Thinking of buying a Z3M Roadster

[captain caveman]

Im thinking of buying one of these, Im sure its been asked 100,s of times so i guess once more won't hurt

Its a 98 Roadster with 98k and full history.
Its the first one so what should i be looking for?
Ive read to look for a noisy varnos when cold?
The boot floor, Can this be checked from inside?

 

[Davyhoogy]

There's a lovely one on here for sale in glasgow. Known to the forum so you know what your getting

 

[handsomejackuk]

not sure whether the z3m is the same as a regular z3 but to check the welds on my 1.9 Z3 I had to remove the boot tool tray pretty easy to do i think the socket was in the kit... to remove the tool tray,.... i think the z3m has a different tool tray, so may be slightly different

dont think i really needed to check the welds on a 1.9 but hey its good to know its all good...

 

[raymond]

My own M had the repair in its receipts so look there first. My own one had a very good repair and was repainted in the correct colour. Wing mirrors are expensive as they are unique to the M. Check cam clearances have been done and look for rust at the edges of the panels.

 

[GazHyde]

Aside from the engine, there is very little difference in looking at an ///M to a standard Z3. All potential Z3 owners should be getting the thing up in the air and checking the diff mount for cracks, and taking the carpet out the boot for spot welds. If it's in the air, check the beam bushes and every bit of rubber underneath.

Service history would be preferred purely to reinforce your future values. It's somewhere up to £1k to get the vanos refurbished, or if you are brave you can do it yourself. Power wise it should rev throughout the range and pull continuously to the red line (if your brave enough!).

 

[Dino D]

There's a lovely one on here for sale in glasgow. Known to the forum so you know what your getting

I think there are 2 well sorted ones for sale in Estoril blue. The one in Glasgow you mention - @AGT1953 car and @Gwyndaf

Ideally buy from an enthusiast who knows and uses the car rather than someone who treats it like 'just an old BMW'!

 

[captain caveman]

Im a bit far away from Scotland, Im off to see this one now.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-z3-m-roadster/1244153617
Thoughts?

 

[DavidM]

I wouldn't rule out Scotland - fly up drive back - with stops if necessary -and enjoy the experience - Forum member cars so they should be top notch! Get travel expenses discounted from the price+

 

[Dino D]

Bought mine in Edinburgh and drive back to Kent. For a good car worth traveling especially for an M which is so much cash.
That's said the one in the ad looks worth a viewing for sure, can't tell much from the ad but nothing off putting.

 

[Ianmc]

It's worth being aware that there are two versions of the MR, the S50 and S54. There are significant differences between the two.

 

[captain caveman]

Well just got back from having a look at the one on Gumtree.....
Im still looking.

 

[raymond]

What was wrong with it ?

 

[captain caveman]

Don't really want to post full details on here the guy mite be a member and he was tidy enough.
But if anyone really wants to know i'll tell them by pm.

 

[Stevo7682]

This is the link to @AGT1953 Andy's sale thread
https://zroadster.org/threads/1998-z3m-for-sale-in-glasgow.16778/


I saw Andy's car on the Scottish run last year it is nice looking

 

[captain caveman]

Now that looks a cracker but at 17k its out of my price range.

 

[lightning]

I'd always be wary of a private seller advertising a car as having "gleaming" alloys and "ice cold aircon" as these are dealer speak.

 

[N4LLY]

Don't really want to post full details on here the guy mite be a member and he was tidy enough.
But if anyone really wants to know i'll tell them by pm.

....and crap photo's

 

[captain caveman]

TBH it was bit of a dog.