High mileage Z4M Coupe or E92 M3

[Rassi]

I am torn between a nice but high mileage Z4MC with 151.000 km for 25.000 euro (this is Belgium) or a 115.000 km E92 M3 for 27.500 euro.

I have previously had a Z4C and an E92 M3, so kind of know the types of cars, but have never had an S54 engined one, so what I am really asking is if as a weekend car, and a few thousand km per year, the S54 is a maintenance nightmare. I would plan on having the rod bearings replaced on either, but the more I read about the S54 there more it seems like it is the more temperamental engine (and the S65 is certainly not a paragon of reliability).

Pro for the Z4MC:

Rarity
Surprisingly practical (easily fit my 35 kilo Weimaraner in the boot)
Compact
1200 euro annual road tax (M3 is 2400 euro...!)
Possible investment/low depreciation

Cons
E92 M3 (has an Akrapovic exhaust) sounds a lot better
E92 M3 better suited for the Ring and Spa
Engine reliability and maintenance?

 

[TomK]

Surprisingly practical (easily fit my 35 kilo Weimaraner in the boot)

Remember the boot of an M is sadly not as practical as your regular coupe would have been due to the battery being placed in it rather than under it. Whether that bothers poochy I don't know but 35kg sounds like a big a lad!

 

[Rassi]

Surprisingly practical (easily fit my 35 kilo Weimaraner in the boot)

Remember the boot of an M is sadly not as practical as your regular coupe would have been due to the battery being placed in it rather than under it. Whether that bothers poochy I don't know but 35kg sounds like a big a lad!
z4mboot.jpg

Actually a good point - that battery does take up a lot of space. The dog would probably still be fine, as it is for quite short drives when called upon as dog transporter but does tip the balance again. Rarity is still extremely high with the Z4MC, with less than 4000 or so made. Just the S54 maintenance and possible fragility that is nagging me, and that as a relative high mileage car it is not really an investment.

Guess I should really just get my act together and drive one, to see the difference from a Z4C.

 

[TomK]

Just the S54 maintenance and possible fragility that is nagging me.

I wouldn't say the s65 is any better in this regard, certainly not much in it. Both need rod bearings, then you've got actuator issues with the v8 amongst other things no doubt.

Guess I should really just get my act together and drive one, to see the difference from a Z4C.

I think that's where you'll find your answer!

Both have their merits undoubtedly, as a weekend car I'd take the z4 but it's of course a personal choice.

 

[Mr Tidy]

We're probably all going to be biased on here, but having just bought an MC after having two 3.0Si Coupes there really is quite a difference.

I'm not being critical of the 3.0Si as it probably represents much better value for money than an M - I'd say it was 80% of the car for 50% of the money.

But after 5+ years I just had to tick the M ownership box and I'm so glad I did, even though I'm still sorting a few niggles.

From what I have read the S65 engine has just as many niggles as the S54, but I can't help thinking driving an MC would feel that bit more special as you sit low and just in front of the rear wheels whereas the E92 would probably feel much like any other E9* from the driving seat - until you get the engine running!

Still, I can't see there is a bad option so you probably need to go with whichever feels better to you.

And please let us know which you buy!

 

[Jembo]

Buy the best based on condition & history - the difference IMO at that milage is irrelevant

 

[Argenta]

Thats the milage mine had in 2014 when I bought it, its not much actually.
Change those rod bearings and you’ll have a great car for years to come! I’ve done the Ring in mine and while it’s ”exciting” so would an old 911 be too.

 

[bradz]

I have both..

e92 m3 is my daily, its a very capable car but its just a bit boring, lacks the excitement as its so fast but doesn't feel it, and savage on fuel.

Z4MC is just such an event to drive and feels special and draws a lot of attention, unlike the M3 just looks like another 3 series in a car park.

 

[Franzino]

I am torn between a nice but high mileage Z4MC with 151.000 km for 25.000 euro (this is Belgium) or a 115.000 km E92 M3 for 27.500 euro.

I have previously had a Z4C and an E92 M3, so kind of know the types of cars, but have never had an S54 engined one, so what I am really asking is if as a weekend car, and a few thousand km per year, the S54 is a maintenance nightmare. I would plan on having the rod bearings replaced on either, but the more I read about the S54 there more it seems like it is the more temperamental engine (and the S65 is certainly not a paragon of reliability).

Pro for the Z4MC:

Rarity
Surprisingly practical (easily fit my 35 kilo Weimaraner in the boot)
Compact
1200 euro annual road tax (M3 is 2400 euro...!)
Possible investment/low depreciation

Cons
E92 M3 (has an Akrapovic exhaust) sounds a lot better
E92 M3 better suited for the Ring and Spa
Engine reliability and maintenance?

For a weekend/track car I would 100% go for a Z4MC. I owned a "modified" Z4M roady for 8 years and drove it on street and track (Nurburgring). I also drove numerous times with buddies their Z4M coupe and e92 M3 comp (DKG) on street and a couple of times on track. As a daily with occasional track the M3 is the best choice! But as a weekend or track car I find the M3 less exciting and a bit boring at normal speeds (I was also not a big fan of DKG on the street => extra boring). For comparison; I find my manual M2 way more exciting then a e92 M3 and this car even has a turbo engine and electric steering

M3 and Z4M both have fragile engines with rod bearings you need to replace at a certain time (they are somewhat the same in this area). M3 and Z4M both their standard brakes are crap on track. We (Z4M roady, Z4M coupe, e92 M3) all had full AP racing brakes on our cars (for the occasional track duty) and all replaced our rod bearings to be safe. In terms of speed or lap times; both are equally and it depends on the driver (M3 has more power but is heavier, Z4M has less power but is lighter). For me personally the Z4M feels more like sport cars and a really special car. When comparing it with a e92 M3 it is way more exciting! The e92 M3 is more like a GT or muscle car....but that V8 is indeed sublime. Value and rarety wise; I think the Z4M will always win when both cars have the same mileage.

My buddy has a really nice Dark Blue Z4M coupe in Belgium (at the moment fitted with AP brakes / CSL wheels / KW suspension and all the original parts). He bought a M2 last year and is thinking about maybe selling his Z4M because he does not have that much time anymore. Also almost 150.000km. Honestly; if you want the car for yourself and to enjoy...don't look at the mileage and future value. Buy a well maintained car from a enthousiast who knows the cars and which attention they need...that is way more important then some mileage numbers on a clock. Also when you have a car with 150.000km the collectible value does not matter anymore and you are better of driving it as much as you can = more enjoyment!

My advice...M3 or Z4M; buy a well maintained car, drive it as much as you can and enjoy it. That is what I did; I bought my Z4M roady with 40.000km and sold it with 160.000km (when I bought a M2)...never regretted owning the Z4M; it was a amazing car. But nowadays my garage has changed

 

[buzyg]

Take an ///MC out for a test drive? Then you will know.

 

[Rassi]

My buddy has a really nice Dark Blue Z4M coupe in Belgium (at the moment fitted with AP brakes / CSL wheels / KW suspension and all the original parts). He bought a M2 last year and is thinking about maybe selling his Z4M because he does not have that much time anymore. Also almost 150.000km. Honestly; if you want the car for yourself and to enjoy...don't look at the mileage and future value.

Would you mind sending the details of your friend as I would be very interested in that Z4M?

 

[Franzino]

Would you mind sending the details of your friend as I would be very interested in that Z4M?

He is a member of this forum; I will aks him to send you a PM or take a look at this topic.

 

[jpeeters]

My buddy has a really nice Dark Blue Z4M coupe in Belgium (at the moment fitted with AP brakes / CSL wheels / KW suspension and all the original parts). He bought a M2 last year and is thinking about maybe selling his Z4M because he does not have that much time anymore. Also almost 150.000km. Honestly; if you want the car for yourself and to enjoy...don't look at the mileage and future value.

Would you mind sending the details of your friend as I would be very interested in that Z4M?

Hi Rassi. I'm the owner of the Interlagos Blue Z4MC Franzino is talking about. Send me a DM if you're interested.