What Z3 to buy?

[andyglym]

ANDREW!!! Don't pick on Mike, he's older than probably any of us and a damn sight fitter!

Exactly

 

[Z Victor 1]

He's an inspiration to any of us feeling like we're too old for tazzing about in a sportscar!

 

[Pennelle]

For the 4-cylinder Z3, aim for the 2.2L or 2.8L engines, as they'll give you more power than the 114 hp version. For the 6-cylinders, avoid the M3 if you're worried about those issues. The Z3 2.8L is pretty reliable.

 

[Zephyr]

For the 4-cylinder Z3, aim for the 2.2L or 2.8L engines, as they'll give you more power than the 114 hp version. For the 6-cylinders, avoid the M3 if you're worried about those issues. The Z3 2.8L is pretty reliable.

1.9 and 1.8 are four cylinders.
All the rest are six cylinder engines M52 M52TU and M54 up to the M and S52 and S54 for the ///M models.

 

[Nodzed]

My name is Jack
I don’t yet own a Z3. But I am looking. My confusion is how do I know what 4 cylinder to get (so I don’t end out with 114 hp)
I have also looked at 6 cylinder cars also but some I am told have serious mechanical issues, like rod bearings on the m3 or vanos issues. I’m a 75 year old diy guy. I don’t want to rebuild an engine. Is there a place I can go to find what each engines good and bad points are? Thanks for your help.

Hi, here's my two penny worth. I have had Z3 2.8s and Z3Ms both lovely engines btw, I have driven a 2.2 but never owned one and was surprised and impressed. But if I was going to buy another Z3 I would definitely get a 2.2, great sound, plenty of performance for a bimble around with the roof down. I base this mostly on listening to 2.2 owners and being chased by 2.2 owners who manage to on occasions wring the necks out of them. I think most Z3 owners mostly bimble around A & B roads so BHP becomes less important. Im sure the 1.9 owners would use a similar argument for the 4 pots, but the sound of the straight six is lovely.

BTW way I have driven from Austria to the UK virtually non stop in a Z3 and didn't have any issues with comfort.

 

[JackKoepfler]

This thread has been so much fun and informative to. I think all things being equal I will opt for one of the smaller 6 cylinder engines. But if I find a 4 cylinder with a good history, I will go that way in a heartbeat. I really thought low miles was the way to go but realize, if it hasn’t been taken care of it’s just a low mileage piece of junk. (I’m really glad you brought that up.) If all else fails, I’ll make sure to keep the dust caps shiny ! . That seems to make all the difference with my F250 Ford.
Thanks again Jack

 

[JackKoepfler]

And I’ll keep it in the garage with the top down, so I can get in and out of it!

 

[Jam03]

In the US, there was no 2.2, but you have the 2.3 and 2.5 I think, which are the 6 cylinder cars. Good luck and be sure to post some pictures up here when you’ve got one.

 

[JackKoepfler]

In the US, there was no 2.2, but you have the 2.3 and 2.5 I think, which are the 6 cylinder cars. Good luck and be sure to post some pictures up here when you’ve got one.

Thanks I will