raymond
Zorg Guru (I)
I am looking at this car as a possible purchase. There is no accident history but mild rust around jacking points. Registration number RV51YYN but the car is down as green! Opinions, please!
Possible purchase
- Thread starter raymond
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Just had a look at its MOT history here https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=RV51YYN&checkRecalls=true
Last MOT lists the jacking point corrosion. Previous couple of MOT's did have advisories since they are not present on the latest test just check if they were dealt with. Shock absorbers, brake pipes and suspension pins or bushes should all be checked.
To deal with the rusty jacking points best to take the outer sills off to see what the inner sills are like and the rear of the cover sills. With the outer sills off and the plastic jacking points removed its easy to treat corrosion. Check for any warning lights on the dash and ensure the airbag light is lit when ignition is first turned on and extinguished when the engine is started. It is not unknown for dash warning lights to have bulbs removed or blanked out to mask the problem that has lit them.
Last MOT lists the jacking point corrosion. Previous couple of MOT's did have advisories since they are not present on the latest test just check if they were dealt with. Shock absorbers, brake pipes and suspension pins or bushes should all be checked.
To deal with the rusty jacking points best to take the outer sills off to see what the inner sills are like and the rear of the cover sills. With the outer sills off and the plastic jacking points removed its easy to treat corrosion. Check for any warning lights on the dash and ensure the airbag light is lit when ignition is first turned on and extinguished when the engine is started. It is not unknown for dash warning lights to have bulbs removed or blanked out to mask the problem that has lit them.
raymond
Zorg Guru (I)
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Rear window looks like its had a replacement, the seal around it isn't factory and doesn't look great. Roof replacement at Jack Smiths in Swansea around £350 would put that right, its the place to go for a new roof.
As mentioned above with regards to the jacking points they can look worst than what they seem on first inspection. Mine looked a bit iffy until I removed the the outer sill covers & plastic jacking inserts. Once the original cracked under seal has been removed the sill underneath was totally sound.
If you look up sill refurbishment in search you’ll come across a number of examples by contributors on here about the subject. Well worth reading up about how it’s done.
If you look up sill refurbishment in search you’ll come across a number of examples by contributors on here about the subject. Well worth reading up about how it’s done.
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Just to give you an example of "before" and "after" see pics below.
Before - does look iffy when you first look, the cracks look ominous!! MOT advisory for corrosion?
After - the inner sills are make from steel about 3mm thick.
The actual jacking point.
Before - does look iffy when you first look, the cracks look ominous!! MOT advisory for corrosion?
After - the inner sills are make from steel about 3mm thick.
The actual jacking point.
But on the other hand you can find some hidden horrors behind a Jack pad.
but can be repaired by someone who has skill and experience
but can be repaired by someone who has skill and experience
I fitted new sills on my Z3 and one of the advisories were "sills had corrosion" When I asked how exactly the sills had corrosion he said the jacking points, I brushed them down, waxoyled and they are fine. Some don't really get the wording right on the MOT so there is nothing like having a good look for yourself
jaguartvr
Zorg Guru (I)
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
- Points
- 95
Roof needs replacing as the tape around the rear window is a sign of rotten stitching, With rusty sills I would value it around £1500 providing it is a 3,0.
There are lots of Z3s around at much more sensible prices, if the sills are rotten it will turn into a money pit.
There are lots of Z3s around at much more sensible prices, if the sills are rotten it will turn into a money pit.
My sills were rotten bought genuine sills for £300 sprayed them myself for £50 and while I was at it I zinc coated everything and waxoyled while I was at it. These cars are getting old and for me I would class it as preventive maintenance and a good way to have and a good way to have a good look. The sills were rotten but behind them it was solid.
Its when you start pulling the engine apart I had issues as everything plastic just crumbled and I ended up spending £600 just replacing every gasket, water pipe, X8r vanos and disa valve, vacumn hoses. Its ok if you can do those things as its parts only
jaguartvr
Zorg Guru (I)
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
- Points
- 95
If it is only the outer sills that are cotton then it is not a big problem, however you won't find out what the inner sills are like until you have removed the outer sills. Budget for them being rotten and then you have covered yourself. There are so many of these cars available so take your time and choose wisely.
If you need outer sills ask Spurs fan in a coupe, even if he doesn't have any at the moment he will probably get some in, ask him to put you on a waiting list as the car has long MOT you have some time.
If you need outer sills ask Spurs fan in a coupe, even if he doesn't have any at the moment he will probably get some in, ask him to put you on a waiting list as the car has long MOT you have some time.
Personally unless the sills are very cheap 2nd hand and you do not intend on the keeping the car long they will suffice. I viewed quite a few 2nd hand and they had all started to go so bought new and doubled their weight in waxoyl. They really should not be an MOT failure point as they are not structural but merely covers but most MOT stations seem to think they are structural.
I think when buying any old car you need to factor in some money to do repairs. They are old - and bits wear out as I am finding with my hips and knees lol
I think when buying any old car you need to factor in some money to do repairs. They are old - and bits wear out as I am finding with my hips and knees lol
The outer sills are only covers and not part of the structural integrity of the car as has already been mentioned.
Although Althulus has pointed out an extreme case of inner sill corrosion, in all the years of owning Z3MCs since 2005 I’ve only been aware of two cases of inner sills requiring repair, one on Z Coupe Forum and if I recall one car on this Forum. Other than that everyone who has carried out refurbishment of inner sills seems to have done it along the lines of how I did mine.
Looking at the car you have in mind (bearing in mind we are looking at photos) it generally looks in good condition.
What is required are either close up photos of corrosion around jacking points or a physical inspection of the car to see if it’s just corroded sill covers. Without removing outer covers you cannot see the condition of inner sills.
Hope this helps.
Although Althulus has pointed out an extreme case of inner sill corrosion, in all the years of owning Z3MCs since 2005 I’ve only been aware of two cases of inner sills requiring repair, one on Z Coupe Forum and if I recall one car on this Forum. Other than that everyone who has carried out refurbishment of inner sills seems to have done it along the lines of how I did mine.
Looking at the car you have in mind (bearing in mind we are looking at photos) it generally looks in good condition.
What is required are either close up photos of corrosion around jacking points or a physical inspection of the car to see if it’s just corroded sill covers. Without removing outer covers you cannot see the condition of inner sills.
Hope this helps.
£4000 for a 2.2 Sport in decent condition isn't silly.
But.......
Have the advisories been fixed? 'Light oil misting' on dampers means they are knackered and p****** oil out. And have been for the last few MOT's.
Rusty brake pipes, 'slight wear' in balljoints etc are things that should be fixed. Have they?
If not, it's a £2500 car at most.
But.......
Have the advisories been fixed? 'Light oil misting' on dampers means they are knackered and p****** oil out. And have been for the last few MOT's.
Rusty brake pipes, 'slight wear' in balljoints etc are things that should be fixed. Have they?
If not, it's a £2500 car at most.
Funny how they list those things on the MOT yet when you take it in for a full service they never mention them. I have taken the Z3 into one garage and it failed on bits, took it home, fixed them, took it to another garage and it failed on other bits (The original garage was fully booked for a re-test)
I honestly take what the MOT stations say with a pinch of salt and fix the failures. The advisories are just that. They are advising you what needs to be done in your own time. I normally do a full service myself and sort out what needs to be done