Buying a Z3 M Roadster Convertible

[jonathan185]

My dad currently has a Caterham Super Seven which is fantastic fun. However, he is driving it less and less and is thinking at perhaps changing. He wants something more practical but still sporty, fast, fun, has space to put a suitcase and not too expensive to run.

I have been looking through some different alternatives, such as the TVR Chimaera, Honda s2000.

He wants something that is going to be reliable enough and comfortable to be able to go to the South of France with his partner. I have had a look at a few on piston heads and they look quite reasonably priced...or am I missing something? Not looking to spend more than about £15,000 (I have seen a few for £13,000-£15,000)

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Jonathan

[speed8]

You're right, the prices are good just now and I would have thought 15k should get you a good one. I can't give you much info as I've only just bought a ZM Coupe but as far as I can tell the prices came down once BMW increased the extended warranty prices.

The main things that can go wrong AFAIK are the VANOS (not sure how much is internet hype) and there have been stories of the welds on the boot floor coming apart. The latter seems to be quite rare but isn't limited to ZMs and the few I've heard of have been offered some sort of goodwill gesture by BMW even if out of warranty.

Like I say, I've only just got mine but it's great and the reason I got it was for (hopefully) reliable Euro trips.

Have a look on www.zroadster.net or maybe talk to StuB who seems to be the resident PH Z man.

[Andrew D]

I think the key issue with the Z3M is the running cost. Whilst they are £15k now, they were originally very expensive cars and have servicing and fuel costs commensurate with the inital list price. Moreover, the engine is still one of the most advanced ever to be offered in a road car, so it needs a degree of caring attention. It's no spring chicken, so expect to have to replace some major components.

If the costs involved are a bit too steep, then the S2000 is a good bet. It's a real animal when you ring it out, but it's cheap to run and I've heard from multiple sources that they've never had one S2000 VTEC engine fail. Gotta love Honda!

[900T-R]

My brother has got himself one of those a year or two ago, highish mileage (85K miles or so) for the equivalent of £12K (which included a top of the line VDO-Dayton sat nav) ... bargain I'd say. I don't think he's had any major trouble with it so far, either.

[Jmanr]

Try to avoid the version with S50B32 engine(1997-2000 3201cc 321hp),because of the VANOS failure problem...

[jonathan185]

Thanks for your advice. My dad is not a technical guy and so wants something that is going to run without much hassle which the Catreham has given him. He has 100% no claims bonus but do you think he would be in for a shock with either the z3 m or the s2000?

One other thought...if I sai, he wants a car whch you could squeeze in the back of, what would you put as a number one for the same sort of money?

[Andrew D]

100% no claims discount? Wouldn't that make his insurance free? Can't see any nasty surprises there...

By "squeeze in the back of" I assume that you mean take a third person in addition to the driver and front passenger, so we're probably talking tin-tops rather than convertibles. In which case, Z3M Coupe could be a go-er but I fear that prices may be a little above the target. The only alternative I can think of is an Audi TT 225.

[jonathan185]

He wants to stick to convertibles though...i know it is more difficult. When I said squeeze in the back of, I meant it doesn't have to have actual seats...a bit like the older Porsche 911s.