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WANTED: Ropey Coupe

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  • WANTED: Ropey Coupe

    I'm moving from the world of Lotus' to scratch the M Coupe itch. I appreciate that it's a completely different beast but that is frankly part of the appeal.

    The intended use will be almost entirely track work with the occasional Sunday drive and maybe even a road trip if I can convince the better half that there will be sufficient stops for scenery. Purists will no doubt be concerned that this will be one less Coupe on the roads and one more being abused, however the reality is that I'm hoping to save a raggedy Coupe and bring it up to a higher performance level.

    If anyone has a high mileage, cat C or D, rusty or generally poorly maintained Coupe sitting around, or knows of one, then please do reach out to me.

    Thanks
    Rich

  • #2
    Welcome to the forum , good luck with your search

    Comment


    • #3
      Best of luck with the search. I went the other way, but still think the //M coupe is an all time cult classic.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thank you both. I've passed up 3 chances to buy an M Coupe at very agreeable prices in the last 10 years due to other commitments that I had at the time but have reached the stage where it feels like I should do it now or just put the idea to bed...so fingers crossed!

        Originally posted by Scaramanga View Post
        Best of luck with the search. I went the other way, but still think the //M coupe is an all time cult classic.
        Out of curiosity, what did you move to?

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Richoking View Post

          Out of curiosity, what did you move to?
          I’m glad I owned the Z3M, as it is a piece of BMW history. If I’m totally honest, I was expecting it to be a little more special. For example, I owned an E46 M3 at the same time, which admittedly had a lot of ££ spent making it perfect (suspension refresh, brake upgrade, carbon airbox, etc). The M3 just felt better as a driver’s car, and felt like the Z3M didn’t seem more punchy, despite being a lot smaller ? I was quite surprised to see that the Z3M actually doesn’t have a huge weight advantage.

          The other problem was that I bought an Exige Sport 350 last year, and it is absolutely incredible. It has set a new benchmark for me in terms of driver’s cars, and made the Z3M feel very woolly.

          In the meantime, picked up another special BMW which replaced the Z3M…

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Scaramanga View Post

            I’m glad I owned the Z3M, as it is a piece of BMW history. If I’m totally honest, I was expecting it to be a little more special. For example, I owned an E46 M3 at the same time, which admittedly had a lot of ££ spent making it perfect (suspension refresh, brake upgrade, carbon airbox, etc). The M3 just felt better as a driver’s car, and felt like the Z3M didn’t seem more punchy, despite being a lot smaller ? I was quite surprised to see that the Z3M actually doesn’t have a huge weight advantage.

            The other problem was that I bought an Exige Sport 350 last year, and it is absolutely incredible. It has set a new benchmark for me in terms of driver’s cars, and made the Z3M feel very woolly.

            In the meantime, picked up another special BMW which replaced the Z3M…
            That's lovely and a fantastic compliment/counterpoint to the Sport 350.

            I'm mentally prepared for the wooliness that you describe but I'm also optimistic that this can be overcome with upgrades and fettling. I've ridden a few E46 M3's and the experience is surprisingly raw considering all of the mod cons and I'm expecting the Z to be a bit more muted in comparison...though perhaps its more muted than I might hope. How much of this has been done on purpose by BMW when the E46 was their flagship saloon is up for debate, but having a crisp 6 speed for one is no doubt a part of the reason for the differing experiences.

            Having said that, I'm coming from a Honda'd Elise S1 and so I appreciate that not much is going to match this for rawness and pure connection. I think the appeal is as much in the iconicity and curiosity as anything else. I saw an ex-race prepped S54 Coupe at Castle Combe last year, a red one, that was shifting very well and wasn't really troubled by anything on the day bar the odd X-Bow etc, so they certainly have potential depending on the dress that they're wearing!

            Comment


            • #7
              Ah and also, if I can find an S54 Coupe then I'll be chuffed but I think that I would be equally happy in an S50 with fewer driver aids and an engine that gives more as you get closer to the redline. Beggars can't be choosers!

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              • #8

                Mine underwent a huge restoration even though it was a superb starting point. To give you an idea: https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2001-bmw-z3m-coupe

                Despite the major works, still felt like more of a cruiser than an outright sports car, but I still loved it!

                Maybe I could have made it sharper but tried to keep it as “OEM+” as possible. I also didn’t want to risk putting more pressure on the sub-frame / diff mount.

                Best of luck with the search!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Good luck with the search. They are great fun on track but you really need to change the standard suspension and roll bars as a minimum. Plenty of info on this site on options and peoples experiences. One of the beauties with these is the relative simplicity of them ( and size), making working on them so much easier than a more modern craft!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi @Rickoking & welcome to the forum!

                    I wouldn't call it ropey, but I think I might have the perfect basis for you it's a good, 2000 Cosmos Black S50,with Kyalami interior, but it does need a small amount of TLC and I'm running out of time to get it fully prepared for sale, before I emigrate:

                    It has KW V3s, H&R ARBs, adjustable strut mounts and Sprintex stainless rear exhaust boxes. It has 103k miles with FSH, but is now due a major service. It has a couple of small dinks in one rear arch (stones from my neighbours lawn mower!) a small area of rust on the driver's door and rusty sill covers & front wing/A-panels, but new, Genuine BMW replacements included with the car (these are bolt-on panels). It is fitted with Apex ARC-8 lightweight 18" wheels with 4 new Falken tyres.


                    I have it booked in for MOT next week.

                    With the above “issues” sorted, this would be a £30k car, but I would take £22k for it as-is, but with 12 month’s MOT; PM me if you want to know more.

                    I have just also sold an Escort Cosworth & a Westfield Megabusa &, coincidentaly, I am seriously considering a V6 Exige to replace them in Tenerife!

                    ETA: It's HPI clear.
                    Attached Files
                    Last edited by Limbs; 15-09-2021, 06:23 PM.
                    2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                    1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                    2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                    Lots of Land Rovers!
                    No wife or kids!!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      And so the deal was done & I exit M Coupe ownership after very nearly 10 years!
                      2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                      1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                      2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                      Lots of Land Rovers!
                      No wife or kids!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Limbs View Post
                        And so the deal was done & I exit M Coupe ownership after very nearly 10 years!
                        Good luck with your new life in the sun

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks Dave!
                          2000 Cosmos Black S50, Kyalami/Black interior, KW V3s, H&R ARBs, Supersprint exhausts, Apex ARC8s.
                          1996 Dark Aubergine Escort Cosworth Lux with leather, GGR 305 chipped, GGR/Koni suspension, Black Diamond discs.
                          2008 Orange/Black Westfield Megabusa, FW rear, Widetrack/Nitron Suspension, AP/Westfield 4 pots.
                          Lots of Land Rovers!
                          No wife or kids!!

                          Comment

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