Advise please

[NigelM]

I'm looking to buy a Z3M at the moment. Knowing little about the good, the bad and the ugly on these cars I was hoping to get a bit of advise from the infinite wisdom of the forum members.

I have found this one that sparks an interest...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...ad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&page=1

It looks great, milage good and good service history, but it has had 10 owners which is scaring me off a bit. Is this a major factor? Has anyone got any knowledge of this car?

Thanks,

Nigel

 

[andyglym]

There's quite a few ///M owners on here so hopefully one or more will be along soon.

 

[Althulas]

It looks nice in the photos but at these prices 17K is still a lot of money to some people I would be very picky on every panel accepting usual stone chips but dents and rust a no for me. Usual culprit is the sills at the leading edges get your fingers into check. Replacement sills are reasonably priced but still need painting but something to manoeuvre about price.

Check inside the boot for broken spot welds and get on your back and have a look underneath to check rear diff hanger should have been replaced in a recall and have an eyeball at the condition of the rear diff hanger bushing.

Check condition of roof and seals even insist on pouring water over the front screen leading edge and windows to check for leaks. The roof should not be shrunken back from rubber seals along the door windows.


Take a torch with you and a mirror to check for any sign oil leaks underneath vanos unit, check the ticket and head gasket while your there should be dry around the engine block. Check noise of engine for vanos growl will cost plenty of YouTube video to explain what I mean about £800 for MR Vanos to rectify.

Not so keen on the after market roll hoops as not AC Schnitzer items but the originals come with the car. Not so keen on the aftermarket air filter but the induction noise will be good I’m sure. Ask if they have the original air box as good for putting back to std if ever selling. Check service history or a bundle of receipts for regular oil service. You don’t want to take a risk like I did cost me an engine rebuild.

Interior looks ok apart from drivers bolster check how thin the leather is mine let go near the stitching which I think is going to be pricey to repair but if just scuffed can be recoloured.

A extensive test drive to warm the oil up to 90 degrees before testing performance should pull through the gears without hesitation. If maintained it should feel planted if driving in the wet beware of the rear end not catching you out but it should feel tight at the rear of the rear beam bushing have been replaced otherwise it feels loose at the back like rear wheel steering just a job and a half to change as you’ve probably read I. Some of the threads here. All stuff to justify some haggling.

I’m sure @Lee can add some other insights

 

[billz]

I would also be questioning why there are gaps in the servicing schedule there is a very big gap between 2007 to 2013 even though it has only done a few miles it will still need to be serviced
I have highlighted the gaps in service History.
Service History at Douglas Park on 31/07/98 Running in Service; 13/10/99 at 6,688; 13/10/00 at 15,730; 07/06/01 at 23,119; 03/07/01 at 24,873; 31/12/01 at 30,617; 26/09/02 at 37,718; 11/04/05 at 44,587; Knights North Staffordshire on 04/07/07 at 52,871; BM-Tec Specialists on 31/07/13 at 56,209; 21/07/14 at 59,047; 24/10/16 at 64,497 and BMW Chandlers Worthing on 21/10/17 at 65,880
As for owners 10 is not a major issue as these cars could and probably did change hands every couple of years

 

[Ianmc]

From the pictures, seems to have been lowered, has aftermarket air filter, aftermarket strut brace, aftermarket head unit and appears to have been cosmetically well prepared for sale. Most of my serious issues came up at 60 to 90K miles with my MC. I value originality but others the aftermarket stuff. Depends on what you are seeking really.

 

[NigelM]

Thank you all. Just the sort of in depth knowledge I was expecting. Armed with your list Althulas I will go and take a look, although I'm not sure just how qualified I am to do this properly. Is there anyone down in that part of the world who is qualified? Indy garage who knows these cars inside out?

 

[Althulas]

Shame I’m not near but Banbury is a few hours away. Hopefully someone nearer will pipe up. Just don’t let your heart rule your head and be firm with the dealer if they are not happy to oblige in any request walk away have something to hide especially with the ‘well these cars are getting on abut what do you expect’ At that price they are commanding I expect something well sorted in return there are others out there

If you get stuck let me know but I’m in no position to come over this week I’m sorry to say.

 

[NigelM]

Thank you Althulas. Ian S on my intro thread has just spotted the overspray on the bonnet catch and the bolt behind it. My guess is that the dealer is not being entirely honest and was very snooty, superior and condescending on the phone this afternoon. I've not got a warm feeling about it.

 

[Johnwayne]

Z3M Roadster for sale in the next couple of weeks.details as follows;

1998 Z3M 3.2 Roadster
78856 miles
10 previous owners
Will have 12 months MOT
Arctic silver with Full black nappa leather
Full service history. Both specialist and main dealer
Very recently refurbished shadow chrome alloys
4 x excellent Khumo tyres
New front brake discs and pads
New boot/bonnet badges
Clean and tidy engine bay
Excellent paint and bodywork.-minor age related marks only
Comes with excellent tonneau cover
Mesh wind deflector
Optional chrome front strut brace (not fitted)

Requiring attention;
Drivers seat bolster scuffed but easily rectified
The hood has scuffs and areas of fraying consitant with age/mileage

Price £13250
Or £14000 with new hood fitted
Can send pics to your email if interested

Purchase of S54 Roadster reason for sale.

 

[NigelM]

PM sent

 

[mrscalex]

Many of the same rules apply to an M as any Z3.

As a generalisation you are better buying from a forum member who has loved and fettled their car and possibly already done a lot of the expensive work eg suspension renewal.

 

[Cooper]

Get an excellent 3.0i as you almost get the same amount of power as the S50 at a fraction of the price! Nice looking car though, even if not entirely original.

 

[NigelM]

My understanding was that the 3.0i had 100 bhp less.

 

[Cooper]

My understanding was that the 3.0i had 100 bhp less.

I think the S50 has 240 and the 3.0 has 235. The S54 has more than 300 - yes. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, I just read that somewhere tonight

 

[NigelM]

UK S50 has 320hp.

 

[Cooper]

UK S50 has 320hp.

My information is wrong then, sorry about that!

 

[Ianmc]

S54 has 325!

 

[NigelM]

An extra £15k for 5bhp is a tad much for me.

 

[andyglym]

An extra £15k for 5bhp is a tad much for me.

That's an expensive 5 horses

 

[mrscalex]

I think you’ve got to want more than the extra horses to buy an M.

From the outside looking in it seems like an expensive business not just in purchase but in getting the car to a good state of repair and keeping it there.

The 3.0 is still outrageous but on a much smaller budget. It’s also a rarer car than an M. Have a look on eBay and you’ll see anything up to a dozen Ms for sale at any one time. There’s rarely more than 2 or 3 3.0s and rarer still that one of those is a Sport.

Fair play to those with the balls for an M. But it would be too much responsibility for me!