E86 3.0si Coupe

[Abbas]

Hi everyone,
I am looking to get into a 3.0si coupe, I've been away from Z4's for a couple of years and I'm ready to hop back in. Apologies for my lack of posts, I signed up and probably a few months later I decided to sell my 3.0si Roadster so took a hiatus for a bit. I still miss that car. I'm ready to hop back in. I'll be much more active once I'm back in a Z4, promise

I really miss owning a Z. I feel like a coupe would be a great daily for me. I'm specifically interested in Silver/Grey or Black ones.

Thanks,
Abbas

[note: post is edited as originally I was looking to swap for my s2000]

 

[darich]

Always liked the S2000. Seriously considered one back in the day but eventually opted for an E85 pre facelift.

Car looks lovely.....Good luck with the sale!

 

[Abbas]

Always liked the S2000. Seriously considered one back in the day but eventually opted for an E85 pre facelift.

Car looks lovely.....Good luck with the sale!

Thanks mate!

Nothing like it for a weekend drive. A lot of people describe it as a Honda motorbike with 4 wheels and that's pretty accurate I'd say. I bought it thinking I could daily it like I could with my Z4, but it gets loads of attention, way more than I expected so I've never felt comfortable parking it outside the house and I've always kind of wrapped it in cotton wool. Also maybe I'm just getting old but I miss my heated seats and softer suspension :lol:

With that being said, the Z4 definitely has more low down torque and is a brilliant engine in its own right. So I think it could be a happy middle ground with a roof!

 

[paddy wright]

Welcome along- the S2000 looks nice, always amazes me how much these hold their value! Good luck with your search.

 

[darich]

Always liked the S2000. Seriously considered one back in the day but eventually opted for an E85 pre facelift.

Car looks lovely.....Good luck with the sale!

Thanks mate!

Nothing like it for a weekend drive. A lot of people describe it as a Honda motorbike with 4 wheels and that's pretty accurate I'd say. I bought it thinking I could daily it like I could with my Z4, but it gets loads of attention, way more than I expected so I've never felt comfortable parking it outside the house and I've always kind of wrapped it in cotton wool. Also maybe I'm just getting old but I miss my heated seats and softer suspension :lol:

With that being said, the Z4 definitely has more low down torque and is a brilliant engine in its own right. So I think it could be a happy middle ground with a roof!

The increased torque on the z4 is what swung me. As good as the VTEC engine is, I didn't fancy revving to 8k plus to overtake anything. It was my daily driver so had consider the driveability, hence the improved torque swaying me

Stunning cars

 

[Abbas]

Always liked the S2000. Seriously considered one back in the day but eventually opted for an E85 pre facelift.

Car looks lovely.....Good luck with the sale!

Thanks mate!

Nothing like it for a weekend drive. A lot of people describe it as a Honda motorbike with 4 wheels and that's pretty accurate I'd say. I bought it thinking I could daily it like I could with my Z4, but it gets loads of attention, way more than I expected so I've never felt comfortable parking it outside the house and I've always kind of wrapped it in cotton wool. Also maybe I'm just getting old but I miss my heated seats and softer suspension :lol:

With that being said, the Z4 definitely has more low down torque and is a brilliant engine in its own right. So I think it could be a happy middle ground with a roof!

The increased torque on the z4 is what swung me. As good as the VTEC engine is, I didn't fancy revving to 8k plus to overtake anything. It was my daily driver so had consider the driveability, hence the improved torque swaying me

Stunning cars

I totally get where you're coming from. At the same time once the cams change over and youre in the vtec it's such a thrill.

Just followed you on IG btw. Your Z4 is literally the exact spec I'm after. Lovely car mate.

 

[darich]

Thanks mate!

Nothing like it for a weekend drive. A lot of people describe it as a Honda motorbike with 4 wheels and that's pretty accurate I'd say. I bought it thinking I could daily it like I could with my Z4, but it gets loads of attention, way more than I expected so I've never felt comfortable parking it outside the house and I've always kind of wrapped it in cotton wool. Also maybe I'm just getting old but I miss my heated seats and softer suspension :lol:

With that being said, the Z4 definitely has more low down torque and is a brilliant engine in its own right. So I think it could be a happy middle ground with a roof!

The increased torque on the z4 is what swung me. As good as the VTEC engine is, I didn't fancy revving to 8k plus to overtake anything. It was my daily driver so had consider the driveability, hence the improved torque swaying me

Stunning cars

I totally get where you're coming from. At the same time once the cams change over and youre in the vtec it's such a thrill.

Just followed you on IG btw. Your Z4 is literally the exact spec I'm after. Lovely car mate.

Saw that...followed back
Had mine about 5 months ...still look at it and think wow.. that's mine

 

[bigwinn]

There is a guy (Danny woolly) on Facebook who has a coupe for sale who wants an s2000….

 

[bigwinn]

May be Danny woolli

 

[Abbas]

May be Danny woolli

Thanks mate, yep I've talked to him recently, didn't work out

 

[minimental]

pm'd

 

[Abbas]

Just bumping this thread to edit the post and topic abit, as my s2000 sold a few days ago and I’m ready to see all those coupes you’ve got! :wink:

 

[Mr Tidy]

I've become addicted to Coupes so wish you all the best finding one.

The 3.0Si has plenty of torque at low revs despite making peak power at 6,600 rpm, but my MC seems just as good at lower revs and gets really exciting over 5,000rpm - VANOS instead of VTEC I suppose. And it makes peak power at 7,900rpm!

Maybe time for some budget creep. :lol:

 

[Abbas]

I've become addicted to Coupes so wish you all the best finding one.

The 3.0Si has plenty of torque at low revs despite making peak power at 6,600 rpm, but my MC seems just as good at lower revs and gets really exciting over 5,000rpm - VANOS instead of VTEC I suppose. And it makes peak power at 7,900rpm!

Maybe time for some budget creep. :lol:

Thanks mate!

Yes, the inner voice in me sometimes says “go on, stretch to an M!” But overall I think I don’t want something too highly strung, or expensive to maintain and service. Most people who’ve seen me sell my s2000 expect me to get into something on-par in terms of engine or above but I actually just want something relatively stress free I can drive everyday, but still with a little bit of drama and excitement (and comfort)!

I’ve been told by a few people the si is abit more agreeable to daily, so it would be good to know your experience with an MC, in terms of ride comfort, servicing, engine maintenance etc?

Thanks!

 

[darich]

Thanks mate!

Yes, the inner voice in me sometimes says “go on, stretch to an M!” But overall I think I don’t want something too highly strung, or expensive to maintain and service. Most people who’ve seen me sell my s2000 expect me to get into something on-par in terms of engine or above but I actually just want something relatively stress free I can drive everyday, but still with a little bit of drama and excitement (and comfort)!

I’ve been told by a few people the si is abit more agreeable to daily, so it would be good to know your experience with an MC, in terms of ride comfort, servicing, engine maintenance etc?

Thanks!

I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere that some consider the 3.0Si a better value car than the M because it's 80% of the performance and only 50% of the costs.
I have the 3.0Si but never had and M so no personal experience.

 

[Abbas]

Thanks mate!

Yes, the inner voice in me sometimes says “go on, stretch to an M!” But overall I think I don’t want something too highly strung, or expensive to maintain and service. Most people who’ve seen me sell my s2000 expect me to get into something on-par in terms of engine or above but I actually just want something relatively stress free I can drive everyday, but still with a little bit of drama and excitement (and comfort)!

I’ve been told by a few people the si is abit more agreeable to daily, so it would be good to know your experience with an MC, in terms of ride comfort, servicing, engine maintenance etc?

Thanks!

I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere that some consider the 3.0Si a better value car than the M because it's 80% of the performance and only 50% of the costs.
I have the 3.0Si but never had and M so no personal experience.

I think it also helps a bit in my mind tat the 3.0si and the M have the same body in terms of arches, wideness etc. Only the front and rear bumper look different to me? If there are any differences it's minimal anyway so it's easier for me to go for an si. With the E46 for example, the M3 just looks so much better than a 330ci or whatever with the flared arches etc so it always sucks me in.

This being said though, I think if money wasn't a consideration, most of us would probably still go for the M so it would be good to know what ownership is like

 

[darich]

Road tax is significantly more.
I expect fuel will be too.
And insurance

But you're right.....not every decision is purely financial.

If you can, and you want to, then go for it.

 

[Striker1660]

I have what you want silver/grey with wine red leather seats 123k miles. please message me with contact details. Thanks

 

[Mr Tidy]

I've become addicted to Coupes so wish you all the best finding one.

The 3.0Si has plenty of torque at low revs despite making peak power at 6,600 rpm, but my MC seems just as good at lower revs and gets really exciting over 5,000rpm - VANOS instead of VTEC I suppose. And it makes peak power at 7,900rpm!

Maybe time for some budget creep. :lol:

Thanks mate!

Yes, the inner voice in me sometimes says “go on, stretch to an M!” But overall I think I don’t want something too highly strung, or expensive to maintain and service. Most people who’ve seen me sell my s2000 expect me to get into something on-par in terms of engine or above but I actually just want something relatively stress free I can drive everyday, but still with a little bit of drama and excitement (and comfort)!

I’ve been told by a few people the si is abit more agreeable to daily, so it would be good to know your experience with an MC, in terms of ride comfort, servicing, engine maintenance etc?

Thanks!

If you are looking for something that isn't too highly strung a 3.0Si will definitely fit the bill, and be much cheaper to run than an M so it's probably exactly what you want.

The N52 engine in the Si is a great engine and works really well in a daily that can still provide some fun when required. That's why I've had my 330i daily with the same engine for over 4 years now!

The M needs much more TLC, including valve clearances checking and adjusting with shims every other service whereas the Si has hydraulic lifters. There there is the M tax on all the M specific bits, not forgetting the Band M Road Tax.

I've always thought the same as darich, with the Si being 80% of the car for 50% of the money and having had both I still think that.

So good luck finding the right one for you.

 

[Abbas]

I've become addicted to Coupes so wish you all the best finding one.

The 3.0Si has plenty of torque at low revs despite making peak power at 6,600 rpm, but my MC seems just as good at lower revs and gets really exciting over 5,000rpm - VANOS instead of VTEC I suppose. And it makes peak power at 7,900rpm!

Maybe time for some budget creep. :lol:

Thanks mate!

Yes, the inner voice in me sometimes says “go on, stretch to an M!” But overall I think I don’t want something too highly strung, or expensive to maintain and service. Most people who’ve seen me sell my s2000 expect me to get into something on-par in terms of engine or above but I actually just want something relatively stress free I can drive everyday, but still with a little bit of drama and excitement (and comfort)!

I’ve been told by a few people the si is abit more agreeable to daily, so it would be good to know your experience with an MC, in terms of ride comfort, servicing, engine maintenance etc?

Thanks!

If you are looking for something that isn't too highly strung a 3.0Si will definitely fit the bill, and be much cheaper to run than an M so it's probably exactly what you want.

The N52 engine in the Si is a great engine and works really well in a daily that can still provide some fun when required. That's why I've had my 330i daily with the same engine for over 4 years now!

The M needs much more TLC, including valve clearances checking and adjusting with shims every other service whereas the Si has hydraulic lifters. There there is the M tax on all the M specific bits, not forgetting the Band M Road Tax.

I've always thought the same as darich, with the Si being 80% of the car for 50% of the money and having had both I still think that.

So good luck finding the right one for you.

Thanks mate!

And thanks for the comparison between the two, that sounds like a very fair assessment