Sell or Scrap?

[RustyZ3Fan]

After 25 years, it seems like me and my 2.8 Z3 (owned from new) are going to have to part company. It needs rust repairs to inner sills and the "rails" (is that the right term?) that support the engine are rusted too. I have no mechanical skills, can't weld and the cost of getting this done by a high quality garage is probably more than the value of a 2.8 Z3 (it involves taking the engine out).

So my question is: "what do Z3 owners do in this situation?"

Are there people out there with the right skills who would buy a car like this cheaply and do the work themselves? Obviously the preferred option - I've been told the engines are good for 250,000 miles, so 170,000 miles to go.

Or, is the most realistic option to sell it to a breaker or scrap it? And if so, how do you go about this please?

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I would get a second option before deciding what to do. 80,000 miles seems low to have succumbed to terminal rust issues unless you live by the sea. For a better diagnosis I would post up some pics of the affected areas.

 

[hard top]

the cost of getting this done by a high quality garage is probably more than the value of a 2.8 Z3

With all due respect, reading your above post, I take it that you have not asked anyone to quote on the cost of repair work ?
That is the first thing that I would do before scraping or selling the car.

 

[RustyZ3Fan]

I've had a quote for the repair work from a leading BMW restorer. I could buy a better Z3 for less than the quoted cost of the repairs.

 

[Grumps]

Are you in the UK? @Lee maybe able to put some light on things or even offer his services as he runs the Zedshed.

 

[Stevo7682]

I have seen a number of quite corroded zed 3 and yes sills can cause issues inners can be repaired ( outer sill bolt on so just replace for new.
Never seen a zed with corroded engine chassis legs .
I have seen a couple of zeds with the inner wheel arch section behind the headlight corroded but this would be repaired with headlight and wheel arch liner removed.

As already said above get some pictures took and posted and let folks like @Lee ( who runs zedshed hq and is very knowledgeable about these cars) and myself ( mot tester 25 years ) get a look and we can maybe advise.

Also if you are in the UK post up where you are and you may find someone on here may know someone local to you who may be able to assist you in finding someone who can help you effect repairs
If you have had the car that long and you still want to keep it i would be trying to explore all the options first before scrapping a zed that may be repaired.

Stephen.

 

[RustyZ3Fan]

Many thanks for the different feedback on how to further assess the condition of the car and the cost of repairs and offers to review pictures and do an inspection - that is very much appreciated.

However, I'm past that point - I've put my trust in leading BMW restoration company who are very familiar with Z3s and I don't want to spend any more time reviewing the condition of the car. I am happy to accept their expert opinion that the engine bay chassis rails and inner sills adds up to too much work to make it economically sensible. The car has been exposed to sea air at times, which perhaps explains the rust.

I'm happy to move on and I hope the buyer will be someone who wants to do the necessary work themselves rather than having to hire a restoration firm.