New Member

[jacksonjones72]

Hi All,

New to this forum and looking at joining the Roadster Life with possibly a Z3. Complete rookie and no knowledge of the car but slowly learning. Hoping to rack some experienced Roadster brains in the forum and read up on others experiences. Had Roadbikes most of adult life but with 2 kids and wife, looking at another alternate option for some weekend fun with the top down and wind in the hair and a getaway for wife and I.

I know a lot may frown on the 4 cylinder option 1997 Z3, but I keep reading its the most reliable of them and lowest maintenance costs? Am I right or wrong already on this? I am looking for some weekend fun with hassle free experience and get the best car I can afford in this year model. Any input suggestions is much appreciated.

Thanks Roadsters!

 

[jacksonjones72]

Also guys... maybe I am in the wrong forum or not but I am in Gold Coast, Australia...lol!

 

[andyglym]

Hi All,

New to this forum and looking at joining the Roadster Life with possibly a Z3. Complete rookie and no knowledge of the car but slowly learning. Hoping to rack some experienced Roadster brains in the forum and read up on others experiences. Had Roadbikes most of adult life but with 2 kids and wife, looking at another alternate option for some weekend fun with the top down and wind in the hair and a getaway for wife and I.

I know a lot may frown on the 4 cylinder option 1997 Z3, but I keep reading its the most reliable of them and lowest maintenance costs? Am I right or wrong already on this? I am looking for some weekend fun with hassle free experience and get the best car I can afford in this year model. Any input suggestions is much appreciated.

Thanks Roadsters!

to the Forum from West Cumbria, England. Nothing wrong with the 1.9 16v M44 mate, bulletproof if serviced regularly. A nice light front end for the minor twisty roads and plenty zippy enough. Oh, it must be just awful living on the Gold Coast

 

[jacksonjones72]

to the Forum from West Cumbria, England. Nothing wrong with the 1.9 16v M44 mate, bulletproof if serviced regularly. A nice light front end for the minor twisty roads and plenty zippy enough. Oh, it must be just awful living on the Gold Coast

Hahahaha... Yeah horrible 24 degree winter days with the sun out so our winters are the best time to own a convertible. Summers are just a little too hot with the Top Down . I,m fine with it with Olive skin but my wife a Geordie struggles ...lol

20 years ago we drove around in a little Ford Capri convertible and had a blast. I am looking at some class and styling now. I have seen one Z3 local to me but its got 230,000 kms. I feel like I just shouldnt touch it with so many kms but have no idea whats normal KM's and if this would just be a money pit. It look in great nic and I am viewing tonight so just wanting to know what to look for or if these amount kms are just not worth the trouble???

 

[andyglym]

Hahahaha... Yeah horrible 24 degree winter days with the sun out so our winters are the best time to own a convertible. Summers are just a little too hot with the Top Down . I,m fine with it with Olive skin but my wife a Geordie struggles ...lol

20 years ago we drove around in a little Ford Capri convertible and had a blast. I am looking at some class and styling now. I have seen one Z3 local to me but its got 230,000 kms. I feel like I just shouldnt touch it with so many kms but have no idea whats normal KM's and if this would just be a money pit. It look in great nic and I am viewing tonight so just wanting to know what to look for or if these amount kms are just not worth the trouble???

Cooling system
Bushes
Shocks, springs and top mounts
Rear Beam bushes
Damp under the carpet (unlikely where you live probably)
Rocking seats under acceleration/braking (seat bushes goosed)
Fan only working on No4 (resister goosed)
Heated electric seats
Aircon
Electric roof
Corrosion at the ends of the outer sill covers.

That's getting on the high side for a Z3 but it's not uncommon to see these doing 300k miles.

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

I have to agree with Andys above post, the 1.9 M44 16 Valve ticked all of the boxes for me.

 

[t-tony]

Only thing I would say re the 4 Cyl. engines is that if you suspect any issues at all with the cooling system get it sorted straight away. Otherwise as said they're a fun driving car. There are a few members in Oz but as it it's only a small place you might run in to them. , either way G'day and welcome from me near Lincoln, UK. Had a few drinks with an Aussie at a local wedding last weekend.

Tony.

 

[jacksonjones72]

Only thing I would say re the 4 Cyl. engines is that if you suspect any issues at all with the cooling system get it sorted straight away. Otherwise as said they're a fun driving car. There are a few members in Oz but as it it's only a small place you might run in to them. , either way G'day and welcome from me near Lincoln, UK. Had a few drinks with an Aussie at a local wedding last weekend.

Tony.

Gday and thanks all for the warm welcome all. I'm no mechanic so appreciate all this advice and assistance from Down Under.

One more question... am I fool to consider Automatic in the 4cyl or just go straight for a manual. My wife cannot drive manual officially but hey its more for me than anything. She never rode my motorcycles so why start now with my toys. Seriously though... is it that bad to go auto so she can at least enjoy the Z3 when avail?

 

[t-tony]

@jonco, over to you Colin.

Tony.

 

[Mint]

Hi and from me too in Stafford, England. All Zeds are reliable if serviced regularly but they will all have age related problems as Andy indicated above.

 

[jonco]

@jonco, over to you Colin.

Tony.

Thanks Tony.
G'day Jackson - we've had a 1.9 auto for 12 years now and it has served us well. I think the auto box is very good and reliable (hope I don't regret that comment). There is a sports mode switch when you want that extra bit of kick.
I think the auto/manual argument depends on your style of driving and where you are driving. Our boy/girl racer and even `midlife crisis' days are well behind us so the auto suits us now.
The auto box is great for urban and distance driving but if you like to `flick the wrist' on twisties then you miss out a bit. We have done a number of European road trips and I suppose a manual would have been more fun when driving the Swiss mountain passes.
Either model should give you plenty of fun driving with the right care and attention to maintenance.
Good Luck.

 

[jacksonjones72]

Thanks Tony.
G'day Jackson - we've had a 1.9 auto for 12 years now and it has served us well. I think the auto box is very good and reliable (hope I don't regret that comment). There is a sports mode switch when you want that extra bit of kick.
I think the auto/manual argument depends on your style of driving and where you are driving. Our boy/girl racer and even `midlife crisis' days are well behind us so the auto suits us now.
The auto box is great for urban and distance driving but if you like to `flick the wrist' on twisties then you miss out a bit. We have done a number of European road trips and I suppose a manual would have been more fun when driving the Swiss mountain passes.
Either model should give you plenty of fun driving with the right care and attention to maintenance.
Good Luck.

Thank you so much Tony amd Colin for that great feedback... much appreciated... Test drove my first Z3 today... 4cyl 1.9ltr and enjoyed the ride... there's not many down under in Aus...so pickings are few and far between... ill keep working through these forums and looking for that right one... you guys on this thread are amazing... I've barely joined and the welcome and knowledge you are all sharing is much appreciated and can only say you guys are all top blokes... appreciate your time.

 

[Devon Z]

Hello and

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Robert Hill]

Welcome from Alloa Scotland

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[wingding44]

Howdy from Cambridge! Welcome!

 

[Ian&Sue]

from North Yorkshire. As others have said nothing wrong with a good 1.9, near 50/50 balance so great handling.

Sue & Ian.

 

[jacksonjones72]

Ok what's the opinions out there....

Auto 1.9ltr 4cyl vs Manual 1.9ltr 4cyl v Manual 2.0 6cyl...

I assume Manual first
But what about the difference between 1.9Ltr 4cyl v 2.0ltr 6cyl....

Which one will give me the most hassle free driving for a 24yo Veh???

There's these 3 options close to me to potentially purchase....

Any opinion counts... thanks Z team

 

[Shelly]