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Thread: E36/8 5MT or E86 6AT (Not M Coupes)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    Columbus, Ohio, USA
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    2004 325xi

    E36/8 5MT or E86 6AT (Not M Coupes)

    So here's the deal . . . I'm looking at getting a Z Coupe that will more or less act as a DD. We don't get that much snow in Ohio, and when we do the Z will be left in the garage. And on particularly nice days, it may also stay in the garage in favor of a Saab convertible. My commute is around 15 miles each way . . . mostly highway . . . though I could be convinced to make it longer and take the back roads.

    So with this in mind, and all else being equal, would you rather have a Z3C (3.0i 5MT) with ~130K or a Z4C (3.0si 6AT) with ~51K?

    And yes - I posted this on the Z3 board at BimmerFest.
    Last edited by colnago1331; 03-02-2019 at 11:12 PM.
    Prior BMWs
    2013 328i xDrive
    2004 325xi

    Upcoming BMW
    2007 530xiT

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
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    819
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    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    Why the 5sp on the Z3 & auto on the Z4? I judt bought a Z4 3.0l with a 6sp and love it. Car is low but not too low and sticks to the road as well as accelerates extremely well. Other than the Top issue of the motor rusting up due to people forgetting to clean the drain holes the car is very reliable.
    Granted I have a convertible not a coupe But I would recommend the 4 over the 3 as it's a better platform.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    Columbus, Ohio, USA
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    2004 325xi
    Quote Originally Posted by B328iC View Post
    Why the 5sp on the Z3 & auto on the Z4?
    Finding a Z4C with the 6MT has been difficult at best. Right now there appear to be only three (at least searching through Auto Tempest and Auto Trader) - one in PA where the ad shows no interior pics; one in FL where the ad says it's a roadster even though it's clearly a coupe; and one in VA that's a bit more than I want to spend).
    Prior BMWs
    2013 328i xDrive
    2004 325xi

    Upcoming BMW
    2007 530xiT

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    Miamisburg, Ohio
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    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4
    I spent quite a while looking before I found the one I bought in WV. It was a 280 mi drive but worth it. I found mine on Facebook in the marketplace. They are out there just keep looking and be patient.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Posts
    819
    My Cars
    1997 328iC, 2003 Z4

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Naperville IL
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    Z4C 3.0si

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
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    172
    My Cars
    2004 325xi
    Thanks for the links. The first one doesn't have the Sport package, so it's a non-starter for me. And the second one has too many miles for my taste. FWIW - the ad is wrong as it actually has 198k+, not 190k (not that this is a huge difference at that high a number).

    By the by - I'm not opposed to the Steptronic on the Z4. From what I understand it's a very capable transmission.
    Prior BMWs
    2013 328i xDrive
    2004 325xi

    Upcoming BMW
    2007 530xiT

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    I would rule out a Z3. Just my opinion, but I can't stand them. They are extremely dated by now.
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Naperville IL
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    Z4C 3.0si
    Well if you're ok with Auto, here's a nice blue z4c with a great looking interior: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9761918376505/

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