Should I be worried?

[NawidDaoud]

Hi,

I'm currently looking at a Z3 2.2l Sport on Autotrader, and doing a check of the MOT history, the last 2 MOTs note "nearside floor pan damaged".

Upon enquiring, the seller says this was becasue "a previous garage had missed one of the jacking blocks when raising the car up on the ramp and has dented the underside, apparently it’s fine but they have to note it".

Just wanted to ask on here what the more experienced people think of this? The car is two hours away so don't want to bother going to view it if it's a major issue. The explanation sounds reasonable, but will it affect structural integrity of the chassis, or cause any other issues down the line?

Another advisory was that the offside brake shows signs of overheating. Would this simply be worn discs/pads that need replacing?

Thanks,
Nav

 

[Woodsta888]

Hi NAv,


Ask the seller for a pic of the damage to the floor pan. I wouldn't worry about a dent to it, depends if it was recorded for insurance damage. Depends if the damage is just a dent or the jacking arm ripped through the underseal, exposing bear metal.

Offside brake overheating sounds like a sticky brake caliper. Reconditioned brake caliper is £60 and probably £40 labour.

 

[Davyhoogy]

Brake will likely be a sticky caliper. Easily fixed with s piston refurb kit off ebay.

The floorpan I would guess as just the outer sill cover being damaged. But without pictures of it, you cant really know.
Did the seller explain that issue in the advert?
If not then they could be an untrustworthy seller and one to stay away from.

I'd suggest asking for some detailed pictures

 

[NawidDaoud]

Thanks guys.

Good to know on the brakes, I'd be up to try doing some work on it myself so not the end of the world.

In terms of the floor pan, it wasn't stated on the advert, and I only found out when doing my research. I'll ask for a few photos, as if it really is a minor dent then I'd be more understanding of them not stating it on the advert. Other than the above, it seems like a great car with great maintenance history and pretty low mileage so hoping it's nothing of concern!

 

[mrscalex]

You'd be surprised how many Z3s have dents and scrapes on the underside from hitting obstacles. It's not usually a big deal.

The caliper should get attention promptly because a dragging pad on the disc not only heats up but breaks up the pad surface.

 

[NawidDaoud]

Thats good to know.

I'm going to view the car in Winchester on Saturday. Are there any common problems in particular that I should look out for? It's had a new soft top and rear window recently, and has a very good service history, 65k mileage.

I was thinking about getting one of these pre purchase inspections just for extra peace of mind, as I'm not that experienced with cars beyond basic maintenance, so wouldn't really know how to inspect it. Do people think they're worth the money?

 

[t-tony]

There is a member down that way who may be able to have a look at it for you @pgunter ?

Tony.

 

[Woodsta888]

Is it the silver one ending in UOC? I'd look closely at that rear bumper as the gaps to the rear wings don't look right to me. Could be the rear bumper has been repaired and the clips not connected at the top of the bumpers to rear wings properly.

Get a look at either end of the sills, so take a mirror and a torch with you, and for the dented floor pan. There are outer sills and the inner sill that is part of the chassis, check the inner ones at either end though usually the outer ones are bad anyway. Probably fine on that low miler.They will be covered by the inner sill and by the wheel arch liners so

There is/was a buying guide somewhere here on the forums. the 6 pot Z3 engines are pretty bullet proof. Check temp gauge sits at half when warm, if not - broken thermostat.

Rocking seats and that they go back and forth on the motors.

Clunking from behind the seats when cornering. Wet carpets - check behind the seat too. Wet boot lining - these are just blocked drains.

All this is fixable, but good for haggling money off with. Wouldn't bother with a rusty 65k miler though

It's the sills where they rust and the bottom of the front and rear wings.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Going on personal experience, ask about oil consumption. BMWs are normally pretty good, but the M54 2.2/3.0 has a horrible thirst. Not all of them, but mine sure does.

 

[Stevo7682]

@the Nefyn cat
Is yours the O.P.E.C edition

 

[Bumpa]

It's essential that there are no warning lights showing when it is running. And checking for wet floors is a good idea too, although it isn't easy to tell because the water accumulates under the flooring. On my 2.2 sport there must have been nearly 2 pints of water under the flooring, but I didn't spot it when I bought the car. It was after I got it home that the warning lights came on and I ended up having to change both the acceleration sensors under the carpet on the passenger's side of the car. Not cheap. I have stopped the rain getting in and have nice dry floors now.

As others have said, the sill panel you can see is just a cover and not structural. The proper sill can be seen behind it if you look under the car and they can be quite rusty, although they are rarely structurally damaged. I have had the outer sills off mine and cleaned up and repainted the inner sills. Well worth doing to preserve the car.

Door locks can be an issue too. Make sure it locks and unlocks properly with both the fob and the key. Don't forget to check the boot lock too. Hopefully there will be two key fobs, and there should also be a plain master key.

The M54 engine is a wondrous thing, so smooth and free-revving. Mine doesn't use oil. It rarely needs topping up between changes.

They are sensitive to tyres. At least make sure that both fronts are the same brand and type or you will likely find the steering is a bit iffy, for example the car may want to follow lines on the road. I had mismatched front tyres and completely transformed the way it felt by buying a pair of new Avons.

Check everything works, including the air con.

Good luck.
Mike

 

[NawidDaoud]

Thanks everyone for all this help and advice. @Woodsta888 it is the one ending UOC! Looking back at the ad, I see what you mean about the rear bumper panel gap with the rear wing! Would I just try and given it a wobble to see if it feels properly attached?

In terms of the wet floors, it has been garaged so I assume if it has a leaky roof this won’t be obvious from wet floors. The car’s MOT history shows its only been driven a few hundred miles a year for the last few years. Wondering if this lack of use might cause other problems.

Has anyone got any images showing this inner & outer sill arrangement, just so I know what I’m looking at when I view? I had a quick google but it wasn’t immediately clear what it will look like from below without the outer sill removed.

I’m getting very excited about the prospect of finally getting a z3!

 

[Woodsta888]

Thanks everyone for all this help and advice. @Woodsta888 it is the one ending UOC! Looking back at the ad, I see what you mean about the rear bumper panel gap with the rear wing! Would I just try and given it a wobble to see if it feels properly attached?

I’m getting very excited about the prospect of finally getting a z3!

It's not so much whether it's not properly attached, as it looks to be so now. But why it was either; not reinstalled correctly and what work was done to take the bumper off; or the rear bumper has been hit to pop them off, and unusually both sides. Though possible if someone has hit their own garage padding hard enough but the padding saves the paintwork. Or worst case it's been hit in the back, new bumper but they didn't change or straighten the bumper carries. Mis-aligning body work lines between panels always should ring alarm bells. Ask the seller if the bumper has ever been taken off and why the alignment is off? Sellers may have bought it like that and never really noticed it.

 

[NawidDaoud]

I see, that makes a lot of sense! Wow, I definitely feel a lot more prepared for a viewing now than I did a few hours ago. Thanks all!

 

[Woodsta888]

You'll like the sound of the 2.2 engine too.

 

[NawidDaoud]

Yeah, I’ve listened to it on a few videos on YouTube, it sounds fantastic!

 

[Woodsta888]

One for sale from a forum member

https://zroadster.org/threads/2002-02-z3-2-2i-sport-roadster-£4250-now-£3850.34157/

 

[Bumpa]

Here's a photo of my sill with the outer panel still on the car - you can see it bolted on at the right of the picture. The big oval hole is where the rubber jacking pad is attached and its those four areas that are likely to show corrosion. The photo shows the right side front sill. Fortunately BMW used very thick steel here so it looks a lot worse than it is.

 

[NawidDaoud]

@Woodsta888 thanks, I have messaged him. It looks like a great car, but it's a bit far away from me (I'm Bristol based). Also it sounds like it needs brake pipes doing, as well as the inside A pillar painted (although this is only cosmetic).

The one I'm looking at in Winchester is likely to need new tyres soon, and potentially some other things that the seller isn't being up front about. Would be good to view both and make a decision, Winchester car is a bit more pricey, but there's probably room for bartering, whereas the one from the forum has already been reduced to a great price.

@Bumpa thanks for that, it makes a lot more sense now. Much appreciated.

 

[motco]

Good luck with the hunt Nawid, I love my 2.2 Sport and have done for 11 years!