Hello All

[Joe RH]

Hi,

Thank you all for allowing me into your community. I have to be open to you all and say I am desperately looking for some advice!

I don't currently own a 'Z' series car however am constantly searching for the right one (Z3). My plan is to use the car as a weekend car and take it to some incredible driving roads, giving me something to look forward to in the working week!

I am not the most mechanically able so need to be cautious in my selection as I will not be able to do major jobs on the car and will therefore have to take it to a garage. I would ideally like a 2.8 or 3.0 Msport Z3 however am open to suggestions.

Please can I have advice on where you'd recommend buying from/what to look for on these cars during inspection and test drive etc and if you think one of these cars would be suitable for the purposes described above. I have seen Japanese imports and wonder if these are something I should look further into?

Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing from you guys. I can't wait to get started!

Joe

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

Try here;

https://zroadster.org/forums/for-sale-section.15/

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-general-information-for-potential-buyers-by-mike-fishwick.15/

The imports are said to be a good buy as they are less likely to suffer from corrosion, not that it's a real issue.

The 3.0 will be more expensive as it sold in fewer numbers whereas the 2.8 can be bought for much less as there are plenty about. If I was to start again I'd look on here and other such sites and buy from enthusiast. Good luck.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Good luck with your search. There's a lot of plusses going with a Jap import. They tend to be low mileage and as the Japanese don't use salt on their roads their cars tend to look like new underneath. They also tend to favour automatics.

 

[Mazza]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi Joe, and welcome from me in Cardiff. I have a 3.0 litre, and it's puts a stupid grin on my face every time I drive it. Have a look around, and go for the " one ". You'll know it when you see it.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Joe and welcome from me near Lincoln. Where are you located? The reason I ask is that there will be someone on here local to you who will only be happy to show off their pride and joy to help you make a choice, me included but mine's a Z4 flavour.

Tony.

 

[Jjim]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield

Friend of mine bought a Japanese import, as it was low mileage and looked in good condition. Once he got it, he found that most of the engine rubbers needed replacing as it had spent most of its life getting hot stuck in traffic jams. So the engine was running for long periods, but not really clocking up any mileage. Took a lot of work to get parts replaced and gaskets and seals sorted.

It might of just been a lemon and bad luck on the one he got. But then again maybe not.

Shame you can never tell how long an engine has been running.

 

[t-tony]

They should have an "Hours" meter like a Tractor !

Tony.

 

[Joe RH]

Thank you all for the links, replies etc! What a great forum to be involved in! And I am located near Liverpool, England Tony!

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland .
Good luck with your search .
If you have any questions post a thread about it someone will always answer and if you see a zed you fancy that's miles away if its close to a forum member they may be able to go have a look at it for you 1st before you travel .
Stephen.

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[Robz3sport]

Hello and from Northern Ireland

 

[Sean d]

Hi and welcome, a 2.8 will put a grin on anyones face unless they are of a nervous disposition, good luck with your search, I have owned the 2.8 in my avatar since March and it has sopent most of that time on stands being restored and not been on the roiad since, its almost complete now

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[mwpe]

Hello and welcome from Surrey, any Z will put a smile on your face but a 2.8 or 3.0 would be the best choice. It depends how much you want to spend.

 

[BMBabe]

Welcome from Aylesbury

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[How 29]

Welcome from Rochdale.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[TrevD66]

Hi and welcome from Australia.... Good luck with your quest.... you won't get the smile off your face when you're driving it