Opinions on Z3M?
Discussion
Hello all, was at a trackday yesterday in my BEC powered MK Indy and had a passenger ride in a Z3M roadster, and to be honest was very impressed.
So, I know it is not as fast as my car (0-60) but it just seemed very comfortable witht the speed, and the other thing is the wife would actually get in the thing (she hates the MK Indy!).
Anyway, what are your thoughts on them? Bearing in mind it would be used on track days etc..
Thanks
Lee
So, I know it is not as fast as my car (0-60) but it just seemed very comfortable witht the speed, and the other thing is the wife would actually get in the thing (she hates the MK Indy!).
Anyway, what are your thoughts on them? Bearing in mind it would be used on track days etc..
Thanks
Lee
I had a S50 from new in 1998 and owned it for 6 years which is longer than any other car up to then. I took it on two BMW Car Club track days, one at Silverstone (full GP circuit) and one at Donnington.
It took at least 2 weeks to wipe the smile off my face on both occasions. One of the good things about the cars is they don't require any prep for you to really enjoy them on the track and you can do a weeks shopping on the way home!
If you are going to use it just for the track, you really need front and rear strut braces which reduce body shake and chassis flexquite a lot. The rear brace does lower the ground clearance considerably though as I have found on my current ///M. Then you can start playing with suspension, power and tyres etc. Would love to have the luxury of being able to use one as a track wh%re!
If you go for a S50 (pre 2001 with black backed dials) check out if it has had the essential Vanos replacement whcih was carried out mostly under warranty (or at least at little cost to most owners). There are lots of good www sources of info about these cars.
My current M Roadster is a cherished but used properly S54. Took it to Brands a couple of weeks ago and was very grateful for the DSC as the track was very greasy and it probably saved me from gravel rash on more than one occasion. One the roads, the level of grip is surprising and it just begs to be driven like you stole it (but well within the prevailing speed limit obviously!)
Sure there are better track day cars out there but the M Roadster can hold it's own in a lot of track company, pootle down to Sainsburys, carry enough luggage for a long weekend away, return 30mpg (as if that matters) keep you dry, make you smile, blow away the chavs at the lights who think it's a 1.9, and even attract the odd glance of a proper Pistonhead! You dont see too many of them about either (especially the S54). Apparently Tiff Needell has (or had) one if that makes any difference.
The above probably doesn't help much as I am totally biased, but whatever you do, enjoy!
Best regards,
Daz
It took at least 2 weeks to wipe the smile off my face on both occasions. One of the good things about the cars is they don't require any prep for you to really enjoy them on the track and you can do a weeks shopping on the way home!
If you are going to use it just for the track, you really need front and rear strut braces which reduce body shake and chassis flexquite a lot. The rear brace does lower the ground clearance considerably though as I have found on my current ///M. Then you can start playing with suspension, power and tyres etc. Would love to have the luxury of being able to use one as a track wh%re!
If you go for a S50 (pre 2001 with black backed dials) check out if it has had the essential Vanos replacement whcih was carried out mostly under warranty (or at least at little cost to most owners). There are lots of good www sources of info about these cars.
My current M Roadster is a cherished but used properly S54. Took it to Brands a couple of weeks ago and was very grateful for the DSC as the track was very greasy and it probably saved me from gravel rash on more than one occasion. One the roads, the level of grip is surprising and it just begs to be driven like you stole it (but well within the prevailing speed limit obviously!)
Sure there are better track day cars out there but the M Roadster can hold it's own in a lot of track company, pootle down to Sainsburys, carry enough luggage for a long weekend away, return 30mpg (as if that matters) keep you dry, make you smile, blow away the chavs at the lights who think it's a 1.9, and even attract the odd glance of a proper Pistonhead! You dont see too many of them about either (especially the S54). Apparently Tiff Needell has (or had) one if that makes any difference.
The above probably doesn't help much as I am totally biased, but whatever you do, enjoy!
Best regards,
Daz
Great cars, as said before look for receipt for work done to the vanos and also check for crash damage....lots of Cat C/D ones, unsure if that coincides with S50s not having DSC.
If you can stretch get the s54, this will give you DSC and although they state 325bhp it isn't much work to realise the full power as seen in the 46 M3.
If you can stretch get the s54, this will give you DSC and although they state 325bhp it isn't much work to realise the full power as seen in the 46 M3.
Forget the Roadster get a Coupe! Oh and don't worry about the Vanos, worry more about service costs as a full BMW service will come in about the same as a replacement vanos! S50 service interval are pitiful (7.5k tops), an S54 much better closer to 12 I believe, but then you will be burdened with traction control.
I have an S50 Coupe and would recommend uprating the standard marshmellow suspension ASAP if you do get one.
I have an S50 Coupe and would recommend uprating the standard marshmellow suspension ASAP if you do get one.
VANOS replacement wasn't essential, but replacement of the bolts on the covers is recommended. They're about £10 for a set and you can replace them yourself if you have a decent socket-set and a torque wrench.
Any VANOS units that have been replaced under warranty are re-furbished (or maybe remanufactured) units anyway rather than brand new and can still fail ( as I found out), but generally you should be fine if you obey the simple rule - stay below 3k revs until the oil temperature is up.
As for using one as a track toy, you'll need to add some cooling ducts for the front brakes (Search the z3mcoupe.com forums for details) as the standard setup can overheat very quickly on track. EBC Yellowstuff pads and standard OEM disks with some home-made cooling ducts have had very good results for relatlivly little cost.
Oh, the H&R ARBs are a must too. Otherwise, they're great. I've got the coupe and have done 3 track days. The only thing I can't manage it heel & toe braking as the pedal arrangement isn't ideal for this.
DC
Any VANOS units that have been replaced under warranty are re-furbished (or maybe remanufactured) units anyway rather than brand new and can still fail ( as I found out), but generally you should be fine if you obey the simple rule - stay below 3k revs until the oil temperature is up.
As for using one as a track toy, you'll need to add some cooling ducts for the front brakes (Search the z3mcoupe.com forums for details) as the standard setup can overheat very quickly on track. EBC Yellowstuff pads and standard OEM disks with some home-made cooling ducts have had very good results for relatlivly little cost.
Oh, the H&R ARBs are a must too. Otherwise, they're great. I've got the coupe and have done 3 track days. The only thing I can't manage it heel & toe braking as the pedal arrangement isn't ideal for this.
DC
Helpful info DC. I was wondering how the brakes would hold up on track. I always advocate getting exra wind to the brakes. It is one of the cheapest upgrades, if you can do it yourself. Not necessarily one of the easiest jobs though, and I have seen people spend thousands on getting an upgrade brake kit, when all it needed was some careful thought and ducting. Still early days with my Mcoupe, as I have only had it a week and the track day is tomorrow! I do like the compact size and the looks and even the Dakar yellow. Need to get a couple of spare wheels and a jack for the trackdays now. What diff and suspension setup are you running?
Cheers.
Cheers.
2skiddy,
I run H&R Coilovers with H&R ARB's with a Weichers carbon strut brace. The handling in my opinion is great without beeing to hard, thats with 18" rims. I also run a 3.64 diff which is a great mod so long as you dont spend your life on motorways!!
Theres so much choice with suspension setups and mine is a compromise that probably sits nicely in the middle of whats available, I considered KW variant 3's but decided I wouldnt and dont know enough about setup so they'd be wasted on me!! Guess its all down to intended usage and budget
I run H&R Coilovers with H&R ARB's with a Weichers carbon strut brace. The handling in my opinion is great without beeing to hard, thats with 18" rims. I also run a 3.64 diff which is a great mod so long as you dont spend your life on motorways!!
Theres so much choice with suspension setups and mine is a compromise that probably sits nicely in the middle of whats available, I considered KW variant 3's but decided I wouldnt and dont know enough about setup so they'd be wasted on me!! Guess its all down to intended usage and budget
Hi, Just got back from testing the Coupe at Blyton airfield track. First one I have done with this car, and great for assessment. The 3.64 diff fitted is a bit tiring on the motorway; maybe I could fit the slightly lower ratio diff from an E36 318is? The ACS sprint suspension worked well on track if a bit stiff on road. The H&R ARBs seemed to do the job as well. All in all quite an impressive car that really took some unsticking. Other drivers that had a turn were equally impressed. The engine needs to be worked a bit more than my old Merc CLK55AMG, but there again it`s not 5.5 litres! I`m looking forward to another trackday at Elvington, Donington or similar. Wish I`d bought one sooner!
Cheers
Cheers
2skiddy said:
The 3.64 diff fitted is a bit tiring on the motorway; maybe I could fit the slightly lower ratio diff from an E36 318is?
Cheers
Im not sure if you can get an E36 diff as the Z is E30 rear set-up.....what diff were you thinking?? The 3.64 is what everyone raves about......Im sure there is a 3.46/1 option or the OE M3 diff which is 3.25/1 but both will make a noticeable difference, the 3.25 a massive difference.Cheers
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