Which engine is my 1.9 Z3? Basic question!!

[TriumphZ3]

Ok guys n gals, very basic question but I've only had the Z3 three weeks and am still trying to make sense of all the variations. Is it an E36 engine?
Secondly what's the output / spec of the UK model? I'm trying to buy a replacement exhaust and while I suspect they're the same for both specs I'm getting the option of 1.9i 1895cc 103kw 140hp M44 B19 (194S1) OR 1895cc 87kw 118hp M43 B19 (194E1).
How do I tell and does it matter for the rear half of the exhaust at all?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Take a photo of your engine and post it on here

 

[Duncodin]

M44 144HP is the twin cam 16v. Look under the hood at the engine. If it has a plastic strip down the middle between what looks like two cam covers it's a 16v and therefore the 144PS otherwise it's a 118PS (8 Valve)

The earlier 1.9 are 16v as far as I know. In the later ones are the the 16v was discontinued because they didn't want the performance of the 1.9 16v to be so close to the straight 6 engine

 

[TriumphZ3]

Never thought of posting a photo.... but here it is. 1998 Z3 1.9.

 

[Duncodin]

Yup. That's a M44

Most folks round here have 6 cylinder engines and look down on us 4 cyl owners. But the M44 Z3 is a poky machine. More than enough for me anyway.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Thank you!! Instant reply, very appreciated. It's been years since I've had a car that I know so little about, it's both interesting and embarrassing...

 

[Duncodin]

Thank you!! Instant reply, very appreciated. It's been years since I've had a car that I know so little about, it's both interesting and embarrassing...

I see you have a Triumph badge? Whah's that then? I had a spitfire once - but I'm alright now.

 

[Ianmc]

Agree M44; it's a fine twin cam engine, lighter than the bigger engines and powerful enough for most occasions.

 

[Mus Musculus]

Secondly what's the output / spec of the UK model?

I know you've already got your answer, but this information plus other details about the car (equipment level, etc.) can be obtained by entering your VIN on a site like BMW VIN Decoder

 

[Jack Ratt]

Used to be same output as Golf GTi back in the day

 

[andyglym]

Used to be same output as Golf GTi back in the day

And 10bhp more than the XR3i EFI

 

[Stevo7682]

Used to be same output as Golf GTi back in the day

I had vw mk2 gti's for a few years
The 1.8 16v had a 139 bhp stock but got to tell you now i like my M44 but a mk2 valver would destroy an m44 great car wish I'd kept my last one .
Stephen.

 

[Duncodin]

Used to be same output as Golf GTi back in the day

First MK1 golf GTI was 110hp But even that wasn't conducive to a good take off with all them horses to the front wheels. That's the problem with front wheel drive. When you floor it the centre of gravity swings backwards and the front comes up and it looks like you forgot to release the handbrake as you sit there burning rubber.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Thanks to all for your input, it's appreciated. It's really strange to me to have a car that is so unknown to me and at present my attitude is 'ask before you break something and it costs money'. Rear wheel drive is so common to me now after over 30 years of classic Triumphs but the BMW layout is different and of course the engine is much more complicated.

I see you have a Triumph badge? Whah's that then? I had a spitfire once - but I'm alright now.

I had one as my first Classic car in 1993; the seller really saw me coming and the 'fully restored' car required almost a full rebuild before it was even safe for the road. That's where I learned all my mechanic work; I did it myself as I was too embarrassed to admit what a lemon I'd bought. Within two years I had three Heralds and a GT6 and have had quite a few since. The closest I've been to a Z3 was with a TR7 which I rebuilt over lockdown.

 

[Ianmc]

I have also enjoyed Triumphs in the past. My first car was a 1963 Herald convertible (purchased aged 16 and in which I passed my driving test), a Spitfire 4 (Mk 1), a Spitfire MK 3 and a GT6 Mk3. My father had a Triumph 2000 and 2.5 PI which I borrowed to take the mates out!
Fine cars in their day, but not without challenges, mainly rust related.

 

[TriumphZ3]

Fine cars in their day, but not without challenges, mainly rust related.

Very true, but simple to repair - usually. One thing in their favour: no sensors nor complicated electronics, in fact two of mine have no fuses at all. (well they do now, I fitted a six fuse fusebox into the circuit)

 

[Mus Musculus]

Within two years I had three Heralds and a GT6 and have had quite a few since.

Eh, I am still on the lookout for a GT6, but other than buckets of rust, I've only found cars way beyond my budget. I do have an Spitfire Mark IV, which I love, but certainly not as practical as the Z3.

I think they are very different cars (off course), but I am trying to learn to dealing with something kind of modern… The spitfire is still much easier to deal with points and simple carburettors, though.

 

[TriumphZ3]

GT6 prices have gone mad recently; I can confirm as I sold my Mk1 for five times what I paid for it, albeit twenty years and a full rebuild later. A good one is very good, no rattles or shakes, and should drive very quietly especially with overdrive. A poor one is a nightmare, like any car... but having now owned the Z3 for a few weeks I'd say they're both of a muchness, with the Z3 obviously more modern to drive yet just as impractical for carrying anything bulky. Same long nose and rear wheel drive experience. The GT6 being a much older car there are plenty of manuals and suppliers; not so much, so far, for the Z3, so I'm still feeling my way round it.

 

[Mus Musculus]

The GT6 being a much older car there are plenty of manuals and suppliers; not so much, so far, for the Z3, so I'm still feeling my way round it.

Yep! Rimmer Bross (particularly) having bought all the Triumph's assets when the company went down was crucial. They carry most parts, including reproduction of original OEM stuff no longer available.

Not quite the same for Z3 parts, particularly after Brexit...

 

[Duncodin]

Now that we've hijacked the "Which engine...." thread - here's a picture of my Spitfire - as it was before I sold it to some guy in France.