Hi there!

[Brian Hill]

Having had a wide variety of sports cars over the years, I have now embarked on a search for a Z3!
Finally, you say!
I am looking very closely at the famed 2.8 version, but having difficulty with the choice of transmission.
Watch this space!

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Brian Hill]

Thanks, Keith.
I'm trying to get an idea of how well or badly the auto transmission behaves in a 2.8 Z3
Looking for impressions and thoughts in general...
I'll be road testing one this evening, so I may have impressions of my own to share later.
Brian.

 

[Grumps]

Hi from Mansfield from 2.8 owner, can't comment on the auto box though. Good luck with your search.

 

[Nodzed]

@mwpe @Jack Ratt

Mike or Gary will be able to advise, both run Zeds with slippery boxes

 

[Brian Hill]

I like that...."Slippery boxes"!
I run a 1989 5.0 Mustang convertible, and a Eunos (MX5), both with slippery boxes......so you can see why I'm looking at a 2.8 as a substitute for these two...

 

[Nodzed]

I like that...."Slippery boxes"!
I run a 1989 5.0 Mustang convertible, and a Eunos (MX5), both with slippery boxes......so you can see why I'm looking at a 2.8 as a substitute for these two...

Well I've chased, and been chased by Mike around the UK and Europe in his 3.0 auto and it certainly goes well

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Brian Hill]

Thanks for the welcome,....does this count as a suitable "Arrival" vehicle?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello Brian welcome to the forum. I've got both 2.8 manual and auto. The auto gives a very civilized drive whereas the manual can be a bit of a hooligan car if the mood takes you. The auto box is very smooth and pulls very well with the zed being a fairly lightweight car. My cars are both early pre facelift cars with the auto the "old" auto. Mike @mwpe has the facelift car with the "newer" more flexible auto box.

If I had to sell one of my cars I would keep the auto

 

[t-tony]

Hi Brian and welcome from me near Lincoln. My Z is a 4. But has the same 3.0 engine and 'box as Mike's Z3. As said can be a very civilised car but in sport mode is a different animal altogether.

Tony.

 

[mwpe]

Hello Brian and from Surrey, I can't comment much on the 2.8 auto box but the selectronic in my 3.0 is great. nice and relaxed normally but put it in manual and it really flies. First auto I have ever had and I am very happy with it.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[Craig Machin]

Hi and from Stoke on Trent

 

[ljbmwz3]

Had a 2.8 manual great engine, now have a 2.0 auto which is slower but feels more relaxed to drive , so depends what u want but wouldn't discount a 2.0 2.2 6cyl if they had a better spec , history etc , there's some well specced imports available

 

[Grenville]

G'day from Australia. Brian, ah ha, a 3rd generation Muzzie with the 302 cu inch Windsor, you lucky lucky little duck. These are becoming collectors items over here. Where was she built?. Oh, yes, can't help with info re auto's in Zed's --- am trying to be one of them 'purists'. Heh heh.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi Brian, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[2DunnsZ3]

I have a 97 pre facelift 2.8 stick. .. wouldn't have it any other way

 

[Brian Hill]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome!
I will be testing a 1999 1.9 today, and am confused as to whether it will be an M43 or M44 engine,....i.e. 118bhp or 140bhp.....can I tell from looking at it?
Sorry if this is a silly question, but it all seems a bit confusing around the 1997-1999 era as to which motors were fitted.

 

[Brian Hill]

Apologies all round,...after more research on this excellent site, I now know that the 114 bhp is the 8 valve, and the 140 bhp is the 16 valve, with much bigger valve cover.......I've seen the pictures, and have seen the light...onward and upward.
Thanks, guys.