Newbie!

[Martin Cush]

Hi, Bought myself a new toy today, been looking at both the Z3 and MX5 for a while now. Wanted something for summer and track days for fun only nothing serious, but also to keep the miles down on my m3.

I know there are a lot of enthusiasts out there which may be able to tell me things about my car at a glance or by the year and model etc..
Its a 1997 Z3 2.8 manual in Red. I have paid for the car but doesn't arrive until next week. doesn't look like it has heated seats (Thought they were standard) everuthing looks standard. The seller indicates the roof is now manual which isn't an issue as long as it doesn't leak.

I would like the wheels to sit out at the wider rear arches, is it just spaecers required? also any pointers on what to do with the car to make it more fun?

Thanks
Marty.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi Martin welcome to the forum. A lot of the members here have spacers front and rear.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland.
Saw this on gumtree was going to take a look at it as it wasn't far ( got 2 already mrs would kill me if 3rd appeared )
From what I saw it's a standard 2.8
So standard ( non heated seats) not sports seats.
No cruise control no air con ( all extras or fitted to limited edition models)
Will have electric hood ( not working I believe probably repairable)
Will have on board computer ( obc)
Should have lsd diff .
Did look ok in the pictures .
Once you get it and get a proper look over it any questions just start a thread plenty people who will be happy to help you.
Stephen.

 

[Oddly Godly]

Welcome from Dunstable, put you vin number in here and it will tell you how you zed left the factory https://www.mdecoder.com/

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to ZroadSter

 

[Nodzed]

 

[benf]

Hi and welcome from Leicestershire

 

[Markus von der Landwehr]

to the forum from Federalala Bananarepublica Germania, Kirchheim unter Teck near Stuttgart.
Have a good time
Markus

Z3 Design first serie for ever

 

[Mazza]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis

 

[Scooblitz]

Welcome to the site from Glasgow. You have made an excellent choice in coming over to the z side. I live 2 miles from where this car was advertised and was thinking of taking a look. Looks a nice car. If you live close by i'm always up for a detailing day in summer months. There's lots of members close by and congregate for tours which you should check out as well as the knowledge base on here. Really is a good community.

I know exactly what you mean about the rear wheels needing beefed up. Something i've been looking at a lot for myself lately as well and there are some great options out there for Z's. As always everything is down to taste and own preference and its worth thinking about wheels and tyres alongside suspension too. Spacers will make the wheels sit flush with the arches with the correctly measured spacer. Aesthetically, it will look ok from the side but will look a bit bambi legged at the back. I know this as my car is a bit like this. There are lots of variables to think about in terms of fitment. I've been down this rabbit hole for months so feel free to shoot me a pm anytime as have the rest of the members, so why not create a thread in the progress section.

I would recommend looking at a new wheel and tyre combo instead of the wheel spacers, it's far far more expensive, i know, but money well spent and with the right combo, will transform the look of the car. I would predict that with the wheels that are on the car at the moment with spacers, the amount of negative camber would look like / \ from the rear of the car.

If you need a hand with the back window of the car, give me a pm. Done this job a few times and have the bits needed.

 

[BillyB]

from Edinburgh

 

[t-tony]

Hi Marty, welcome from me near Lincoln. I had 20mm rear and 14mm front spacers on my Z3, they now reside on my Z4.

Tony.

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

Hi, and welcome from me in Cardiff.

 

[Devon Z]

Hello and

 

[Mint]

Hi @Martin Cush, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. I run with 20mm spacers on the rear of both my Zeds. No difference in handling but looks much better

 

[Slam]

Hi and welcome from London

 

[Craig Machin]

Hi and from Stoke on Trent