discussion Z4 M Coupe vs E46 M3

Clint@MMS AUTO

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
Z4M coz it was cheaper and neater than the M3 i went to buy that day.... No regrets, the M3 is great but the Z4m is a tad bit more exciting for me. plus it looks weird in a nice way.
 

MikeR

Well-known member
Z4M - having had both.... the Z4 is a pure drivers car IMO its like a tailored Go cart wrapped around you like a cocoon You become one with the road. its becoming one of the most sort after cars in the world for reason.
 

shauwn

Active member
Z4M coz it was cheaper and neater than the M3 i went to buy that day.... No regrets, the M3 is great but the Z4m is a tad bit more exciting for me. plus it looks weird in a nice way.
thats why its called the batmobile/batman..check below..same same..kinda:D

1614846332107.png
 

MR_Y

Well-known member
thats why its called the batmobile/batman..check below..same same..kinda:D

I would actually take a Z3M over a Z4M, just for the sheer craziness of its looks.
The Z4M is the better car, but the Z3M is insane.
 

peanut125i

Active member
The Z4M. Years ago I worked in Rivonia and someone there had one. Well there was a roadster and a coupe usually parked close together. My eyes where blind to the roadster, but the coupe, fell more in love with it ever time I saw it.

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VinceM

Well-known member
I was watching the SavageGeese reviews and really enjoyed how the Z4M was presented, it was purpose built as a sporty car vs 3 series which has enhancements over a standard / normal car


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AdiS

Well-known member
So I have had experience with both. I owned an E46 M3 for a number of years, and now own a Z4 M Roadster (and I've driven a Z4 M Coupe a few times).

The E46 M3 was always the car that I was most emotionally enticed by. I love the E46 design. I love the interior. And I love the packaging of a coupe with rear seats and a boot. It's subtle and practical, but can still deliver the most sensational, visceral and engaging driving experience on a mountain pass.

These are the things that have typically made all generations of M3s compelling.

Outside of the packaging of an E46, the real love I have is for the S54. For me, it's the most brilliant engine regardless of what chassis its placed in. I love the sound (especially with an Eventuri), I love the near instant throttle response, I love the high red line. It makes good torque and still produces exciting peak power at redline. It has this ferocious nature in how it delivers acceleration.

I feel that the S54 is at the center point of the experience (for me) of the M3, and hence it was no surprise that I find the driving experience of the Z4M (Roadster and Coupe) similarly satisfying. I still prefer the overall package of the M3 for the reasons mentioned above. I don't find the Z4 M as beautiful, but it has it's own quirky character which I enjoy in it's own right. I do enjoy the additional convertible aspect of the Roadster which I feel overall adds a lot of value relative to the very minor tradeoffs. I find that the M3 has a more confidence inspiring chassis when driven hard - this is very much a subjective "feel" for me. But I should say that I feel my Z4 M roadster is every bit as competent on mountain passes, just with a slightly different feel.

These days, the reality of the market is such that it's more affordable to find a nice example of a Z4 M (especially a roadster) than E46 M3. That was enough for me to make the switch into a low mileage minter of a roadster and I've been very happy with it. I'll still always be more in love with an E46 M3, though.

Some noticeable differences:
- The throttling is smooth and more consistent in the M3
- The gearbox in the Z4 M is different, and seems less prone to developing a sloppy shift feel
- The rear differential in the Z4 M is different, and they seem to clunk less as they age
- Z4 M doesn't have the rear subframe / rear axle carrier panel cracking issue

It's a very subjective matter, but if I was given a budget that offered the choice between a really nice Z4 M, and an average E46 M3, I'd choose the Z4 M.
 

Rotinaj

Active member
Long story short.

Owned a E46M Cabrio, pleny of my mates had the coupes or Z4s. I would not be interested in a S54 with a hardtop it's just well meh. The S54 is a pantomime engine, give it the body it deserves it's a slow car as well so forget about drag racing and just put the drop down and be the coolest kid on the block when you send it past 7500 with the roof down.

Buy the best S54 engined car with the most detailed upkeep record you can afford, if it has road rash who gives a rats ass it's a car drive it, look at the interior if it looks neat as a pin at 200 000km like my old car you have a winner, if it's furbar at 100 000km walk the hell away simple as that.
 

VinceM

Well-known member
So I have had experience with both. I owned an E46 M3 for a number of years, and now own a Z4 M Roadster (and I've driven a Z4 M Coupe a few times).

The E46 M3 was always the car that I was most emotionally enticed by. I love the E46 design. I love the interior. And I love the packaging of a coupe with rear seats and a boot. It's subtle and practical, but can still deliver the most sensational, visceral and engaging driving experience on a mountain pass.

These are the things that have typically made all generations of M3s compelling.

Outside of the packaging of an E46, the real love I have is for the S54. For me, it's the most brilliant engine regardless of what chassis its placed in. I love the sound (especially with an Eventuri), I love the near instant throttle response, I love the high red line. It makes good torque and still produces exciting peak power at redline. It has this ferocious nature in how it delivers acceleration.

I feel that the S54 is at the center point of the experience (for me) of the M3, and hence it was no surprise that I find the driving experience of the Z4M (Roadster and Coupe) similarly satisfying. I still prefer the overall package of the M3 for the reasons mentioned above. I don't find the Z4 M as beautiful, but it has it's own quirky character which I enjoy in it's own right. I do enjoy the additional convertible aspect of the Roadster which I feel overall adds a lot of value relative to the very minor tradeoffs. I find that the M3 has a more confidence inspiring chassis when driven hard - this is very much a subjective "feel" for me. But I should say that I feel my Z4 M roadster is every bit as competent on mountain passes, just with a slightly different feel.

These days, the reality of the market is such that it's more affordable to find a nice example of a Z4 M (especially a roadster) than E46 M3. That was enough for me to make the switch into a low mileage minter of a roadster and I've been very happy with it. I'll still always be more in love with an E46 M3, though.

Some noticeable differences:
- The throttling is smooth and more consistent in the M3
- The gearbox in the Z4 M is different, and seems less prone to developing a sloppy shift feel
- The rear differential in the Z4 M is different, and they seem to clunk less as they age
- Z4 M doesn't have the rear subframe / rear axle carrier panel cracking issue

It's a very subjective matter, but if I was given a budget that offered the choice between a really nice Z4 M, and an average E46 M3, I'd choose the Z4 M.

The M3 you sold was a Minter!

Was in absolutely neat and mint condition.


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