Is a 97 with the 2.8 an M?

[Ryan1B]

I am super new to these cars….. I’m trying to figure out if the one I got is an M or not, or pre-M?

It’s a 1997 Z3 with the 6 cyl 2.8L. Only badge is the roadster one on the door frame

 

[RickyBobby]

I am super new to these cars….. I’m trying to figure out if the one I got is an M or not, or pre-M?

It’s a 1997 Z3 with the 6 cyl 2.8L. Only badge is the roadster one on the door frame

The ///M roadster was available from 1997 but it came with a 3.2 engine.

What you have is a pre-facift car often referred to as the widebody because the 2.8 had a wider rear than the 1.9 variant that was also available at the same time and often referred to as the M44.

From Aprill 1999 the facelift model was launched where all engine variants (except the ///M) had the same bodyshell. At this time the widebody nomenclature was dropped due to all cars being the same although some people do still refer to facelift cars as widebody's.

The 2.8 was available for only one year with the facelift bodyshell - the other engines options (in the UK) being 1.9, 2.0, 2.2 and 3 0.

 

[Althulas]

I’m afraid not, UK and Europe had the S50 3.2L claimed 321 bhp and the later S54 3.2L with 325 bhp while the USA received the S52 3.2L but only had 240bhp but they received the S54 later as well. As marketing goes you have M sport floating around so you see steering wheels with the ///M badge on other models and some sellers will try and blag as well but if you want to stick ///M badges on your car that’s up to you as it’s your car and no other person’s business but watch out for the M

 

[Ryan1B]

ok, thanks for the info. It is super fun to drive, don't even need the 3.2

I do like the wider stance too.

on to find some upgrades.... drivers side door lock is sticky and i'd like to add a remote unlock / lock. then a stereo upgrade.... i don't have cassettes anymore

 

[the Nefyn cat]

They're on the way as I type.

 

[as400]

ok, thanks for the info. It is super fun to drive, don't even need the 3.2

I do like the wider stance too.

on to find some upgrades.... drivers side door lock is sticky and i'd like to add a remote unlock / lock. then a stereo upgrade.... i don't have cassettes anymore

Nothing wrong with a 2.8 widebody! I had a Z3M back in 2002 and missed it when I sold it but a good one is big money now where as you can get a nice 2.8 for less than £5K....mine also came with a cassette player, I even actually scoured Ebay for some of my favourite cassettes from times gone by, then the novelty wore off and I went for a an school look 1980's Blaupunkt but with the bells and whistles of a modern stereo.

Hope you enjoy yours!

 

[Ryan1B]

yah, i have not used a cassette in a long time. I'll be upgrading the stereo this winter and the speakers. but upgrading without changing / cutting into the panels.

The storage compartment and panels behind the seats is going to come out completely so it stays intact ... and I'll custom make a new compartment with a sub and bigger speakers.