2002 S54 Z3M roadster
Discussion
Im selling my cherished caterham 7 which has 280bhp per tonne - and have decided to buy someting more modern with a proper roof that works ,pas ,air bags and reliability ,and which swmbo might drive .
I'd narrowed it down to a either S2000 or VX220T -but then i saw a real nice S54 2002 Z3M for sale -and have always liked the look of the car ,and heard that the later cars had more relaible vanos units and better handling due to electrical aids .
I know it wont handle or be as quick as my 7.
I will only be using the car asa dry weather summer toy doing < 3k miles -and my wife will drive it so i can go to the pub -she wont even sit in my 7
Im going to test the Z3M tomorrow and hope it goes as well as it looks ,and doesnt dissapoint .
It has 46k miles full bmwsh but im looking on PH ,at similar cars ,i think the asking price of 18k is about 2k too much -and haggling will be in order to get more realisitc price
Are there any issues to look out for with these cars?
Advice would be welcome
Regards
I'd narrowed it down to a either S2000 or VX220T -but then i saw a real nice S54 2002 Z3M for sale -and have always liked the look of the car ,and heard that the later cars had more relaible vanos units and better handling due to electrical aids .
I know it wont handle or be as quick as my 7.
I will only be using the car asa dry weather summer toy doing < 3k miles -and my wife will drive it so i can go to the pub -she wont even sit in my 7
Im going to test the Z3M tomorrow and hope it goes as well as it looks ,and doesnt dissapoint .
It has 46k miles full bmwsh but im looking on PH ,at similar cars ,i think the asking price of 18k is about 2k too much -and haggling will be in order to get more realisitc price
Are there any issues to look out for with these cars?
Advice would be welcome
Regards
History on these cars is vital, look at the bills and look at where the car was serviced.
Start the car from cold and listen for any sign of a misfire. If so go home!
Check the exhaust mounting points. The whole thing can come away of the car has bottomed out or had an off on a circuit.
Ask about replacement bushes and the front wishbones. Tired springs and dampers spoil the handling something rotten.
The engine comes alive after 5,000rpm, so warm slowly and then drive like the clappers.
Check the central locking, a/c, additional electrics and look at the front end for accident damage, it chips badly and also gets bumped by owners not knowing the front end of their car.
Otherwise a dream to drive, with decent tyres and pads / disks.
Enjoy the ride and I hope you buy what is a wonderful car and misunderstood by many!
Start the car from cold and listen for any sign of a misfire. If so go home!
Check the exhaust mounting points. The whole thing can come away of the car has bottomed out or had an off on a circuit.
Ask about replacement bushes and the front wishbones. Tired springs and dampers spoil the handling something rotten.
The engine comes alive after 5,000rpm, so warm slowly and then drive like the clappers.
Check the central locking, a/c, additional electrics and look at the front end for accident damage, it chips badly and also gets bumped by owners not knowing the front end of their car.
Otherwise a dream to drive, with decent tyres and pads / disks.
Enjoy the ride and I hope you buy what is a wonderful car and misunderstood by many!
I have an earlier S50 version which is fantastic. However it needed a few mods to really make it shine i.e. suspension and strut brace make a huge difference! You can go much further with mods but depends what you want.
Essenetially they are a quirky and unusual/rare site on the roads and absolutely couldn't recommend it high enough but I am biased!! Do check for full history and proper servicing of course and do not be to concerned with the Vanos issues on the S50, it is overhyped in general. The S54 is known for breaking its bottom end bearings so both come with their issues to check.
Anyway goodluck and I hope the test drive does the job!! If you do buy check out zed-cars.eu, zroadster.net and z3mcoupe.com......there are frequent meets and bloody good drive outs!!
Jason
Essenetially they are a quirky and unusual/rare site on the roads and absolutely couldn't recommend it high enough but I am biased!! Do check for full history and proper servicing of course and do not be to concerned with the Vanos issues on the S50, it is overhyped in general. The S54 is known for breaking its bottom end bearings so both come with their issues to check.
Anyway goodluck and I hope the test drive does the job!! If you do buy check out zed-cars.eu, zroadster.net and z3mcoupe.com......there are frequent meets and bloody good drive outs!!
Jason
cheers jason
heavy snow here in scotingland so doubt ill test drive till later in week
reckon ill get my local bmw indie to check it iut for a fee-will maeke feel happier as im no techie
just reckon 18k is steep for this car-could get a later s2k for that money-with bomb proof engine and residuals
regards
heavy snow here in scotingland so doubt ill test drive till later in week
reckon ill get my local bmw indie to check it iut for a fee-will maeke feel happier as im no techie
just reckon 18k is steep for this car-could get a later s2k for that money-with bomb proof engine and residuals
regards
Well the snow subsided by late mornig so i went to drive the Z3M -2 owner car ,46k miles ,sort of metalic yellowy colour with black leather
Unmarked car in every regards and everything works as it should
Engine seems v sweet and just pulls through all the gears -prob the nicest engine ive ever driven -id say about as quick to 60 as my 7 but then 60 upwards it would leve the 7 for dead -quite stunning torque. Brakes are just awesome ,box is really nice .Steering wheel far to big IMHO and no adjustment that i could find .Hood is dead easy to get up and down .Good heater and air con .Decent Michelin pilups in situ -not my favourites i have to say -are these cars rubber senstive ?
ICE has no ipod connection .
However i was v dissapointed with the handling -the back end stepped out on corenrs where i would pushing the 7 on without fuss -the steering felt somehow remote and the front end a bit light for my taste -i just didnt feel i had the confidence to really gun it around the twisty stuff -didnt inpsire with confidence that the Z4 did -the chassis just isn't as well sorted and im not sure its really up that amount of power .I just wonder if the steering geometry is out or the tyre pressures were out -as i was expecting so much better handling from this car .
It kind of felt like a Griff that i once drove in terms of not inspiring me with confidecne in the handling -i got of out of the car and wasn't grinning from to ear to ear .
So i told him i would be interested but not at 18k -more like 16k ,and that i would come back and re test when hed had 4 wheel laser alignment done .
Also while the book had bmw franchise stamps ,the last one was 4k miles ago in 0806 ,and the car has been sitting in another branch of the franchise since August when it was bought in .There are 4 green lights showing on the dash -whatever that means -can this be tampered with .Im concerned with a car that hasnt been driven for 9mo and hasnt been serviced for 18 mo -so i told them that i would have to have it proerly serviced again ,and that i would get the car inspected by my local BMW indie for piece of mind -re all the issues highlighted in the pasts above .The last service 18 mo ago was inspection #2 -so im guessing that it needs another inspection # 1 from the indie -which they would need to pay for -our local bmw franchise is crap and uber expensive labour rates and i object paying some spotty ned teenager £100 per hour to work on my car .
Should i walking away from this car - i suspect the decision might be made for me if they aren't prepare to move on price -i found 2 S54 cars on the web at 16k with the same mileage ,and since this one has been sitting there for 9mo ,perhaps they might want to turn it around .
Im beginning to wonder if perhaps soemthing like a MX5 light be more suitable in terms of piece of mind and lack of hassle -which is what im after after years of 7 ownership [im on my 4th 7].
So would someone like to comment
1.Is it a sound buy at 16k [comes with full 6mo warranty ]
2.Should i be concerned about the handling issues -im guessing my bmw indie man would be able to sort this out and would tell me if its handling to spec or not -against that itll cost £150 which could be money down the pan -or perhaps be sued as leverage on price
3.Once the dealers warranty runs out -would you put a 3rd party warrantly direct on -ive read these dont cover the vanos and for <3k miles pa ,is it really worth it
4.How easy is it to get an ipod jack cable out of the std unit ?
cheers
Unmarked car in every regards and everything works as it should
Engine seems v sweet and just pulls through all the gears -prob the nicest engine ive ever driven -id say about as quick to 60 as my 7 but then 60 upwards it would leve the 7 for dead -quite stunning torque. Brakes are just awesome ,box is really nice .Steering wheel far to big IMHO and no adjustment that i could find .Hood is dead easy to get up and down .Good heater and air con .Decent Michelin pilups in situ -not my favourites i have to say -are these cars rubber senstive ?
ICE has no ipod connection .
However i was v dissapointed with the handling -the back end stepped out on corenrs where i would pushing the 7 on without fuss -the steering felt somehow remote and the front end a bit light for my taste -i just didnt feel i had the confidence to really gun it around the twisty stuff -didnt inpsire with confidence that the Z4 did -the chassis just isn't as well sorted and im not sure its really up that amount of power .I just wonder if the steering geometry is out or the tyre pressures were out -as i was expecting so much better handling from this car .
It kind of felt like a Griff that i once drove in terms of not inspiring me with confidecne in the handling -i got of out of the car and wasn't grinning from to ear to ear .
So i told him i would be interested but not at 18k -more like 16k ,and that i would come back and re test when hed had 4 wheel laser alignment done .
Also while the book had bmw franchise stamps ,the last one was 4k miles ago in 0806 ,and the car has been sitting in another branch of the franchise since August when it was bought in .There are 4 green lights showing on the dash -whatever that means -can this be tampered with .Im concerned with a car that hasnt been driven for 9mo and hasnt been serviced for 18 mo -so i told them that i would have to have it proerly serviced again ,and that i would get the car inspected by my local BMW indie for piece of mind -re all the issues highlighted in the pasts above .The last service 18 mo ago was inspection #2 -so im guessing that it needs another inspection # 1 from the indie -which they would need to pay for -our local bmw franchise is crap and uber expensive labour rates and i object paying some spotty ned teenager £100 per hour to work on my car .
Should i walking away from this car - i suspect the decision might be made for me if they aren't prepare to move on price -i found 2 S54 cars on the web at 16k with the same mileage ,and since this one has been sitting there for 9mo ,perhaps they might want to turn it around .
Im beginning to wonder if perhaps soemthing like a MX5 light be more suitable in terms of piece of mind and lack of hassle -which is what im after after years of 7 ownership [im on my 4th 7].
So would someone like to comment
1.Is it a sound buy at 16k [comes with full 6mo warranty ]
2.Should i be concerned about the handling issues -im guessing my bmw indie man would be able to sort this out and would tell me if its handling to spec or not -against that itll cost £150 which could be money down the pan -or perhaps be sued as leverage on price
3.Once the dealers warranty runs out -would you put a 3rd party warrantly direct on -ive read these dont cover the vanos and for <3k miles pa ,is it really worth it
4.How easy is it to get an ipod jack cable out of the std unit ?
cheers
Sounds like my first test drive! Mine was bordering dangerous (IMHO) when pushed hard in standard form.
There are relatively inexpensive Mods that you can do to improve handling/road holding and confidence:
Strut Brace, Anti roll bars, Progressive springs.
Bit more expensive:
Coilovers or suspension upgrade.
Together these transformed mine.
Don't know too much about it really just speaking from experience of mods done to mine.
Hope this is helpful! www.evolveyourcar.com did all my work and were very good indeed in case you want to check pricing etc.....
These cars really grow on you and with a bit of fettling are fantastic fun plus bloody quick!!
Jason
There are relatively inexpensive Mods that you can do to improve handling/road holding and confidence:
Strut Brace, Anti roll bars, Progressive springs.
Bit more expensive:
Coilovers or suspension upgrade.
Together these transformed mine.
Don't know too much about it really just speaking from experience of mods done to mine.
Hope this is helpful! www.evolveyourcar.com did all my work and were very good indeed in case you want to check pricing etc.....
These cars really grow on you and with a bit of fettling are fantastic fun plus bloody quick!!
Jason
cheers jason
im thinking if im apying out 16k plus then i want something totallyu sorted really without having to shell out another 2-3k -which one never sees back on selling -folk tend to like original cars imho
but i can apprecaite why you would do that
ill be interesgted to see how an mx5 compares in terms of sheer driving dynamics cf Z3m -i just ownder if the thrill of the power of the z3m would wear off after a wee while
I take the performance of my 7 for granted but the thrill of taking the twisty stuff never fades for me-thats what i love -if my 7 were just a bit more practical and safer then id def not sell her
As for the car tax - i didnt know that -hmm food for thought there for sure -would be an expensive option for <3k miles pa,not to mention the insurance group 19
im thinking if im apying out 16k plus then i want something totallyu sorted really without having to shell out another 2-3k -which one never sees back on selling -folk tend to like original cars imho
but i can apprecaite why you would do that
ill be interesgted to see how an mx5 compares in terms of sheer driving dynamics cf Z3m -i just ownder if the thrill of the power of the z3m would wear off after a wee while
I take the performance of my 7 for granted but the thrill of taking the twisty stuff never fades for me-thats what i love -if my 7 were just a bit more practical and safer then id def not sell her
As for the car tax - i didnt know that -hmm food for thought there for sure -would be an expensive option for <3k miles pa,not to mention the insurance group 19
The Z3M is Griff like to drive, a little wild and a challenge. The back end will step out but that is what the guys who designed the car at BMW wanted. It was never designed to be a taught handling road missile, such as the Z4M. The steering and rear suspension are not the latest in tactility, more old school, but a wonderful challenge to master.
Tyre pressures are vital, bills are more important than a stamped service book. The green service lights will reduce in number over the miles and they do depend upon how you drive the car, but if only doing 3,000 a year no worries.
Servicing goes, oil service, BMW Inspection 1, oil service, BMW Inspection 2. Every 12 months you should have an oil service and probably a second closer look even if just to check fuel filter, electrics, brakes, exhausts and suspension / bodywork.
Drive a few cars if possible and have a look at what else suits your budget. For 3,000 miles pa I would be tempted by a TVR or maybe a 993 / 964 Porsche. However don't discount an E30 M3, for 12-14,000 you will find a good car whch although not the fastest is a gem to drive and as quick on track as many more powerful cars and great around the lanes.
Tyre pressures are vital, bills are more important than a stamped service book. The green service lights will reduce in number over the miles and they do depend upon how you drive the car, but if only doing 3,000 a year no worries.
Servicing goes, oil service, BMW Inspection 1, oil service, BMW Inspection 2. Every 12 months you should have an oil service and probably a second closer look even if just to check fuel filter, electrics, brakes, exhausts and suspension / bodywork.
Drive a few cars if possible and have a look at what else suits your budget. For 3,000 miles pa I would be tempted by a TVR or maybe a 993 / 964 Porsche. However don't discount an E30 M3, for 12-14,000 you will find a good car whch although not the fastest is a gem to drive and as quick on track as many more powerful cars and great around the lanes.
ive done my time with classics -had an elan S3 and healey 100/4 and a tvr wedge and sl 500 -ouch those bills
and after 4 7s its time to go all sensible i reckon
Im even thinking of risking the sledging from my 3 boys who say if buy an mx5 id have to come out the closet and go to gay bar -i can take that cos ive never heard anyone say bad about mx5s -and they dont go wrong -i was just so dissapointed today that the Z3M didnt blow my socks off like i hoped it would -reckon id kill myelf in it in the wet -especially on those michelin pilups
I was impressed by the vx 220 na but its too much like my 7
Also drove an audi 3.2 dsg which was well put together and felt tight and stable
Not sure if i want the salesman to come back with a yeh or a neh wrt my asking price -maybe ill leave to fate
But have to say that engine in the M3 is something else -and yep there is the cred and the M badge which does appeal to me
thanks everyone for chipping in -really appreciate that
and after 4 7s its time to go all sensible i reckon
Im even thinking of risking the sledging from my 3 boys who say if buy an mx5 id have to come out the closet and go to gay bar -i can take that cos ive never heard anyone say bad about mx5s -and they dont go wrong -i was just so dissapointed today that the Z3M didnt blow my socks off like i hoped it would -reckon id kill myelf in it in the wet -especially on those michelin pilups
I was impressed by the vx 220 na but its too much like my 7
Also drove an audi 3.2 dsg which was well put together and felt tight and stable
Not sure if i want the salesman to come back with a yeh or a neh wrt my asking price -maybe ill leave to fate
But have to say that engine in the M3 is something else -and yep there is the cred and the M badge which does appeal to me
thanks everyone for chipping in -really appreciate that
we went for a S50 rather than blowing all our budget on a S54 and after a year of ownership it has been a blast !!! the engine is truly superb and i know what you mean about the handling but it is something you get used too ,have put a strutt brace on and will be upgradeing the dampers soon along with the brakes ,don,t dismiss the S50 you can get a lovely car for 11k !!
cheers Tux -i agree the S50 is much better bang for buck and a low mileage one would be nice
problem us in here in scotingland ,one is a lot more restricted in terms of whats out there
This S54 just seemd well sorted
Im sure you are right about the suspension upgrades ,but it just kind of sticks in my thraot to have to shell out more money on car that really shouldnt need them in the 1st place -but i guess with the cheaper earlier models you have the leeway to spend some more money and still be in pocket
Im not sure if i can spend 16k and then be expected to find more for the upgrades -ive been there with my present 7 and you never see it back come time to sell -in fact in can be turn off to a lot of folk in terms of it being an " original car "
ive also got to find £200 for an inspection by the local bmw indie as well to give me pice of mind
Anyway im waiting for the dealer to get to back to me later in the week with the numbers -if they arent right then im going to walk away
But it would be so cool to own a proper M roadster as they are fiarly rare up here -im just worried that ill get carried away and kill myself
problem us in here in scotingland ,one is a lot more restricted in terms of whats out there
This S54 just seemd well sorted
Im sure you are right about the suspension upgrades ,but it just kind of sticks in my thraot to have to shell out more money on car that really shouldnt need them in the 1st place -but i guess with the cheaper earlier models you have the leeway to spend some more money and still be in pocket
Im not sure if i can spend 16k and then be expected to find more for the upgrades -ive been there with my present 7 and you never see it back come time to sell -in fact in can be turn off to a lot of folk in terms of it being an " original car "
ive also got to find £200 for an inspection by the local bmw indie as well to give me pice of mind
Anyway im waiting for the dealer to get to back to me later in the week with the numbers -if they arent right then im going to walk away
But it would be so cool to own a proper M roadster as they are fiarly rare up here -im just worried that ill get carried away and kill myself
looks like a goer as dealer agred 16k and car to be main dealer serviced incl full steering laser geom check [ie toe ,castor camber etc] - so it should be spot on and fully stamped I then drive car after this and make my mind up -sounds good to me and least risk for me as well
Hoping it will then be spot on
Cant wait and quite excited
Regards
Hoping it will then be spot on
Cant wait and quite excited
Regards
My local indie has driven lots of these ,so im going to get his opinion on how it handles once the full main dealer has done the full geo set up
He said he prefers to keep these S54s original as in his opinion unless you are driving at daft speeds ,it doesnt need any mods
Anyway ill see what he says next week -hes also going to inspect the car fully on the ramp for me before i part with the cash
Ive not been this excited about a new toy for a v long time
The main theme im picking up is to treat these cars with uber respect and then youll be fine -so ill have to remember im not in my 7 any more because i never got near to the limits of its handling on public roads -ie tme to slow down
He said he prefers to keep these S54s original as in his opinion unless you are driving at daft speeds ,it doesnt need any mods
Anyway ill see what he says next week -hes also going to inspect the car fully on the ramp for me before i part with the cash
Ive not been this excited about a new toy for a v long time
The main theme im picking up is to treat these cars with uber respect and then youll be fine -so ill have to remember im not in my 7 any more because i never got near to the limits of its handling on public roads -ie tme to slow down
Hey doc
I think that the S54 you tried might have been involved in a bit of a prang.
I owned an S50 M Roadster until recently and the someone on the M Roadster register severely pranged and had to sell his metallic yellow M Roadster. Apparently it wasn't a write-off and was dealer fixed at considerable cost.
If I was you, I would:
- Recommend that you go on http://www.zroadster.net/forum/portal.php and stick a post up asking if anyone knows the car. If the car you tried had yellow door inserts then it is definately it.
- If you must buy an S50 take out a warranty as the VANOS unit goes constantly on them and costs £2500+ to replace. My 47,000 miler was on it's 2 when I bought it and it went again at 52,000miles. This is quite common! I would recommend www.warrantyworks.co.uk as they paid out on mine immediately, but many companies won't.
- Buy an s2000. Kicks @rse
Cheers
I think that the S54 you tried might have been involved in a bit of a prang.
I owned an S50 M Roadster until recently and the someone on the M Roadster register severely pranged and had to sell his metallic yellow M Roadster. Apparently it wasn't a write-off and was dealer fixed at considerable cost.
If I was you, I would:
- Recommend that you go on http://www.zroadster.net/forum/portal.php and stick a post up asking if anyone knows the car. If the car you tried had yellow door inserts then it is definately it.
- If you must buy an S50 take out a warranty as the VANOS unit goes constantly on them and costs £2500+ to replace. My 47,000 miler was on it's 2 when I bought it and it went again at 52,000miles. This is quite common! I would recommend www.warrantyworks.co.uk as they paid out on mine immediately, but many companies won't.
- Buy an s2000. Kicks @rse
Cheers
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff