Hello, I'm a new "kid" from Indiana, USA. I recently gave up my motorcycle habit (not as durable as I was 45 years ago) and have acquired my brother's Z3 3.0 Roadster. He had put 47K on it, but kept it in a heated garage for 15 years, with the top down. It still has the original wiper blades and he thought he'd used the headlights only a couple of times. Even though it hasn't been abused, I think it's amazing the number of to-be-expected issues these cars have. So far, I've replaced the broken dead pedal, installed rear shocks and added shock mount plates, replaced the cracked exhaust pipe tips, changed the valve cover gasket and did the vanos rebuild. Next issues to tackle are the broken seat belt guides, worn leather seats, seat bushings, some peeling paint on the style 32 alloys, and a subwoofer. Have I touched on all the common ailments? The car is a ball to drive, but how many people own these cars so they have something to work on regularly? Anyway, I'm enjoying getting my hands dirty again.
New kid
- Thread starter Bonacker
- Start date
Welcome on the forum @Bonacker, you can get seat bushes from @Aceman.
Link: https://zroadster.org/articles/how-to-fix-your-bmw-z3-rocking-seats-changing-the-bushes-bushings.51/
Link: https://zroadster.org/articles/how-to-fix-your-bmw-z3-rocking-seats-changing-the-bushes-bushings.51/
to the forum from West Cumbria, England. Nice intro 
got any pics?
Z
zedonist
Guest
Welcome, these cars just suffer as you have over 45 years, they get old, rubbers and seals perish, parts gum up and stick, like any mechanical equipment, even if they are not used they need to be serviced, reviewed periodically and deteriorating parts replaced. The good thing is though once done you wont have to do it again and then it will be smiles per mile...
Hello and welcome from Truro @Bonacker
Our cars do have a few common issues but the mileage covered isn't always an indication of how well they fare.
You'll get some good pointers to the problematic issues our cars are suspect too.
Saying that though, they are resilient little cars and enjoy fairly long lives
Our cars do have a few common issues but the mileage covered isn't always an indication of how well they fare.
You'll get some good pointers to the problematic issues our cars are suspect too.
Saying that though, they are resilient little cars and enjoy fairly long lives
Thank you very much for directing me to the "how to" link. It's saved for future reference. I already purchased the bushings when I ordered some of the other parts. I really appreciate your help.
Thanks. I'm new to the way forums work, so I'm not sure yet which buttons to click. I love your line about adventure...I think I can relate.
I expect I will be under as well, when spring arrives. There is that little sound when I first touch the brakes or accelerate. Sounds like a worn bushing in the rear somewhere. I had thought the rear shock mount might fix it, but no change.Welcome
I didn't buy mine to get my hands dirty, but seem to be spending a lot of time underneath it. It's an age thing.
Thank you. No photos yet. It's jacked up and put away until late March or early April. I plan to be ready for it! West Cumbria looks to be a beautiful place! Never been up there, but plan to see it some day.
You're not kidding. I rode through a "no touch" car wash before I put it away for winter. That was a mistake. There were puddles in both seats so I dried it out for quite a few days before covering it up.
Thank you. I hope to attend some meets also and get to know people (and learn from them). It's been a pleasant surprise to hear from so many people on this forum. I had German cars for about 20 years, before starting a family, so it's good to be back. I did the Volkswagen thing after high school and then Mercedes for adventures before marriage. Now, it's time for a BMW as we begin thinking about selling the minivan. This was my brother's car. I can still remember him back in 2002, pulling up to the curb at Dallas TX airport, to pick me up, and I remember how exciting the bright red car was (although I had to hold my luggage). The paint still retains its original luster. He wasn't much for details and fixing non-essentials but he did take very good care of the engine and body so I hope to have it another 15 years, if I am able to climb out of it.
Hi Dan and thank you. Yes, the 3.0 seems to be a very nice engine. I bet this car would hug the corners, but the roads are so straight out here in Indiana where they're set up in a grid pattern so many times! I am anxious to take the car back to New England where I grew up. I'm afraid the photos wouldn't do justice to the car because it is on jacks, covered up, in a small garage. Steve
Thank you. You have a beautiful car!
Hi and welcome from South Wales.