Paging Timo

I know, I've driven a few. However I'd want the pre-Evo as the Evo can have very expensive Vanos trouble.

How bendy did the chassis feel on it?

Yes, but as I mentioned before I consider other consumables as well when trying to work out the running cost :). That said, the cheapest M3 convertible I've seen so far has had all the wrong options as it was an Evo with the SMG gearbox...

Does anyone know if it's true that those SMG boxes (possibly only those in the previous shape M3, the one before the new V8), are really programmed to let you use the launch control a set amount of times, ten or something, and then you can't do anymore (not sure if it's permanent or what) because of BMWs fear that the 'box would disintegrate?

A lot have had this sorted by now... and as I understand it, when it does need doing, you're talking hundreds rather than thousands.

Felt very solid actually.

Whether this would be the case when being slung round a track, is a different matter.

It's redefined my idea of 'stupidly fast yet refined and usuable day in day out', anyway. :-)

It actually felt quicker than that 997 I drove earlier this year.

This one is a manual and cost £5k.

Well, if you find one that's had it done, that doesn't mean that it won't break again heh. I seem to recall reading that on a Z3M Coupe it's a case of hundreds rather than thousands - and I beleive the early ones of those had the same engine as the E36 M3 Evo. It's one of those, 'find a good specialist' jobs though, 'cos it's rather more expensive at BMW with their mad labour rates. I remember seeing on Watchdog or something once that a BMW garage in London was charging £150 an hour or something mad, and I know the local one round here, Malton, is three figures as well iirc. They do at least have a good reputation though - as people seem to often complain of bad snobbery attitudes at Beemer dealers. We rattled up to Malton once in my mates Nova as he was getting a fancy M-Sport gear-knob for his 'virtually step-dad's' 330ci, and they were very nice, and didn't even mind as I had a long sit in a Z3 3.0 (it was like, years ago, Z4 wasn't out then).

Wish I'd had the chance to get a Z3M Coupe, I just needed a couple of years more age though to insure it at all, almost everywhere just laughed at me, and those that didn't were in the £2k+ bracket...