Z4 M-coupe vs E46 M3

[lurendrin]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum and i am considering getting either one of the subject mentioned vehicles. The engines are absolutely amazing and I need a car that will give me the "thrill" of driving.

Please could you guys give me some advice as to which is more of a purists car i.e. The sound is raw, the drive is pure and powerful, the handling is not too refined etc

Reason i ask, some Z4 M-coupe's are going for nearly the same price as some high end E46 M3's on offer.

Thanks in advance

 

[Johnny8Bit]

.. the handling is not too refined etc

Well if that is what you want..

:tiptoe:

 

[MikeR]

:skit: I thnk if you do the search button your will find this topic has been covered extensivly.

 

[GoCart]

They are both BMW M cars, as awesome as you like then.. however, if you want your ass kicked, buy a M Roadster, Top down in a M... well.. :excited:

 

[Nikhil]

.. the handling is not too refined etc

Well if that is what you want..

:tiptoe:

:hammerhead: wheres my ban hammer

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

less refined and raw... e46 M3.

 

[Yuben]

Do u need back seats?

 

[BD_O]

The M3 is a better car, the Z4M is a much more theatrical experience. As a toy, Z4M; as a daily, M3.

 

[131GAV]

The M3 is a better car, the Z4M is a much more theatrical experience. As a toy, Z4M; as a daily, M3.

:withStu:

 

[Xack]

The M3 is a better car, the Z4M is a much more theatrical experience. As a toy, Z4M; as a daily, M3.

:withStu:

:sorry::withStu:

Andy 1 on the forum,got both, he'll give you even better insight

 

[Nikhil]

The M3 is a better car, the Z4M is a much more theatrical experience. As a toy, Z4M; as a daily, M3.

:withStu:

:sorry::withStu:

Andy 1 on the forum,got both, he'll give you even better insight

:withStu::withStu::withStu::withStu:

 

[Kimeran]

The M3 is a better car, the Z4M is a much more theatrical experience. As a toy, Z4M; as a daily, M3.

:withStu:

:sorry::withStu:

Andy 1 on the forum,got both, he'll give you even better insight

...and he's going to say the Z4M :tiptoe:

 

[Andy1GP]

You are right Kim!

And I think the Z4M will answer the OP's questions the best.

Here are some links

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=54847

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=38663

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=34539

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=41362

 

[KarshS]

If a 2 seater is fine for you then Z4M

I like the look of the e46 more.

You stand a better chance of finding a low mileage clean Z4M to an e46M

4Piper had both and from just sitting in the 2 cars i would say the Z4M is more fun with the traction off :rollsmile:

 

[Maljan]

The Z4 is a proper sports car, while the E46 is more of a two-door saloon. Okay coupé if you must.

If your lifestyle can accommodate a car with room for only one passenger, or if you have another car for the occasion when you have to pick up passengers, then the Z4 is clearly the one to get.

 

[bac]

z4 m roadster:cartel: best thrill

 

[spawn616]

both have issues

e46 more prone to bearing failures and subframe issues and vanos coz they are genesis
smg:bin:
although there are a few m smg with over 200k and no issues which is a amazing in itself

z4 early 06 some still suffered from bearing recall

still vanos issues but updated bolts most of them

cdv :hammerhead:

some cars suffer hesitation from pull off or coasting to accel

don't own one so can't comment on it

i to am looking for mainly a z4 but there are some very nice e46ms out there and nice s3:cartel: if i need a more practical daily

 

[Got-Turbo]

both are awesome cars raise:

 

[Gizmo]

For me the practicality of the M3 trumps the Z4M, so therefore you end up driving the M3 more and get to enjoy an awesome machine more often. You can make trips to builder's warehouse in it at least, drop the back seat and you got a huge boot!
Z4 got space for 2 helmets, a small bag and a passenger, thats it.

---

I always felt terrified in Z4Ms I have driven, its an unfamiliar driving position and visibility is poor. Your nose ends up half way into the road you want to cross because you can't see past objects around intersections, but thats just me.

 

[Gizmo]

Mods can merge the 2 threads, same thread in Z fanatics section.
The M3 wins the poll here but the Z4M wins the poll in the Z fanatics, I guess its relative to the section you ask...