Discussion
Hi all...first time over in the BMW forum...I've reached a point where I'm going to change my Chimaera for something with lower (or rather more predictable) running costs. Partly because I'm a bit jaded by the TVR ownership thing and mainly because I'm doing more miles than I planned.
My time with TVR's has been great, however this last car made for a traumatic first couple of months of ownership (now all sorted) and it has kind of put me off a bit. I will be back for a Tuscan at some point though.
Anyway, enough of my Blackpool-biased waffling.
Like the title says - Z3M Coupe. Good car? Yes?
I've read the threads on here, but would be grateful if any former/current owners could let me know if have I missed much significant off this list:
- VANOS
- Wheels are pricey (£1000?) so knock the price down if they are scruffy
- Servicing - pretty reasonable
- BMW Warranty is a very good thing
- Post 2000 cars have DSC & newer engine - presumably better to go for? Stupid question, but how do I tell the difference?
What about consumables like brakes & tyres? Pretty cheap on the TVR...how does the M Coupe compare?
Any factory fit options that are particularly desirable?
Finally, how hard is a BMW main stealer likely to laugh if I want to p/x my Chimaera? Or does anyone fancy a swap with cash either way?
My time with TVR's has been great, however this last car made for a traumatic first couple of months of ownership (now all sorted) and it has kind of put me off a bit. I will be back for a Tuscan at some point though.
Anyway, enough of my Blackpool-biased waffling.
Like the title says - Z3M Coupe. Good car? Yes?
I've read the threads on here, but would be grateful if any former/current owners could let me know if have I missed much significant off this list:
- VANOS
- Wheels are pricey (£1000?) so knock the price down if they are scruffy
- Servicing - pretty reasonable
- BMW Warranty is a very good thing
- Post 2000 cars have DSC & newer engine - presumably better to go for? Stupid question, but how do I tell the difference?
What about consumables like brakes & tyres? Pretty cheap on the TVR...how does the M Coupe compare?
Any factory fit options that are particularly desirable?
Finally, how hard is a BMW main stealer likely to laugh if I want to p/x my Chimaera? Or does anyone fancy a swap with cash either way?
First, go to www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/ which is dedicated to the MC. A lot of enthusiastic owners, myself included, who will help you in the process.
Secondly, as for your questions:
The single most important thing for peace of mind is the BMW warranty: It covers everything mechanical and electrical, which is in particular good news for the Vanos (£1500+ to fix) problems, that some owners do experience.
Scruffy wheels would normally also tell you how a car has been driven/maintained, but given the wider rear tracking of the MC + shallow sidewalls it is very easy to curb the rears. Budget on £60-100 to refurbish them. The later (2001) MC has a shadow crome finish which is extremely hard to match.
Servicing runs from £150 for an oilchange into £6-700 for a full Inspection I or II (tappets are adjusted, which takes time + ££)
The later (2001) MC got the S54 engine (325 bhp) as opposed to the earlier E36 Evo engine S50-B32 engine (321 bhp) as well as DSC and tyre pressure control.
The MC is very light on the brakes and tyres, but don't skimp on the quality of them: Goodyear F1s are the way to go, fronts should last 20.000 km and the rears 15.000 km at least, depending on your driving style
The factory options that is worth having is the Harman Kardon sound system upgrade and the 6 CD changer - cruise control may be nice too...
Good luck!
Anders, '99 M Coupe
Secondly, as for your questions:
The single most important thing for peace of mind is the BMW warranty: It covers everything mechanical and electrical, which is in particular good news for the Vanos (£1500+ to fix) problems, that some owners do experience.
Scruffy wheels would normally also tell you how a car has been driven/maintained, but given the wider rear tracking of the MC + shallow sidewalls it is very easy to curb the rears. Budget on £60-100 to refurbish them. The later (2001) MC has a shadow crome finish which is extremely hard to match.
Servicing runs from £150 for an oilchange into £6-700 for a full Inspection I or II (tappets are adjusted, which takes time + ££)
The later (2001) MC got the S54 engine (325 bhp) as opposed to the earlier E36 Evo engine S50-B32 engine (321 bhp) as well as DSC and tyre pressure control.
The MC is very light on the brakes and tyres, but don't skimp on the quality of them: Goodyear F1s are the way to go, fronts should last 20.000 km and the rears 15.000 km at least, depending on your driving style
The factory options that is worth having is the Harman Kardon sound system upgrade and the 6 CD changer - cruise control may be nice too...
Good luck!
Anders, '99 M Coupe
UpTheIron said:
Finally, how hard is a BMW main stealer likely to laugh if I want to p/x my Chimaera? Or does anyone fancy a swap with cash either way?
cant comment on any of the above with the exception of your last point, which is really going to depend on the individual BMW dealer and his contacts and if those contacts are looking for stock, you may do better trying to sell it to one of the known specialists youself or a PH classified!
scoobzoom.... you got a decent TVR buyer?
Scoobysnack said:
Looking to do the same with my Griff 500..... M3 Covertible (E46) or a Z3M Coupe....
Don't expect dealers to be particulary good on prices. The BMW one I spoke to went straight out to 2 TVR dealers for a P/X price then passed it straight on to me.
J
I expected as much...may stick mine in the classifieds at a sensible price and see what happens. The danger is I could end up with both cars
Everything that was wrong with my Chimp was right on the M Coupe. Its like a German built TVR - no electronic aids (apart from the later ones), hugely powerful RWD 2 seater, doesn't leak.
Spot on, but getting more and more difficult to find. Definitely try and get rid of your TVR privately as the trade prices really are suicidally bad. One tip would be to keep an eye on TVR dealers and see if they get any M Coupes in as part-ex. if they don't sell straight to a BMW garage, you might get a decent part-ex.
Cheers,
Mike.
Spot on, but getting more and more difficult to find. Definitely try and get rid of your TVR privately as the trade prices really are suicidally bad. One tip would be to keep an eye on TVR dealers and see if they get any M Coupes in as part-ex. if they don't sell straight to a BMW garage, you might get a decent part-ex.
Cheers,
Mike.
Mine to could be up for sale as I'm looking at an M5
Nov 1998
Black Black/Red Leather
63,000 miles
Full BMW service History
Still under warranty about to be renewed again (upto 100,000 miles)
New Black Diamond Brakes Disc and Pads
New Dunlop + F1 Tyres all round.
Refurb'd Wheels
Excellent condition
Bargain
£19000 ( save £10000 for new pants ! (Sorry keiron))
Cheers
Grant
>> Edited by gibo993 on Thursday 8th January 16:27
Nov 1998
Black Black/Red Leather
63,000 miles
Full BMW service History
Still under warranty about to be renewed again (upto 100,000 miles)
New Black Diamond Brakes Disc and Pads
New Dunlop + F1 Tyres all round.
Refurb'd Wheels
Excellent condition
Bargain
£19000 ( save £10000 for new pants ! (Sorry keiron))
Cheers
Grant
>> Edited by gibo993 on Thursday 8th January 16:27
UpTheIron said:
Hi all...first time over in the BMW forum...I've reached a point where I'm going to change my Chimaera for something with lower (or rather more predictable) running costs. Partly because I'm a bit jaded by the TVR ownership thing and mainly because I'm doing more miles than I planned.
I've read the threads on here, but would be grateful if any former/current owners could let me know if have I missed much significant off this list:
- VANOS
- Wheels are pricey (£1000?) so knock the price down if they are scruffy
- Servicing - pretty reasonable
- BMW Warranty is a very good thing
What about consumables like brakes & tyres? Pretty cheap on the TVR...how does the M Coupe compare?
I went from M Roadster - Griffith (then to something really silly) - as my mileage went down not up.
Wheels are not that pricey to replace. More like £300 if I recall correctly. You can have wheels refurbished, but no-one can match the finish on any of the M wheels (pre or post shadow chrome) as BMW will not release the paint codes. Mine were pre-shadow and the selling dealer had refurbed them. A year later the paint was peeling off them, and after two further unsuccessful attempts to get a decent finish, I got some new wheels out of them FOC
The Inspection II service is the pricey one (£700 ish). Others not too bad.
Other weak spots... seat runners/frames - some 'rock' a bit - not good.
Rear suspension - shocks sometimes leak and the mount block at the top was redesigned I beleive. Just listen for knocking.
Other than that, pretty sound cars. (Mine got through 4 roofs and a gearbox, but not a problem on the Coupe and the 'box was freak). The warranty is essential though, as on the odd time things do go wrong, it can be £££££s
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