When did the market for these get crazy stupid?

[wdc330i]

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?id=5410&form_display=51

[bren]

I still remember looking at those when ordering the m3. They had several on the lot that they couldn't sell - but I guess that's usually the story for the weird niche stuff that turns into collectibles.

[John V]

S54 Z3 M Coupes have always been nutso. That just has the Enthusiast Auto tax on top of that.

[Jeff_DML]

they have been crazy for awhile especially ones with the s54

I have always like them because they are so ugly only pretty much enthusiast drive them. :D

[Theo]

This is headed in the same direction.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-bmw-m-coupe-2/

Weirdly similar except for mileage.

[John V]

they have been crazy for awhile especially ones with the s54

I have always like them because they are so ugly only pretty much enthusiast drive them. :D

There's something strangely appealing about a car that has 100hp more than its chassis and suspension can really use.

A 987S has a little less peak power and slightly more torque and it feels like it could easily handle 100hp more without issue.

[Josh (PA)]

The funny thing is on both the hard-top and convertible Z3Ms, the S52 is about 1/2 the price of the S54.

[Theo]

I've spent many a day trolling ads for a 2000 S52 MZ3 vert. I can't see it as my primary car though and the Z3 build quality is suppose to be just awe full.

[Josh (PA)]

I've spent many a day trolling ads for a 2000 S52 MZ3 vert. I can't see it as my primary car though and the Z3 build quality is suppose to be just awe full.

I think the z3 build quality is on-par with the e36 - which is to say plastic parts rot and break, window regulators fail, etc, but the drivetrain & mechanicals are pretty stout and easy to work on. My parents have a z.3 2,8 (1998 I think) that has maybe 20k miles and never needed anything. It has always run great when they've taken it out after sitting for weeks at a time.

[Nick M3]

The funny thing is on both the hard-top and convertible Z3Ms, the S52 is about 1/2 the price of the S54.
Thats because the supply of S54 cars is tiny, and because the S54 is massively better.

[Jeff_DML]

There's something strangely appealing about a car that has 100hp more than its chassis and suspension can really use.

A 987S has a little less peak power and slightly more torque and it feels like it could easily handle 100hp more without issue.

yeah it has that archaic e30 rear suspension. Guessing it is pretty entertaining on a bumpy corner with some throttle :D

[John V]

I guess this is probably obvious, but garaged E36s hold up way better than cars that have been in the elements or in very hot climates. I've seen autotrader ads for pretty low mileage E36s in the south that are in rough shape.

[John V]

yeah it has that archaic e30 rear suspension. Guessing it is pretty entertaining on a bumpy corner with some throttle :D

Yeah, E30 rear suspension is pretty entertaining in a car with < 200whp. More than that and it starts to get exciting, and I don't mean that in a good way necessarily.

Then again the MZ4 has a vastly better rear suspension and still handles like it's drunk, but I attribute that to the bizarre spring rates and high speed compression damping BMW spec'd into that car.

[Nick M3]

Yeah, E30 rear suspension is pretty entertaining in a car with < 200whp. More than that and it starts to get exciting, and I don't mean that in a good way necessarily.

Then again the MZ4 has a vastly better rear suspension and still handles like it's drunk, but I attribute that to the bizarre spring rates and high speed compression damping BMW spec'd into that car.
Eh. Halfway decent tires and fresh bushings make an E30 rear suspension very tractable, even with power. You just have to respect it a bit.

[equ]

I just don't see how the clown shoe car is more desirable than an e46 m3 with the same engine.

[John V]

Logic doesn't enter into this kind of thing. Just look at pricing for Ferrari 308s and Dinos... these were the unwanted cars ten years ago. They're not good cars. But... not many around?

[cenotaph]

I was talking with a friend that bought an S52 coup 5-6 years ago at the autocross on Sunday. He was saying that recently EAG has been buying any M coup they can get their hands on. That's probably part of it.

[Nick M3]

I just don't see how the clown shoe car is more desirable than an e46 m3 with the same engine.
Because it feels like a cross between an E36 and an E30, but has the power of an E46 M3. Ever driven one? If it wasn't hideously ugly, it'd be worth even more, IMO.