Newbie on the hunt (Now an Owner)

eff1guy

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Points
14
Location
Gt Wyrley
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Sport Roadster - Auto
Hello all
New member here from Great Wyrley in the West Mids. Just joined up today after selling my Z4 a couple of weeks ago over on the Z4 Forum.
I'm currently on the hunt for another Z4 or possibly a Z3 and thought I'd get myself on here to learn a little more about the 3 in case I decide to dip my toe in the water.
Ideally would like a 3.0 but I think a 2.8 may even suffice my straight 6 needs :cool:
Any recommendations on specific things to look out for with the Z3, I'm possibly shooting over to Derby tomorrow to take a look at one on Auto Trader, a 1999 2.8 on 70k miles at a dealer. I've had my eye on it for a while and it's recently been reduced in price, but this will be the first one I've looked at since my wife had a 1.9 many many moons ago.
Looking forward to hopefully becoming a more involved member soon.
Thanks in advance for any comments and advice :thumbsup:
Cheers
Pete
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi Pete, welcome from near Lincoln. I'm a Z4 owner but had a 2000 Z3 before this. There have been a couple of members selling various 2.8 Z3 on here. Main things to look out for are corrosion on the sill covers and wing edges. Rear tyre wear on insides and diff. support frame spot welds on the boot floor. Other than those it's just general used car stuff.

Tony.
 

Shelly

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Points
201
Location
Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive
:welcome: Hi and welcome to ZroadSter :coolsteer)
 

Jack Ratt

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
The West Country
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Points
200
Location
TRURO, CORNWALL
Model of Z
2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
Hello and welcome to the forum
 

Slam

Zorg Guru (IV)
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British Zeds
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May 24, 2017
Points
168
Location
North Yorkshire
Model of Z
Zedless. Mini GP 1379
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Keet

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Points
171
Location
Mansfield
Model of Z
E89 20i M Sport
Hello and welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
 

PHILIP BAXTER

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 3, 2015
Points
180
Location
Cardiff
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Roadster
Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff. Good luck with your search. :welcome:
 

Jjim

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 21, 2017
Points
168
Location
Mansfield
Model of Z
1.9 Roadster
Hi, welcome from Mansfield :thumbsup:
 

Mazza

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 1, 2017
Points
175
Location
Bognor Regis
Model of Z
Z3 1.9 M44 Roadster Z3 2.8 Project
Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis :welcome:
 

eff1guy

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Points
14
Location
Gt Wyrley
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Sport Roadster - Auto
Thank you all for the warm welcome

Hi Pete, welcome from near Lincoln. I'm a Z4 owner but had a 2000 Z3 before this. There have been a couple of members selling various 2.8 Z3 on here. Main things to look out for are corrosion on the sill covers and wing edges. Rear tyre wear on insides and diff. support frame spot welds on the boot floor. Other than those it's just general used car stuff.

Tony.
Any tell tale signs for the diff apart from noise and any leaks, can it cause skipping on full lock?
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Thank you all for the warm welcome



Any tell tale signs for the diff apart from noise and any leaks, can it cause skipping on full lock?
Regarding the Diff. spot welds, if you remove the boot carpet you will see the spot welds tearing out of the floor. As far as I'm aware it doesn't cause any noise at all (unless the mounting has totally failed). Rare to see oil leaks at the Diff. (including driveshaft seals). Some models have Limited Slip Diffs.

Tony.
 

eff1guy

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Points
14
Location
Gt Wyrley
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Sport Roadster - Auto
Thanks again Tony, I mis-understood. I thought the full stop after the word diff separated it from the "support frame spot welds on the boot floor" =)) I've got some learning to do!
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Thanks again Tony, I mis-understood. I thought the full stop after the word diff separated it from the "support frame spot welds on the boot floor" =)) I've got some learning to do!
No, sorry mate, just me being conservative with the typing ;)=)) There is a 2.8 Auto for sale at the moment if that would interest you. @Jjim

Tony.
 

2DunnsZ3

Zorg Guru (I)
American Zeds
Joined
Jun 1, 2018
Points
87
Location
Canton USA
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 5 speed roadster
what about that beautiful silver M with the maroon top.
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 Sport Individual
Hi @eff1guy, :welcome:to the forum from me too, just up the road in Staffordshire. Good luck with your search :thumbsup:.
 

Brian4

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Points
173
Location
Near Grantham
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Auto
Hi @eff1guy just a observation but the auto boxes changed around the introduction of the facelifts 99/00 with the newer gearbox being a 5 speed steptronic box. Lever looks like this.


20160405_164434.jpg


The autos fitted to the newer Z4 are even better and are either 6 or 8 speed.
On all the last 3 boxes if you put them in sport they hold the gear to higher revs before changing.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
:welcome:
 
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