Greetings, very shortly I will be purchasing a Dakar-II Z3 M Coupe, in absolutely mint condition with basically brand new suspension(3k miles).

I was just curious if anyone has driven both the Z4 3.0Si Coupe and an S52 M Coupe and might have any say on the differences etc between the two. Not that I am thinking of going to a Z4 3.0Si(which would be sweet, but too much $$) I just want to know if there are any huge differences.

I know the 3.0Si is 265hp, and the S52 is 240, but for some reason I have this itching feeling that the S52 is going to feel more 'raw' than then N54. Also, I know all M Cars come with LSD's(a given), but does the 3.0Si Coupe come with one? How do you think the two would compare on the track and day-to-day driveability?

Sorry if it's a lot of questions, but I'm really curious between the two. The 3.0Si appeals to me mainly because of warranty etc. But I want to know your opinions. Z4 more honed? Z3 more raw? Like an E36 M3 compared to an E46 M3? Or is this a totally different ballpark?(i know the 3.0si is 100% different from the E46 M, I was just using it as an example since both the E36 M3 and E46 M3 have totally different feels to them).

Thanks!
-Dan

I've driven both. The Z3 chassis simply cannot compare to the Z4. The Z4 is a better car in every aspect, much better suspension design, much better materials used in the interior. They don't yaw like the Z3 does and they handle a lot better. Current indicators also aren't pointing to bad subframe issues on these cars. The 3.0si would not come with an LSD, however, because the body and suspension are so much better than the Z3 I would not doubt that one would take an MZ3 on the track. It's quite the trade off with the semi-trailing arm real suspension.

For what I paid for my 2.5 I could have gotten a S52 M roadster. I drove a friends and simply checked the car off my list. Despite the lower power I just liked the Z4 more.

I've driven both. The Z3 chassis simply cannot compare to the Z4. The Z4 is a better car in every aspect, much better suspension design, much better materials used in the interior.

Really? I love my Z4MC but just about my only complaint about it is the horrendously cheap interior materials, especially compared to the E90 330i I owned before it. If the Z3 is actually worse, that's shocking. The dashboard material in the Z4 is an absolute joke, worse than you'll find in the average Kia, and I have a problem that's apparently common - a couple of shiny areas caused by what appears to be shoddy molding of the part. The door panels' upholstery is looser than Janet Reno's gizzard, while the E90 panels are as taut as Jessica Simpson's keester in a pair of jeans 3 sizes too small, and appear to be made of a much higher quality material as well (are the panels leather or pleather? Either way, they shouldn't sag so badly). The plastics on the console, ash tray, etc., are also cheesy as hell. I'm just hoping and praying that thing doesn't turn into a rattletrap, as seems to happen to so many. I could excuse that on a roadster, but not on a tremendously rigid coupe.

There's a pdf file at the BMW manufacturing website (Spartanburg's own) that lists all the vendors used for the parts that go into the Z4 & X5. The mechanicals are mostly from the Fatherland, but the rest of the car comes from domestic & south-of-the border sources. I'm not bashing the ability of these regions to produce a quality product, but it's obvious that some serious cost-cutting was done here, which I find shameful given the price of the car.

i also disagree with interior comment.... i like the z3 interior A LOT more then the z4, it is also made much better
i feel like the inside of the m roady was just slopped together, and wants to fall apart at the seems, the z3 is nice and tight, and everything looks good and has a reason

suspension, if you upgrade and do full coilover, sway bars, all your bushings and such, it would be pretty hard to keep an s52 m coupe off your ass on any course

if you dont believe that.... explain z3 m coupes RAPING auto-x everywhere?


ill take my coupe over a z4 coupe anyday, not to mention is looks sexier

I've driven both the MZ4 Coupe and the MZ3 Coupe on the track. I've driven the Z4 3.0Si Coupe on the road for a short period of time.

Strictly comparing the E86 chassis vs the E36/8 chassis, the E86 (Z4 Coupe) is light years ahead. However, the E36/8 is no slouch. It's stiffer than the E46, and with the S52 it's still a capable engine (and lighter). Typically, if I was making a decision between an M of any sort vs an equivalent non-M, I'd take the M any day. However, this decision is made doubly as tough in that the Z4 3.0si Coupe is such a capable chassis.

In the end, if you plan on taking the car to the track, a lot, I would take the Z3M Coupe with the S52 despite the fact that the Z4 3.0Si Coupe has more power and is stiffer with more "up to date" suspension. If you plan on using it as a daily drive, mostly on street, the Z4 Coupe may be more sedate and better all around car, but that electronically assisted steering isn't comparable to the servotronic rack the Ms come with.

Great info guys I really appreciate the feedback. This makes me feel A LOT better about the MCoupe I'll be getting my hands on :)

Everytime I get in a drive it, the turn-in and, brake response, and power delivered to the wheels amazes me every time. I'll definitely be more then satisfied :)

Well my wife and I are about 6 weeks away from starting our 3rd x cross season. Her car is a 2002 Z3MC with 12k on it, and mine is a 2007 Z4MC with 2k on it. Both cars will run in stock classes with a scca street tire index. Mine will be Super stock and hers will run in A stock. To make it even more interesting will we be running the same tires are well. Falken RT 615's on stock wheels.

It should be pretty interesting as we are both very similiar drivers. Last event of last year she nipped me by 1/10 of a second for the day. Doesn't really answer your question. I will be sure to post up results throughout the year, win or lose.

The Z4 is a lot of fun. Yes, it has a more modern chassis, the interior is debateable... I personally think the MZ3 interior looks better. For a daily car, I think the Z4 wins out from my experiences. It is smooth, comfortable, safe-feeling, quick enough, and does everything well.

The MZ3 (both the S52 and S54 MZ3) is a lot more raw, looks more aggressive, and is a lot more fun to drive. I can't speak to the Z4M, since I haven't driven one personally. For a "fun factor" car, the MZ3 is definitely the way to go. It's the difference between a car that you "ride in" and a car that you "drive". The raw MZ3, with its quirks, semi-trailing arm rear, and more classic roadster driving feel and styling will thrill you more, if that's what you're looking for.

For the record... I've been a passenger in a stock S52 MZ3 Coupe with a professional driver, and the things that car can do heavily outweigh what most people are capable of. I am by no means a race driver or even that talented for that matter, but when time came to put both cars back to back, I was hard pressed to keep up with the S52 MZ3 Coupe at the track with my modified E46 M3. It was an eye opening experience.

Personally though, if I had to choose, I would go with the Z4 and deal with the electronic limited slip because after all... it will more than likely be a stret car 95% of its time.