What would you buy?

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mooney
Joined: Fri 19 Nov, 2010 17:55
Posts: 160

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: thame

What would you buy?

Post by mooney »

Bit of background:

I had a Z3 3.0. Sport 2002 year. Loved it, but didn't love it much come winter as it would freeze on the inside of windscreen.

Owned it happily for 18 months and swapped for a TTQS, hated that so sold it a month later for a Z4 3.0 2004 year.
Have owned it 18 months. Love it mostly, but its become a little boring and not very 'special'.

So I am looking for another change.

Considering Porsche Boxter 3.4 S, but budget would need to stretch to about 16k and I have never been a porsche fan before.
However, it gets me away from BMW ownership, which is all I have pretty much owned so far.

Also considering Z4M roadster. But will it be 'special' enough compared to the Z4 I currently have?

However, after taking a trip to silverstone classic today, I fell in love with the Z3m's! Only problem is I can't find any S54 ones for sale.
It will be a daily driver.

What would you get?
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

I'd get a z3m, s50 or s54

Both just as good.

Better than the others you have mentioned!

Daily drive? Hope you own a petrol station or only do a few miles a day! :rtm:
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Gazza »

Jay has his Phoenix S54 on Ebay at the moment.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181182082689? ... 1438.l2649

I have an S54 so I'm biased but I would have a Z4M over a Boxster.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Del »

Personal view- I'm a Porsche fan but some of the parts prices can be a bit scary - set of shocks for the standard Boxster are £1,000 plus and that's DIY. I reckon you need a hard top option for a daily driver and so the example shown by Gazza looks ideal.
mooney
Joined: Fri 19 Nov, 2010 17:55
Posts: 160

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: thame

Re: What would you buy?

Post by mooney »

Gazza wrote:Jay has his Phoenix S54 on Ebay at the moment.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181182082689? ... 1438.l2649

I have an S54 so I'm biased but I would have a Z4M over a Boxster.
I spotted this one, but I preferably want something OEM and looks like there will be quite a bit involved in getting this one back to OEM.
Otherwise- it looks great
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

That s54 has been for sale for months,

I would go for oem as well.

It gives you a starting point.

And if you want to leave it as oem you can (or make your own mods to suit your taste).

Just a quick question, are you called mooney because you like to moon at people? (show your bare ass)
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mooney
Joined: Fri 19 Nov, 2010 17:55
Posts: 160

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: thame

Re: What would you buy?

Post by mooney »

Badman gee wrote:
Just a quick question, are you called mooney because you like to moon at people? :lol:

Actually its my sirname.

But mooney by name, mooney by nature!
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mooney
Joined: Fri 19 Nov, 2010 17:55
Posts: 160

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: thame

Re: What would you buy?

Post by mooney »

There is a loveley looking Imola red S50 for sale.

But it's at a dealer 170 miles away, and I'm concerned about going for S50 over S54.

People have warned me off them in the past because of Vanos / nikosil? Issues...
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

mooney wrote:
Badman gee wrote:
Just a quick question, are you called mooney because you like to moon at people? :lol:

Actually its my sirname.

But mooney by name, mooney by nature!
Great, you can't beat a quick flash!
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Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Robert T »

I don't believe the Z3 ever came with Nikasil engines, at least not in the UK. VANOS is more of an issue, though a number of people on here have used Dr VANOS to sort. I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule about what age of car suffers from VANOS problems, it seems that some do whilst others a fine.

You may have a long wait to buy an S54 roadster, as they are so rare. Plenty of happy S50 owners on here - you can usually tell as they are grinning ear to ear. :wink:

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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Jonttt
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Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Jonttt »

mooney wrote:There is a loveley looking Imola red S50 for sale.

But it's at a dealer 170 miles away, and I'm concerned about going for S50 over S54.

People have warned me off them in the past because of Vanos / nikosil? Issues...
Nikosil did not affect them. Vanos is a c£600 refurbished replacement from Dr vanos

. S54s are much rarer and the phoenix for the right price will be a bargain. If the parts don't suit you they are worth plenty off the car, eg schnitzel roll hoops £650+, hardtop and kit etc.......
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

John is right, it's a great buy and you can sell off all the bits you don't like for good money.
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garyw
Joined: Fri 07 Nov, 2003 22:29
Posts: 2644

  Porsche

Re: What would you buy?

Post by garyw »

I know were on a Zed forum but you really should try the Boxster... at least have a test drive and see what its all about :drive
They really are a superb drive and wonderful to throw around and much more of a on going drivers car, let alone easily a everyday car.

True, May not be as special as the S54 due to the exclusivity but it would be the better vehicle for your needs in my experience.
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

The boxster is the poor relations Porsche

A woman's car,

Go for the 911, a mans car or a z3m
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Jonttt
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Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
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  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Jonttt »

Don't hold back badman :D

I agree you should try the boxster, it will help you choose the Z3m :twisted:
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
Posts: 2634

  M roadster S50
Location: Peterborough

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Z3cade »

You cannot beat the one and ONLY.. Z3M 8-)

Don't be put off with an S50.. The original is always the best! :twisted:

And modified even better :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
///M Roadster - Evolve Stage 3
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G2JRP
Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 04:34
Posts: 454

  M roadster S50
Location: Dereham

Re: What would you buy?

Post by G2JRP »

My wife had a 986 boxster and did not like the drive one bit and felt it did not feel as special as the Z3M. We have since upgraded to a 987 3.4s and I must say the car is very different. Nice gear change compared to the last one and I must say as a daily driver I think it is a very good package.

I would definitely try the Porsche. I will still be keeping my Z3M


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Alfie
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Joined: Thu 29 Apr, 2004 14:28
Posts: 3312

  M roadster S54
Location: Broadchurch....

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Alfie »

Don't be put off the S50 ///MR because of VANOS troubles. The S54 has (other) issues too.
The only real difference is DSC... IMO better to have and turn off than not to have at all, but plenty of folks will disagree with that.

Do you HAVE to take the roof off?
If not, check out the Z4 ///M Coupe.
Gorgeous looking, ///M performance, incredible handling and they definitely have the 'WOW' and exclusivity factors!
They look stunning in Imola or Ruby Black, and an older one will cost you not much more than a good S54 Z3 ///MR.
Probably won't hold their value quite as well though...

Don't go for a Boxster because it's too difficult to tell which way it's pointing.... :wink:

Good luck!
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Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
Posts: 2634

  M roadster S50
Location: Peterborough

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Z3cade »

Push the boat out.. Buy a 1.9

Oodles of power and you will feel very Special!
///M Roadster - Evolve Stage 3
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Badman gee
Joined: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 10:45
Posts: 2299

  M roadster S50

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Badman gee »

Z3cade wrote:Push the boat out.. Buy a 1.9

Oodles of power and you will feel very Special!
Yeh yeh! Can you handle it?
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Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
Posts: 2634

  M roadster S50
Location: Peterborough

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Z3cade »

The M44 Massive are recruiting new members
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Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
Posts: 547

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: What would you buy?

Post by Rafolian »

What's a sirname, is that when you have a knighthood and people have to call you sir?
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