MCoupe (Z3M) Vs. E46 M3

MCoupe (Z3M) Vs. E46 M3

Author
Discussion

Makem

Original Poster:

156 posts

189 months

Friday 5th November 2010
quotequote all
Hi all, after having a number of performance cars in the past now looking at getting into the whole //M cars. I am needing it as a daily driver but no big commutes or anything like that. Have been looking at the Z3M coupes, i love the way they looking and like the idea of how rare they are. I was wondering how these do as a daily use car and would the e46 M3 offer alot more over reliability.
Which is the better drive? they seem very similar
Space is not an issue and wont be using it for any motorway journys as have another diesel to do the long stuff.
Looking at similar money im sure i would be able to get a cleaner E46 M3 just off browsing the ads.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

jontysafe

2,361 posts

185 months

Friday 5th November 2010
quotequote all
E46. The end.

MC99

416 posts

193 months

Friday 5th November 2010
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Having owned both the Z3M coupe is not as capable as the e46. Z3M is less sorted in ride and suspension, has less progressive oversteer and just a bit less composed overall. There's still alot to be said for the breadvans and I'm a big fan. I still wish I'd kept hold of mine as I think they're a future classic. Estoril is the colour!

Edited by MC99 on Friday 5th November 23:23

Andrew Coates

272 posts

206 months

Friday 5th November 2010
quotequote all
jontysafe said:
E46. The end.
+1

jon.b

173 posts

209 months

Saturday 6th November 2010
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Having owned both, which is the better drive? ............I'd agree with others, the E46.
But which is best to look at?...........I'd say the Z3M Coupe

MC99

416 posts

193 months

Saturday 6th November 2010
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jon.b said:
Having owned both, which is the better drive? ............I'd agree with others, the E46.
But which is best to look at?...........I'd say the Z3M Coupe
+1

MC99

416 posts

193 months

Saturday 6th November 2010
quotequote all
jon.b said:
Having owned both, which is the better drive? ............I'd agree with others, the E46.
But which is best to look at?...........I'd say the Z3M Coupe
+1

rassi

2,480 posts

258 months

Saturday 6th November 2010
quotequote all
Really depends on your driving style:

The Z3M Coupe is a 5 speed, so not as relaxed as an M3. It is much more glove like, and you sit just in front of the rear wheels, which means that reactions are more immediate.

Unless you get an S54 engined version, the Z3 M Coupe doesn't have DSC and the S50 engine has shorter service intervals than the S54 engined M3.

Ultimately it depends on whether you want to use the car for "special occasions" = Z3 or more of a daily driver, in which case I think the M3 is a better bet.

M400DPC

256 posts

203 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
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I own both and agree with most of the above.

If you enjoy the attention, don't need the extra seats and are thinking of a manual...go for the ZMC. Get the suspension sorted and you'll be driving an equally capable car that looks the nuts! thumbup

ojo

162 posts

255 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
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I've owned a M coupe and driven a few E46 M3s

I'd say M coupe if you want a toy E46 to actually use, but the E46 is a far superior car in virtually every way except it looks like a boring 3 series to 90% of people where as the M coupe looks madder than it is and has more "character" if you are into that sort of thing but then if you are why not buy a TVR .......


manand38

1,812 posts

213 months

Monday 8th November 2010
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For an involved drive, nothing beats a suspension sorted Z3M Coupe. I have one and love it. Rate it above the CSL!

For a daily driver, I would go for the E46 M3 as it is more refined.

Dave 321

558 posts

247 months

Sunday 14th November 2010
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manand38 said:
For an involved drive, nothing beats a suspension sorted Z3M Coupe. I have one and love it. Rate it above the CSL!

For a daily driver, I would go for the E46 M3 as it is more refined.
Defo! I had 18" bbs lm and kw v3, preferred it to m3 & csl
Around the ring was quicker than a lot of guys who couldn't get most out of GT3' & csl. I used to laugh when I'd see them checking what tyres I was running! PS2 at the time.

UJM3

67 posts

211 months

Monday 15th November 2010
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Different animal once the suspensiosn sorted as said, im running H&R arb's and kwv3 and i think it's great.. It takes more out of you than an e46 but it's more fun imo..

If it was my only car I would of bought an e46 m3 excellent all rounder, but as im lucky enough to be able to have it as a second fun car it's m coupe every time. I have mine 3 years now and can't think of anything I would replace it with without spending massive money.

I think a good m coupe will hold it's value better too.

Dave 321

558 posts

247 months

Monday 15th November 2010
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UJM3 said:
Different animal once the suspensiosn sorted as said, im running H&R arb's and kwv3 and i think it's great.. It takes more out of you than an e46 but it's more fun imo..

If it was my only car I would of bought an e46 m3 excellent all rounder, but as im lucky enough to be able to have it as a second fun car it's m coupe every time. I have mine 3 years now and can't think of anything I would replace it with without spending massive money.

I think a good m coupe will hold it's value better too.
Yea I had those arb s too, & 3 deg front camber! Some turn-in & grip!

Dave 321

558 posts

247 months

Monday 15th November 2010
quotequote all
UJM3 said:
Different animal once the suspensiosn sorted as said, im running H&R arb's and kwv3 and i think it's great.. It takes more out of you than an e46 but it's more fun imo..

If it was my only car I would of bought an e46 m3 excellent all rounder, but as im lucky enough to be able to have it as a second fun car it's m coupe every time. I have mine 3 years now and can't think of anything I would replace it with without spending massive money.

I think a good m coupe will hold it's value better too.
Yea I had those arb s too, & 3 deg front camber! Some turn-in & grip!

mat205125

17,790 posts

220 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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MC99 said:
Estoril is the colour!
nono

Imola!

manand38

1,812 posts

213 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Seriously, the M Coupe has to be one of the best cars BMW have produced.

Took it to the Ring after a few years of CSL / M5 and it scared the sh*t out of me smile

UJM3

67 posts

211 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Dave 321 said:
Yea I had those arb s too, & 3 deg front camber! Some turn-in & grip!
Haven't swapped my top mounts round yet for the extra camber.. must try it out.biggrin

MC99

416 posts

193 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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mat205125 said:
MC99 said:
Estoril is the colour!
nono

Imola!
I'm no red hater as my current Melbourne M proves! I like imola too..(just estoril more on the breadvan)

Edited by MC99 on Tuesday 16th November 22:10

pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

186 months

Tuesday 16th November 2010
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Z4M, best of both worlds