Ltb 97 z3

[97Z3]

Howdy all new to this forum. Looking to get my kid something fun to drive because he is doing so well in school. Looking at a 97 we drove yesterday. Third owner BMW nut, nice guy, not a mechanic but said he replaced the center bearing himself. He claimed it was was still clunking but only above 3k. I drove it and the clunk is much closer to 2k and significant. Hammering felt right by the gear shift. It's brief above and below 2k it's fine but you pass through it in every year unless you are very light on the throttle.

My question before I risk another disaster proj CT that I don't have the money for. Did he get a bad part or not install it properly? Sounds like he might not have pre loaded it? Just worried something else is wrong with the driveshaft or rear diff. But the Boise is very centered and isolated and I didn't get any axle whine or other noises outside the problem area.

Thank you all, if anyone would be so kind as to give a quick reply we might try and send the guy a deposit tonight.

 

[Althulas]

It’s a bit hard to say without getting up in the air and having an inspection. It could be installed incorrectly and could be an easy fix. It’s a bit of a tough call to ask on wether the car is taking a risk on. If the rest of the car was in great condition I might be tempted on taking a punt but if it’s a cheap project car I would want to make sure it was solid underneath the outer cosmetic side sills, rear trailing arms and boot floor. If it’s a bit of a heap project car it’s another thing to add to the list and I would bide my time for something better. I think only you can answer your own question really using your head instead of heart.

 

[97Z3]

It’s a bit hard to say without getting up in the air and having an inspection. It could be installed incorrectly and could be an easy fix. It’s a bit of a tough call to ask on wether the car is taking a risk on. If the rest of the car was in great condition I might be tempted on taking a punt but if it’s a cheap project car I would want to make sure it was solid underneath the outer cosmetic side sills, rear trailing arms and boot floor. If it’s a bit of a heap project car it’s another thing to add to the list and I would bide my time for something better. I think only you can answer your own question really using your head instead of heart.

Hey I really appreciate the reply yeah this thing has lived a pretty privileged life as far as I can tell always been garage kept no rust no leaks I'm hoping I can just fix the drive shaft clunk and then there's a couple other cosmetic issues. I put a deposit on it last night supposed to be picking it up in another day. I'm really hoping I can just preload that center bearing thinking that he might not have done that he admitted he's not a very good mechanic but he did it himself. Sounds like I have to drop the exhaust and remove a heat shield. I have about two weeks to fix it before my kids birthday.