miss it so 2 days after it went I collected my second one that was also a keeper.

Well until I went to look at an MC for another forum member in 2019 and the trader gave me the keys and said he'd see me in a while!

I didn't want that doom black everywhere but I fell in love with the S54 engine and found my current MC a few months later that really is a keeper. :lol:

The M was an itch I just had to scratch - but don't drive one if you are undecided because if you do you'll want one!

 

[True-Blue]

Party pooper alert…. Not for me, no.

I enjoyed driving my Montego E86 up to a point, but I enjoyed looking at it more.

The cabin is dark and claustrophobic, and putting the windows down (or aircon on Mr Tidy) is not the same as being at one with the outside world and having the roof down. You can potter about in an E85 on a sunny day (doesn’t need to be particularly warm with heated seats) and enjoy it without needing to open the throttle or risking a speeding fine… never had that feeling in the E86.

If I had the space I’d probably have one alongside the E85, as I do genuinely love the lines, but with garage space for only one toy it’s E85 hands down for me.

I want to feel the wind in my hair while I’ve still got some

 

[Coupe_Dave]

I too am normally a changer, 40 cars in 40 years, I usually start to find excuses why i have to sell a car and then buy X car to replace it. The Z was probably the last on my list i’ve always wanted and I thought was going to be the keeper. But I started to find excuses again after nearly 2 years but then I mentioned my thoughts to 2 other Z owners and they both said how mad i would be to get rid of the car, rising prices, the condition of the car despite 112k miles. I do love driving the car and there are little projects to do to keep me interested. I am for the first time thinking of sorning the car as we don’t really need 2 cars during the winter and it may be good for the car in the long run to preserve it.

As for an 86 or an 85, i too love the wind in my hair, but sadly the sun turns me to a crisp in 5 mins and so i end up putting a cap on my head and so i don’t have the wind in my hair anymore :roll:
And I love the lines of the 86 from the very first moment i saw one

 

[Meds]

Just looking at the Coupe is enough to keep it, even if it breaks down, costs money or other things getting in the way.
BMW have never repeated the design up until recently when they released pictures of that new GT Coupe.
I'm hoping mine is a keeper, unless circumstances change dramatically, it should be.

 

[Beedub]

lovely car!! i get the love completely! ..... also fellas, its 18 degrees today weve got months of driving left before the salt lands!

 

[Pondrew]

its 18 degrees today weve got months of driving left before the salt lands!

See....global warming has it's upside!

 

[buzyg]

Change it for a Z4 roadster and enjoy the whole driving experience.

 

[Coupe_Dave]

Change it for a Z4 roadster and enjoy the whole driving experience.

I quite like being couped up

 

[buzyg]

Change it for a Z4 roadster and enjoy the whole driving experience.

I quite like being couped up

A fine pillar box of the community. :wink:

 

[Barty]

[ref]True-Blue[/ref], I totally get your drift. While I don’t experience it as claustrophobic (more sort of cocooned), I do understand the love for an open top. Ever since I drove Max’s roadster a part of my mind has been nagging me to get one. Who knows, one day

 

[tomscott]

I bought my Z4M coupe back in 2011 when I was 21, my first proper sports car and a bit of a present to myself for finishing Uni. I regrettably sold it to go traveling after 3 years and 20k. Then had a couple of Porsches in-between and came back and bought a Z4MR.

They certainly get under your skin. There isnt much with this calibre anywhere near the value for money.

Back when I got mine it was the financial crash and it had 46k on it with a 2 year BMW warranty and I paid £18k for it. Serious serious bargain.

Only negative is the increased in cost for the M, the 3.0SI offers 80% for about 50% the cost to run. They are incredible tho getting a bit more difficult to justify considering the lack of appreciation unlike other M cars in the same class. This year the tax was £695 and my insurance in Manchester was about £600 then I had my exhaust restored with all original bolts, mounts dampeners etc and just a standard oil/brakefluid service and that was £600 so nearly £2k just to have it on the road not including fueling it. Spent £1000 a year on issues and servicing over the 4 years ive had it.

I did find my M coupe a bit claustrophobic but mine was an all black interior, if you have a brighter combo it helps. I also got headaches on long journeys in my coupe for the first 2-3 months even with the standard exhaust I found it droned quite a lot. It's something I did get used to tho, apart from the exhaust the experience in the cabin was a bit non event, the engine up front is really quiet. I work as a photographer and it wasn't until I was in the boot of the follow car while photographing my Z4M driving toward me that that I learned how loud the induction noise was. I had no idea because you don't get much of it in the cabin. Probably because your ears are over the rear axel and you get more exhaust.

BMW Z4M Coupe, Silver Grey, CSL wheels by Tom Scott, on Flickr

The roadster isnt as good to drive, it doesn't feel as sharp and the quicker rack and stiffness in the coupe are the main contributors but I wouldn't call it night and day they are very similar. The coupe also looks so much better imo but the roadster is a better aural and visual experience. The noise with the roof down of the exhaust and induction is really quite intoxicating so I don't really miss my coupe apart from the way it looked, seriously one of the best designs BMW have ever made. Peoples reactions to it were great too, constant thumbs up, interaction at meets. The roadster does blend in a little more, saying that mine is a 1-4 combo which is quite rare so have enjoyed taking it to meets etc they are all rare and people tend to be pretty interested!

Having been one of the few people to have gone coupe to roady.... I went that way because I had a Boxster really didnt like the car but realised I preferred the top down. It was my first convertible and previously thought they were hair dressers cars (insert usual negative comment on convertibles) then got a Carrera 4S convertible and loved it but it was pretty lardy on the road not much fun to drive quickly but a great cruiser and sounded epic with the sports exhaust, I then bought a Z4MR ran them both through the pandemic then with the prices soaring sold the 911 making a few £ to put into the M.

It is funny as I used to be a bit like MrTidy with my comments like the coupe is the be all and end all and I wouldn't consider anything else, but I hadn't experience the roadster and I was completely wrong and happy to admit that 15 years later. In fact when I had my coupe I went as far to say that I really disliked it and wish I had experienced it a bit earlier.

When you experience the roady the positives of the coupe kind of drift away. Unless you are seriously driving it hard all the time which I don't, its enthusiastically driven and I go to a lot of meets and have a holiday home in the lakes so spends a lot of time on the motorway driving to good roads.

Considering the roadies with similar milage are literally about 2/3rds the cost im surprised people don't see them as even more of a no brainer.

Horses for courses, both have pros and cons and neither are perfect at all. The coupes certainly seem to suit the UK weather but most vert owners seem to be pretty hard core with the roof down at every opportunity.

Lucky to have experienced owning both. The more cars the better

BMW Z4M Roadster, Zedfest 2023 by Tom Scott, on Flickr

BMW Z4M Coupe rear by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Glad your enjoying it!

 

[True-Blue]

[ref]True-Blue[/ref], I totally get your drift. While I don’t experience it as claustrophobic (more sort of cocooned), I do understand the love for an open top. Ever since I drove Max’s roadster a part of my mind has been nagging me to get one. Who knows, one day

Are there many Alpina Roadster S’s available where you are?

Only 10BHP per Ton less than the Z4M, but more useable torque curve and available from low down the rev range.
Cheap parts and servicing compared to a Z4M
Lower road tax than a Z4M (or any 6 pot E85/E86) in the uk, and can apply for, and obtain, ULEZ exemption based on emissions.
Very exclusive and special ownership experience so far - I can’t explain it, but it’s a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Of course, No LSD as standard, smaller brakes, hockey-stick indicators etc. compared to the Z4M.

My E86 also had a black interior, the Mrs hated going out in it. Like I say, if I had the space I’d still like one… but I’d be reaching for the Alpina keys more often than not.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Change it for a Z4 roadster and enjoy the whole driving experience.

I'm very fortunate to have the wife's e89 to drive with the roof down

 

[TOMGREEN413]

[ref]True-Blue[/ref], I totally get your drift. While I don’t experience it as claustrophobic (more sort of cocooned), I do understand the love for an open top. Ever since I drove Max’s roadster a part of my mind has been nagging me to get one. Who knows, one day

:telloff: Don't you dare sell that stunningly beautiful Coupe :camera:

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Change it for a Z4 roadster and enjoy the whole driving experience.

I quite like being couped up

definitely love being cocooned in my cars , my previous cars Cerbera, 944 ,Exige, Elise , Lotus XI le mans , Viper GTS, Frogeye , TR6 , and others definitely appeals my love of feeling moulded into the cars I drive , so the Coupe is no exception.
Funnily enough the Coupe so reminds me of the Gen 2 Blue n White Striped Viper GTS I owned for many years, the lines are incredibly similar, almost Daytona Coupe in fact........its another reason why I never get bored of how curvaceous the Z4 Coupe looks......

 

[TOMGREEN413]

I bought my Z4M coupe back in 2011 when I was 21, my first proper sports car and a bit of a present to myself for finishing Uni. I regrettably sold it to go traveling after 3 years and 20k. Then had a couple of Porsches in-between and came back and bought a Z4MR.

They certainly get under your skin. There isnt much with this calibre anywhere near the value for money.

Back when I got mine it was the financial crash and it had 46k on it with a 2 year BMW warranty and I paid £18k for it. Serious serious bargain.

Only negative is the increased in cost for the M, the 3.0SI offers 80% for about 50% the cost to run. They are incredible tho getting a bit more difficult to justify considering the lack of appreciation unlike other M cars in the same class. This year the tax was £695 and my insurance in Manchester was about £600 then I had my exhaust restored with all original bolts, mounts dampeners etc and just a standard oil/brakefluid service and that was £600 so nearly £2k just to have it on the road not including fueling it. Spent £1000 a year on issues and servicing over the 4 years ive had it.

I did find my M coupe a bit claustrophobic but mine was an all black interior, if you have a brighter combo it helps. I also got headaches on long journeys in my coupe for the first 2-3 months even with the standard exhaust I found it droned quite a lot. It's something I did get used to tho, apart from the exhaust the experience in the cabin was a bit non event, the engine up front is really quiet. I work as a photographer and it wasn't until I was in the boot of the follow car while photographing my Z4M driving toward me that that I learned how loud the induction noise was. I had no idea because you don't get much of it in the cabin. Probably because your ears are over the rear axel and you get more exhaust.

BMW Z4M Coupe, Silver Grey, CSL wheels by Tom Scott, on Flickr

The roadster isnt as good to drive, it doesn't feel as sharp and the quicker rack and stiffness in the coupe are the main contributors but I wouldn't call it night and day they are very similar. The coupe also looks so much better imo but the roadster is a better aural and visual experience. The noise with the roof down of the exhaust and induction is really quite intoxicating so I don't really miss my coupe apart from the way it looked, seriously one of the best designs BMW have ever made. Peoples reactions to it were great too, constant thumbs up, interaction at meets. The roadster does blend in a little more, saying that mine is a 1-4 combo which is quite rare so have enjoyed taking it to meets etc they are all rare and people tend to be pretty interested!

Having been one of the few people to have gone coupe to roady.... I went that way because I had a Boxster really didnt like the car but realised I preferred the top down. It was my first convertible and previously thought they were hair dressers cars (insert usual negative comment on convertibles) then got a Carrera 4S convertible and loved it but it was pretty lardy on the road not much fun to drive quickly but a great cruiser and sounded epic with the sports exhaust, I then bought a Z4MR ran them both through the pandemic then with the prices soaring sold the 911 making a few £ to put into the M.

It is funny as I used to be a bit like MrTidy with my comments like the coupe is the be all and end all and I wouldn't consider anything else, but I hadn't experience the roadster and I was completely wrong and happy to admit that 15 years later. In fact when I had my coupe I went as far to say that I really disliked it and wish I had experienced it a bit earlier.

When you experience the roady the positives of the coupe kind of drift away. Unless you are seriously driving it hard all the time which I don't, its enthusiastically driven and I go to a lot of meets and have a holiday home in the lakes so spends a lot of time on the motorway driving to good roads.

Considering the roadies with similar milage are literally about 2/3rds the cost im surprised people don't see them as even more of a no brainer.

Horses for courses, both have pros and cons and neither are perfect at all. The coupes certainly seem to suit the UK weather but most vert owners seem to be pretty hard core with the roof down at every opportunity.

Lucky to have experienced owning both. The more cars the better

BMW Z4M Roadster, Zedfest 2023 by Tom Scott, on Flickr

BMW Z4M Coupe rear by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Glad your enjoying it!

I bought my Z4M coupe back in 2011 when I was 21, my first proper sports car and a bit of a present to myself for finishing Uni. I regrettably sold it to go traveling after 3 years and 20k. Then had a couple of Porsches in-between and came back and bought a Z4MR.

They certainly get under your skin. There isnt much with this calibre anywhere near the value for money.

Back when I got mine it was the financial crash and it had 46k on it with a 2 year BMW warranty and I paid £18k for it. Serious serious bargain.

Only negative is the increased in cost for the M, the 3.0SI offers 80% for about 50% the cost to run. They are incredible tho getting a bit more difficult to justify considering the lack of appreciation unlike other M cars in the same class. This year the tax was £695 and my insurance in Manchester was about £600 then I had my exhaust restored with all original bolts, mounts dampeners etc and just a standard oil/brakefluid service and that was £600 so nearly £2k just to have it on the road not including fueling it. Spent £1000 a year on issues and servicing over the 4 years ive had it.

I did find my M coupe a bit claustrophobic but mine was an all black interior, if you have a brighter combo it helps. I also got headaches on long journeys in my coupe for the first 2-3 months even with the standard exhaust I found it droned quite a lot. It's something I did get used to tho, apart from the exhaust the experience in the cabin was a bit non event, the engine up front is really quiet. I work as a photographer and it wasn't until I was in the boot of the follow car while photographing my Z4M driving toward me that that I learned how loud the induction noise was. I had no idea because you don't get much of it in the cabin. Probably because your ears are over the rear axel and you get more exhaust.

BMW Z4M Coupe, Silver Grey, CSL wheels by Tom Scott, on Flickr

The roadster isnt as good to drive, it doesn't feel as sharp and the quicker rack and stiffness in the coupe are the main contributors but I wouldn't call it night and day they are very similar. The coupe also looks so much better imo but the roadster is a better aural and visual experience. The noise with the roof down of the exhaust and induction is really quite intoxicating so I don't really miss my coupe apart from the way it looked, seriously one of the best designs BMW have ever made. Peoples reactions to it were great too, constant thumbs up, interaction at meets. The roadster does blend in a little more, saying that mine is a 1-4 combo which is quite rare so have enjoyed taking it to meets etc they are all rare and people tend to be pretty interested!

Having been one of the few people to have gone coupe to roady.... I went that way because I had a Boxster really didnt like the car but realised I preferred the top down. It was my first convertible and previously thought they were hair dressers cars (insert usual negative comment on convertibles) then got a Carrera 4S convertible and loved it but it was pretty lardy on the road not much fun to drive quickly but a great cruiser and sounded epic with the sports exhaust, I then bought a Z4MR ran them both through the pandemic then with the prices soaring sold the 911 making a few £ to put into the M.

It is funny as I used to be a bit like MrTidy with my comments like the coupe is the be all and end all and I wouldn't consider anything else, but I hadn't experience the roadster and I was completely wrong and happy to admit that 15 years later. In fact when I had my coupe I went as far to say that I really disliked it and wish I had experienced it a bit earlier.

When you experience the roady the positives of the coupe kind of drift away. Unless you are seriously driving it hard all the time which I don't, its enthusiastically driven and I go to a lot of meets and have a holiday home in the lakes so spends a lot of time on the motorway driving to good roads.

Considering the roadies with similar milage are literally about 2/3rds the cost im surprised people don't see them as even more of a no brainer.

Horses for courses, both have pros and cons and neither are perfect at all. The coupes certainly seem to suit the UK weather but most vert owners seem to be pretty hard core with the roof down at every opportunity.

Lucky to have experienced owning both. The more cars the better

Thanks so much for sharing your Z experiences, interesting reading and some lovely pictures....

 

[LawrenceW]

I bought my Z4M coupe back in 2011 when I was 21, my first proper sports car and a bit of a present to myself for finishing Uni. I regrettably sold it to go traveling after 3 years and 20k. Then had a couple of Porsches in-between and came back and bought a Z4MR.

They certainly get under your skin. There isnt much with this calibre anywhere near the value for money.

Good post Tom!

Although a tin top owner myself I really do get the roadie appeal too, I think you pretty much nailed the fors and againsts Tom for either the Coupe or Roadie.

Ultimately, you pays ya’ money and makes ya’ choice.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some interesting comments and a very detailed reply from Tom.

I can see the appeal of a Roadster but I've never had any sort of convertible and have never wanted one! Plus it was the shape of the Coupe that made want an E86 - the E85 just doesn't have the same looks.

I've never found the cabin claustrophobic, but my first 2 Coupes had Pearl Grey seats and my current one has Imola Red. I much prefer a colour to a sea of blackness.