Help choosing Z3M, coming from Z4M please

[Alex Wagner]

Hello,

I have owned two Z4M Roadsters in the past and loved them to bits. Amazing engine, great handling, no scuttle shake at all...

Now, I'm considering trying a Z3M Roadster (I live in Provence in the South of France, so drop-top is a must).

Why a Z3M?
- I think the Z3M look is maturing nicely into a timeless and classic design.

- I suspect the Z3M is more of a brutish old-school hot rod than the more polished and accomplished Z4M. I like it rough and I like an engaging and challenging car (I'm used to old air-cooled 911's), so the Z3M appeals. Is that what they're like compared to the Z4M?

- I get the impression I might make some money on resale. I've bought many sports cars before, nearly always losing money, and it would make a nice change to get some apreciation. It would certainly help the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) no end!

- What about rigididy? The Z4M Roadster was free of wobbling. What about the Z3M Roadster?

And now the eternal S50 vs S54 question:

- I really fancy a last-of-the-line S54, because it's a more sophisticated engine, and one that I loved it the Z4M and would enjoy getting to know again in a different chassis.

- The S54, produced in only 283 examples in Europe (versus over 3500 in S50 guise), seems like a cast-iron no-brain apreciating investment, especially as it's the last-of-line ///M straight-6, before the modern turbo era...

Your thoughts please?
On how the Z3M Roadster drives compared to the Z4M Roaster
On the apreciation upside of a Z3M Roadster, especially in S54 guise (so I can present my wife with some clever man maths!) ;-)

Thanks,

Alex

 

[ZTec]

Having a run of the mill 1.9 Z3, I'm not qualified to comment, but there are plenty of members on this forum who can help you. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Lewy]

I think the fact that the M Coupe was built by the M division to properly 'sign off' with a good model probably says it all in the handling dept but they are still totally cool and I would love to have one. My old man owned an S54 model and it sounded amazing and looked the part but he did say out of all the sports cars he had that one scared him the most in terms of potentially getting caught out.

Even with the above in mind, I'd still get one and you're right, they aint going down in price!

 

[GazHyde]

Until the sleepy ///M owners wake up, you can have a quick look through this buyers guide which has some useful things to look for when buying...

https://zroadster.org/threads/z3-and-z3m-buyers-guide-for-bertini-gt25.4910/

 

[swamper]

Firstly have you driven one yet?

 

[Biff]

I own a Z3M with the S50

I just can compare the Z4M and the Z3M with the S50, I have never driven an Z3M S54.

So it´s easy, the Z4M is a modern, comfortable car, all little helpers are on board, nice, clean.

The Z3M is an uncomfortable, only-for-small-people, pure driving machine.

In the speed or elasticity, I could not feel a difference.

For me the pure S50 was the choice, because I would never pay so much more money for such a similar motor.

I dont care about his fuel efficency, and I dont care about preserving the value, I will never sell it!

So you have to decide, modern nice car or the old uncomfortable midget´s car.

I got my decision.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I own a Z3M with the S50

I just can compare the Z4M and the Z3M with the S50, I have never driven an Z3M S54.

So it´s easy, the Z4M is a modern, comfortable car, all little helpers are on board, nice, clean.

The Z3M is an uncomfortable, only-for-small-people, pure driving machine.

In the speed or elasticity, I could not feel a difference.

For me the pure S50 was the choice, because I would never pay so much more money for such a similar motor.

I dont care about his fuel efficency, and I dont care about preserving the value, I will never sell it!

So you have to decide, modern nice car or the old uncomfortable midget´s car.

I got my decision.

You must have some giant midgets in Germany Biff
I'm 6ft tall and my Zed easily accommodates me

 

[Aceman]

Well I own a S50 Z3M and haven't driven a S54 nor Z4M but I can certainly confirm the rawness feel of the S50 as it is certainly a bit of a brute in terms of power delivery and remember the S50 doesn't have any traction or stability control so is less forgiving than the S54 which does. I think @Jonttt will be the best qualified to give you an opinion as he has owned both and has experience of driving many high performance cars.