Ask for recommendations for affordable used coupés, those with enthusiast appeal and cachet, and you’ll get all manner of suggestions. A handful will no doubt tout the likes of the Porsche Cayman or a 996-generation 911, as a starter for 10. Some might put forward a Nissan 350Z or 370Z, or a V8-powered Mercedes, for that brawnier experience, while a few may endorse the Mazda RX-8, Toyota GT86, or Audi TT. All have their plus points, and some have major pitfalls.
The E46 or E92 generation BMW M3 could also get nominated. But what might take a while to be mentioned, if at all, is the BMW Z4 Coupé. And not the costly Z4 M variant, but the far more attainable and manageable 3.0si. It’s easily overlooked because, although more common than the M, only 2189 were sold in the UK. They are, in some respects, out of sight, out of mind. Which, in turn, conveys us an advantage on the values front: remarkably, you can buy these striking six-cylinder coupés for only £5000. And the more you read, the more you might feel inclined to do so.
Described as a ‘pocket GT’ by the head of BMW design, Adrian van Hooydonk, the Z4 Coupé made its first appearance in concept form in September 2005. Reputedly, it emerged from an unofficial project during the development of the E85 Z4 Roadster, which had been unveiled in 2002. The Coupé took the stylish design of the Roadster and added a flowing fixed roofline and larger, more practical boot, along with a stiffer, more refined body. Unsurprisingly, given how close the concept looked to being the real deal, BMW subsequently confirmed production just months later.
