Z3 Coupe or M Roadster....what’s your flavor?

"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
10/16/2019 at 16:30 • Filed to: None

No, I’m not talking about the quickly appreciating M Coupe. The standard Z3 Coupe and the M roadster go for quite similar prices. Which would you go for, the lighter on power but rarer Coupe, or the rip roaring roadster?

Pictures from prior BaT auctions.

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DISCUSSION (56)

smobgirl > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 16:34

COUPE.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 16:36

Is Shoe with a swap an option?

Fuck it, it would have to be the clown shoe either way.

CB > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 16:36

If I had to choose, coupe, because I’m not meant for the convertible life.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 16:37

Coupe, no question. Love that goofy little thing.

No interest in the roadster.

Nothing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/16/2019 at 16:49

Back when the Z3 came out, I was dating a saleswoman at the dealership. I will say that at last the roadster is a blast to drive around. I’ve never had the opportunity to drive a Coupe, but I’d like to!

Oh, and it’s Coupe for me, too.

Nothing > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
10/16/2019 at 16:49

There are swaps out there, for sure. I like them both, but definitely lean towards the Coupe.

Nothing > CB
10/16/2019 at 16:51

I drove my sister’s car with the top down yesterday. I really enjoyed the Miata I had a few years ago, I’m not sure I want another convertible. I can tell you I don’t want a newer Mustang convertible, it’s a big car (same length as the 4Runner!)

Nothing > smobgirl
10/16/2019 at 16:52

The only negative with coupes is finding one locally, but hey...have money, will travel. Well, not right now I don’t, but if I found the budget for the play car, I’d definitely be willing to travel for the right one.

way2blu does a rev update > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:04

That black Z3 coupe on Style 32 wheels is pretty much the perfect spec. 10/10 would try to hit 1 million miles.

Khalbali > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:07

I guess I'll be the contrarian but I'd take the roadster, I've had an NA and an NC and don't want another Miata and have always wanted a straight 6 so I've already been kinda thinking about just a regular roadster.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:11

Oh, I’m sure it’s fun - the looks just do nothing for me.

I’ve bombed around NW Arkansas in my boss’ supercharged and track-prepped Z4M roadster. Awesome machine.

Thomas Donohue > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:13

Roadster. Or Z4 Coupe, even though it wasn’t on the multiple choice test.

B_dol > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:13

Coupe to own, roadster for a weekend. Always on the lookout for the former, much to my wife’s annoyance

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:18

Roadster for me. Much more fun to cruise around in it and you can hear the 6 better

Nothing > Khalbali
10/16/2019 at 17:30

My current budget would be more towards a standard z3 roadster. The Coupe and M are hopefully in the budget come spring time.

Nothing > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
10/16/2019 at 17:30

I’ve never driven the Coupe but agree on the roadster being fun. Hope I get to try out a Coupe someday.

Nothing > Thomas Donohue
10/16/2019 at 17:31

There’s a Z4 coupe locally that is creeping might close to the budget point. I really like those too.

Nothing > B_dol
10/16/2019 at 17:32

That’s a good point, too. I like both and wouldn’t turn either down for the right price.

Nothing > way2blu does a rev update
10/16/2019 at 17:34

I know looks are subjective, but I’ve liked the coupes from day 1. Almost bought one when I first moved to CO. Twenty years later, I still want one.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:40

I’ve already got a very but even if I didn’t; I’d go for the Coupe. It’s such a goofy, awesome car. There was a time where they seemed to be getting some desirability and being snatched up quickly and prices seemed to be holding if not rising for the non-Ms on the coattails of the Ms . But I think that’s passed a little, they are still spendy for what they are but I don’t get the sense that anyone is forecasting they’ll be collectors anytime soon.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:43

Wow that coupe looks amazing. I don’t need the power of the M car, and will gladly take the cheaper maintenance on the regular coupe. I wish they were more popular, so impossible to find!

Khalbali > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 17:47

I just love the roadster, it looks so svelte, I love the curves on it.

Nothing > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/16/2019 at 17:52

I’ve seen them staying in the affordable range, I hope they stay that way until I can pull the trigger.

Nothing > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/16/2019 at 17:55

35 “available” on this site that aggregates from CL, ebay, etc. http://www.z3coupebuyersguide.com/listings

Compare to the M roadster list that had nearly 200 listings.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 19:21

I’ll take either as long as it has six cylinders and two pedals.

A 2.8 coupe automatic is my dream Z3.

James K. > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 19:23

M57 swapped realizable beast is what I want... But any coupe > roadster

ihm96 > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 20:41

Kinja'd!!!

I’ll take the coupe. I do have plans to swap mine if the engine ever blows to an S50 or s52

pizzaman09 > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 21:20

As long as it has the 2.8, I don’t care which it is. The 2.8 M52 is the sweetest ballance of grunt and zip ever put out by BMW in an engine.

Though on topic, I like the coupe.

glemon > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 21:40

I like them both, but love a cozy little coupe. As mentioned, hard to find locally. A dealer had a 2.8 a few years back, but it was an automatic.

dieseldub > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/16/2019 at 21:46

did u know....

The non-M....

... Is more rare.

Wait, what page am I on again?

spngr311 > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 21:48

I just sold my roadster and would only get a coupe if I did another Z3. Just did not enjoy having a roadster as much as I thought I would. I always felt like I had to force myself to drive it, even though it should technically be very enjoyable. I never felt that way with any other car I had and attribute it to it being a convertible (my first).

dieseldub > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 21:51

I was a teen when the coupe came out. Reading the car mags at the time, I was pretty disappointed that BMW ‘ruined’ the opportunity to make a genuinely gorgeous fastback coupe.

As the years have wore on, the coupe has aged well and my tastes have changed. I rather like long roofs and hatches in general.

Now when I see one, I get excited. It’s a rare sighting. Instead of seeing it as a ruined opportunity to make a drop dead gorgeous coupe, they’ve made the greatest hatchback ever, with a side of funk.

I want one. Bad.

Its-Not-A-Wreck-Its-My-Project > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 22:14

While I think the coupe is really quirky and cool, I put my vote in for the Roadster.

My girlfriend’s brother-in-law recently bought a pretty solid, one owner, M Roadster. I’ve always had a thing for them since they were in the ‘97 or ‘98 Motor Trend sports car shootout. I love the wide hips and the staggered wheel setup. Now that I’ve driven one, I love them even more. I’ll talk to him tonight and see if I can get a little more detail on his thoughts, what he likes, dislikes, etc.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 22:16

coupe. duh.

ClownShoe > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 22:19

2001 and 2002 3.0s have about the same hp as the older z3ms with the s52. That being said , I would trade my 02 coupe for a z3m roady

ClownShoe > way2blu does a rev update
10/16/2019 at 22:22

Kinja'd!!!

Black is so boring.

MtekJosh > Nothing
10/16/2019 at 22:30

I swear every z3 coupe I've ever seen on the road was driven by an old lady. Still. I'll take the coupe. Should be helpful when GILF hunting at the very least.

clwnshu > Nothing
10/17/2019 at 07:34

While I have an M Coupe, it was great as a daily for eight or so years , but for a weekend toy I’d really consider a Roadster for the wind and noise. But alas I can't have both.

ihm96 > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/17/2019 at 09:29

I think I just threw up in my mouth

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > ihm96
10/17/2019 at 09:34

Just d o n’ t get any on the floor.

Thirdmort > Nothing
10/17/2019 at 10:50

Considering that I grew up learning to drive a 2.5L roadster, definitely, 100% the M roadster hands down. I love cruising with the top down and the car sounds SOOO much better when the top is down vs up.

The roadster is my attainable “classic” dream car. One day...

Kinja'd!!!