Z3M vs Z4M as a future classic

[JBW]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and currently own a Mini Cooper S JCW. While it is a fantastic car, following a drive in my cousin's Z4M Roadster I cannot get the thought of the engine out of my head so am considering either a Z3MC or Z4MC (I'm sure you can all understand that!) :driving:.

I would definitely go for a Z4MC but am torn as it seems the Z3MC is now being seen as a future classic in the same vein as the E30 M3, so it could potentially be a very wise purchase now whereas I've not seen the Z4MC being talked about in quite the same way.

What are members opinions on whether the Z4M Coupe will ever be seen as a classic like the Z3M Coupe? Does anyone have experience of both as driving machines and ownership prospects?!

Many thanks

John

P.S.I have searched the forum and cannot seem to find a similar thread, although I'm sure there must be. If this has already been discussed somewhere, a link to the post would be much appreciated.

 

[M@r]{]

I would have thought the rarity value alone would ensure the Z4MC as a future classic?

 

[ga41]

Well you're not going to get a completely unbiased answer here are you?

Personally i don't think it'll be a future classic in the sense that they'll be actively sought for. It might be a cult classic... Only for those in the know.

 

[ben g]

the z3mc is a lot older than the z4mc so maybe in 5 years, the same will be said about the z4mc?

 

[ranski]

Personally i don't think it'll be a future classic in the sense that they'll be actively sought for. It might be a cult classic... Only for those in the know.

+1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[peddy]

Go for the one you like and not what people are going to think of it in 10 or so years.

 

[JBW]

Well you're not going to get a completely unbiased answer here are you?

Personally i don't think it'll be a future classic in the sense that they'll be actively sought for. It might be a cult classic... Only for those in the know.

True! I figure people on this forum are most likely to have considered the Z3M vs Z4M question and then stumped for the Z4MC so might have an insight that I have not gained as yet.
I really just mean a classic in relation to the Z3MC rather than an outright classic in its own right.

 

[original guvnor]

Well now there's a can of worms being opened....

If we all knew the answers to such questions we'd all be millionaires. There seems to be indications that the Z4MC will be and BMW GB MD Tim Abbott recently wrote a piece in the BMWCCGB magazine suggesting he believed it would (along with CSL, Z3MC and obviously the E30 M3).

Things in its favour - motorsport pedigree (GT3), limited production numbers, good looks, last NA M power car, last of the true M cars without DCT, EDC etc.

Things against - Not a lot but maybe it's similarity to mass volume Z4 but that hasn't held back M3 CSL or the E30M3.

 

[ga41]

Well now there's a can of worms being opened....

If we all knew the answers to such questions we'd all be millionaires. There seems to be indications that the Z4MC will be and BMW GB MD Tim Abbott recently wrote a piece in the BMWCCGB magazine suggesting he believed it would (along with CSL, Z3MC and obviously the E30 M3).

Things in its favour - motorsport pedigree (GT3), limited production numbers, good looks, last NA M power car, last of the true M cars without DCT, EDC etc.

Things against - Not a lot but maybe it's similarity to mass volume Z4 but that hasn't held back M3 CSL or the E30M3.

Agree with most of your points but it wasn't the last naturally aspirated M car. That's probably the E90 M3 as we don't know if they'll never produce another NA M car. It MIGHT be the last NA straight six M car though!

And the 1M is also suitably bare with no electronic suspension, dual clutch box etc.

 

[tomscott]

Both will be classics and I have read a lot of people regarding the Z4Mc as a future classic!

 

[bigdog]

Not sure I'd agree with the motorsports heritage. The GT3 zed is about as close to a road legal Zed 4 as a tube framed nascar racer is to a chevy impala road car. The ONLY similarity is the shape of the body. I agree that the Zed will be a cult classic. But to become a valuable collectable classic will take more than a pretty body on a shortened 3 series drive train and suspension. I love the way my Zed looks, sounds, and drives. But a future Ferrari Enzo or split window corvette it most certainly is not.

 

[original guvnor]

Agree with most of your points but it wasn't the last naturally aspirated M car. That's probably the E90 M3 as we don't know if they'll never produce another NA M car. It MIGHT be the last NA straight six M car though!

And the 1M is also suitably bare with no electronic suspension, dual clutch box etc.

Yes, sorry that's what i meant GA41. Thanks for correcting.

 

[exdos]

I own a relatively low mileage S54 Z3MC (only 118 sold in the UK) which I've had for 9 years and I've recently bought a 2007 Z4MC with less miles for just over half the price that I've insured my Z3MC for on an agreed valuation. So, I think this gives me the right to make unbiased comments.

The Z3MC has had a cult following from almost the outset because of its quirky hotrod looks and its reputation as a handful to drive fast and well. The good low mileage cars fetch £20k or more. It's an "occasion" to drive and attracts lots of comments and looks when out and about and sometimes get videoed by other motorists on the move on mobile phones! The suspension is way too soft and needs an upgrade to improve the handling.

The Z4MC is a much more modern car, which has been properly designed for production and its lines are pure elegance and IMO a real design masterpiece. It is faster than the Z3MC with the higher diff ratio but with a 6 speed box. It also comes with more extras than the Z3MC. The rear suspension is way too hard and the front is too soft and so needs an upgrade to improve the ride and the handling. BMW didn't sell any non-M Z3 Coupes in the UK.

If you just want a car to drive, then the Z4MC represents much better value at present prices, but if you're wanting a car as a potential investment, then I think that buying one of the few good low mileage S54 Z3MCs would be a better proposition. If you're seriously looking, there's a lovely Phoenix Yellow one at Hexagon, which I know the history of, which I think would be hard to beat. BMW sold non-M Z4 Coupes which increases the total number of Z4 Coupes, which dilutes the pool.

I've said it on here before, and I know some don't like it, but the Z3MC is the "daddy" of BMWs Z Coupes. Both great cars though.

 

[original guvnor]

But a future Ferrari Enzo or split window corvette it most certainly is not.

I don't think that's what anyone meant by future classic. I'm pretty sure no one is expecting these cars to be worth more than £20-25k in the future.

That Phoenix Yellow Z3MC has been in Hexagon for a very, very long time indeed. Judge from that what you will.

Neither model will make you a fortune but if you look after it, maintain it well, keep the mileage reasonable then you'll minimise depreciation from the current prices. You may even see some small appreciation.

 

[tomscott]

But a future Ferrari Enzo or split window corvette it most certainly is not.

I don't think that's what anyone meant by future classic. I'm pretty sure no one is expecting these cars to be worth more than £20-25k in the future.

That Phoenix Yellow Z3MC has been in Hexagon for a very, very long time indeed. Judge from that what you will.

Neither model will make you a fortune but if you look after it, maintain it well, keep the mileage reasonable then you'll minimise depreciation from the current prices. You may even see some small appreciation.

+1 all the Z3Ms that are over 20k are still for sale and have been for sale for over a year. I think that shows the market, people can ask what they want doesnt mean people will buy them, there only worth what people will pay for them and thats Pheonix Yellow Z3M is a good example. Good Z3Ms are around the same price as the Z4M counterparts about 14k but its rare to find an S54.

Anyway its pretty to think like this anyway you will have to have the car 10-15 even 20 years and not really drive it to keep it immaculate and low milage and IMO thats not what they are for. It would be a big investment just to keep it that long and keep it immaculate! Drive the arse off it, look after it and above all enjoy it.

I think its almost a shame that people dont drive them!!! See quite a few under 15k in 6 years they've been around its a huge shame.

 

[Finisterre]

which appeals to small boys the most?
I would try and find out what geeky kids think.
They are the people that will power the appreciation in value in the longer term.

 

[bigdog]

But a future Ferrari Enzo or split window corvette it most certainly is not.

I don't think that's what anyone meant by future classic. I'm pretty sure no one is expecting these cars to be worth more than £20-25k in the future.

That Phoenix Yellow Z3MC has been in Hexagon for a very, very long time indeed. Judge from that what you will.

Neither model will make you a fortune but if you look after it, maintain it well, keep the mileage reasonable then you'll minimise depreciation from the current prices. You may even see some small appreciation.

Fair enough. I did in fact think that was the direction everyone was headed. I guess the word classic in my mind means an old rare collectable hence valuable car.

 

[alexf65]

I have a Z4M Coupé from two years now and in january I was on the market searching for a good Z3M Coupé, but it has been impossible to find one (after 4 months searching) that hasn't been trashed and with less than many owners, no history or far from being original and last but not least they were all very expensive. Too much in my opinion.

So I decided to look for a Z3 3.0 Coupè rather than a M and I found some good examples all in better conditions for around half of the price of a Z3M. Looking at how many has been sold in Italy I found that BMW sold 166 Z3 3.0 Coupè and 216 Z3M, so I decided to buy a 3.0. For a car with more than 10 years (and owning a Z4M) I wasn't concerned about the performance, I preferred to concentrate on the quality of the car and how godo it has been treated over the years.

Let's say that I am not looking for a gain on a short term, my aim is mote to have the pleasure of owning two of the best GT's ever produced. So I am pleased by my choice even if it is not an M.

 

[tomscott]

The Z3 wasn't BMWs finest moment. It wasn't well styled and it was hounded for being a poor drivers car. Soft and frilly sums it up really, the Z4 is far better in nearly all respects. The only one worth buying is the Z3MC, personally I loved the bread van style always did it was mad. My next door neighbour had one in estoril blue and loved it, she treated it extremely badly tho neither was it an S54. I would stay clear of the rest get a Z4 instead.

If i won the lottery I would add an Z3M in estoril with the S54 and a Z8 in sliver to go with my Z4M. Some of BMWs best looking cars if you ask me.

Would add a cheeky E30 M3 Evo too 8)

 

[saskia]

Z4 mc's are classics already as you can insure them as classic cars , I had that option with my present classic ins co and others offered similar service. Rare , beautiful , fast , old fashioned handling characteristics , manual box...... looks like a 60's mustang fastback , remember vanilla sky movie .