Opinion needed
- Thread starter Don
- Start date
Welcome @Don!
This will start quite a debate but it all comes down to personal preference, the health of your wallet and your need for power!
Z3M's have considerably more power than the 1.9, but have higher running costs. Fuel costs and servicing in the main will be higher as well as the initial purchase cost.
Cheers, Gary
This will start quite a debate but it all comes down to personal preference, the health of your wallet and your need for power!
Z3M's have considerably more power than the 1.9, but have higher running costs. Fuel costs and servicing in the main will be higher as well as the initial purchase cost.
Cheers, Gary
Thanks Gary, no huge need for the power, but I have read just great things about the S52 engine, it's reliability and relatively low cost of maintenance. Not as many fans of the 1.9, but I'm sure it has it's advantages although many choose not to promote it because it's not at the high end of power. Just trying to make a smart purchase. Engine reliability/long life is high on my list. Thanks again
Either engine - or in fact any BMW engine - will pretty much last forever if maintained correctly.
There are plenty of 1.9 fans on here who are more than happy with their engines, it's just that the 'M' owners tend to shout louder
There are plenty of 1.9 fans on here who are more than happy with their engines, it's just that the 'M' owners tend to shout louder
Welcome Don,
If you are "just looking for a fun summer ride" the 1.9 M44 16 valve is, in my book, more than capable of giving you a big grin.
The M44 was used from 1996 to 1999 (see below)
The ///M is on every Z3 owners bucket list but as Gary pointed out, not cheap to buy and run (most of the ///M cars on here don't get out of their garage ha ha) also you would need to check that the boot (trunk) welds are OK, as these can sometimes cause problems (see below)
Model Engine Power Topspeed Year
Z3 1.8 M43 4 cylinder 115 HP 194 km/h 1995 - 1998
Z3 1.9 M43 4 cylinder 118 HP 197 km/h 2001 - 2003
Z3 1.9 M44 4 cylinder 140 HP 205 km/h 1996 - 1999
View: http://youtu.be/9JIPJLROAes
If you are "just looking for a fun summer ride" the 1.9 M44 16 valve is, in my book, more than capable of giving you a big grin.
The M44 was used from 1996 to 1999 (see below)
The ///M is on every Z3 owners bucket list but as Gary pointed out, not cheap to buy and run (most of the ///M cars on here don't get out of their garage ha ha) also you would need to check that the boot (trunk) welds are OK, as these can sometimes cause problems (see below)
Model Engine Power Topspeed Year
Z3 1.8 M43 4 cylinder 115 HP 194 km/h 1995 - 1998
Z3 1.9 M43 4 cylinder 118 HP 197 km/h 2001 - 2003
Z3 1.9 M44 4 cylinder 140 HP 205 km/h 1996 - 1999
I see trouble brewing with this question!
for whats its worth my opinion is this....the 4 cylinder engines are lighter in weight leading to a better balanced car all round, they have 50kg less over the front axle but have much less power, however with some modest suspension upgrades and a fogged airbox, and if you want to go the whole hog a re-map and performance exhaust the M44 engine can end up with around 155 BHP and have fantastic handling...you could also change the rear diff ratio as well, but even without any of this I find my little 4 pot really good fun to drive and its nice to have a car where its possible to floor it without losing my licence!...just the fogged box will give you better throttle response and make the car "snappier"..and give maybe a 5 BHP improvement..
if you like old english sports cars and have a more refined view of what a classic car should be then the 1.9 will be enough, its a really nice little car that really makes me smile every time I drive it...I tried a 2.8 as well and really do not regret my choice.
now if you want to turn that smile into a maniacal grin, then the M is the car for you!,I have driven a mates one and have to say the performance is really impressive, bags of torque, great handling (although I think the 1.9 can be made to handle as well if not better) and acceleration that is an instant facelift!..it is a made for purpose sports car and lives up to its well deserved reputation.
however I personally would not swap my 1.9 for one unless I was allowed to sell it to fund buying another 1.9 and a 2.2...but then I come firmly from the "little sports car camp"
my favourites of all time are either a toyota GT2000 or a triumph TR3..just so you have an idea of where I am coming from.
whichever you choose will be bags of fun but the M will have higher running costs no doubt, from insurance to fuel, parts and servicing..both are good mileage for the age so you cant really lose...
are you a thrill seeker? or do you just want to cruise about with a smile on your face? , your answer to that question will give you your best choice!
for whats its worth my opinion is this....the 4 cylinder engines are lighter in weight leading to a better balanced car all round, they have 50kg less over the front axle but have much less power, however with some modest suspension upgrades and a fogged airbox, and if you want to go the whole hog a re-map and performance exhaust the M44 engine can end up with around 155 BHP and have fantastic handling...you could also change the rear diff ratio as well, but even without any of this I find my little 4 pot really good fun to drive and its nice to have a car where its possible to floor it without losing my licence!...just the fogged box will give you better throttle response and make the car "snappier"..and give maybe a 5 BHP improvement..
if you like old english sports cars and have a more refined view of what a classic car should be then the 1.9 will be enough, its a really nice little car that really makes me smile every time I drive it...I tried a 2.8 as well and really do not regret my choice.
now if you want to turn that smile into a maniacal grin, then the M is the car for you!,I have driven a mates one and have to say the performance is really impressive, bags of torque, great handling (although I think the 1.9 can be made to handle as well if not better) and acceleration that is an instant facelift!..it is a made for purpose sports car and lives up to its well deserved reputation.
however I personally would not swap my 1.9 for one unless I was allowed to sell it to fund buying another 1.9 and a 2.2...but then I come firmly from the "little sports car camp"
my favourites of all time are either a toyota GT2000 or a triumph TR3..just so you have an idea of where I am coming from.
whichever you choose will be bags of fun but the M will have higher running costs no doubt, from insurance to fuel, parts and servicing..both are good mileage for the age so you cant really lose...
are you a thrill seeker? or do you just want to cruise about with a smile on your face? , your answer to that question will give you your best choice!
Hi Don, for my two penneth, I'll say that when your backside is only a few inches off the road either of these or any other model will leave you grinning like a kid in a sweet shop!
Am I right in thinking the S52 is around 250bhp?
Z
zedonist
Guest
Welcome Don, opinion - yes your bum does look fat in that!
Not many fans of the 1.9, splutter, cough, not much power choke, cry, have you not heard of the M44 massive?
140BHP, 0-60 in 9.5 seconds, faster than a golf GTI in its day my son, and was the biggest selling version by far, reliable and frugal, and non of this Garage Princess malarkey may I add.
Buy an //M If you have the chance and funds, otherwise the 1.9 is just as good, just make sure it is the M44 version and you too can be Massive!
Not many fans of the 1.9, splutter, cough, not much power choke, cry, have you not heard of the M44 massive?
140BHP, 0-60 in 9.5 seconds, faster than a golf GTI in its day my son, and was the biggest selling version by far, reliable and frugal, and non of this Garage Princess malarkey may I add.
Buy an //M If you have the chance and funds, otherwise the 1.9 is just as good, just make sure it is the M44 version and you too can be Massive!
Just received this from Don via email.
Gents, Thanks again for the help. I purchased the 1998 1.9 with 42K on it. Paid $8500. It is as clean as they come inside and out. Very happy with my choice. Pic attached.
Gents, Thanks again for the help. I purchased the 1998 1.9 with 42K on it. Paid $8500. It is as clean as they come inside and out. Very happy with my choice. Pic attached.
Very nice .You have a beautiful cock,I would love to get a better look at it!
Great choice Don! Nice color combination!
Wish you many miles of fun! and welcome to the M44Massive!
Wish you many miles of fun!
and welcome to the M44Massive!
I don't mean to go on but I'm still enthraled by the look of your cock, I can see by the photo it's quite big with an enormous red head, how early does it rise in the morning?
We will just stick the all new N20 4 cylinder turbo in our cars, as the six is out the window at BMW......ha ha.......BMW=straight 6(waits for deluge)