Ok, over in my mammoth what car thread https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/adrians-epic-what-car-thread-in-only-6000-words/117102/page1/ someone suggested the Z4 M coupe. We I want a drop top so I've suddenly remembered the M roadster.
What are the pros and cons of these things? Obviously being a BMW to cooling system is made of cheap chocolate and will melt in 5 mins if not updated. But what else goes wrong with these things compared to Boxstersome with their well known foibles.
There was a lot that would break the engine mount bolts.
Then there's some things associated with the S54 motor-- lower end bearings cam gear/VANOS bolts, valve adjustment service, etc.
Oh-- and make sure that the drains around the convertible top motor are clear. It doesn't like to be submerged.
And a couple of other things relative to the Boxer-- because there's a hood you can raise to see the motor, things like spark plug and air filter changes are a piece of cake.
Every one I've driven on track got greasy tires, like they are overweight. But I think that might be the 19" (?) wheel and tire upgrade the local dealer was selling. Otherwise, I liked them on track.
Karacticus wrote: Then there's some things associated with the S54 motor-- lower end bearings cam gear/VANOS bolts, valve adjustment service, etc.
I've heard the same thing about the S54. The tales of the rod bearing issues were enough to make me stop looking for a Z4M. I wonder if the 3.0L N52 cars are a little more robust.
IIRC, the rod bearing issues were long fixed by the time the Z4M came about and is more of a worry in Z3 versions.
Sonic owns a coupe version. Hopefully he'll see this thread.
Rod bearings on the S54 are a maintenance item at around 130k miles. Its the nature of the high rpm engine and small bearing suface. There was a change early on to wider bearings but they still have to be changed. On the early motor you can reuse the rod bolts, on the later they are a one time use deal.
I've got the coupe version with the 3.0si (N52) motor. It's a good motor as long as you don't get annoyed by lifter tick and do some occasional maintenance on it-- belt tensioner, oil leaks at the filter housing and valve cover, electric water pump (no pump failures on the two N52 in my garage so far-- one at 126K, one at 98K). Lifter tick is at its worst when the car's been sitting a while.
It's also a strong motor, for a normally aspirated one-- all the torque you're going to get is there by about 2700 and it pulls well all the way up to 7K red line. It's also nice getting over 30 mpg on the highway to and from the track.
The 3.0si version (and all the Z4s except the M) have electric assist steering. The M has hydraulic power steering, and a hose that fairly commonly leaks.
Ride can charitably be described as firm. I've found the car to be very sensitive to alignment-- if you don't get it right on spec, tram lining can get very annoying. If you combine that with the rear end, which changes toe under load (which works to your advantage on the track) it can make the car really busy on the road. Paying attention to the alignment and getting rid of the OEM runflats (again, on all but the M cars) can help out with that a lot.
Regular maintenance items like fluids, filters, brakes are really simple to do on this car, though my car requires a suction device to change the diff-- no drain plug.
I've really enjoyed using mine as a 3 season daily driver and HPDE car. Tracking it has worn out a few extra items over almost 100K miles, like a strut bearing, front ball joints/control arms and two wheel bearings.
Also learned on the track that the fuel tank will let you get almost every last drop out of the tank-- it's a long way from the turn 5 to pit in at Road America!
OK good news bad news. Car runs!! Bad news the head gasket is sho .
Any one want a classic Saab 900 turbo with a blown head gasket for $500
Adrian_Thompson wrote: OK good news bad news. Car runs!! Bad news the head gasket is sho . Any one want a classic Saab 900 turbo with a blown head gasket for $500
One too many beers? 
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
You could save yourself a boatload of cash if you were willing to consider a less powerful, yet substantially better looking Z3 Roadster.
Specifically, this one:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/2001-bmw-z3-5-speed-81k-miles-tmca-totally-mine-co/111367/page1/
Another plug for the N52B30. I have owned 3 of them in different chassis and I really enjoy their civility and durability. In the Z4 I think the 265HP version is available in the older 3.0si editions. What's that work out to, like 11.5/# per HP? Call it Boxster-ish, for better money.
In reply to JBasham:
I appreciate the logic, but if we all lived in a world of logic then there is no need for anything more than a base Fiesta. I'm sure the 3.0 L is a great engine, but there's something about a)the S54 and 330hp (or 333, or 335 or 338 depending on where you read it) and262 Vs 232 lb/ft. and b) the body differences between the 'base' 3.0L Z4 and the M Roadster.
Now, the N52B30 has that really cool Magnesium/aluminium block which is wicked cool I grant you that. The thing is I wan't a car that is truly special and the M calls to me.
I will at least check comparable prices though between the M Roadster and the 3.0 Z4
Hold the last post. The later 35i and is models are under $30K The N54B30 has 340hp and, wait for it 330lb/ft.
The issue with these later cars are electronics, lots and lots of them.
The advantage of the E85 M Roadster is in many ways it's the last of the solid BMW's They have the final development of the S54 with all the kinks worked out. No 'i', 's' or any other letter drive. Much simpler and easier to fix in the long run. Plus the ///M badge.
Woody wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: You could save yourself a boatload of cash if you were willing to consider a less powerful, yet substantially better looking Z3 Roadster. Specifically, this one: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/2001-bmw-z3-5-speed-81k-miles-tmca-totally-mine-co/111367/page1/
That is a killer deal, but not for me. Good luck with the sale.
Woody wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: You could save yourself a boatload of cash if you were willing to consider a less powerful, yet substantially better looking Z3 Roadster. Specifically, this one: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/2001-bmw-z3-5-speed-81k-miles-tmca-totally-mine-co/111367/page1/
Didn't you just buy that?
Harvey wrote:Woody wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: You could save yourself a boatload of cash if you were willing to consider a less powerful, yet substantially better looking Z3 Roadster. Specifically, this one: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/2001-bmw-z3-5-speed-81k-miles-tmca-totally-mine-co/111367/page1/Didn't you just buy that?
Sorry for the threadjack...
I bought it last summer and it's a lot of fun, but we recently got a dog and I don't have a decent dog hauler. My truck just isn't cutting it. I need to get a wagon (BMW, Volvo or Mercedes), but first I have to thin the fleet a little bit, so the Z3 has to go.
Now back to Adrian's regularly scheduled Z4M Roadster thread...
Adrian_Thompson wrote: In reply to JBasham: I appreciate the logic, but if we all lived in a world of logic then there is no need for anything more than a base Fiesta. I'm sure the 3.0 L is a great engine, but there's something about a)the S54 and 330hp (or 333, or 335 or 338 depending on where you read it) and262 Vs 232 lb/ft. and b) the body differences between the 'base' 3.0L Z4 and the M Roadster. Now, the N52B30 has that really cool Magnesium/aluminium block which is wicked cool I grant you that. The thing is I wan't a car that is truly special and the M calls to me. I will at least check comparable prices though between the M Roadster and the 3.0 Z4
I hear you. When I bought a new 3-series in 2013, I got the M coupe. Can't argue with 8.5ish #/HP and decent handling in a package that doesn't flag me as a douchebag every where I go.
With the N54, oil cooling and a tune you will beat that #/HP number easily in the Z4, and supposedly the cooler resolves potential heat soak problems on the track.
I finally have a few minutes to respond to this, sorry for typos as I'm on my phone. I've had my Z4M coupe for 5 years or so now, and nearly doubled the mileage from 39k to 75k. It has been basically trouble free and a really fun car to drive. The only problem I have had is an intermittent cryptic check engine light that does not affect driveability in any way. I've done maintenance including fluids, valve adjustment (bought the shim kit and tool), plugs, filters, etc for inspection2, and one brake job. Consumables are a bit expensive like the unicorn pee for oil and $250 brake rotors (which now seem cheap compared to the rediculous prices for rotors on my CLS63). It has been easy to work on.
I looked at regular Z4s as well and kept coming back to the M for all of the other goodness it has, and I haven't regretted that decision. The car is just SO good, and I think of it as the last M car that fits the original philosophy of a high revving straight 6, limited slip, and no computers to really screw it all up like th and next generation M cars. It is a bit rough in the ride for day to day stuff especially once Input on 19" wheels, and is fairly manic all the time, but as a toy car, that's what makes it fun. I have no regrets with it, and it is nice that it is still worth nearly what I paid for it.
More: the rod bearing issue is partially worked out by these last motors and if the car does not see track use then even more so. I had it on track once and it was a blast once I started driving it harder, it likes to corner with a little bit of slip angle. I do plan on doing refreshing of cooling system and bushings between 100k and 120knif I have it that long, just as preventive maintenance, which should basically mean never doing them again. The car is still tight and smooth at 75k and now lives a fairly easy life.
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