Looking for part suppliers and suggestions

[Sumilidon]

Hi All.

As of today, I am finally a Z3 owner after looking for the right one for ages. I have typically had MX5s up to now as my project cars but I have been struggling these last few weeks in finding the same kind of information / videos / resources for the Z3. As such, I am hoping someone here could help.

This purchase is more of a project, for which I have a 1997, 1.9 M44 engine. I live in the UK and I am looking to source some parts so I am after suggestions of reputable suppliers and brands for parts, but in keeping with a more modest budget - Eg, I'm not after drilled disks or stainless exhaust systems, I am looking to keep this pretty much stock. It stays in the garage until a nice day and then I go for a drive around the countryside.

Background over, the things I am looking for advice on:

• Exhaust - I see wildly different prices and shapes, all claiming to fit a 1.9 Z3. Any suggestions or links as to which one I need. Notably after a back box but it looks like this is still on the original exhaust so may be better getting the whole thing.
• Brakes - I can find these but not all manufacturers are equal. Any suggestions of a reliable brand? (Disks and pads).
• Gaskets - I will be looking to replace the cam cover gasket but assuming none of the gaskets have been replaced so far, any suggestions as to which ones would be worth addressing immediately?
• Coolant Flanges - I can find those 2 pieces , but there so many aftermarket options. Sounds silly, I am not sure how to order these from BMW unless the aftermarket ones are fine / trustworthy brand?
• Thermostat & water pump - same as above, can find this but there are many options. Any suggested brand / seller?
  • I have read that people suggest getting an aftermarket one with a metal component as opposed to the plastic.

I'm an open book here and appreciate any help, direction or suggestions offered. I probably don't need to do most of the above, but I have always wanted a Z3 and plan to keep this one a long time so all the work getting done is to put my own mind at ease.

 

[Mad2718]

As far as I am concerned re brakes I use pagid discs and pads available from euro car parts or Halfords., I have used these on both my Z3 and my 1 series and am very happy with them.As for other parts I shop around at other suppliers aswell such as GSF/ Autodoc or zedonist.com to name a few places . If it’s secondhand parts there are breakers on here that can help.

 

[Pond]

www.autodoc.co.uk
These are my 'go to' supplier for anything German TBH. They are a German parts supplier so you won't get anything next day (or potentially next week), but their prices and choice are second to none IMO.
If on a budget look at Ridex brake parts from the above. Cheap as chips and have been fine for our old Mini.

I also bought a Ridex thermostat housing for the Mini recently. It fitted well and does the job fine!

 

[Althulas]

Meyle water pumps have the metal impeller. Some items are surprisingly priced better than you think from the dealer it’s always worth checking. Apart from autodoc there are others worth checking https://www.lllparts.co.uk/bmw-parts

https://www.schmiedmann.co.uk/?gcli...BFGz3odhrvhgeiGYB9rwYMezopJakWXhoCOXYQAvD_BwE
There were some others I did use but thanks to the gift of brexit they won’t deliver to the UK anymore but the above two are good but expect the extended delivery time.

 

[t-tony]

Well Hi and welcome from me near Lincoln. There is loads of info on this forum for the asking and also a lot of free help and assistance from other members if you're close enough to one of the ZedSheds.

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

Notably after a back box but it looks like this is still on the original exhaust so may be better getting the whole thing.

Tread carefully around the CAT. Assuming you have an OEM one, stick with it as, in my experience, aftermarket ones do not work for the M44 engine.

 

[Sumilidon]

Definitely. No need to add an unnecessary cost. That said, the bits I want done are mainly for my peace of mind as theoretically I get them done now, they should be fine the the rest of that cars life

 

[IainP]

Exhaust
If the cat is still passing the Mot, leave it alone. The metal of the exhaust is actually fairly decent, mine is a ‘98 still on the original exhaust, though the rear has had to be welded up from damage by previous owners.
Brakes
Answered above
Gaskets
As above, though from experience, even the cheapest eBay rocker gaskets are fine for M43/44 engines.
Coolant flanges
I’ve fitted 5 Febi rear flanges from eBay over the years, different cars, never had a problem. Tenner for the rear, usually £25 for the front with thermostat.
I usually replace the bolts with stainless.
Water pump
Usually Quinton Hazell, because I can get discount, metal impeller, again never had a problem.
Hoses, plugs, various
I usually get hoses, plugs and various bits and pieces from www.rockauto.com in the States, silly cheap, even with carriage, arrive quicker than from Europe, you just have to fidddle with the sending locations, which means putting multiples in the basket and editing out different locations. Set of Iridium plugs, worked out £8 including the carriage, though I was buying quite a bit of stuff.