The call of the V-8 was just too strong – 60% of you opt for the X5 M. This week, I’m going with some Z – the BMW Z4 M. Did you know you can get an E85 for less than $15,000? I didn’t.
Could it be the best way to get into an S54?
The 2006 BMW Z4 M
See the 2006 BMW Z4 M listing here
Raise your hand if you drive a two-door M car with a back seat. Now, how many of you actually use that back seat?
If the answer is “Never”, or “rarely unless I need to pick up my loser friends”, then perhaps you’re going about M ownership the wrong way. What you need is a two-seater. What you need is a BMW Z4 M.
Not the clown shoe hard top. That’s a neat car, but it’ll never be a Porsche. Instead, embrace the Z’s original intent and drop the top. It’ll allow you to hear everyone’s favorite M engine, the S54, more clearly. Also, the Z only came with a manual so you never have to ditch a terrible SMG and have your mechanic give you the disappointed dad look.
Is there a catch? Of course!
- $14,998
- Five owners
- 143,740 miles
- There was an accident in January this year, but before that it seemed to have escaped major surgery.
- Lived in Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma
- The service history…sigh. Does “SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service” in Carrollton, Texas make you squirm in your seat?
- I see an aftermarket shifter and headlights – questionable. I also see a blacked out badge – very questionable
- The pics aren’t great, but the body doesn’t look like it’s in terrible shape.
This might be the cheapest S54 in the country, although a few E46 M3 convertibles are near in price. If you’re wondering, here’s a recently sold BMW Z4 M that’s much nicer for only about $2,500 more.
No matter what, I would flatbed it right on over to TySpeed and have them perform magic. But even if you needed to drop a few thousand into it, you’ve got a great daily for cheap, especially if you live in warmer weather.
But this is Talk Me Out Of It. Options are a must.
The 2002 Porsche Boxster S
As you probably know, this car was not perfect. The 986 Boxster was cheap inside, had the engine in the wrong (right) place, and introduced us to the entire fried egg look.
That said, I do believe they have aged well, and I’ve found a comparable one to our Z4 M. Now before we go further, any time you’re looking at these, they must have the IMS bearing done. That costs anywhere from $1,500 – $3k, so just budget it in. That said…
- Bid to $5,100 so far. These can go anywhere from $15 – $25k, depending on condition
- 59,600 miles
- 3.2-liter flat-6, rated at 250 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque because it’s an S
- Accident free CarFax
- Light mods, like an Alpine stereo. Nothing to worry about
- Some of these can be really plebeian spec, but this one has a power top and glass rear window.
- The IMS bearing was done on this car.
Of the two, there’s little doubt which German vert drives better. But the Boxster only makes sense if the price stays below $20,000. After that, the performance just isn’t there.
I can hear you already on that Z4. “I can fix her”.
Didn’t you say that about your ex?
Want your car reviewed?
If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email!
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