Z8 Vs M3 Which is better Track Car - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

MIB · 21st January 2003, 10:20

Alright MEnthusiast, you've got me thinking.

The dealer has a Black Z8 on the floor. And I took a real long hard look at it.

I like the guages, but I don't like the Steering wheel.

Ever since the Dinan Debarkel, I've been thinking of a Separate Track car. So will the Z8 be a better Track car or a M3.

Remember this will not be a daily driver, like the Beast, This will be a weekend car and Track car with lots of Mods.

Regards Mark

P.s. I couldn't take the Z8 for a run cause it was LHD.

Adam · 21st January 2003, 14:03

Its very difficult to gauge which would be the better track car...

I'd go for the M3...but i would be happy to change my opinion..

all the best
adam

MEnthusiast · 21st January 2003, 14:11

I think the M3 will be the better track car and here is why. (no particular order)

1- the Z8 is so pretty that you would hate to have any damage happen to her

2- The M3 is a little more hard nosed sports car, the Z8 a little more hard nosed GT car

3- the M3 would probably either out handle, or feel like it out handles the Z8 in the twisties

4- the Z8 would easily pull away from the M3 whenever you can go straight

5- in line with #1- replacement parts, will be more expensive for the Z8

6- the Z8 is a better track car than most people realize, but I just dont think its "personality" is track use- its back roads and the highway, a weekend toy.

I think if you get the Z8, and use it mostly for weekend back roads, and the occassional track use, then you will love it, but if you track it often, the M3 is probably better suited to your needs, and I wouldnt hesitate to get the SMGII M3 because it is superior for track duty.

you should seek out Macfly, here as well as at Roadfly (bimmer.org) because he tracks his Z8. Im not really a tacker. But I did get to to drive the hell out of BMWNA's Z8s at the Driving Experience in SC and it was the time of my, and everyone else there's, life. We learned that the Z8 has abilities that are seemingly hidden on public roads.

Also, about the Z8, its a bit of a unique driving sensation, you sit far back, long hood out in front of you, very much the opposite of a 911 or even M3. Some people love the way it drives, some people just dont. I dont know if you can get a test drive or not, but if you can, you should. I can tell you that, just like all BMWs, the twistier the road, the smaller the Z8 feels.... I love it, but its a car made for a few thousand people, so if it doesnt move you dont feel like somethings wrong with you- its just a very narrowly focused product.

johann · 21st January 2003, 14:26

Here is my view at it.

Both would be very fun and on a really fast track such as Nordschleife the Z8 will be faster, on a normal track such as Hockeheim short circuit they will be close to similar and on a really tight track the M3 will have the edge.

Which would I choose? The M3 any time for this reasons:

1. It's lighter

2. It's safer

3. It's half the price of Z8 and similarily fast

4. Wit some minor mods the M3 will blow the Z8 away on any track and these mods are readily available for the M3 but not for the Z8.

5. The rev meter is where it is supposed to be for active driving

6. You can choose between manual and SMG II

7. Did I say it was lighter?

8. And safer!

Cheers,
/Johan

Vince5 · 21st January 2003, 14:35

Hi !
I only test drove the Z8 so not a huge experience
I was surprised by how stiff it was
It feels very nimble
Weight distribution is good

Problem is it's not built for it. Your speedo and rev instruments are placed in the middle. Very annoying to have to turn your head to look at it in limit situations for ex. A cab is by definition not ideal for track as well. Running cost may not be ideal but since you want to buy a Z8 and plans to use it on a track it may not be an issue here !

As for other BMW you would need some upgrades (read brakes)

Overall I still think it would make an amazing track car !

jmott · 21st January 2003, 15:02

the weights of the two cars are about equal from reading the specs from BMW.

the z8 probably has a lower center of gravity.

any other handling issues are things that are correctable.

Id vote z8

the new M3s aren't actually so great in the handling department as the old ones.

BlueBiturbo · 21st January 2003, 15:06

M3!
Because:

1. Chassis stiffness. Although Z8 is made of alu, an open top chassis is IMHO fall behind a coupe. Yes you can put roll bars in the Z8 but you have to compare standard Z8 vs standard M3.

2. Z8 has poor rear deck aerodynamics (easily solved with a rear spoiler) .

3. More parts available for the M3. Cheaper and EASIER to mod. I would imagine that track-prepping a Z8 will be as difficult as looking for race parts the old 850CSi. Lots of custom-parts that you should build or send from Germany to Aussie which takes more money and time.

4. You can play Ralf wannabe with the available SMG-II

5. M3 is Cheaper. Safe the Z8 money and buy tons of mods for the M3 (CF hood, CF doors, CF this, CF that...etc).

6. When you had enough with the car, you can always convert it back to a road car spec and sell it easily (vs the LHD Z8). Or maybe keep its track-only specs and still sell it easier than the Z8.

Don't forget to post us pics when you made your decicision.

Cheers,
Taffy

johann · 21st January 2003, 15:24

Quote:

Originally posted by jmott
the weights of the two cars are about equal from reading the specs from BMW.

the z8 probably has a lower center of gravity.

any other handling issues are things that are correctable.

Id vote z8

the new M3s aren't actually so great in the handling department as the old ones.

Weight: M3 1570 kg, Z8 1690 kg, that is a difference of 264 lbs!
Slalom 110m: M3 136 km/h, Z8 128 km/h
Nordschleife: M3 8.22, Z8 8.18
Hockenheim: M3 1.17.2, Z8 1.17,4
Braking 200-0 km/h: M3 141.6 m, Z8 148.4 m
Braking: 100-0 km/h: M3 36.4, Z8 37,5 m
Lift force rear axle at 200 km/h: M3 180 Nm, Z8 680 Nm

FWIW, the current M3 is faster around Hockenheim than both E30 M3 and E36 M3 so from what do you conclude that handles worse?

Cheers,
/Johan

NO-MERCY · 21st January 2003, 17:09

Having owned one of each my vote goes to the Z8.

kevin034 · 21st January 2003, 17:19

The Z8 in my mind has always been a classic car. A cruiser meant to be kept in the garage and driven on the back roads on weekends. Yes, no doubt that it's mighty M5 engine propells it into the ranges of Ferrais and Porsches, which is a step or two above that of a M3. However, I wouldn't have the heart to track the vehicle.

The M3 is your fun car. Drive it every day and drive it hard. It just keeps on giving and begging to be pushed. I've never owned a car that sings and holds up so well at it's max RPM. I will tell you all right at this minute, if I was to take my previous cars to it's max RPM like I do w/ Emma ... there's no way in h3ll that they would've lasted for more than 10K miles.

I say ... get the M3 or even the CSL if you can get your hand on it. For the price and performance, you can't beat it. And, if you still have enough on the side, get a Z8 and treat her like she deserves to be treated.

pride355 · 21st January 2003, 17:43

I agree with Johann here.

M3 is more purpose built. In the end, IMO Z8 is not an M car, except having an M5 engine.

M3's variable LSD is a big BONUS over Z8 which doesn't have a LSD.

Z8 is 2.5 times more expensive than M3 (actually it is only 1.9 times more expensive in Turkey). I especially don't like Z8 gauges being in the middle and don't like the steering wheel either. It weights approx. 120 kg more. Drag coeff. is .43 vs .32 of M3. (of course hardtop improves the figure)

You can get an M3 with SMGII, put coilovers, Kelleners performance kit if you wish, 2 racing buckets, track pads and you are done.

Or if you have the money, get a CSL which would still be cheaper than Z8.