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Thread: 98 vs 99 vs 00 M Roadster Differences?

  1. #1
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    Question 98 vs 99 vs 00 M Roadster Differences?

    Guys-

    I have a 2000 2.8 with an automatic and I am feeling the need for speed.

    I am familiar with the differences between a regular Z3 and an M, but what are the differences in the years with the S52 motor? One thing I have found so far is that the ‘98 model year doesn’t have traction control. Is that good, bad, or indifferent? Any other differences in the model years? Do they all use the same DME?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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  3. #3
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    Ok, let's see if I remember right: '98 = no traction control, '99 = asc, '00 = dsc; '98 and '99 = no convertible top headliner, '00 = convertible top headliner; '98 = no side impact air bags, '99 and '00 = side impact air bags; First production months '98 = no clock (blanking plate); '98 = amber lens turn signal tail lights, '99 and '00 = clear lens turn signal tail lights; '98 and '99 = single amp Harmon Kardon system, '00 = dual amp system. '98 and '99 = dual voice coil sub woofer, '00 = single voice coil sub. Not 100% sure, but I think '98 and '99 = single stage air bag and '00 is dual stage. There probably others, but these come to mind.

  4. #4
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    ...it depands
    ^^^
    What Mr Bingley said with small addendums; only later 00 with s54 motors came with dsc (earlier 00 with s52 motors had asc)... And starting with 00 and on, there were chrome ring inserts in the headlights.
    Last edited by nevan; 06-18-2019 at 12:00 PM.
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  5. #5
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    Oh, and speaking as someone who owns both a '98 and a '99, the '98, with no traction control at all, is a pure balls to the wall sports car that you can push into a spin if you push too hard, and is best driven keeping that in mind. The '99 will cut power long before you get there. I run extreme performance summer tires on the '98 (no wet traction at all) and max performance summer tires on the '99. I supercharged the '98. I leave the top down on the '98 and the hard top on the '99. I put real money into the sound system on the '98 and it sounds like it. I wear my airpods in the '99 and they sound great too (not as great though, and not to other people--across a parking lot--whether they like my taste in music or not). I prefer the '98, but the '99 is a very nice car; I let my wife drive it.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Bingley View Post
    Oh, and speaking as someone who owns both a '98 and a '99, the '98, with no traction control at all, is a pure balls to the wall sports car that you can push into a spin if you push too hard, and is best driven keeping that in mind. The '99 will cut power long before you get there. I run extreme performance summer tires on the '98 (no wet traction at all) and max performance summer tires on the '99. I supercharged the '98. I leave the top down on the '98 and the hard top on the '99. I put real money into the sound system on the '98 and it sounds like it. I wear my airpods in the '99 and they sound great too (not as great though, and not to other people--across a parking lot--whether they like my taste in music or not). I prefer the '98, but the '99 is a very nice car; I let my wife drive it.
    Is the 99 a more fun car with traction turned off?

  7. #7
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    I really like the fact my 98 does not have traction control. BUT my 98 looks like it DOES have the side airbags in the doors????? Hmm maybe a late 98? I really like the fact my tails are amber as someone who grew up with “iced out” lights. The one year ambers are simply beautiful.

  8. #8
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    My 98 does have side air bags, clock, and amber tails. I don't like the fact that it has no traction control, so I put 275-40 Contisports on the back. They are big and sticky.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ZedsDead87 View Post
    The one year ambers are simply beautiful.
    I'm glad there's at least one person on this planet that agrees with me. It makes me sad when I see people put clear lenses in place of the amber.
    96 320i Touring
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  10. #10
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    Wow thanks guys! This is exactly the info I am looking for—I am going to look at a couple different 98’s this weekend, now I can check on those things.

    I did happen to find another old thread on this, they mentioned a locking gas cap? But it also mentioned that the gas cap is locked with a key on some?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tim95M3 View Post
    I'm glad there's at least one person on this planet that agrees with me. It makes me sad when I see people put clear lenses in place of the amber.
    I add ambers to almost all my cars 👍🏼

  12. #12
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    Yeah amber is nice. I think aftermarket or not, amber to me feels more 90s? And clear feels more 2000s lime green eclipse. Zellamay can you post a pic of the 275s. Curious to see what they look like. Or PM me. OP, I think you’d be happy with any year. No real reason to get one over the other. At least that’s my opinion. Good luck!!!

  13. #13
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    .Here's some pics of 275-40-17 on stock M wheels..z3m2.JPGz3m5.JPGIMG_0426.JPGIMG_0425.JPGIMG_0424.JPG
    ...

  14. #14
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    I have a ‘98 Imola Red M Roady and love the ambers. Like others posted above I love the fact it doesn’t have traction control! A real beast that deserves respect but a ton of fun! Scary when wet.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kram71 View Post
    Is the 99 a more fun car with traction turned off?
    I've never tried. I too like the ambers better. And my '98 did in fact have a locking gas cap until the e-check people confiscated it because it didn't pass their stupid test--that one really got to me--I went back that night and dumpster dove their trash to try and get it back, but they must send them down to Columbus to be properly disposed of. I'm still a little miffed about that.

  16. #16
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    Zellamay car and tires look great. Thanks.

  17. #17
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    '98 M Roadster woofer woes

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Bingley View Post
    Oh, and speaking as someone who owns both a '98 and a '99, the '98, with no traction control at all, is a pure balls to the wall sports car that you can push into a spin if you push too hard, and is best driven keeping that in mind. The '99 will cut power long before you get there. I run extreme performance summer tires on the '98 (no wet traction at all) and max performance summer tires on the '99. I supercharged the '98. I leave the top down on the '98 and the hard top on the '99. I put real money into the sound system on the '98 and it sounds like it. I wear my airpods in the '99 and they sound great too (not as great though, and not to other people--across a parking lot--whether they like my taste in music or not). I prefer the '98, but the '99 is a very nice car; I let my wife drive it.
    " I put real money into the sound system on the '98 and it sounds like it."

    I have the '98, and I love the car....except the OEM woofer sounds like crap! The car was still under warranty when I bought it. My local dealer replaced the woofer under that warranty, but to no avail! I'd love to know what upgrades you did to correct this problem!

    Thanks!

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by roxilla58 View Post
    I have the '98, and I love the car....except the OEM woofer sounds like crap! The car was still under warranty when I bought it. My local dealer replaced the woofer under that warranty, but to no avail! I'd love to know what upgrades you did to correct this problem!
    Sure, BMW Business CD43 head with GROM BT3 behind the dash bluetooth integration . BAV Sound stage 1 speaker upgrade front, rear, and door tweeters, and new BMW door mids; OE HK amp driving those 8 channels. Split off the sub signal pre-amp to a 2 channel bridged Rockford Fosgate P200-2 amp (NLA but available on eBay) driving an Integral Audio 80S (now the 81S) sub enclosure and dual voice coil Alumipro 8" sub, with Fosgate PLC2 remote bass level control mounted in the switch plate behind the center console. Amp mounted in the trunk with a thermostatically controlled cooling fan. AUX in and USB charging in-dash fed by the GROM. My phone serves as the source with the CD43 being the pre-amp. Factory wiring except for the sub. A lot of Dynamat.

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