[X350]

Originally Posted by daddinans3

Hello - I am the new proud owner of a 2000 Z3 M Coupe

Here are a couple of pics

Great looking car !

[Z3MCOUPE]

Thanks - how many other owners are there?

[mpire]

Honestly...

I know more about the Z3 M Coupe than probably all but 10 people. I can name those 10 people though. If you want real info, the best place is www.bimmerfest.com under the Z3 section. If you have any questions, fire them off to me. I think its a serious mental issue, but whatever. How many times have you toured the factory where your car was built?

LOL

[epbrown]

One day, I'll be able to convince myself to get a black Z3 coupe. I'd love to have both parked alongisde each other.

[mpire]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_2583wt_946

Buy it.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by mpire

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_2583wt_946

Buy it.

For THIRTY GRAND? I could get another Z4 M Coupe for that, or getting a match Z4 M Roadster (hmmm...). Sorry, that price is just nuts.

[deilenberger]

Originally Posted by epbrown

For THIRTY GRAND? I could get another Z4 M Coupe for that, or getting a match Z4 M Roadster (hmmm...). Sorry, that price is just nuts.

It's not that far off in price. Low miles, rare car (they are right on the numbers) - the S54's bring $5-8k more than the '98-'00 S52US engined cars. In good condition the car can be expected to appreciate - something the Z4 isn't going to do for a number of years. And the Z3 is lighter and faster than the Z4, and has enough funky appeal that some of us would rather own it.

Not that there's anything wrong with the Z4 - it's the best modern interpretation of a Jag XKE-Coupe (not the 2+2.. the original series 1 coupe, one of the most beautiful cars ever built IMHO..) But the Z4 is derivative - something the Z3 Coupe can never be accused of. The marketing motto for the M-Coupe was "It's a lot like.. nothing else.." and for a lot of owners - that's a good part of the appeal (aside from it being one of the most fun cars to drive that I've ever had the good fortune to drive and own.. I'm on my 2nd one now..)

[epbrown]

I know the Z3MC is even more rare, but I'd think the plummeting prices on Z4Ms would depress the values a bit. Z3 owners have always pushed me to the Z4, though. I was looking for a Z3 roadster (2001-2002) and asking prices were up there with the early Z4, so I bought one. When I wanted to go to an M Coupe, nice Z3MCs were asking mid-30s, and I found a brand new Z4MC for $38k. It's like the Porsche 993/996 situation - the owners of the older ones love them too much.

[deilenberger]

Originally Posted by epbrown

I know the Z3MC is even more rare, but I'd think the plummeting prices on Z4Ms would depress the values a bit.

Doesn't seem to have happened - especially on the S54 ones. There were SO few made, and many of those have gone to auto-heaven that what remains is getting scarce and difficult to find. That scarcity drives up prices. Hasn't happened yet on the Z4 M-Coupe. Still some around - and I think there might even be some brand new ones sitting on dealer's back lots..

Z3 owners have always pushed me to the Z4, though. I was looking for a Z3 roadster (2001-2002) and asking prices were up there with the early Z4, so I bought one. When I wanted to go to an M Coupe, nice Z3MCs were asking mid-30s, and I found a brand new Z4MC for $38k. It's like the Porsche 993/996 situation - the owners of the older ones love them too much.

I think we love them just about the right amount

[fitchesbass]

Z3 M coupe are beautiful machines, but I certainly think the Z4 'derivative' is put together better - in particular the chassis (insert Z3 subframe failure comment here). There may be Z4M coupes on back lots somewhere, but lets not forget that the Z3M coupe wasn't exactly the best seller back during it's release. IIRC they had just as much trouble (if not more) moving Z3M coupes. The Z3 coupe styling is certainly (how should I say this) much more of an acquired taste.

Additionally, let's face it that all cars take the biggest hit in their value the first 1 or 2 years. So although the Z4Ms seem to been dropping by larger differences, the Z3 version has been out there for a number of years now and prices are less prone to dramatic price drops.

I believe about 700 S54 Z3M coupes were made and about 1800 Z4M coupes where made over the three year run (in north america). Rare, unique... I certainly wouldn't start collecting either to try and make a profit. People can post prices at what they would like to get on places like autotrader... doesn't mean they are actually getting buyers at that price. Regardless, both require a certain 'desire' to own and drive - not too many regular joe's driving M coupe's out there. Which may be in part why both had a hard time selling at their original sticker prices.

I am glad Z3M coupes are holding their value - it shows that with time the Z4M coupes will hold up just as well, if not even better so. The Z4M coupe is a better car in almost every aspect from all I've read (so don't hang me for not ever driving a Z3M coupe personally). Driving or not, I believe the Z3 is almost pieced together from E30 and E36 parts BMW had...so I won't go any further there.

Engine wise the S54 >> S52 all day long. I drove a 1996 M3 for 6.5 years so I know a thing or two about the S52. No doubt the S54 is the more desirable in the Z3M. It would have been awesome if the Z3M coupes got the Euro 3.2L E36 M3 engine! S52 in reality is a regular 3.2L E36 3 series engine.