Well I did an airfield day last week in the Z3M and to tell you the truth I was very dissapointed with the Z'd.
I realise now why I bought an Alpina and still love it, although it will possibly never see a track again.
The Z just needs lots of money spent on it to get it to do what I want it too.
At the event I stood watching an MX5 and all my mates turned around and said "you should have not sold yours as it was better than that" maybe true but it was time for a change. Have I made the right choice? at this moment in time I am not at all sure. Time and money will tell I guess.
I must say though it was fun.
Shopping list is growing by the day.
First Track day in Z3M Roadster
Moderator: neil
First Track day in Z3M Roadster
Now
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
S50 lump.
I suppose I expected more from an M and was comparing it with other stuff I have owned that it should have been head and shoulders above..
Ok its a 1998 car but so is my B10 and afterwards back at the workshop we all talked about the car. One common comment was that although the B10 is less powerfull it would walk all over the Z, which I felt whilst driving the Z.
In the 6 weeks I have owed it I have done nearly 3k miles so its not like I have just jumped straight into it.
I will do some simply basic changes and see if it improves any.
Maybe not seeing one at the many trackdays I have done since the late 80's, should have told me something. and set bells ringing.
At least I can advise a friend who is looking at both e46 M's and e46 Alpina's to go the Alpina route. Ok not the same car but I feel the Alpina will be loads better for him.
I suppose I expected more from an M and was comparing it with other stuff I have owned that it should have been head and shoulders above..
Ok its a 1998 car but so is my B10 and afterwards back at the workshop we all talked about the car. One common comment was that although the B10 is less powerfull it would walk all over the Z, which I felt whilst driving the Z.
In the 6 weeks I have owed it I have done nearly 3k miles so its not like I have just jumped straight into it.
I will do some simply basic changes and see if it improves any.
Maybe not seeing one at the many trackdays I have done since the late 80's, should have told me something. and set bells ringing.
At least I can advise a friend who is looking at both e46 M's and e46 Alpina's to go the Alpina route. Ok not the same car but I feel the Alpina will be loads better for him.
Now
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
E39 B10 3.2 # 64 Alpina Blue Metallic since 03.10
F02 750Li & Mini Cooper Cab
And before
E46 330Ci,MX5 Mk2,E46 325ti,Mini Cooper S, Z3M Roadster, MX5 Mk1, E38 728, E36 325, Westfield SEi fitted with 240 BHP XE Redtop, Westfield WSEi fitted with Honda SuperBlackbird, Smart 4/2, Omega MV6, LS400, Senator 24v, Volvo 360 GLT, Fiesta Supersport, Porsche 2.7s (1976)First car
+ 23 Motorbikes in my younger days
Z3M and Alpinas
I started with Alpinas some years ago, after being banned by SWMBO from M5s. The first was an E34 B10 which I loved, then an E36 B3 Coupe which I didn't, and for the last 10 years an E38 B12 which I plan to keep for many years.
So I'm a real Alpina fan!
About 7 years ago I bought a Z3M Roadster, deliberately choosing the last of the S50s (no traction control), and since then you just can't keep me out of the driving seat!
So now I'm also a Z3M fan!
I'm not that keen on modern cars, with electronic steering and 'nanny' safety devices which take over when they think you can't cope. Maybe they would be a little quicker around a lap, but are they more satisfying when you get it right? I don't think so.
I've been on a number of track and event days, including taking the Z3M to Alpina events, and I haven't seen many Alpinas that would match the Z's lap times - maybe Neil's B8 would be quicker, but there are not many of those about.
I can understand your disappointment if you bought the Z mainly as a track day car. The standard brake pads are pathetic, there's plenty of roll, particularly the front end, and you're not going to keep up with the Caterhams......
.....but you're really not trying if you can't have fun in it!
So I'm a real Alpina fan!
About 7 years ago I bought a Z3M Roadster, deliberately choosing the last of the S50s (no traction control), and since then you just can't keep me out of the driving seat!
So now I'm also a Z3M fan!
I'm not that keen on modern cars, with electronic steering and 'nanny' safety devices which take over when they think you can't cope. Maybe they would be a little quicker around a lap, but are they more satisfying when you get it right? I don't think so.
I've been on a number of track and event days, including taking the Z3M to Alpina events, and I haven't seen many Alpinas that would match the Z's lap times - maybe Neil's B8 would be quicker, but there are not many of those about.
I can understand your disappointment if you bought the Z mainly as a track day car. The standard brake pads are pathetic, there's plenty of roll, particularly the front end, and you're not going to keep up with the Caterhams......
.....but you're really not trying if you can't have fun in it!