A 72 year old Z3 repair learner

[James Shepherd]

Hi I have only just acquired a 1999 Z3 Roadster .The object being to restore it to a good standered also to do something in my retirement (I am 72) The biggest hurdle so far is finding a owners manual and a repair manual.if any one can help it would be greatI will probably keep on coming back to the forum for advice.I am quite a good DIY mechanic having stripped down a Rover 2000cc years ago having the block rebored and I revalved the head withe larger valves complete with high performance cam shaft but that was about 45 years ago but the mechanics are about the same anyway that’s enough for now .

 

[t-tony]

Hi James, welcome from me near Lincoln. @spurs fan in a coupe (Andy) is a good chance for an owners manual. The "Bentley" manual is he best repair manual that I'm aware of but they're expensive and do not come up for sale very often. Haynes never made a manual for the Z3 but did do one for the E36 models which covers quite a lot. However the rear suspension is, I believe from the E30 models. Any thing you may need to know is on here for the asking.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi James welcome to the forum. The mechanicals won't faze you too much but Z3's, like most modern cars have a number of engine sensors and brake sensors that tend to raise more thought provoking moments than anything else

 

[Mazza]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis

As Tony said, this is the Bentleys manual.

It covers all the Z3 options but is an American publication so its all based on the LHD version and uses American terms for things. But is a good source of information. New they are around the £60.00 mark.
There are sites like Pelicanparts, that also show how to do jobs. I’m not good at putting the links on but I’m sure one of the other guys will add them to this thread later.

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Shelly]

 

[mwpe]

Hi and welcome from Surrey, the Z3 is a nice car to work on.

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[MartinN]

Hi and welcome, on my second Z3 now, done all bar a little welding myself, as mentioned the advice and experience shared here is second to none. i wouldn't go as far as an engine rebuild though, way above my skill set. I have done an A series years ago in an MG midget, thats when I could lift the motor out by myself.

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[mrscalex]

Welcome James. I came back to car repairs 5 years ago after nearly 30 years away. I have to say I found the Z3 suprisingly similar to work on than the Mk 1/2 Escorts I'd done all those years ago. The Z3 is one of the last cars from the electro-mechanical generation before electronics took over the whole car. That makes it a sraight-forward proposition in relative terms.

I would recommend getting a code reader. Some owners get a bit intimidated by codes but I think they are a great help to tracking down faults, not difficult to acquire from the car or to interpret. Popular choices are the C110 & Foxwell NT530 hand-helds. Or INPA & BMW Scanner PC software if you are good with laptops and can set things up.

The Bentley manual is the #1 choice. But I find it works more as a reference (mainly for torque settings) than something to learn from. You will be better off looking for How Tos on here, via Google and youtube. All the most likely jobs are covered out there. Any that aren't or if you get stuck - this forum will help.

 

[jonnysideways]

Welcome from a fellow neeb, and yes the Z is alike a Mark 1/2 escort, slots of space and you can unbolt most things (and they have rust too!! lol)

 

[jonco]

from one of many 70 pluses on here.

As previously said there are some good How to's on here .
A few other links that may help you in the absence of a full manual
https://www.newtis.info
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main_Z3.htm
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=CH72&mospid=48079

 

[Nodzed]

. Personally I wouldn't bother with a Bentley manual, I never used mine, just about everything you need to know you can get from various knowledgeable people on here, other sites and or internet. To be fair if it can fail or go wrong it's most likely already happened to another owner. Response to questions is fairly swift.

 

[Mint]

Hi @James Shepherd, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. As said above lots of help and encouragement on this site, you just have to ask