freedomdawn
Newbie
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2026
- Points
- 3
Howdy Y’all!
I’ve just purchased my first Z3 from my friend. It was either she sold me the car hella cheap or her wife divorced her. So here I am a 46 year old woman FINALLY with my dream car of 30 years.
I believe I am the third steward of this fine car.
My other car is a 2020 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works, so I am accustomed to having irresponsibly delightful cars.
The known bad:
—window fuse and/or switch needs replaced. They don’t roll or down.
—the headlight pull switch needs replaced. It’s stuck. I need to order one.
—the soft top needs replacing. I have the new top as my friend passed it along with the car. I simply need to switch them out.
—passenger seat doesn’t move backwards or forwards
—it’s silver. I hate silver.
—it’s from a really wet climate. And has lived inside and outside. It came with a thin layer of the scuzz that builds up after time.
The known good:
—new clutch within 1500 miles
—body is in relatively good shape.
—paint is still shiny
—it has heated seats that have two temperatures: hot and nuclear
—No visible rust.
—will soon have a new top
—only 86xxx miles on it (I put 70-78k on it)
—I can probably find service records dating to the car being new
—it has a second set of OEM wheels
—the original owner had a custom winter cover cut for it.
—new trunk liner.
—it’s fun AF to drive
—the scuzz washed off after a good hose down.
What I want to do first:
—have my mechanic give the car a look-over and tell me what I can expect to work on upcoming. And what are things I can do at home vs what they’ll need to do for me.
—Replace the rear tail lights, as the driver side has spider cracks on it. I’d like them to be nice and clean.
—replace the faded logo pieces all over.
—Put the new soft top on it. Maybe get the frame professionally refurbished while I’m at it (?)
—get the driver seat fixed/replaced. It’s got a weird glue holding a ripped seam together. I also am not fond of how slippery the (p)leather is. Maybe this is how they’re supposed to be.
—upgrade the brakes. I drive kinda like an arse and prefer bigger chompers.
What is some advice from all of y’all more experienced Zed Stewards?
What are things that y’all recommend?
Or what should I know about welcoming this steed into my garage.
Do y’all put full coverage on your cars? I paid what I feel is laughably low for this car (under 1k) and a replacement value would be I don’t even know!
I’ve just purchased my first Z3 from my friend. It was either she sold me the car hella cheap or her wife divorced her. So here I am a 46 year old woman FINALLY with my dream car of 30 years.
I believe I am the third steward of this fine car.
My other car is a 2020 MINI Clubman John Cooper Works, so I am accustomed to having irresponsibly delightful cars.
The known bad:
—window fuse and/or switch needs replaced. They don’t roll or down.
—the headlight pull switch needs replaced. It’s stuck. I need to order one.
—the soft top needs replacing. I have the new top as my friend passed it along with the car. I simply need to switch them out.
—passenger seat doesn’t move backwards or forwards
—it’s silver. I hate silver.
—it’s from a really wet climate. And has lived inside and outside. It came with a thin layer of the scuzz that builds up after time.
The known good:
—new clutch within 1500 miles
—body is in relatively good shape.
—paint is still shiny
—it has heated seats that have two temperatures: hot and nuclear
—No visible rust.
—will soon have a new top
—only 86xxx miles on it (I put 70-78k on it)
—I can probably find service records dating to the car being new
—it has a second set of OEM wheels
—the original owner had a custom winter cover cut for it.
—new trunk liner.
—it’s fun AF to drive
—the scuzz washed off after a good hose down.
What I want to do first:
—have my mechanic give the car a look-over and tell me what I can expect to work on upcoming. And what are things I can do at home vs what they’ll need to do for me.
—Replace the rear tail lights, as the driver side has spider cracks on it. I’d like them to be nice and clean.
—replace the faded logo pieces all over.
—Put the new soft top on it. Maybe get the frame professionally refurbished while I’m at it (?)
—get the driver seat fixed/replaced. It’s got a weird glue holding a ripped seam together. I also am not fond of how slippery the (p)leather is. Maybe this is how they’re supposed to be.
—upgrade the brakes. I drive kinda like an arse and prefer bigger chompers.
What is some advice from all of y’all more experienced Zed Stewards?
What are things that y’all recommend?
Or what should I know about welcoming this steed into my garage.
Do y’all put full coverage on your cars? I paid what I feel is laughably low for this car (under 1k) and a replacement value would be I don’t even know!
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Last edited:
From the UK.
