New z owner 2.8 1998

[duckhunt]

Hello all, after having sadly sold my e36 328i sport coupe a few years ago I have every day missed owning a good bmw. Anyway browsing gumtree on a lazy sunday, I was taken by a z3. I had never really thought about one before but something clicked in me and I had to have it.

Took a bit of a gamble, with no service history. However I knew my way around the engine and most of the 'underneath' anyway having done extensive DIY on the e36. I paid £2000. What do you think?

Rear window was not in, but someone had attempted to fix parts with superglue so I had to spend literally days picking superglue out of this zip before fitting it. And this was being told by two professional 'car roofers' that I'd never get it in. Alas, determined to prove them wrong, I got it in, perfect fit first time after one of the pro's kindly supplied me the zipper free of charge with a 'good luck!' Not a job I would relish again.
I was concerned as it had possibly become detached previously hence the superglue, due to roof contraction, however it seems to be holding well for now.

Despite the lack of history, the car seems to be driving very well. I've given it a good look around, MOT is due in sept, I saw the last 4 MOTs which have all been in 90k miles (its on 98k)

Most importantly it puts a big smile on my face!

Regarding work, I have been completely non sensible and done everything the wrong way around. Having opted for absolutely non essential additions before maintenance.

So far I have fitted a front strut brace, which gave a large improvement to the handling on the b roads,
ordered a new head unit to replace the awful plasticcy JVC unit in there which spoils the interior.
Continental CDD7418UB-OR which will suit nicely.
And purchased a nice new set of wheels from this very forum
https://zroadster.org/threads/genuine-bbs-style-78-wheel-tyre-package.16769/
I'm collecting them tomorrow, cant wait!

I'm going to get the car up and change all fluids and filters (like I should have before buying a radio!)
As well as the front control Arms, tie rods with poly bushes. Before taking it to have some nice tyres
fitted on to the new wheels.

Apologies for poor pics, I will get some decent ones up once the new wheels are on and Its had a paint
correction treatment (posh wash!)

10 minutes after purchase

Shared the drive home with the ms.

On the drive (The seller posted me the sidelights which I have fitted)

Reinforcing the zip with thread for peace of mind

Next to the daily hack

New wheels!

I have big plans for keeping it running nice and smooth and looking good. If I can get it anywhere near as nice as the z's on this forum I will be happy. You are all an inspiration.

Anyway I completely see what all the fuss is about, Im hooked !


Cheers,
Sam

 

[t-tony]

Hey, welcome Sam from near Lincoln, Z's are addictive mate be it a 3 or a 4, hope you enjoy yours and if you need help just shout up.

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

Welcome.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[DerProjektZ3]

Welcome to the forum! Fellow newbie here but the folks here seem really cool and helpful!

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome from Canada !! I hope you enjoy the Car and forum because both are insane!! JIM

 

[andyglym]

to the Forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Grumps]

Good value, let's hope it turns out to be a good one. Enjoy it, that's what they are for!

 

[Bazza]

to the fold enjoy

 

[GazHyde]

£2k for a 2.8 Z3 sounds a good deal and you'll find it as easy to work on as your 328i was. On top of that you now have a holy grail set of mint Style 78's to go on it. Oh, and the weather is turning good as well - perfect timing!

 

[Tracy Dee]

Hi from Hertfordshire.

 

[raymond]

Hope you enjoy her! Here is her MOT history
Check the MOT history of a vehicle
Registration number: T980FLJ

• Vehicle make BMW
• Vehicle model Z3
• Date first used 13 July 1999
• Fuel type Petrol
• Colour Green

MOT history of this vehicle

• Test date 14 September 2016
• Expiry date 13 September 2017
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 97,717 miles
• MOT test number 7285 8071 6457
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)
  Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
  Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
  Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded both rear pipes (3.6.B.2c)
  Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

• Test date 25 August 2015
• Expiry date 24 August 2016
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 95,729 miles
• MOT test number 5776 1324 1662
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Plastic outer sill covers fitted.
  Front & rear brake disc corroding.
  Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
  Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.8mm (4.1.E.1)
  Headlight aim on the minimum level.
  Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded Metal (3.6.B.2c)
  Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)
  Front lower suspension arm rear bushes deteriorated
  N/S/R number plate light poor.

• Test date 11 June 2014
• Expiry date 11 June 2015
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 92,001 miles
• MOT test number 1457 6236 4103

• Test date 10 June 2013
• Expiry date 11 June 2014
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 80,698 miles
• MOT test number 2592 4166 3493

• Test date 12 June 2012
• Expiry date 11 June 2013
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 72,435 miles
• MOT test number 5588 9446 2197

• Test date 11 June 2011
• Expiry date 10 June 2012
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 66,405 miles
• MOT test number 7282 7216 1132

• Test date 25 May 2010
• Expiry date 24 May 2011
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 60,900 miles
• MOT test number 6349 3524 0121
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Both rear tyres worn below 3mm in tread centre & worn on inner shoulders.
  Nearside front tyre heavily worn on inner shoulder.

• Test date 20 May 2009
• Expiry date 19 May 2010
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 53,912 miles
• MOT test number 3431 4014 9113

• Test date 30 April 2008
• Expiry date 29 April 2009
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 50,794 miles
• MOT test number 1223 8102 8173

• Test date 30 April 2008
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 50,794 miles
• MOT test number 1414 2172 8192
• Reason(s) for failure
  Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

• Test date 22 March 2007
• Expiry date 21 March 2008
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 47,843 miles
• MOT test number 9638 6118 7078

• Test date 16 March 2007
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 47,836 miles
• MOT test number 5341 6577 7092
• Reason(s) for failure
  Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
  front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

• Test date 27 January 2006
• Expiry date 26 January 2007
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 41,678 miles
• MOT test number 8849 0782 6015

© Crown copyright

 

[Nodzed]

Hi & Welcome from Gloucestershire

 

[Mint]

Hi @duckhunt, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire, great intro post

 

[Antm72]

A great price for a 2.8 even if it does need alittle tlc.
THe car will look transformed on its new wheels looking forward to the pics

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome from me too

 

[Robz3sport]

Hello and from Northern Ireland

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[duckhunt]

Wow thanks everyone! And Raymond that is very helpful of you thanks, more history than the hpi we paid for!
I collected the new wheels this weekend. I can't wait to get the on once I've done the front end.
I had to get a test picture of how it'll look. Going to be amazing.

The radio also came, that's a test fit too, it'll sit flush once I wire the mic and dab antenna in today. Much better than the tacky jvc thing before :

 

[raymond]

At £2000 for a 2.8 even with no service history it is a good buy. Worth more than £2000 in parts alone. Looks like a high spec car with air con ,heated seats andcomputer . Run the last digits of the VIN here to get the options.
https://www.bmwvin.com/