We have a contender!

"Beefchips" (beefchips)
10/07/2020 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/d/2006-bmw-z4-roadster-6spd-s54-330hp/7209543506.html

I’ve been test driving cars thinking about replacing my 16 WRX. Not that it’s a bad car or anything, but I’ve had it for 4 years and I would like to switch it up. So far: GTI, BRZ, 2 gens of Miata, 2 gens of mustang, Cayman S. Had an MR2 sold out from under me... gotta find another one to try out.

But this ! This is the first test drive I’ve had that seems like a real possibility. It’s the E46 M3 engine, suspension and brakes stuffed ported over to a roadster package. It is quite a bit faster than my WRX and seems more composed on rough roads. It’s definitely a firm ride but not as harsh. NA engine revs to 8k RPM!

Besides doing the pre-purchase inspection, anything specific I need to know about this car? Any particular pitfalls? I’ve got another appointment to go see it Saturday when hopefully there will be less traffic and I can open it up a little more. I’ve also got an appointment to drive a Porsche 928 the same day.

DISCUSSION (30)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 15:39

Rod bearings, and possibly subframe tears.

Beefchips > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/07/2020 at 15:41

Any way to check rod bearings without taking apart the bottom end? Metal in the oil perhaps?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 15:43

Ask to see if the owner has done a Blackstone oil analysis, but otherwise I guess check the oil for glitter.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 15:46

My old boss has one of these and let me drive it (in anger) a couple times in the Ozarks. What a machine...

Beefchips > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/07/2020 at 15:48

Yeah, I want to take this one to the twisty roads above town but the dealer is reluctant... I can understand why :) I’ll see if I can talk them into it. So far I’ve only got it up to about 45 or 50 . At least I’ll get it out onto the freeway .

CompactLuxuryFan > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 15:55

Definitely get a PPI from a BMW specialist. But do itttt

Beefchips > CompactLuxuryFan
10/07/2020 at 16:07

I am strongly tempted. If it’s still feeling good on Saturday, PPI.

rctothefuture > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:10

I’ve heard a lot of folks write this car off due to “handling” issues. They compare it to a Miata or an S2K and say “it’s an understeering pig”.

I’ve been wanting to test drive one as it’s one of the few convertibles I can comfortably fit in for a commuter. Hope you buy it and enjoy it, I’ll be watching with envy!

DasWauto > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:10

Ideally you want to see some sort of service record of them having been replaced. If not, just plan on having them done.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/07/2020 at 16:10

I thought that the subframe tears were on the first generation, the Z3? Did they also affect the Z4?

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:15

Following your journey. I haven’t bought a car in a year, and although I want to wait another couple before replacing my 2016 GTI, which I still like, my mind is starting to wander. Your shopping list looks like mine.

I still regret (kind of) not buying a great example of a Z3 M Coupe in 2015. Also, a fairly tall acquaintance had a Z4 coupe that he really enjoyed, even though he had to contort to get through the door.

WilliamsSW > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:23

That looks really good in black, too!

Do it (with a PPI)

barnie > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:25

My buddy has a ‘98 M3 Roadster. He let me drive it from midtown ATL to Crossville to have a leisurely x ma s lunch with my favorite aunt. And I got back home in daylight. I’m 6'-2", 280lbs and though getting in and out was not so easy, it fit like a glove. Sweet speed and handling. The TN twisty 2-laners were so much fun.

Tripper > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:32

Veteran S54 owner chiming into say DO IT! I have had a ton of seat time in z3/4 m coupe and roadsters. I just love them.

E90M3 > DasWauto
10/07/2020 at 16:44

I thought S54 rod bearings were more of a 150k item.

Talking to various E9X M3 owners, there isn’t a clear concise answer on whether/when to do them.

PyramidHat > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/07/2020 at 16:58

I think subframe issues were sorted with the Z4.

just-a-scratch > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 16:59

It looks like you need to spend some time poking around on bimmerforums .

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?15-1999-2006-(E46)

CaptDale - is secretly British > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 17:01

I approve this message! I love the Z4 M

DasWauto > E90M3
10/07/2020 at 17:01

I’m not sure but if I was buying something with an S54 and it wasn’t done I’d just do it for peace of mind and own it worry free for several years.

Beefchips > rctothefuture
10/07/2020 at 17:08

The understeer/oversteer thing is less of an argument for me since I ’m not a skilled en ough driver to push the car to that limit, especially not on the road. I do have interest in going to a track, though I missed the boat on that this summer. Next year maybe. Then I’ll see just how calamitous the understeer is, maybe!

Beefchips > just-a-scratch
10/07/2020 at 17:12

Ah, you’re definitely right. Yes, this afternoon while dodging work I ’ve done a little reading on the bearing issue, seems there was a service bulletin for the 2002-2003 bearings but supposedly fixed from factory for this car’s year, 2006. I’ll check it out, thanks for the link!

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 17:49

Great find! My only concern is ownership history given that you’re buying from a dealer (and hopefully they’re reputable, I haven’t heard of them before).

As others have said check the forums to see what issues owners have mentioned - and also definitely get a PPI from a good BMW indie.

Gotta ask - if you’re looking at this why not an E46 M3? And what other cars are you looking at?

Not what you’re looking for but I’m most likely selling my E46 ZHP in the near future (am local in Portland) - obviously will be wayyy less $$ than what you’re looking to spend here, and not quite as special a vehicle.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/07/2020 at 17:55

p.s. - saw your post about what you’re looking for. I’m not just saying this as an ex-owner, but have you considered an S2000? Right in your price point for a very nice example, 9k redline (since you seem to be in to that, which I totally get), very reliable and cheap to maintain, solid, and I would say feels more connected and dramatic than a Cayman S (while obviously slower) and also not as floaty as the Miata you drove.

If you’re worried about potential maintenance on a Z4M I’d consider it. Not really the same league, but is an excellent excellent car. It’ll hold its value really well too.

Beefchips > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/07/2020 at 18:05

Do you have a good bimmer shop locally? I’m just looking at the Interweb at large to find out who could do a PPI.

The dealer seems reasonable , from what I could tell though I haven’t heard of them before, either. They buy nice clean, very high-spec cars that have been traded in to other dealers (like a GT3 parked out front! ) Up front with carfax listing all maintenance , not pushy at all. So I get good vibes.

My list of test drives has been evolving... certainly I would start looking at M3s if this doesn’t work out. I’ve been looking for something less than 25k that has similar or better power/weight to the WRX, but with different design. Like, rad 80s design of the 928 or of the L otus that was on th e front page today , or a roadster. I was looking at muscle cars a bit but I think they’re too big.

I like small. So turbo M iata was on the list but not NA. Maybe MR2. I’ve yet to try a veloster N , that’s on the list as well. I’m also interseted in a R 10 9 or 129 SL. 911s are too expensive...I’ve considered buying a 914 or a VW fastback and dropping a STI motor in it. But that’s probably more of a project than my 25k will allow.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 18:06

Yeah, i think the later roadsters and coupes had the best version of that engine from a reliability standpoint (at least that’s what savagegees’ review of the coupe would have me belive)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
10/07/2020 at 18:22

The subframe issues were an E46 thing, and the Z3 was a hybrid of the E30/36.

Textured Soy Protein > rctothefuture
10/07/2020 at 19:12

BMWs of this era have good bones but need a little tightening up of certain things in the suspension. BMW forums are full of talk of which bushings and crap are worth upgrading. This is much less necessary on the M cars though because they have upgraded control arms and bushings and such which are common upgrades on the non-M cars.

Textured Soy Protein > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 19:14

The biggest pitfall on these for usability is the dash trim if you get the wrong kind. This car has the carbon-look leather dash trim which is what you want. The aluminum and wood trim glare right in your face with the top down on a sunny day. This car also has the navigation, it's a pop up screen under that plastic flap on the center dash. I'd rather have a real color and no nav but at least this one has the correct dash trim.

Beefchips > Textured Soy Protein
10/07/2020 at 19:40

Oh, good call, I didn’t realize that shiny dash was an option. I drove a mazda3 with a shiny mazda emblem on the wheel one time, it drove me absolutely bonkers. Fortunately this car has a matte dash.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Beefchips
10/07/2020 at 19:53

I like your style - I’ve been obsessed with R129s lately too. Such amazing value for money. Not a sports car but a damn brick and so timeless.

I don’t have a local BMW shop - all the work on my E46 I’ve done myself to date (hasn’t been anything too tough). I did get a local PPI done for a ZHP that didn’t work out at Madness Motorworks but technically they are more of a Mini specialist. Other than that most of my BMW experience has been with folks specializing in E30s and older BMWs so prob not the best folks to be looking at this thing. Everyone seems to go to Matrix Integrated with their BMWs although I haven’t personally had any experience with them.

Just given the cars you’re considering I’d really encourage you to check out an S2000 if you’ve never driven one before. Fits like a glove and is such a precise machine...and that screaming engine cannot be beat. And all in a package that you aren’t constantly fretting about exploding on you with a crazy repair bill. I was really surprised by how solid it felt too. If you want it to feel a bit more special you can hold out for a more interesting color combo (mine was white with tan interior and it was just perfect in my mind).

Whereabouts do you live? Edit - whoops already know you drive a WRX.