M coupe vs Z3 Coupe vs E36 M3 vs TT vs S4 (archive)

First off, I don't own the M Coupe, I have the Z3 Coupe 2.8. Originaly, I had an order on an Audi S4 (being an owner of a chipped A4 1.8T at the time). I thought the car was OK, not as road grabbing as an M3, felt much HEAVIER, and really didn't have the thrill either. But it WAS a very good car! But when they told me it would be MONTHS before my S4 came in, I got pissed off and went to find a new M3. Well, at that time, NOBODY had any new E36 M3's any longer, so I began to look for a used one. I ended up at Shelly BMW and my new buddy, Kevin Hite.

I spent about 4 hours test driving the M and Z, and had a few minutes in a used M3. I chose the Z3 Coupe. Reason I got the Z is:

1) the M was faster by a bit in the same turns, but felt a bit twitchy, the Z was more stable and inspired more confidence. But at THAT time, the M had the Dunflops on it, while the 00 has the better Michelin Pilot Sports - so that MAY make a difference. But the new Z3 Coupe 3.0 could also be a killer car!!!!!

2) as I bought the car for SCCA Solo II (AutoX) racing, the Z3 Coupe is placed in a more competitive class than the M was, but now that is changing soon. But the M might STILL have its work cut out for it. Time will tell.

3) actually, I orginaly went in to see about buying a USED M3 as no more new ones were available any more. The M3 I tried out was AWESOME! It had the power of the MCoupe (well, the M3 WAS first ), but BETTER HANDLING!!!! It was VERY neutral, and felt quite responsive in all aspects. But it IS a larger car than the M/Z, and you can tell that in an instant if driving them back to back. But again, the M3 felt the best of ALL of them in the turns! Sadly, the M3 would have cost more, even USED, than either the M or the Z Coupes! And I could not get the same type of loan for a used car as I could for a new one. So I had to say no to that car. :(

4) the Coupes I had been in LOVE with for some time already, but the GF at the time hated its looks. So I wasn't even thinking about it. But when I saw the Z3 Coupe WITHOUT the dreaded sunroof, I fell in love with it all over again (GF BE DAMNED!!!). I still wanted the M Coupe more cause of the power and the //M all over the car, but after the test drives I mentioned, I liked the Z more. And no matter which Coupe I would get, it made me feel back at home, seeing as almost ALL my early cars were 2 seaters (Spits, GT6, Lotus, RX7, etc). I was YOUNG again, and ready to really get back to racing!!!!

5) the S4, well, . . . . I forgot that REAL FAST after driving the M3 and Z/M Coupes!!!! It was nice as I said, but DAMN was it HEAVY! And though more HP than the M3, you couldn't tell it! Turbo Lag, though very little, it still is there. And the handling???? Nowhere near an M3! It felt as if it was wallowing through the turns. NO THANK YOU! Sure, some of the NorCal folks have gotten theirs to get going, but at what EXTRA costs???? The M3, M Coupe, and even a Z3 Coupe can beat ANY stock S4! Though the Z3 MIGHT have some work cut out for it????

6) TT???? BUTT UGLY!!!! A MAJOR problem with not only the S4, but the TT (in all forms) is the fact that it STILL is PREDOMINANTLY FWD!!!! Yep, even though if it is a Quattro, the front wheels do most of the work! And we ALL know what a pisser FWD can be when you have understeer! After my A4 which was FWD, I SWORE never again a FWD car!!!! Also, this new drive by wire crap IS CRAP! Chip makers are having a hell of a time getting chips to work, and you are NEVER in TRUE control of the car anymore!!!

7) now I COULD have had a deal on a SWEET and CLEAN Lotus Turbo Esprit S2!!!!! OH BAAAaaaby!!!! BUT!!!!! I couldn't fit in it! SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!

8) a Boxster would have been nice - real mid-engined neutral handling! But the original was too underpowered and too expensive (used was even at least $10K more than a NEW one!!!). The new S I was told was PRE-SOLD for the next two years and WAY too $$$, and the new 2.7 could be THE killer car, but again too much and too long a wait!

9) I almost bought a C5 Hardtop Vette. No matter what some say on here, it IS a killer car for what I'd want it for. And I am NOT a wussie like others who whine about noises and such! I used to own old Brit sports cars (the TRUE sports cars!!!!), and if it had a roof that didn't leak, a radio that worked, and a heater, WE WERE HAPPY! Problem was, no Chevy dealer had any for a test drive, or would NOT let you test drive one! Most all sold their Vettes to folks SIGHT UNSEEN! So if you wanted a test drive - you had to BUY IT! Now I DID get a ride in one at the Pahrump, NEV track, and it was a WILD RIDE! Gobbs of power ON DEMAND, and handled like a go-kart. And the owner of the track ran head to head with Todd from TracQuest in his trick 996 Porsche, and Rupert blew Todd away!

10) what I wouldn't have hesitated for a second - IF there were still brand new Gen 3 RX7 TT's still for sale! That is a KILLER car!!!!!

Hope this helps

Follow Ups:

Re: M coupe vs Z3 Coupe vs E36 M3 vs TT vs S4 Chris Moore 02:53 7/09/2000 (0)
Also missing the RX7 TT Greg Z-Coupe 21:30 7/08/2000 (0)
the m3 handles better? crack smoker, your just mad you have the girly 2.8 15:01 7/08/2000 (1)
- Re: the m3 handles better? crack smoker, your just Mike Zamarocy 15:18 7/08/2000 (0)
Mike, don't make us drool on dreams of the RX7.. Mr M Coupe 12:53 7/08/2000 (0)
I think most people would agree that the TT... Mr Nut 07:01 7/08/2000 (2)
- Pics of the new RX7 (rx-evolv) showing for kicks rx7guy 15:19 7/08/2000 (1)
  - Thanks Adam! Mike Zamarocy 15:42 7/08/2000 (0)

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