New owner - Midlands UK

[Cooper_dan]

Hi all. Had my Z3 for just over a week now and looking forward to getting stuck in with various jobs that need doing to tidy it up.
After a brief search I ended up with an early 1997 1.9 which met most of my criteria.
I was looking for:
- Narrow body. My house has a carport which is very narrow and a bit awkward to use. But I have to use it to get to my driveway/garage area. So narrow body preferred. I also like the look of the narrow body so this was no hardship.
- 1.9 M44 engine. This car is replacing my E30 1.8i and I wanted another 4 pot. I like being able to play with the revs without getting in too much trouble! Also if I want 6 cylinder power and torque, I've got a Clio V6 for that.
- No rust. This was an easy one but worth mentioning

So I've ended up with a 1997 1.9 with 81k and zero rust. I had a self imposed budged of £2000. The car was £1400, so I've got £600 left to sort out some bits.
The leaking roof has already been sorted for basically nothing. Third brake light and aerial seals should sort out the moisture in the boot. Next job is the rear suspension mounts which are squeaking like mad!

 

[Ianmc]

Welcome. Good choice; the M44 engine is a peach and much underrated!

 

[Devon Z]

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[andyglym]

to the Forum from West Cumbria.

 

[t-tony]

Hi @Cooper_dan welcome from me near Lincoln. Which part of the Midlands are you in?

Tony.

 

[Cooper_dan]

Hi @Cooper_dan welcome from me near Lincoln. Which part of the Midlands are you in?

Tony.

I'm near Burton on Trent, very bottom of Derbyshire. Hopefully will be getting round the country in the Z3 though. As soon as I've figured out the best way to get my bike on/in it

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[ExMX5owner]

G,day from Australia

 

[Tom Martin]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Enjoy your Z.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Mint]

Hi and to the forum from me too, not far away in Stafford.

 

[Nodzed]

 

[GZed]

I'm near Burton on Trent, very bottom of Derbyshire. Hopefully will be getting round the country in the Z3 though. As soon as I've figured out the best way to get my bike on/in it

Welcome aboard!
A ‘Saris Bones 2’ carrier is the best way to fit a bike on the back. Not especially cheap, but I managed to get one second hand for £50

It’s very secure, but a downside is you can’t open the boot once the carrier is on. Fairly quick to undo though, or just remember to pack what you need for your journey inside the car instead of the boot.

 

[Cooper_dan]

Welcome aboard!
A ‘Saris Bones 2’ carrier is the best way to fit a bike on the back. Not especially cheap, but I managed to get one second hand for £50

It’s very secure, but a downside is you can’t open the boot once the carrier is on. Fairly quick to undo though, or just remember to pack what you need for your journey inside the car instead of the boot.

I have looked at the saris racks. Unfortunately my bike is longer than the Z is wide, so the wheels would be poking out the sides, and the top tube is quite sloped so the front wheel would be at risk of being on the ground. I'll keep an eBay alert on and see what comes up.
Right now I have a plan to repurpose my sea sucker bike rack.

 

[Cooper_dan]

Welcome aboard!
A ‘Saris Bones 2’ carrier is the best way to fit a bike on the back. Not especially cheap, but I managed to get one second hand for £50

It’s very secure, but a downside is you can’t open the boot once the carrier is on. Fairly quick to undo though, or just remember to pack what you need for your journey inside the car instead of the boot.

Just picked up a second hand Saris Bones 2. Thanks for the tip. Will try fitting the bike during the week

 

[GZed]

Just picked up a second hand Saris Bones 2. Thanks for the tip. Will try fitting the bike during the week

I got the tip from a fellow zedder on here from Oregon. Haven’t used mine in anger yet - just for a 1.5 mile trip after cycling down to pick my Zed up after its MOT. However, they’re fairly adjustable - you can get the bike high enough so it doesn’t obstruct the number plate.

Six straps, so very secure, majority of the weight acting vertically downwards onto the bumper

 

[Cooper_dan]

I got the tip from a fellow zedder on here from Oregon. Haven’t used mine in anger yet - just for a 1.5 mile trip after cycling down to pick my Zed up after its MOT. However, they’re fairly adjustable - you can get the bike high enough so it doesn’t obstruct the number plate.

Six straps, so very secure, majority of the weight acting vertically downwards onto the bumper
View attachment 329019

Sorry only just seen your reply!
I've used mine quite a few times now. I found with my relatively modern 29" mountain bike that I have to put the rack slightly off centre. Then turn the front wheel. This stops the wheels over hanging the car too much.

 

[Cooper_dan]

Not shown in the photo, but I've got a vacuum sucker thingy that I can strap the front wheel to.
The other reason I need to have the wheel turned is so I can fit down my very narrow carport!