Greetings from the land of Teslas! (No really, I live 13 miles from the Tesla Factory). Needless to say electric cars are EVERYWHERE here and for the last six years I have driven a plug in hybrid myself. Last year I decided I needed to really learn how to drive a manual because it was something I always wanted to do and I figured with each passing year the chance to do was lessening so after some research I would up purchasing a …2000 Z3 2.8 Roadster. I really enjoyed that car, learning how to properly drive with the top down all summer…it really is the perfect car for enjoying the many back roads of this area and I am sure I am preaching to the choir on this forum. However I soon found myself wanting something…more. I found out about the S54 engine and seriously began obsessing after it and while Z3s with the engine are relatively rare (and expensive). I then found out about the Z4 and in particular the M Coupe (which I had never seen), but some research (that SavageGeese video really sealed the deal for me) so I decided that was the one.
Only where to find one? Searching through Z4Mcoupebuyersguide.com I found a listing reasonably close to me (actually, this one: http://www.z4mcoupebuyersguide.com/listing?ListingID=24874 ) It was a little higher mileage than most on the market and the price reflected it. However the CarFAX showed it was well serviced and turns out one owner (leased then bought) even if it showed a minor accident as well. I bought a one way ticked to SoCal over Thanksgiving weekend to check out, fell in love with it and drove it back home about 400 miles getting to know the car.
The market being what it is I actually sold the hybrid almost for what I paid for it and the Z3 for what I paid to a good friend where it will be well loved, so the M Coupe is my daily and it left me with a budget for mods (*ahem*) maintenance. I am not a high mileage driver in any case….my commute is minimal and the car can be a canyon carver but unlikely to see much if any track duty. I took it to a well known shop around here for a post purchase inspection and oil change, who agreed it was a relatively clean car but at the mileage it had some refreshes and maintenance to do, as I would have expected. First thing was a Valve Adjustment and spark plug replacement which was definitely needed…unfortunately they didn’t replace things properly and introduced a pretty major oil leak. Disappointing given their reputation (and price). I did some shopping around and found another local shop which was not only priced better but had exceptional customer service https://racefactoryshop.com/ When I got there I was first a little surprised but how young these guys appeared, but then they had three s54 builds on the premises and they were just gushing over these machines, and I knew I had come to the right place.
So far since purchasing the car I’ve:
Tinted Rear and Quarter Glass
Stubby Antenna
Valve Adjustment
Spark Plugs Replaced
Ceramic Coating and Paint Correction
Vanos Service
Bilstein B6 Performance Struts all around WITH H&R Sport Springs (Lowered)
12MM Spacers all around
Flex Disc Replacement
Engine Mount Replacement
Tie Rod Replacement
Front Brake Discs Replaced
Brake Pads Replaced
As I was leaving the shop the owner asked with a grin what I was planning on doing to the car next. I told him not to tempt me too much. I am thinking it’s likely to be Rod Bearing although every indication I’ve had so far is that they are fine for now, so I’m tempted to throw that budget towards into that Apex Wheels Group Buy.
This weekend was a beautiful clear day so I decided to drive up to the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, which is a famous drive around here. This was actually my first time and although beautiful it’s hard to recommend as the roads are very narrow and popular with cyclists, plus not really anything between you and going down the mountainside. The majority of the drive is in second and maybe third gear (for anyone commenting on 2nd being useless in the M Coupe, I’d now argue you just need to find the correct road and application for it). Totally worth it when I got up there, as you can actually see both San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland from this vantage point (ie, the whole of the greater Bay Area). I tried to get this into my shot of the car.
I have literally read every post on this forum (among others) in my enthusiasm for this car. All in all looking forward to enjoying this M Coupe for many years to come.
