Z3 2.8i Roadster
- Thread starter Markrday
- Start date
Take a look in here mate.
zroadster.org
BMW Z3 General Information for Potential Buyers by Mike Fishwick
The first thing to consider is the capacity – in spite of the comments of most journalists and other entertainers that the 1.9 is grossly underpowered, it is a very nice car. It must however be judged as a 1.9 litre 140 bhp car; it is fruitless...
zroadster.org
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Where to start? Here's a few things.
Service history is king here, if the car has been with the present owner for a good many years and there's lots then a lot of the below wont be an issue. If its a short term owner with little history then buyer beware. Hope this helps.
Ends of the sills Front and Rear, they corrode badly. (relatively easy to change as they are bolt on cosmetic parts but not so easy to get hold of new ones)
Rocking drivers seat. The plastic pads in the adjuster screws wear / disintegrate. Easy(ish) cheap repair.
Damage to drivers seat bolster. Its a wear and tear issue.
Shift Pins. Check the gear stick lines up with 3rd/4th when in neutral if not then the pin shims are worn and its a gear box out repair however it wont stop the car being used, its just annoying.
Check AC, Heated seats, Electric roof electric mirrors and windows all work (if fitted)
AC if its not working it may well be more than just a re-gas, the condensers are vulnerable and can get holed. Repair approx. £600ish
Check the carpets are not wet push down hard several times to see if any dampness comes up. Its an issue!
Check Boot for water. If you can check the battery box area and to the left of the left rear light remove the side carpet (easy to do) stick your hand into the area alongside the light, right to the bottom, if its full of water then most likely the aerial grommet is leaking. Just get some cash off, its an easy cheap fix.
Check Boot welds. Remove the boot carpet completely, its designed to be lifted out. You will see a row of spot welds running across the boot. If any are pulled I would walk away this shows the diff hanger is breaking away underneath.
Engine for oil leaks. Not usually an issue is its been well maintained.
Rear Tyres. Check inside edge of both tyres, if severely worn compared to the rest of the tyre the car has either been over lowered or the suspension is very worn (Z3s do tend to wear here to a degree)
Check Headlight switch. The switch is also the rheostat for the dash lights (pull the switch to turn the lights on and twist back and fore checking the dash light dim/ brighten gradually) these fail and new ones are £100+ish
Heater. get the car to normal driving temp and make sure the heat works in all positions, it should blow VERY hot, the Z3 heaters are fantastic if working correctly.
Excessive diff whine. The diffs are not the quietist but it shouldn't be very loud.
Suspension. If its original or very old it will most likely want changing. Lower front wishbones and rear donut bushes would most likely need changing DIY if you are handy with the spanners. Rear beam bushes will be knackered if original, difficult to check. It wont stop you enjoying the car but handling will be compromised. Rear beam removal to repair, not easy DIY job. Shocks are easy DIY job and not excessively expensive.
Brakes. After a test drive check each wheel If excessively hot then a brake is sticking. Common with badly maintained Z3s
Dash warning lights. Check all the lights come on with ignition then all go off after starting.
Rear window condition and surround. If its in bad shape then a new window / roof is the only option. New fitted roof at Jack Smiths in Swansea approx £400
Temp gauge. The car should run with the gauge smack bang in the centre, if not then its possible it may only be a thermostat change needed.
Tamper Dot. Check by the oedometer, if there's a dot then the cluster has been changed / messed with. There needs to be an explanation if this is showing.
Central locking. Check it works on both doors and boot.
Good luck, hope its a good car
Service history is king here, if the car has been with the present owner for a good many years and there's lots then a lot of the below wont be an issue. If its a short term owner with little history then buyer beware. Hope this helps.
Ends of the sills Front and Rear, they corrode badly. (relatively easy to change as they are bolt on cosmetic parts but not so easy to get hold of new ones)
Rocking drivers seat. The plastic pads in the adjuster screws wear / disintegrate. Easy(ish) cheap repair.
Damage to drivers seat bolster. Its a wear and tear issue.
Shift Pins. Check the gear stick lines up with 3rd/4th when in neutral if not then the pin shims are worn and its a gear box out repair however it wont stop the car being used, its just annoying.
Check AC, Heated seats, Electric roof electric mirrors and windows all work (if fitted)
AC if its not working it may well be more than just a re-gas, the condensers are vulnerable and can get holed. Repair approx. £600ish
Check the carpets are not wet push down hard several times to see if any dampness comes up. Its an issue!
Check Boot for water. If you can check the battery box area and to the left of the left rear light remove the side carpet (easy to do) stick your hand into the area alongside the light, right to the bottom, if its full of water then most likely the aerial grommet is leaking. Just get some cash off, its an easy cheap fix.
Check Boot welds. Remove the boot carpet completely, its designed to be lifted out. You will see a row of spot welds running across the boot. If any are pulled I would walk away this shows the diff hanger is breaking away underneath.
Engine for oil leaks. Not usually an issue is its been well maintained.
Rear Tyres. Check inside edge of both tyres, if severely worn compared to the rest of the tyre the car has either been over lowered or the suspension is very worn (Z3s do tend to wear here to a degree)
Check Headlight switch. The switch is also the rheostat for the dash lights (pull the switch to turn the lights on and twist back and fore checking the dash light dim/ brighten gradually) these fail and new ones are £100+ish
Heater. get the car to normal driving temp and make sure the heat works in all positions, it should blow VERY hot, the Z3 heaters are fantastic if working correctly.
Excessive diff whine. The diffs are not the quietist but it shouldn't be very loud.
Suspension. If its original or very old it will most likely want changing. Lower front wishbones and rear donut bushes would most likely need changing DIY if you are handy with the spanners. Rear beam bushes will be knackered if original, difficult to check. It wont stop you enjoying the car but handling will be compromised. Rear beam removal to repair, not easy DIY job. Shocks are easy DIY job and not excessively expensive.
Brakes. After a test drive check each wheel If excessively hot then a brake is sticking. Common with badly maintained Z3s
Dash warning lights. Check all the lights come on with ignition then all go off after starting.
Rear window condition and surround. If its in bad shape then a new window / roof is the only option. New fitted roof at Jack Smiths in Swansea approx £400
Temp gauge. The car should run with the gauge smack bang in the centre, if not then its possible it may only be a thermostat change needed.
Tamper Dot. Check by the oedometer, if there's a dot then the cluster has been changed / messed with. There needs to be an explanation if this is showing.
Central locking. Check it works on both doors and boot.
Good luck, hope its a good car
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I would also add to check the seat belt guides as prone to braking. Various fixes
Thank you.Take a look in here mate.
BMW Z3 General Information for Potential Buyers by Mike Fishwick
The first thing to consider is the capacity – in spite of the comments of most journalists and other entertainers that the 1.9 is grossly underpowered, it is a very nice car. It must however be judged as a 1.9 litre 140 bhp car; it is fruitless...
Wow, thanks - very comprehensive!Where to start? Here's a few things.
Service history is king here, if the car has been with the present owner for a good many years and there's lots then a lot of the below wont be an issue. If its a short term owner with little history then buyer beware. Hope this helps.
Ends of the sills Front and Rear, they corrode badly. (relatively easy to change as they are bolt on cosmetic parts but not so easy to get hold of new ones)
Rocking drivers seat. The plastic pads in the adjuster screws wear / disintegrate. Easy(ish) cheap repair.
Damage to drivers seat bolster. Its a wear and tear issue.
Shift Pins. Check the gear stick lines up with 3rd/4th when in neutral if not then the pin shims are worn and its a gear box out repair however it wont stop the car being used, its just annoying.
Check AC, Heated seats, Electric roof electric mirrors and windows all work (if fitted)
AC if its not working it may well be more than just a re-gas, the condensers are vulnerable and can get holed. Repair approx. £600ish
Check the carpets are not wet push down hard several times to see if any dampness comes up. Its an issue!
Check Boot for water. If you can check the battery box area and to the left of the left rear light remove the side carpet (easy to do) stick your hand into the area alongside the light, right to the bottom, if its full of water then most likely the aerial grommet is leaking. Just get some cash off, its an easy cheap fix.
Check Boot welds. Remove the boot carpet completely, its designed to be lifted out. You will see a row of spot welds running across the boot. If any are pulled I would walk away this shows the diff hanger is breaking away underneath.
Engine for oil leaks. Not usually an issue is its been well maintained.
Rear Tyres. Check inside edge of both tyres, if severely worn compared to the rest of the tyre the car has either been over lowered or the suspension is very worn (Z3s do tend to wear here to a degree)
Check Headlight switch. The switch is also the rheostat for the dash lights (pull the switch to turn the lights on and twist back and fore checking the dash light dim/ brighten gradually) these fail and new ones are £100+ish
Heater. get the car to normal driving temp and make sure the heat works in all positions, it should blow VERY hot, the Z3 heaters are fantastic if working correctly.
Excessive diff whine. The diffs are not the quietist but it shouldn't be very loud.
Suspension. If its original or very old it will most likely want changing. Lower front wishbones and rear donut bushes would most likely need changing DIY if you are handy with the spanners. Rear beam bushes will be knackered if original, difficult to check. It wont stop you enjoying the car but handling will be compromised. Rear beam removal to repair, not easy DIY job. Shocks are easy DIY job and not excessively expensive.
Brakes. After a test drive check each wheel If excessively hot then a brake is sticking. Common with badly maintained Z3s
Dash warning lights. Check all the lights come on with ignition then all go off after starting.
Rear window condition and surround. If its in bad shape then a new window / roof is the only option. New fitted roof at Jack Smiths in Swansea approx £400
Temp gauge. The car should run with the gauge smack bang in the centre, if not then its possible it may only be a thermostat change needed.
Tamper Dot. Check by the oedometer, if there's a dot then the cluster has been changed / messed with. There needs to be an explanation if this is showing.
Central locking. Check it works on both doors and boot.
Good luck, hope its a good car
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
You are very welcome, if another 10 people jumped on I'm sure they could add lots more from personal experience. My advice, keep it real, these cars are now getting on a bit, though some are immaculate (and pricey) and some are total basket cases (and should be left alone) in between are a lot of good honest cars that just need some tlc.
To @Nodzed 's very comprehensive list, I would add check drivers internal grab handle (used to close door) is not loose. Mine has been loose since buying the car and failed completely yesterday; new replacement is £480.00!! 
Second hand may be possible, but perfect usable condition may not be. Worth checking.
Second hand may be possible, but perfect usable condition may not be. Worth checking.
...very comprehensive...but dont be put off, not all cars have all those issues . As with anything maintenance is key so if they pull out a wad of service reciepts an inch thick, you are probably on to a good one.
I would just add, check the obvious things like if there is an engine warning light on etc. A lot of the sensors (O2, cam position etc) and the rubber hoses are starting to age and may need replacing... again non of these things are a big deal and usually doable at home.
. As with anything maintenance is key so if they pull out a wad of service reciepts an inch thick, you are probably on to a good one.I would just add, check the obvious things like if there is an engine warning light on etc. A lot of the sensors (O2, cam position etc) and the rubber hoses are starting to age and may need replacing... again non of these things are a big deal and usually doable at home.
From a relatively new owner to this Z3 game..My advise would be to purchase the best one you can afford..I looked for a 3.0 for over a year...Looked at some absolute sheds that were circa £3500 to ones that owners thought they were selling a 911 Porsche and priced accordingly £13.5 K upwards..The one I ended up has been loved by its previous owner for many years and was priced midrange..Very happy with it and touchwood tempting fate no big problems so far...
Check the MOT history, especially advisory items. If they've been ignored it could be a warning, if they've been rectified then there's a chance the owner liked to maintain his/her car.
Tony.
Tony.
Wing mirrors still fold
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Always best to try to buy off an enthusiast.
Yeah...
although accidently breaking them when you realise they are rusted solid may not go down too well with the seller . Better add rusted mirror bases to the list.I am getting the feeling we are not really selling Z3 ownership the way we should be here.
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Haha true, well I bought mine blind and has/had many of the usual culprits- none stop me enjoying it
Thanks guys for all the advice. Bought the car, came also with hardtop!. It was a good 80 mile drive back with no problems. A few little things to deep clean etc, body work all perfect. Engine pulls strongly and gearbox is lovely, car has a power flow exhaust fitted which is not to my taste and I would prefer to put back to standard - I will try to sell the powerflow exhaust.
Hoping to replace and renew bits and pieces and get car to as close to original as possible over time so I am sure I’ll be asking for a lot more advice.
Thanks again.
Hoping to replace and renew bits and pieces and get car to as close to original as possible over time so I am sure I’ll be asking for a lot more advice.
Thanks again.
Ask the seller to fold the mirrors, when they break off, act surprised.Yeah...
I am getting the feeling we are not really selling Z3 ownership the way we should be here.