Possible future Z3 owner

TheBoatDude

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Points
19
Location
Bay Area, CA
Model of Z
2.3
Hello!

Right, then...

My in laws have a 2000 Z3 roadster. They’re older and they have trouble driving the car (low car + manual transmission + mobility issues), so it’s been sitting for a couple of years. I’m currently negotiating with them to buy it. I signed up here to start research on fluid changes and such in order to get it back on the road, as well as learn about any issues I might face.

Good to meet you!
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Points
231
Location
Moresby, West Cumbria, England
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
:welcome: to the forum from West Cumbria. Gearbox and Diff are a good start for fluids. Standard fluids post that, oil, brake and power steering fluid if change dates are unknown. Water pump as the originals, if still fitted, may be in need of change by now. Serpentine belt, pulleys and tensioner whilst you're in there. Shocks, springs and too mounts if never been changed. Take off the outer sill covers to investigate and corrosion going on behind.
 

smiffy

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 1, 2015
Points
147
Location
Lowestoft
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 pre-facelift in Montreal Blue
Easy Andy, we don't know model or mileage yet! Looks like it might be a CA car so rot may not be an issue.
 

andyglym

Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster.
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Points
231
Location
Moresby, West Cumbria, England
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
Easy Andy, we don't know model or mileage yet! Looks like it might be a CA car so rot may not be an issue.
I didn't say to change the list, I just stated what may need looking at if the history was unknown :thumbsup:
 

Keet

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

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)
Buy the Z , you will smile every time you drive it , you will regret it if you don’t :p
 

Jack Ratt

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

BMBabe

Zorg Expert (I)
Staff member
Supporter
British Zeds
Community Admin
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Points
206
Location
Aylesbury
Model of Z
Z3
Welcome from Aylesbury
Any pics of the Zed please :cool::thumbsup:
 

TheBoatDude

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Points
19
Location
Bay Area, CA
Model of Z
2.3
:welcome: to the forum from West Cumbria. Gearbox and Diff are a good start for fluids. Standard fluids post that, oil, brake and power steering fluid if change dates are unknown. Water pump as the originals, if still fitted, may be in need of change by now. Serpentine belt, pulleys and tensioner whilst you're in there. Shocks, springs and too mounts if never been changed. Take off the outer sill covers to investigate and corrosion going on behind.
Thank you! I didn’t think about the PS fluid. On the fence on the water pump. I suspect it has <75K miles, so not sure if that’s ready yet. Suspension stuff is on the list as needed.
 

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! I didn’t think about the PS fluid. On the fence on the water pump. I suspect it has <75K miles, so not sure if that’s ready yet. Suspension stuff is on the list as needed.
If it has the original water pump, at 75k it is ready for changing. It is common for them to fail dramatically around that mileage also the plastic fan blades and radiator are collateral damage.

Tony.
 

TheBoatDude

Regular Member
American Zeds
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Points
19
Location
Bay Area, CA
Model of Z
2.3
If it has the original water pump, at 75k it is ready for changing. It is common for them to fail dramatically around that mileage also the plastic fan blades and radiator are collateral damage.

Tony.
Thank you. Doing a bit of research, I understand some folks perform a fan delete. Any read on whether that’s advisable? While this will be for weekend use mainly, there will be some commutes in Bay Area traffic (30 mph avg start and stop), so constant speed is not guaranteed.
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
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British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
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Sep 23, 2012
Points
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Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 Sport Individual
Hi @TheBoatDude, :welcome: to the forum from me too across the pond in Staffordshire, UK.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
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British Zeds
M Power
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Feb 18, 2016
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Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
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Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
:welcome:
 
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