From Z4 to a E46 M3

[Z4hid]

I’ve always had a soft spot for the E46 M3 and with two little ones, always thought it would be a good daily and good weekend driver.
The Z4 is getting limited use and have toyed with selling it in the past but didn’t but an opportunity came up and I bought a E46 so looks like the Z4 is going to be moved on. That’s not going to be easy after a very enjoyable 11years.

Prior to buying the E46 I tried different options to keep the Z4 such as buying a Mini Cooper S as a run around and the Z in storage. That plan worked for a while but with the E46 coming up unexpectedly, the Mini is being moved on after a few months and a lot of expenditure! Man maths/logic at its best!

Just curious if anyone else has made the move from a Z 3.0si to an E46 and how they are finding it?

I’m really impressed by the E46. Slow by todays standards but plenty fast enough for me and so very useable.

The Z and the E46

 

[Z4hid]

Sorry Mini. That’s a car that’s worthy of a pic!

 

[Mr Tidy]

3 great cars there.

I've not had an M3, but did go from an E86 to an E86M and the biggest difference I noticed was the soundtrack - especially above 5,000 rpm!

 

[Z4hid]

I drove a Z4M earlier this summer and know exactly what you mean!

 

[Mr Tidy]

It's just fortunate that I don't need rear seats, especially as M3s seem to be dearer than Z4Ms.

 

[paddy wright]

Looks fantastic! If you can afford to don’t rush to sell the z as if you regret it, or don’t get on with the M3 it will take you a long time to find another as sorted as yours and you will never find one you know as well as yours.

 

[Z4hid]

That’s a very good point..

 

[Special Kay]

Those are some very desirable cars. You've got some tough choices to make. Good luck

 

[Mr Tidy]

You'd definitely struggle to find another E86 with Amarone seats and Piano Black trim! That's a fantastic combination.

 

[Pondrew]

3 great cars there.

Beg to differ there Iain. Two at a push (not keen on old, overpriced E46 M3s TBH). No offence OP. :wink:
I have an R56 Mini that has just had £500 spent on it (again) and now 3 days later has coolant pi$$ing out of the thermostat housing. All 'common faults'. I fecking HATE Minis with a passion. They are utter crap. Too far into it money-wise to flog it aswell. It's spent more time off the road than on in the five months since buying the POS!

Did I mention I don't like Minis?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Did I mention I don't like Minis?

I think I noticed that Andrew. :lol:

Mrs Tidy (who now lives elsewhere) ordered a new R56 Cooper at the launch event in 2006 and picked it up just in time for Christmas. 65K miles later she still has it and it has had very few issues, but then she knows its history!

 

[Z4hid]

3 great cars there.

Beg to differ there Iain. Two at a push (not keen on old, overpriced E46 M3s TBH). No offence OP. :wink:
I have an R56 Mini that has just had £500 spent on it (again) and now 3 days later has coolant pi$$ing out of the thermostat housing. All 'common faults'. I fecking HATE Minis with a passion. They are utter crap. Too far into it money-wise to flog it aswell. It's spent more time off the road than on in the five months since buying the POS!

Did I mention I don't like Minis?

No offence taken. In fact I agree with the E46 point - the price point and the maintenance costs put me off for a long time but the one I bought was a rarity in as much as it ended up being a very fair price hence after about 7 years after driving my first E46 I went ahead with this one.

 

[Z4hid]

Did I mention I don't like Minis?

I think I noticed that Andrew. :lol:

Mrs Tidy (who now lives elsewhere) ordered a new R56 Cooper at the launch event in 2006 and picked it up just in time for Christmas. 65K miles later she still has it and it has had very few issues, but then she knows its history!

That’s impressive. Long may it stay that way

 

[Mr Tidy]

In fact I agree with the E46 point - the price point and the maintenance costs put me off for a long time but the one I bought was a rarity in as much as it ended up being a very fair price hence after about 7 years after driving my first E46 I went ahead with this one.

That makes sense, but yours does look fantastic.

I've had two E46s and they do drive really well although mine were both Compacts.

I'd like to drive an M3 one day, just to see how it compares to a Z4M.

 

[Pondrew]

65K miles later she still has it and it has had very few issues, but then she knows its history!

Ours has done 69k and has had many many issues just in the last 5 months. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It's also not very easy to drive, considering I bought it for my daughter to learn in (which she can't cos it's always broken). Terrible gearchange (like stirring custard), ticks over too slowly (so is easy to stall)..........I won't go on as this thread is about an E46!

 

[Pondrew]

No offence taken. In fact I agree with the E46 point - the price point and the maintenance costs put me off for a long time but the one I bought was a rarity in as much as it ended up being a very fair price hence after about 7 years after driving my first E46 I went ahead with this one.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Mrs Tidy (who now lives elsewhere)…

That’s impressive. Long may it stay that way

That’s a little harsh!

 

[Z4hid]

Mrs Tidy (who now lives elsewhere)…

That’s impressive. Long may it stay that way

That’s a little harsh!

:?

 

[BMWZ4MC]

That’s impressive. Long may it stay that way

That’s a little harsh!

:?

Apologies, just my warped sense of humour!

 

[Z4hid]

I thought it was brilliant!