Some much needed advice

[Jamesz3]

Hi all, 3 months ago I purchased my z3 and since then have been attempting to fix it up and get it in working order, I had to put it into the garage to get some of the last jobs done and get it mot'd only to find out that the headgasket is gone and the clutch is on its last legs as well, I'm in about £2300 in all, whats your advice as the garage has said repairs for the whole thing is going to be nearly the cost of the vehicle

 

[BoxClever]

A clutch and master cylinder is less than £200 to buy and I had fitted by a local Indy for £450 all in (including parts). How much is a head gasket job? Is that gonna run to nearly £2k? Really don’t know. Someone on here will know for sure.
But if you like the car, and as you don’t have much money in it already, surely it would be better fixed and staying with you?

just my thoughts, obvs.

 

[Jamesz3]

A clutch and master cylinder is less than £200 to buy and I had fitted by a local Indy for £450 all in (including parts). How much is a head gasket job? Is that gonna run to nearly £2k? Really don’t know. Someone on here will know for sure.
But if you like the car, and as you don’t have much money in it already, surely it would be better fixed and staying with you?

just my thoughts, obvs.

Well not nearly 2k, I was told that the headgasket job would run me over a grand though, and that's the thing I'm not even sure how much I enjoy the car as I got it, drove it back 50 miles and then its been on axel ever since

 

[BoxClever]

Ok. But if this large bill ends up with you having a well sorted car and you’re fine with the total amount you have in the car then it’ll be fine. If your heart is not in it then maybe cut your losses and get out before you are too deep.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

May also depend which Z3 it is, some are worth way more than others. Over a thousand for a head-gasket, though? I know there's more than just a gasket involved, but, again depending on the particular model, these aren't complicated cars, and the engines are fitted to plenty of other BMWs, so no shortage of bits out there.

 

[Jamesz3]

May also depend which Z3 it is, some are worth way more than others. Over a thousand for a head-gasket, though? I know there's more than just a gasket involved, but, again depending on the particular model, these aren't complicated cars, and the engines are fitted to plenty of other BMWs, so no shortage of bits out there.

M44 1.9i 140hp model

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Not one of the more valuable ones, but smaller gasket/fewer head bolts/less bits in general. If you've never done a head gasket before this could be time to buy a few tools and find out what's inside there.

 

[t-tony]

Labour, full gasket set, set of new head bolts, reface cylinder head easily £1,000 inc. vat. If you can’t do any of it yourself you need to think carefully before committing. What year and body condition is it, might be worth breaking if you have the space.

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

M44 1.9i 140hp model

One of the best balanced Z3s, other opinions may be available.

 

[Jamesz3]

Labour, full gasket set, set of new head bolts, reface cylinder head easily £1,000 inc. vat. If you can’t do any of it yourself you need to think carefully before committing. What year and body condition is it, might be worth breaking if you have the space.

Tony.

1997 The body is in really good nick, with almost 0 rust no dents dings, a little bit of lacquer peel on the bonnet and the previous owner has put a bunch of m series parts on it.
I would 100% break it if i had the time or the space but at this rate i might just look for a quick sale, i might post some pics later and see what people think i could get for it.

 

[Jamesz3]

One of the best balanced Z3s, other opinions may be available.

would love to be able to weigh in but i only got to drive it once back from the guys house and then its been problem after problem

 

[Duncodin]

These things are 20+ years old. Personally I would never recommend anyone runs a 20 years car unless they're able to do quite a lot (ie most) jobs themselves. Or they have the money to pay other people to do it AND they don't care about cost versus value - and at least have enough knowledge to know if/when a garage guy is likely to just start swapping out parts till the fault goes away (he won't take the unnecessary parts back)

Or live near enough to one of the ZedSheds

I'm, kind of half and half. I like to think I can do pretty much anything on a car especially with the info available via this forum. But I'm also happy to let my local garage/MOT guy earn a living when he picks up something that needs doing for MOT.

 

[Jamesz3]

These things are 20+ years old. Personally I would never recommend anyone runs a 20 years car unless they're able to do quite a lot (ie most) jobs themselves. Or they have the money to pay other people to do it AND they don't care about cost versus value - and at least have enough knowledge to know if/when a garage guy is likely to just start swapping out parts till the fault goes away (he won't take the unnecessary parts back)

Or live near enough to one of the ZedSheds

I'm, kind of half and half. I like to think I can do pretty much anything on a car especially with the info available via this forum. But I'm also happy to let my local garage/MOT guy earn a living when he picks up something that needs doing for MOT.

yeah i bought the car with the intent of working on it mostly but i think a job like this was something im not too prepared for plus the clutch, its just a bit too much for me to be able to do on the driveway on my own

 

[t-tony]

yeah i bought the car with the intent of working on it mostly but i think a job like this was something im not too prepared for plus the clutch, its just a bit too much for me to be able to do on the driveway on my own

If you haven't noticed any issues with the clutch, ie slipping, judder etc. Maybe it's worth thinking about getting the head gasket done and make the clutch last a bit longer?

Tony.