Rad22

I know the looks are love/hate, so no opinion needed there...I like it, call me weird.

My question is, does anyone here have experience with one. I remember it came out about the same time as the 996 and one of the auto "pundits" said "it is what the 996 should have been". The later models, 2001 and 2002 S54 have the 6 cylinder engine from the E46 M3 and are rated at 325 hp in the coupe. Dinan superchargers and engine massages build on that.

I have found them for decent money, $23k or so with 11,000-18,000 miles. More miles = less money as usual, as little as $12-15K. I am looking for a toy, a fun commuter, a garage companion for my Cobra and some cool factor and uniqueness.
Opinions?

Pcar944

I love the look of the newer ones.

Like a modern 944.

No experience of them though.

Erik N

I've ridden in a few DE's in one. Cool car. They like to go sideways which is fun. I remember the otherwise useful interior was full of a bunch of superfluous BS like big speakers and amps and crap.

I believe the last year they were made, they had a different, more powerful engine that would blow up.

Baptizo

I saw an 840CI yesterday with dealer tags....all black and in nice shape.

falcor

Z3M Coupe was the strongest contender for my 964, great looks, more power, more modern and less money. It failed on a very basic point tho...."It's not a Porsche"

I'd still love to have one....

Randy V

The clown shoe!

hacker-pschorr

One of my favorite cars that I will own someday.

....must be a Porsche / Factory Five owner connection here somewhere

Where did you hear that? In 2001 they dropped in the S54 engine from the E46 M3.

The only issue I've been following is with the rear chassis member buckling. Similar to the Z8's front end problems.

yemenmocha

I was going to buy an M coupe (Z4) but then discovered it had no headroom for my tall frame. The convertible was barely enough, but didn't feel right with my head hitting the roof liner. If I could have fit normally, the coupe would be in my garage and a Porsche would have likely been my next purchase.

I have a 2006 M3 and love it. Also the e46M3 had 333hp, not 325. that same engine went into the Z4 M. It's gorgeous to hear and I enjoy it immensely.

sweanders

If you spend a lot of time at top speed the oil cooling is not sufficient.

Otherwise they are great cars!

SamGrant951

Great cars!!! Loved my S52 coupe and will be buying a steel gray S54 at some point to keep. Only car I have sold and then months later wanted another one!

Check this link for all cars for sale/sold in the US:

www.mcoupebuyersguide.com

Very quick around a track - fun/tossable, unique parts-bin cars. Front susp e36, rear susp e30. Put an external oil cooler on mine which dropped temps on track 30deg, susp isnt great stock - tckline makes a great suspension setup for these cars. Check for subframe issues and BMW cooling systems suck so for S52 cars replace waterpump/radiator/etc when you buy it if it hasnt been done. Let me know if you have any questions - I sold mine without even listing it for sale...the good ones go quick.

docwyte

Very small cars. I'm 6' tall and I barely fit in one. The most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in, to the point that after a few hours of riding in the car I spent the next hour laying on the floor of the hotel room in agony.

Check the rear subframes for cracks. Other than that, it's the usual BMW foibles, so the entire cooling system needs to be replaced every 60k miles...

sclemmons

Cool car. I have always wanted one. But I am a Porsche guy now and would not go back.

IslandS52

Ive had two, an S52 and S54 for a combined 15 years of ownership. In fact i sold my S54 for my 997. They are awesome cars, easy to work on, and with an E30 diff and coilovers is an awesome performer. Its appreciating too.

V2Rocket

+1 exactly as i imagine a modern 944 to be.

z-coupes are sex

Earlierapex

You'll probably save some weight by removing the rear facing child seats in the far back.